Tour Diary

Day 1: Monday March 18th
Depart on the 7:30 am train from Cork to Dublin. Transfer to Dublin airport for our flight to Milan. Coach from Milan to Lido de Jesolo, lunch enroute. Arrive at our hotel at 12:45 am (Tuesday), Hotel Pigalle on via Padova 82.

Day 2: Tuesday March 19th
Early morning walk along the deserted beach of Lido De Jesolo. Coach and waterbus to Venice where we meet our guide. Visit to Piazza San Marco and the Basilica, the Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, Bridge of Sighs, and the old theatre which has recently been severely damaged by fire. Afternoon free to wander along the narrow streets, do some shopping and see more of the city from the waterbus.

Day 3: Wednesday March 20th
Travel by coach to the town of Verona to visit the famous 22,000 seat Roman Arena, now used during the summer months to stage spectacular opera productions. The play Romeo and Juliet was set in this town and although a work of fiction, it is possible to visit Juliet's house and tomb. Continue on to the beautiful spa town of Montecatini where we stay at the Hotel Ariston.

Day 4: Thursday March 21st
Guided tour of Florence, the epicentre of the renaissance. Visit to the Duomo, where a climb to the dome is rewarded by spectacular views over the city, the doors of the baptistery are very impressive. Those facing the Duomo were so beautiful that they were given the name "Gates of Paradise". Near the Duomo stands the brightly coloured Campanile. Afternoon free to explore more of this magnificent city. Return by coach to Montecatini.

Day 5: Friday March 22nd
Depart for Pisa. Visit to the Piazza del Duomo, also known as the "field of miracles", with it's beautiful white Duomo and the famous leaning tower. The tower has weights attached to it's base, part of a project to prevent its total collapse. Travel on to a hypermarket for some last minute shopping and then to our hotel in Milan.

Day 6: Saturday March 23rd
Depart for Milan airport at 4:50 am. Fly to Dublin and return to Cork on the 15:10 train.

Italy covers an area of 301,250 Square Kilometers. The predominant religion is Roman Catholic. Venice is situated on the Northern tip of the Adriatic, while Pisa faces the Ligurian sea. 

Climate: March temperatures in Italy can fluctuate between 6 and 15 degrees Celsius with low rainfall.

Language: Italian

Time: GMT + 1 hour

Telephone: The international dial code for Venice from Ireland is 00 39 041, Florence is 00 39 055 followed by the local number.

Currency: Lira

Main sights: Piazza San Marco, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Santa Maria della Salute, Florence Campanaile and Duomo, Verona Roman theatre, Leaning tower of Pisa.