ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY. After arrival check into your hotel. At 5pm, 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 this morning concentrates on religious Rome: visit the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Next, visit monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (B)
3
ROME-FLORENCE. Start with a guided visit to the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. In the early afternoon, drive along the Highway of the Sun north into Tuscany and its hill-clad vineyards, which house the famous Chianti wine, to Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance". You may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant and try out the Chianti wines. (B)
4
FLORENCE. During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo's celebrated David, admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise," sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE, and visit SANTA CROCE BASILICA with the tomb of Michelangelo. The afternoon is free. Florentine leather goods and gold jewellery sold by the ounce are attractive buys. (B)
5
FLORENCE-VENICE. Through the wooded Apennine Hills and the lush plains of the River Po, the largest river in Italy, to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter 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. (B)
6
AT LEISURE IN VENICE. A whole day to explore Venice on your own. Wander through the narrow streets, discover Rialto Bridge, and top it all off with a farewell drink at famous CAFFE FLORIAN. Later, why not join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano followed by a delicious meal of local specialties to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation? (B)
7
VENICE. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
ROME: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square and Basilica
FLORENCE: Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo's David, Signoria Square, and Santa Croce Basilica
VENICE: Private boat ride, guided walking tour, visit St. Mark's Square and Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers' demonstration; farewell drink at Caffe Florian
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast daily (B); one special welcome dinner (D) with wine in Rome; farewell drink in Venice
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Meals Breakfast - 6 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 1
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
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.
39
EUR
Name:THE CATACOMBS AND ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS Location:ROME Details:This guided tour takes you to the 4th-century basilica ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS and the CATACOMBS, ancient burial chambers of early Jewish and Christian communities.
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.
52
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO TIVOLI Location:ROME Details:Drive to the hilltop town of Tivoli for a guided visit of the famous VILLA D'ESTE GARDENS and FOUNTAINS from the Renaissance period.
59
EUR
Name:ORIENTATION DRIVE & ROMAN DINNER Location:ROME Details:Enjoy an unforgettable drive through some of the more exclusive streets of the "Eternal City". Marvel at the impressive piazzas, fountains and ancient buildings in all their majesty and much more. This tour will include a four-course dinner with wine and soft drinks, at a popular Roman restaurant.
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.
49
EUR
Name:FLORENTINE DINNER Location:FLORENCE Details:Savour a classic 3-course Florentine dinner at a fine restaurant on the famous Santa Croce Square. Drinks are included.
36
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO SAN GIMIGNANO: THE MEDIEVAL MANHATTAN Location:FLORENCE Details:Journey through the celebrated Tuscan countryside to discover the charming village of San Gimignano, nicknamed the "Medieval Manhattan" for its famous towers.
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.
53
EUR
Name:A VENETIAN NIGHT OUT Location:VENICE Details:Taste four mouth-watering courses of local specialties and wine or soft drinks at a fine Venetian restaurant. 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.
Optional Excursions
