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Compare Malawi's highlands & islands by Audley Travel vs A Taste of Italy by Sarracini Travel

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Duration 10 days 8 days
Price From $ 6,388 $ 1,331
Price Per Day $ 639 $ 166
Highlights
N/A
  • Gaze upon the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with Skip-the-Line tickets
  • Explore the medieval cities of Assisi, Siena Bologna and Padua
  • Venture around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance”
  • Have lunch in Piazza Santa Croce, in the heart of Florence
  • Discover the romantic and floating city of Venice with Skip-the-Line tickets
  • Indulge in a traditional Tuscan lunch in Montepulciano
Trip Style Private guided tour Private guided tour
Lodging Level Standard Premium
Physical Level
  • 2- Easy
  • 2- Easy
Travel Themes
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks
  • Scuba Diving
  • Cultural
  • Family Friendly
Countries Visited
Cities and Attractions
  • Lake Malawi
  • Assisi
  • Bologna
  • Florence
  • Padua
  • Rome
  • Siena
  • Venice
Flights & Transport Ground transport included Ground transport included
Activities
  • Bird watching
  • Mountain Biking
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Scuba diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Surfing
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Culture
  • History
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Winetasting
Meals Included N/A

Daily Breakfast, 2 Lunches & 2 Dinners

Description

Best known for its sea-like lake, Malawi is also a land of forest-covered hills where monkeys leap through the trees, open grassland dotted with grazing antelope, and tea estates rambling across the foothills of Mount Mulanje. Our safari specialists have visited each corner of the country and will put together a holiday to Malawi that matches your interests, whether you’re looking for a safari, a beach break, or both.

While not Africa’s most obvious safari destination, Malawi’s Liwonde National Park is growing in popularity. Here, you can embark on game drives, bush walks and boat trips along the Shire River, which is regularly visited by hippo, crocodiles, elephant and an array of birdlife. For a change of scene, head to the Thyolo region, staying on a tea estate and following walking trails through the plantations. Then, end your trip on Lake Malawi’s sandy shores or fly to the remote Likoma Island, home to Africa’s third-largest cathedral.

Like a creamy gelato or hot espresso, one taste of Italy can linger for a lifetime. Travelling from eternal Rome and up through the hazy hills of Tuscany, you’ll spend eight days sampling the best of Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padova, Venice, and Montepulciano. Catch the spirit of La Vita Bella as you explore elegant Florentine piazzas, rummage through handcrafted artisanal treasures, sip world-class wines, and float down intimate Venetian canals. Extend your visit by 2-3 days to discover the treasures along Italy’s Amalfi coast, from charmingly gritty Naples to sun-bleached Capri!

Itinerary: Malawi's highlands & islands

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Lilongwe.

Day 2 : Nyika Plateau

On arrival in Lilongwe you'll be met and assisted to your light aircraft, which will fly you to the Nyika Plateau. Here you'll be met by a private driver who'll take you to your lodge.

Day 3 : Nyika Plateau

You can spend the day exploring the plateau. Activities to choose from include mountain biking, walking, horse riding and game drives.

Day 4 : Nyika Plateau

Another day to experience the unique surroundings of the Nyika Plateau. You may spot animals such as Burchell's zebra, leopard, hyena and antelope in the grassland, as well as a variety of birdlife.

Day 5 : Likoma Island

This morning you'll take an hour and a half light aircraft transfer from Nyika to Likoma Island on Lake Malawi. You'll then be met by your hosts from Kaya Mawa, who'll drive you to your beautiful lodgings.

Day 6 : Likoma Island

You can choose to spend the day out on the lake, where water sports include snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, kite surfing, water skiing and sailing.

Day 7 : Likoma Island

You may wish to explore the local area today, paying a visit to St Peter's Cathedral, which was built in 1911 and is located in the middle of the island, and visiting local villages and their markets, where women can be seen weaving textiles.

Day 8 : Likoma Island

You could spend your last day on the island relaxing on the beach and dining on delicious meals at Kaya Mawa's restaurant.

Day 9 : International return flight

You'll have an hour's light aircraft transfer to Lilongwe Airport, arriving in time for your onward flight.

Day 10 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Itinerary: A Taste of Italy

Day 1: Rome

Welcome to Rome! After a meet and greet at the airport with your driver, you will be transferred to your hotel. At 8:30 pm reach the meeting point to be ready for the departure of the Rome by Night Tour. The local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City, charming by day, absolutely romantic by night. The tour ends in the Colosseum area. Enjoy on your own the rest of the night. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay.

Day 2: Rome > Assisi > Siena > Florence

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Early morning departure for Assisi. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis featuring masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Continue to Siena, home of the Palio. End the day in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Florence

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional).

Day 4: Florence > Bologna > Padova > Venice

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through some of the city’s many, elegant arcades (or porticos), for which Bologna is famous. In the afternoon, continue toward Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. In the early evening, we will arrive in Venice. Check-in to your hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Venice

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy your private water-taxi transfer to Piazza San Marco, with “Skip the Line” tickets to visit the splendid St. Mark’s Basilica and, after this, check out the most iconic places of the “Floating City”. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 6: Venice > Montepulciano (Tuscany) > Rome

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, depart for Tuscany, known for its romantic churches, castles and beloved wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a Medieval town rich with history and art. That evening we will arrive in Rome.

Day 7: Rome

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast depart from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St.Peter’s Basilica with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access. The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Meals: B

Day 8: Rome

Meals: Breakfast

Final breakfast followed by check-out. Arrivederci!

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