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 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. Afterwards, relax or explore the city on your own. Later, you may wish to join an optional walk to Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, the Roman Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. (B)
3
ROME. This morning, follow your Local Guide and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time to savour la dolce vita and enjoy independent activities. (B)
4
ROME-SIENA-SAN GIMIGNANO-FLORENCE. First stop this morning is in Siena. Walk through ancient, narrow lanes to PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, site of the biannual Palio, Siena's spectacular medieval-style horse race. Then, continue through unforgettable landscapes of gently rolling, vine-clad hills to hilltop San Gimignano, and walk through the most picturesque of Italy's perfectly preserved medieval towns. Next is Florence, the splendid capital of Tuscany and birthplace of the Renaissance. (B)
5
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 see Ponte Vecchio. Afternoon for independent sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Florentine leather goods and gold jewellery sold by the ounce are attractive buys. Tonight, why not try the culinary delights of a fine Tuscan restaurant? (B)
6
FLORENCE. EXCURSION TO PISA & VERRAZZANO CASTLE. A fast journey will bring you to Pisa. Here, take your pictures of the amazing Leaning Tower, 55 metres (180 feet high) and no less than 3.6 metres (12 feet) out of the perpendicular. Today's highlight: hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti at VERRAZZANO CASTLE; enjoy a WINE TASTING and lunch before returning to Florence. (B,L,D)
7
FLORENCE-VENICE. Morning drive through the wooded Apennine Mountains to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter its glittering maze of islands, canals, and bridges 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. Then, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (B)
8
VENICE. MURANO & BURANO ISLANDS EXCURSION. Start your day with an unforgettable Venetian LAGOON CRUISE to the islands of Murano and Burano. Glide past the islands of San Giorgio and Sant'Elena, and along the banks of the famous Lido. In Murano, watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age old traditional manner. Then, continue on to the picturesque fishing village of Burano, renowned for its bright pastel-colored houses and for its lace making. Take pictures of traditional fishing boats, still used by the island inhabitants, and enjoy an included lunch with wine. Return to Venice in the early afternoon. (B,L)
9
VENICE-VERONA-MILAN. Stop in Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet's balcony and stroll around the lovely market square. Don't miss the Arena, an incredibly well-preserved pink marble Roman amphitheater. Built in the 1st century AD, it is now the magical venue for world-famous opera performances. Then, on to the dynamic city of Milan, hub of Italy's economic miracle with its famous La Scala Opera House, the magnificent gothic Duomo, and the glass-domed GALLERIA. An optional farewell dinner may be the perfect way to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (B)
10
MILAN. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.
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
SIENA: Walking tour including Piazza del Campo
SAN GIMIGNANO: Orientation
FLORENCE: Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo's David and Signoria Square
PISA: Marvel at the legendary Leaning tower
VERRAZZANO CASTLE: Wine tasting and lunch
VENICE Private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit St. Mark's Square and Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs
MURANO & BURANO: Lagoon cruise and island visits, including a glassblowers' demonstration in Murano and lunch in Burano
VERONA: Walking tour including Juliet's balcony and the Arena
MILAN: Walking tour, visit the Galleria
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 2 lunches (L), one with wine tasting at Verrazzano Castle and one with wine in Burano; 2 three course dinners (D), including a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Meals Breakfast - 9 Lunch - 2 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
35
EUR
Name:CLASSICAL CONCERT IN VENICE Location:VENICE Details:An unforgettable evening at the prestigious concert hall of the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro. The Orchestra, "I Musici Veneziani" will perform authentic jewels of the Italian classical music in period costume.
55
EUR
Name:FAREWELL DINNER Location:MILAN Details:Dine at a fine local restaurant where a four-course meal is served. Drinks included.
Optional Excursions
