Classic Italy

•   TAUCKS YELLOW ROADS! Encounter spectacular scenery around every bend on a drive along the celebrated Amalfi Coast the perfect blending of earth, sea and sky!

Day 1: Arrive Naples / Sorrento
A transfer is included from Naples International Airport to the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. Surrounded by gardens and perched atop a cliff overlooking the blue waters of the Bay of Naples in Sorrento’s historic center, your landmark hotel has ranked among Italy’s “grand hotels” for more than 175 years. We invite you to join us for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, Italy
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Discover the Amalfi Coast
Rise early for an unhurried drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world! Fantastic rock formations drop vertically into the sea; sub-tropical vegetation on the hillsides, together with colorful Mediterranean flora, create bewitching landscapes. Stop for a visit in the seaside cathedral town of Amalfi on the Bay of Salerno, with its many medieval antiquities. Continue winding through vine-draped hills to Ravello, a “terrace over the sea” known for its dramatic villas; its panoramic views of the coast offer a picture-perfect backdrop for a lunch of local specialties. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon to explore its charming piazzas and small alleys; the historic center of town, and the old Roman streets, are fascinating.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Ash-covered Pompeii and on to Rome
Travel from Sorrento to Pompeii, a prosperous Roman city of 27,000 until it was frozen in time at the moment it was completely buried by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The doomed city lay undisturbed for more than 1,700 years, until ex­ca­va­tions began in the 18th century and are still in progress today. A walk through the ruins of Pompeii with a local expert reveals what life was like in Italy in the 1st century AD – visit the temple, the forum and a home adorned with frescoes. Arrive late af­ter­noon in Rome, where you’ll spend the next three nights. Your hotel is located on the fashionable Via Veneto, close to historic and cultural attractions.
Overnight: The Westin Excelsior, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: After-Hours at the Vatican Museums
No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Vatican, a state and city all in one... and your sightseeing is highlighted by a Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums (subject to availability and day of the tour may vary). You’ll see the Candelabra Gallery, the Map Gallery and the Tapestries, home to a vast collection of art treasures, and enter the Sistine Chapel to view the artist Michelangelo’s famous frescoes adorning the chapel’s ceiling – all without the usual crowds!
Overnight: The Westin Excelsior, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: When in Rome, do as the Romans do...
Rome sightseeing includes the ruins of the Imperial Palace and Circus Maximus; a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica plus an opportunity to see St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City; and a view of the Roman Forum from above. A visit to the Colosseum, the 2,000-year-old amphitheatre in the heart of Rome that was once used for gladiator contests and public events, will certainly be one of the highlights! You’ll get an authentic taste of Italian cuisine tonight when you dine family style at a local restaurant in Rome.
Overnight: The Westin Excelsior, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Hilltop villages of Orvieto and Torgiano
Arrive in Orvieto, set high on a hill volcanic in origin, overlooking the vineyards below. Visit the Duomo, one of Italy’s greatest cathedrals; the façade is a visual treat, a blend of sculpture and mosaic splashed with a palette of colors and magnificent bronze doors. Inside, view inspiring frescoes created by renowned artists. Following a traditional trattoria lunch near the Piazza del Duomo, continue through Umbria, a wine-producing region. Arrive in Torgiano, a small Tiber Valley village, to experience Italian country life for the next two nights. Your accommodation is a 17th-century patrician home featuring wooden beams, terra-cotta floors, and a private winery, whose product you’ll sample at a wine tasting in the wine museum / osteria.
Overnight: Hotel Le Tre Vaselle, Torgiano, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: The Medieval Treasures of Assisi
Take a short drive to Assisi, a well-preserved medieval hillside town spread across the slopes of a mountain. Assisi was the home of St. Francis, who left a position of wealth and founded the order whose followers became known as Franciscans. The town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture. You’ll visit St. Francis Basilica, built by the people, which today houses some of Italy’s great 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, as well as the final resting place of Assisi’s beloved favorite son, the patron saint of animals. Enjoy some free time in the center of town, then return to Torgiano for the evening. Please join us tonight for a cooking demonstration by an Umbrian chef, where you’ll discover some of the nuances – and perhaps some of the secrets – of great Italian cuisine.
Overnight: Hotel Le Tre Vaselle, Torgiano, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 8: Under the Tuscan Sun
Tuscany is an enchanting region, where for centuries the beauty of nature has blended with the ingenuities of mankind; your travels through the rolling Tuscan hills take you through golden landscapes dotted with olive and fig trees. Arrive in the hilltop town of San Gimignano, one of its gems. The town’s famous medieval towers, built in the 12th century by the nobility, are visible from afar. Stroll along the quaint streets and visit Piazza della Cister­na, one of Italy’s most picturesque town squares. Continue your journey through lush Tuscan countryside to the seaside resort town of Viareggio for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, Viareggio, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 9: Picture-book villages of Cinque Terre and on to Florence
Cinque Terre was ac­ces­si­ble only by sea for hun­dreds of years, five picture-book fishing villages nestled between the Medi­ter­ra­nean’s blue waters and the rugged coastal moun­tains. Travel by train through the mountains to one of the villages, where you’ll experience daily life – from colorful fishing boats home from the sea to the wine, olives, and citrus fruit produced locally. You’ll have some time to explore the cobblestone streets and alleyways, perhaps sampling the unique flavors of the local cuisine for lunch. Cruise the shores of the Italian Riviera for unparalleled views of this dramatic coast before traveling to the Renaissance city of Florence for a three-night stay at The Westin Excelsior, Florence, in the heart of the city.
Overnight: Grand Hotel, Florence, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Experience the Art of Florence
Art and architecture whisper the history of the ages in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Enjoy a briefing by an art history lecturer, whose insights prepare you for a guided walking tour of Florence’s Renaissance heart. Then enjoy a guided visit through the collections of works by many of the greatest artists of the 14th and 15th centuries – including Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David and paintings by Botticelli, Uccello, Ghirlandaio, del Sarto and others – at the inimitable Galleria dell’Accademia. Flourishing for more than four centuries, this world-renowned institution was established in 1563 as the first art school in Europe. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free.
Overnight: Grand Hotel, Florence, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11: Inside the Uffizi Gallery
Join a local expert for a guided tour of Florence’s inspiring Uffizi Gallery. Originally a suite of offices, it was first used to display the Medici family’s private art treasures in 1581 – thereby making it the oldest art gallery in the world. Its vast collection includes some of the most revered works of the Italian Renaissance, such as Botticelli’s "The Birth of Venus," Michelangelo’s "The Holy Family," da Vinci’s unfinished "Adoration of the Magi," Bellini’s "Allegory" and Raphael’s "Madonna of the Goldfinch."
Overnight: Grand Hotel, Florence, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Ride the Eurostar to Venice
The high-speed Eurostar train whisks you from Florence to Venice, traversed by some 100 canals. Transfer by canal boat to your hotel, conveniently located near St. Mark’s Square; after lunch, embark on a walking tour. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica as well as the sumptuous Doge’s Palace, once the official residence of the elected officials of the Venetian Republic. Indulge in the quintessential Venetian experience – a serenade aboard a gondola on the canals. Dinner tonight is on your own in Venice, a city well-known for its many fine restaurants!
Overnight: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 13: Venice as you wish
The entire day is free to do as you please in Venice, truly one of the world’s most remarkable cities. You’ve got a lot to choose from – perhaps visiting the museums, walking along the narrow streets, lanes, and countless bridges – or taking a boat to explore one of the unique islands in the Venetian lagoon. Please join us this evening for a farewell cocktail re­cep­tion and dinner.
Overnight: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 14: Journey Home
Tour ends: Venice. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin Europa & Regina to Marco Polo Airport. Allow 3 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/23/2012 - 6/6/2012	$7,390
5/27/2012 - 6/10/2012	$8,790
5/30/2012 - 6/13/2012	$7,390
6/6/2012 - 6/20/2012	$7,390
6/10/2012 - 6/24/2012	$8,990
6/13/2012 - 6/27/2012	$7,390
6/20/2012 - 7/4/2012	$7,390
6/24/2012 - 7/8/2012	$8,790
6/27/2012 - 7/11/2012	$7,590
7/4/2012 - 7/18/2012	$6,490
7/8/2012 - 7/22/2012	$7,890
7/18/2012 - 8/1/2012	$6,490
8/1/2012 - 8/15/2012	$6,490
8/5/2012 - 8/19/2012	$7,690
8/15/2012 - 8/29/2012	$6,490
8/19/2012 - 9/2/2012	$7,690
8/22/2012 - 9/5/2012	$6,490
8/29/2012 - 9/12/2012	$6,490
9/2/2012 - 9/16/2012	$7,690
9/5/2012 - 9/19/2012	$7,690
9/10/2012 - 9/24/2012	$7,690
9/12/2012 - 9/26/2012	$7,690
9/16/2012 - 9/30/2012	$9,190
9/19/2012 - 10/3/2012	$7,690
9/23/2012 - 10/7/2012	$9,190
9/24/2012 - 10/8/2012	$7,690
9/26/2012 - 10/10/2012	$7,690
9/30/2012 - 10/14/2012	$9,190
10/3/2012 - 10/17/2012	$7,690
10/7/2012 - 10/21/2012	$9,190
10/8/2012 - 10/22/2012	$7,690
10/10/2012 - 10/24/2012	$7,690
10/14/2012 - 10/28/2012	$9,190
10/17/2012 - 10/31/2012	$7,690
10/22/2012 - 11/5/2012	$7,190
10/24/2012 - 11/7/2012	$6,990
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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