Special Note:  please do note that there is considerable walking on this tour. Many of the historic Italian cities do not permit motorised vehicles in their centres, and many are sited on hilltops. This tour is not suitable for anyone with a mobility problem. Unfortunately, anybody joining with walking difficulties would often find themselves unable to join in group activities.

DAY ONE - SUNDAY

Arriving at Rome's Fiumincino (Leonardo da Vinci) airport, we'll pick you up and then give you the chance to rest or take a seaside 'passeggiata' in a relaxing atmosphere a short drive away from the airport. If you are already in Rome prior to tour then you are responsible for your own transfer by local taxi as foreign vehicles are not permitted to collect from central Rome. Dinner tonight is included.

DAY TWO - MONDAY

Being outside the capital, we'll have a traffic free start as we head for Lago di Bracciano and the little known Etruscan town of Sutri with its Etruscan burial grounds and amphitheatre before heading for Umbria and the flat top volcano town of Orvieto, with possibly the most impressive cathedral façade in Christendom. You'll learn why triple "is" wine is so called and sample local salami in typical 'osteria'.

DAY THREE - TUESDAY

Through the enchanting hilltop towns (and some spectacular graveyards!) of Central Umbria towards St. Francis's Assisi.

Spello and its neighbouring villages and towns are fascinating. Built as medieval fortresses, their town walls still dominate the hilltop and protect myriad small alleyways and streets. The impossibly quaint Monte Castello di Vibio boasts the smallest theatre in the world. It is exquisite and reflects the finery of the ancient merchants and land-owning families it was constructed for.

DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY

We leave Umbria for the gastronomic and cultural delight that is Tuscany, the home of the pre-roman Etruscans. We'll stop for a capuccino before arriving in Siena that annually hosts the 'Palio', the world's most famous and vicious horse race, in its town square. We will almost guarantee everyone will hear your quick intake of breath when you first walk into this square! It is a truly stunning sight.

Tonight we stay in Greve in Chianti. This attractive village is at the very centre of this famed wine and olive producing area. At night, the village centre is left to residents and you'll love the atmosphere, sitting at a table at one of the the small cafe bars overlooking the piazza, with a glass of local wine in hand. Bello!

DAY FIVE - THURSDAY

A short drive through the Tuscan hills to Florence with the opportunity to explore this wonder of the Italian 'rinasciemento'. Because of the logistical problems with parking, you may spend much of today on your own but you'll, of course, be fully briefed as to where to go and what to visit so as to get the most from this unique city.

Please note, the city can be very busy and if you are wishing to visit major galleries you must expect to line for a considerable time.

DAY SIX - FRIDAY

A view of Pisa's 'torre pendente' (leaning tower) and a visit to the magnificent baptisty are on this afternoon's agenda after visiting Lucca or Vinci to see Leonardo's birthplace and museum of his inventions. After this, you'll perhaps agree with those who claim Leonardo to have been the man of the last milliennium.

DAY SEVEN - SATURDAY

Time to cross the Apennines which we'll do in typical Backroads Touring Co.Ltd fashion, marvelling at the beauty of the Tuscan countryside which is untrammelled by modern development. Although a drivig day as we make our way east, we'll surely find some undiscovered villages and country hostelries. En route we'll make a stop at the very moving American World War II cemetery astride the River Greve and then on to Ferrara for lunch. Ercole 1st rebuilt Ferrara creating one of Europe's finest Renaissance cities.

Our accommodation is a 15-minute train ride outside old Venice in Mogliano Veneto. This small, pleasant village allows us to get a better feel for real life in the region. Past tour participants have enjoyed spendng an hour or two experiencing modern Italian life in the local shops and streets. Tonights dinner will be the largest pizza you have seen in a typical local restaurant - no tourists.

DAY EIGHT - SUNDAY

Abandoning our heroic minibus for the day, we'll mingle with the locals on a brief train ride over the lagoon to the Pearl of the Adriatic. Venice is, naturally, a great tourist city but with your Backroads Touring guide you'll enjoy getting behind the tourist facade and seeing something of the Venice known by the locals rather that the tourists. Optional gondola rides will provide highlights as well as discovering the hidden beauty that lies only just behind the throngs in the 'serenissima'. Dinner is not included tonight.

DAY NINE - MONDAY

Today we have a choice. Some tour participants may enjoy another day exploring Venice; its size will probably surprise you. Perhaps a trip by Vaporetto to the glass producing Murano island and the delightful and colourful lace producing island of Burano. It's very easy to spend some time with 'organised independece' here and your guide will be able to assist in helping plan a day for anyone wishing to exploit the opportunity for a less structured visit to this absorbing city.

Alternatively, your guide will be offering a tour to Padua a medieval university city and perhaps, depending on group interest, Vicenza. Dinner is not included tonight.

DAY TEN - TUESDAY

Across the flatlands of the Po delta, homeland of Guareschi's Don Camillo stopping off in Chioggia where we will have time to explore and perhaps find some local vinicultural and gastronomic specialities for a picnic.On through the pine forests to Ravenna with its Byzantine mosaics and historic mystique.

DAY ELEVEN - WEDNESDAY

We will cross the border to the independent (and tax free) state of San Marino and San Leo and visit its castle with splendid views over Romagna and the Marches.

DAY TWELVE - THURSDAY

Who knows that the 'old Master' Raffaele Sanzio, was a Marchigiano? Yet, a visit the university town of Urbino reveals not only his birthplace but a splendid gallery and a vibrant youthful atmosphere. This afternoon a contrasting visit to some of Europe's largest caves which have recently hosted the world's 'isolationist' records, in the depths of the 13 mile 'grotte'.

Our final base while on tour is under the enchanting and little known Conero mountain.

DAY THIRTEEN - FRIDAY

Alas, time to cross the Apennines, Romeward bound again, but how better than through the tunnel of the 9,000 ft high stone of Italy with its most southern permanent glacier. Before heading for the Eternal City we'll have lunch in Tivoli and then visit Tivoli's splendid gardens or Hadrian's majestic villa.

Dinner is included tonight.

DAY FOURTEEN - SATURDAY

Transfers for those going to the airport. If you are staying on in Rome, you are responsible for your own transfer by local taxi as foreign vehicles are not permitted to enter central Rome. There are local buses and trains into Rome.