Italian Discovery (Winter 20092010)

• Rome: Guided visit of the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. Visit the mighty Colosseum.
• Florence: Guided walking tour including entrance fees to Santa Croce Basilica.
• Pisa: Visit the Square of Miracles, seeing the Leaning Tower.
• Italian Lakes: Visit beautiful Lake Maggiore.
• Pavia: Guided visit of the Cistercian Abbey (when available).
• Verona: See the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony.
• Venice: Private boat cruise and visit to a Murano glass-blowing workshop.
• Mantua: Visit the city of arcades and palaces.
• Bologna: See ‘Neptune’s Fountain’, the ‘Kissing Towers’ and Piazza Maggiore.
• Assisi: Visit St Francis’ Basilica and the Church of St. Mary of the Angels.

• Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Rome
• 9 hot buffet breakfasts on tour
• 1 three-course dinners
• Be My Guest Dinner in Florence
• Highlight Dinner in Milan
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Rome

• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
• Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers are provided on Days 2 and 11.
• Escorted by one of Trafalgar’s top professional, multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in Rome, Florence, Pavia, Bologna and Assisi.
• Orientation in Turin, Milan, Verona, Venice, Ferrara and Pisa.
• Experience Trafalgar’s commitment to conservation in Venice.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the Airport and central London. When you book your tour with Trafalgar your transfers to and from the airport are included. It''s that simple. Trafalgar has included a Free transfer to and from your airport and Central London.
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• You are staying at a London hotel, booked by Trafalgar, on the night of your arrival and the night prior to the date of your departure.
• Flights are either booked by Trafalgar or detailed information on flights is provided by your Travel Agent not less than 21 days prior to departure.
• Only one included transfer both inbound and outbound per tour is included by Trafalgar. Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
• Heathrow Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-21.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by coach. Gatwick Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-12.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by express train and coach. Transfers outside these times will be at the passengers own expense.
• In the event of unforeseen events (road or rail works, demonstrations, strikes) Trafalgar will not be held responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• No refund is available for passengers not utilising this service.
• Why not upgrade to a Hotelink transfer from the Airport to-the-door of your Trafalgar London hotel? (please ask Trafalgar or your travel agent of the additional upgrade price per person when booking)
• European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
• Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar''s Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
• Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
• Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don''t coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.

• Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.



• Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) ‘Benvenuti’ to the warmth of the Italian peninsula! You will have time to relax this afternoon before enjoying a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelers.
  
  Hotel: Novadomus



• Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure Our first highlight today is a trip to the Vatican City to visit the Sistine Chapel, enhanced by the use of our audio equipment and our local guide. We’ll hear of the many years Michelangelo spent on his back painting the scenes of the Creation on to the ceiling of this significant building before we continue our discovery of his great work in St Peter’s Basilica. We’ll be moved by the ‘Pieta’ and amazed by the massive cupola of the Church before we cross the river Tiber and to quite another aspect of this city on the Seven Hills – ancient Rome. Listen to tales of Julius Caesar and other great emperors as we stop to overlook the Forum and continue along the Via Sacra to visit the Colosseum.
  
  Finally we will see the Circus Maximus where Ben Hur style chariot races are said to have taken place. Then you are free to perhaps take an excursion to the Catacombs or simply enjoy ‘la dolce vita’ as you sip a glass of wine from at a pavement café on the Via Veneto. Tonight, why not
  indulge in some delicious Roman cuisine? (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 4 - Rome – Florence A drive through the regions of Latium and Umbria brings us into Tuscany and Renaissance Florence, where our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure of this beautiful city. We’ll admire views over the city across to elegant Fiesole from Piazzale Michelangelo and then enter the ancient center of the city for a guided walking tour. We’ll visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, where so many of Italy’s great men are buried, particularly Michelangelo, Piazza Signoria with its beautiful cafés and sculptures, and, of course, see the Duomo with its Bell Tower and famous Baptistery. Then time at leisure to explore the city further or to shop for fashionable leather and 18-carat gold jewellery. Tonight, we enjoy a delicious ‘Be My Guest’ dinner of local specialties in a family run restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)
  
  Hotel: Astoria



• Day 5 - Florence – Pisa – Turin After breakfast we drive to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the Square of Miracles; make sure to pick up a souvenir or two before an exhilarating drive along the Ligurian coast. We’ll see the Carrara Marble quarries where Michelangelo chose the stone for so many of his great sculptures as well as views of the magnificent coastline. Passing Genoa, birthplace of Christopher Columbus, we turn inland to travel toward the Alps and Turin, home of Fiat, Capuccino and Martini! On arrival orientation will show us the Antonelliana Building and the Piazza San Carlo before dinner in our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Atahotel Concord



• Day 6 - Turin – Lake Maggiore – Milan First we travel to Lake Maggiore, which is the most westerly of the three large pre-alpine lakes of Italy. From here we enjoy a scenic drive along the lake and then head south for the capital of Lombardy, Milan. An orientation of the city includes the Galleria, the first shopping arcade in Europe, and views of La Scala Opera House and of course the Gothic Cathedral bristling with saintly statues. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner together in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
  
  Hotel: Grand Hotel Brun



• Day 7 - Milan – Pavia – Verona – Venice (Island) (2 nights) First stop today is at the Cistercian Abbey of Pavia, an important architectural momument in Italy. Later we continue our journey into the Veneto stopping to see Juliet’s Balcony in the city of the star-crossed lovers, Verona. We will also see the 2,000 year old Roman arena, still in use today and then we continue to the magical city of Venice. On arrival we walk together to our charming hotel crossing over several ornate bridges that span the fascinating network of canals for which Venice is renowned. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Bellini



• Day 8 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast, a stroll through the narrow streets brings us to one of the oldest Murano glass-blowing workshops on the island where we will witness a demonstration of this ancient craft. The balance of the day is at your leisure to perhaps take an excursion to the fishermen’s island of Burano for a fresh seafood lunch, or to visit one of the many art galleries and museums for which this city is justifiably renowned. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 9 - Venice – Ferrara – Bologna First we visit Ferrara, the medieval city which was ruled over by the Este family for three centuries. Later we arrive in Bologna, famous for its architecture, its ancient university and wonderful sausages! Bologna is a feast for the senses – and the stomach! Sightseeing with a local guide shows us ‘Neptune’s Fountain’, the ‘Kissing Towers’ and Piazza Maggiore. Later don’t miss the chance of sampling some of the city’s reputed cuisine in an atmospheric trattoria. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Golden Tulip Aemilia



• Day 10 - Bologna – Assisi – Rome Our journey takes us over the glorious Apennine Mountains to the Umbrian town of Assisi set atop the Mount Subasio. With a local expert we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of the town of St. Francis on foot – enhanced by the use of our excellent audio system. We’ll visit St. Francis’ Basilica and see the Saint’s tomb, and later pass by the church of St. Mary of the Angels which stands on the site where he died. From here it is but a short drive to the Eternal City past the hilltop town of Orte. This evening, we celebrate the end of our tour together with a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
  
  Hotel: Villa Pamphili



• Day 11 - Rome – USA This morning it’s ‘buon viaggio’ to your Tour Director and new found friends, as your tour comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)



 

• Rome
• Florence
• Pisa
• Stresa
• Italian Lakes
• Pavia
• Verona
• Venice
• Mantua
• Bologna
• Assisi

This list indicates brochure rates and dates.
* For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms.
Please note: In addition to being sold out or on a request basis only, a tour departure may not be displayed on this site for operation reasons.
For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent.
The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

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