Tour Duration: 11 days Tour Code: HH2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$3389 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY. Time to rest or start exploring the "Eternal City." At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome's lively restaurants. (D)
2
ROME. Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (B)
3
ROME-ASSISI-VENICE. Morning break in peaceful Assisi. Visit the massive 13th-century BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS built above the saint's grave. A kaleidoscope of Italian landscapes parades past the coach windows on the way to the Adriatic coast and across the Po Delta to Venice. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner, Venetian style? (B)
4
VENICE. Start morning sightseeing in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK'S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES' PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Then, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional cruise to Burano Island. (B)
5
VENICE-FERRARA-FLORENCE. First stop this morning is Ferrara. Stroll past imposing Este Castle to the marble cathedral before continuing through the wooded Apennine Mountains into Tuscany to Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance." Time to wander at whim or to check out the enticing shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewellery. (B)
6
FLORENCE. Enjoy a walking tour with your Local Guide and visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo's celebrated David. Admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto's Bell Tower, and the Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise." Also visit sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Exciting optional excursions are available. (B)
7
FLORENCE-PISA-NICE, FRANCE. Focus on Pisa this morning for pictures of its amazing Leaning Tower, 54.8 metres (180 feet) high and 3.6 metres (12 feet) out of the perpendicular. Then, a scenic drive past a string of Italian and French Riviera resorts towards the Principality of Monaco. Here, leave the highway for the panoramic Moyenne Corniche. Before arriving in Nice, visit one of the PERFUME FACTORIES for which the area is famous. (B)
8
NICE. EXCURSION TO ST. PAUL DE VENCE. This morning, enjoy a highlight visit to the picturesque hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. Then, a lazy afternoon to dabble in the blue Mediterranean or to stroll along the elegant Promenade des Anglais. An optional outing is available tonight to Monte Carlo. (B)
9
NICE-PARIS. Transfer to the railway station and board the high-speed TGV TRAIN to Paris. Meet your Local Guide and take the elevator to the second floor of Paris' most famous landmark: the EIFFEL TOWER. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Afterwards, why not join an optional drive through the "City of Light?" (B,D)
10
PARIS. Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opera, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. Optional excursions to the Louvre Museum and the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles are available. Tonight, a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket. (B)
11
PARIS. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
ROME: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
ASSISI: Visit the Basilica of St. Francis.
VENICE: Private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit St. Mark's Square and Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers' demonstration.
FERRARA: Walk along Este Castle to the cathedral.
FLORENCE: Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo's David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square.
PISA: Marvel at the legendary Leaning Tower.
NICE: Visit a perfume factory; excursion to St. Paul de Vence.
NICE-PARIS: By high-speed TGV train (first-class).
PARIS: Ascend the Eiffel Tower; dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B); 2 three-course dinners (D), a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome and a dinner with wine in Paris.
Meals Breakfast - 10 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 2
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
68
EUR
Name:ROMAN HIGHLIGHTS & DINNER Location:ROME Details:A guided stroll through the historical centre of Rome: your Tour Director will propose a tailor-made itinerary featuring some of the city's authentic jewels. For instance: Trastevere and its basilica of Santa Maria, the baroque district, Campo de' Fiori, the Pantheon, and San Luigi dei Francesi, famous Piazza Navona, Via dei Condotti, Piazza del Popolo with its church of Santa Maria del Popolo and displays of Caravaggio paintings. After your walk, relax and enjoy a four-course dinner, including drinks, at a popular Roman restaurant.
38
EUR
Name:ROMAN HIGHLIGHTS Location:ROME Details:A guided stroll through the historical centre of Rome: your Tour Director will propose a tailor-made itinerary featuring some of the city's authentic jewels. For instance: Trastevere and its basilica of Santa Maria, or the baroque district, Campo de' Fiori, the Pantheon, San Luigi dei Francesi, famous Piazza Navona, Via dei Condotti, Piazza del Popolo with its church of Santa Maria del Popolo and displays of Caravaggio paintings.
71
EUR
Name:A VENETIAN NIGHT OUT INCLUDING TRANSFER Location:VENICE Details:Travel by private water taxi along the splendid Grand Canal to a fine Venetian restaurant. Taste four mouth-watering courses of local specialties and wine or soft drinks. After dinner, time to explore romantic Venice.
38
EUR
Name:GONDOLA SERENADE Location:VENICE Details:Enjoy a ride in a traditional gondola, gliding through centuries-old canals, under famous arched bridges, past lavish palaces and quaint piazzas, serenaded by live music.(gondola for 6 people)
69
EUR
Name:LAGOON CRUISE AND MEAL IN BURANO Location:VENICE Details:Cruise past the islands of Santa Elena, San Michele and the famous Lido to picturesque Burano island, renowned for its lace making and colourful houses. Savour a mouth-watering meal, drinks included. Free time to shop and stroll.
56
EUR
Name:TUSCAN DINNER Location:FLORENCE Details:Drive out to the Tuscan Hills and enjoy a traditional Tuscan meal, including drinks, in a picturesque country setting.
35
EUR
Name:HIGHLIGHTS OF UFFIZI GALLERY Location:FLORENCE Details:With your Local Guide, admire the world's greatest collection of Italian and Florentine art. The GALLERY showcases works by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo.
52
EUR
Name:PANORAMIC DRIVE AND PROVENCAL DINNER Location:NICE Details:Take in breathtaking views of the French Riviera on your way up through the famous "corniche" (cliff roads). Then, proceed to delightful Eze for dinner in a typical restaurant.
67
EUR
Name:MONTECARLO BY NIGHT AND DINNER Location:NICE Details:Enjoy a delicious French dinner, with wine and a walking tour of the Old Town. Time to relax or gamble at the famous Grand Casino.
25
EUR
Name:VILLE LUMIERE - ILLUMINATION DRIVE Location:PARIS Details:Enjoy a drive through the illuminated city and learn why Paris is called the "City of Lights"; a vision to last a lifetime!
166
EUR
Name:DINNER AND SHOW AT MOULIN ROUGE Location:PARIS Details:An exciting evening at the world-renowned Parisian cabaret. Dinner with half a bottle of wine is served during the show and a glass of champagne completes your evening in style.
45
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO THE LOUVRE MUSEUM Location:PARIS Details:Let your guide bring to life the most celebrated treasures of the impressive LOUVRE MUSEUM including da Vinci's famous "Mona Lisa." Note: This excursion is not available to groups on Tuesdays, public holidays, and Sundays.
61
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES Location:PARIS Details:Take a short journey out of Paris with your local guide to the lavish 17th-century baroque palace built by Sun King Louis XIV, with its magnificent STATE APARTMENTS, Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel. Time to stroll through parts of the elegant 101 hecatare (250-acre) GARDENS. Note: This excursion is not available on Mondays and public holidays.
Optional Excursions
