ITALY GUIDED TOUR PACKAGES
from South Africa 2024 & 2025

for School Groups &
Individuals and Families Tours
of Europe, Italy, Paris

Our Italy package tours are carefully designed to suite most South Africans. They provide you with an unforgettable experience where you’ll discover the best of this stunning country with wealth of history. All tours are escorted by expert local tour guides. The packages we offer, cover all the highlight sites that Italy can offer.

General information about School tours

Since 1994 Heavenly International Tours operated many tours for schools in South Africa. When we tailor-make a tour package / itinerary, we take many factors into considerations. The age of the learners, the theme and interest in sites to visit and the most important the BUDGET the parents and school managers give us. This is due to the cost of airfare and the $/Rand exchange rates. When your school plans a tour, please feel free to consult with us on suitable tour package.

Best time to travel in Europe: April to mid. June and September to early November.

Most popular destinations: Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Paris, Barcelona.

TOUR PACKAGE 1

Rome – Florence – Siena – Monteriggioni- San Gimignano –
Chianti – Venice (by Train)

7 nights / 8 Days

Start in Rome: Every Wednesday, Friday

Included:

7 nights accommodation in 3-4 star hotel, Bed & Breakfast
• 3 Nights in Rome – hotel name ….. or similar
• 2 Nights in Florence –
• 2 Nights in Venice – .
• English speaking guide.
• Travel by train between cities
• Day 7: return by train to Rome.

Excluded:
• International flights, Schengen visa, compulsory travel insurance.

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrival in Rome

• Arrive in Rome and make your way to your hotel.

Overnight in Rome

Day 2 – Ancient Rome and Vatican Treasure Tour

• Meet your local guide at a centralized location in Rome. Please be there 15 minutes before the tour starts.
• Explore the Colosseum with skip-the-line access, delving into its rich history and archaeological wonders.
• Gain insights into the architecture and captivating past of this colossal amphitheater, which once hosted ancient Romans, emperors, senators, gladiators, and exotic animals.
• Next, enjoy a seamless transfer to the Vatican Museums, where you’ll encounter a treasure trove of artistry. These museums comprise 54 diverse galleries, including the Museo Pio-Clementino, Museo Chiaramonti, Museo Gregoriano Etrusco, and Museo Gregoriano Egiziano. Here, you’ll encounter masterpieces by renowned artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Giotto.
• The Vatican Museums culminate in the illustrious Sistine Chapel, adorned with Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes. Completed around 1483, this chapel is globally celebrated for its artistic heritage. Witness some of the world’s most renowned frescoes, including the iconic ceiling and The Last Judgement.
• The Sistine Chapel, not only a repository of precious art, also serves religious purposes, notably hosting the Papal conclave for the selection of new Popes.
• Concluding your journey, visit the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica, a colossal Renaissance masterpiece and one of the world’s largest basilicas.

Overnight in Rome

Day 3 – Transfer to Florence & Medici Walking Tour

• Ride to Florence via high-speed train in the morning, (approximately 1.5h ride).
• Please advise on your preferred travel time between 9:00-12:00.
• Head to your hotel for check in.
• Meet your local tour guide in Florence in the afternoon for the walking tour. Please be there 15 min earlier!
• Follow the tracks of the Medici Family with one of our brilliant tour guides and discover the amazing story of the most famous family in Florence. Learn everything about these noble members, from their rise to riches and fame to their eventual downfall.
• Be led through a fascinating itinerary including sites like San Lorenzo Medici Chapels, Medici Palaces like Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and Pitti Palace to better appreciate the Medici history.
• The tour ends in the city center.

Overnight in Florence

Day 4 – Siena, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano & Chianti

• Meet your guide at a centralized location in Florence.
• Start your Tuscan explorations in the village of San Gimignano, a well-preserved and charming medieval town that’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Your guide will drop you off at the historical center, where you will have 2 hours to wander through the labyrinthine streets on a self-guided tour. Take some free time to visit the sweeping squares, grand palaces, towering churches, and the towers that stand above it all. Contemporary art lovers can check out one of the many galleries like Galleria Continua. Or, visit Il Criollo or Gelateria dell’Olmo for world-class ice cream.
• Continue to Monteriggioni, a charming medieval village enclosed by walls, and spend around 30 minutes exploring its beauty.
• Head to the Chianti region, making your first stop at a traditional Tuscan winery to learn more about the varietals grown here and taste what makes this table wine so globally popular.
• Sample 3 of their finest wines and balsamic vinegar before tucking into a 3-course lunch, comprised of local products like cold cuts, olive and truffle oils, Pecorino cheeses, penne with meat ragout, and homemade tarts. Finish off with “cantucci e vin santo”.
• Proceed to Siena, starting at the magnificent Basilica of San Domenico.
• Explore the narrow medieval streets of Siena, passing through iconic landmarks such as Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, and Siena Cathedral.
• Avoid the crowds with your included skip-the-line entry tickets and discover the Cathedral of Siena’s artistic treasures. These include mosaics, Donatello’s St. John the Baptist, Duccio di Buoninsegna’s rose window, and Nicola Pisano’s marble pulpit.
• Explore the Piccolomini Library, home to a rich collection of manuscripts
• Conclude the tour with some free time to soak in the unique atmosphere of Siena before returning to Florence.

Overnight in Florence

Day 5 – Train from Florence to Venice

• Train transfer to Venice in the morning, (approximately 2h ride).
• Please advise on your preferred travel time between 10:00-14:00. Head to your hotel after arrival.

Overnight in Venice

Day 6 – Venice Walking Tour, Gondola Ride & St Mark Cathedral and Doge’s Palace

• You will meet your guide in a centralized location.
• Dust off the past and learn about the secrets of Venice’s most famous monuments and attractions, beginning at the Rialto Bridge, the oldest of the four that connect the Grand Canal.
• Admire the views of the picturesque bridge and the city below as your guide begins their stories.
• Wander past canals and ancient buildings, making your way to Piazza San Marco to explore every inch of the beautiful St. Mark’s Basilica.
• The next stop is a long gondola ride through the waters themselves, experiencing an authentic mode of travel for Venetians of old and enjoying the gondoliers that push their way through a different kind of traffic!
• Enjoy some free time (1h) in Venice for lunch (not included).
• Hop off at the Doge’s Palace, skipping the lines for your comprehensive tour of the building and grounds.
• Climb up to the terrace for views of Piazza San Marco below before returning inside to learn all about Venice’s most famous painters.
• The tour finishes up with a visit to the prisons, concluding your day of exploration.

Overnight in Venice

Day 7 – Departure

• Return to Rome.

TOUR PACKAGE 2

Rome – Florence – Lucca- Pisa- St. Gimignano
6 nights / 7 Days Tour

Starts in Rome: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday

Included:

7 nights accommodation in 3-4 star hotel, Bed & Breakfast
• 3 Nights in Rome – hotel name ….. or similar
• 3 Nights in Florence –
• English speaking guide.
• Transfer by bus or train between cities.
• Day 7: return by train to Rome

Excluded:
• International flights, Schengen visa, compulsory travel insurance.

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrival in Rome

• Make your way to your hotel

Overnight in Rome

Day 2 – Rome

• Enjoy a half-day walking tour of Rome’s iconic. landmarks: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain. Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.
• Enjoy an Italian gelato or coffee break.
• Freely wander on your own.

Overnight in Rome

Day 3 – Free day in Rome

• Wander Rome at your own pace; do some shopping. walk down the bustling streets, or taste some delicious local foods.

Overnight in Rome

Day 4 – Transfer to Florence

• Independent transfer to Florence.
• Enjoy free time to explore Florence on your own.

Overnight in Florence

Day 5 – Florence

• Head towards Florence City Hall, exploring the streets and outdoor landmarks: Piazza della Signoria, Loggia dei Lanzi’s, Uffizi Gallery, Florence Duomo, and more.
• Reach the Medici Palace and learn all about the Medici family’s impact on the city.
• Visit two local artisan stores.
• In the afternoon, start your tasting tour of Storico Mercato Centrale with a Limoncello group shot.
• Explore the market and taste local foods like truffle, gelato, pizza, local chocolates, and Vino Santo.
• Head to the city center and climb to a magnificent rooftop.
• Sip on an Italian aperitivo paired with cold-cuts while watching the sunset.

Overnight in Florence

Day 6 – Siena, San Gimignano & Pisa

• Reach Siena and tour the medieval city.
• Enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch and organic wine tasting at a family-run estate.
• Visit the hilltop town of San Gimignano to admire panoramic views.
• Arrive in Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower, enjoy gelato, and visit local shops.

Overnight in Florence

Day 7 – Departure

• Return to Rome.

3 nights / 4 Days

TOUR PACKAGE 3

Naples – Amalfi Coast – Pompeii – Mt. Vesuvius

3 nights / 4 Days

Start in Rome: Every day Wednesday, Friday

Included:

3 nights accommodation in 3-4 star hotel, Bed & Breakfast

• 3 Nights in Napels – hotel name ….. or similar
• .English speaking guide.
• Travel by train between cities
• Day 4: return by train to Rome.

Excluded:

• International flights, Schengen visa, compulsory travel insurance.

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrival in Naples

• Head by train from Rome to Naples.
• Please advise on your preferred travel time between 10:00-14:00.
• Head independently to your hotel in Naples for check in.

Overnight in Naples

Day 2 – Amalfi Coast

• Meet your guide at a centralized location and head from Naples to the glorious Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.
• Get there via comfortable, air-conditioned minivan and make your way to Ravello for a guided tour of this ancient town. Listen to tales – both ancient and modern – before taking some free time to explore the area for yourself.
• Head along the winding coastal road to Amalfi. Enjoy glorious views of this mountainside coastline and crystalline waters.
• Head into Amalfi where you will see its picturesque cathedral and local ceramic shops.
• Get back on the bus for a tour of some gorgeous villages before hitting the world-renowned seaside town of Positano. Enjoy some free time on the beach or browsing the shops.
• Return to Naples, continuing along the beautiful coastline, maybe even catching the sunset if you’re lucky.

Overnight in Naples

Day 3 – Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius

• After meeting your tour guide in the morning at a centralized location, head to the ancient city of Pompeii – one of the most fascinating places in Naples.
• Learn about the explosion of Vesuvius in 79 AD and the ultimate devastation it caused to the thriving and bustling Pompeii, where approximately 20,000 inhabitants were covered under tons of ash and pumice.
• See the remains which have been immortalized for centuries and gain valuable insight from your guide as you tour the Forum, the Spa, and the House of the Roofs.

Overnight in Naples

Day 4 – Departure

• Return to Rome.

Ultimate Italy Escorted guided tours for schools & Individuals from South Africa in 2024 & 2025