|
Welcome to Italy,
where history, culture, art and romance take on new meaning!
This grand vacation takes you to the must-sees of Rome, Florence
and Venice, and through the vineyards and olive plantations that
dot the Tuscan countryside. Your two-night stay in Rome includes
visits to the fabulous landmarks of Classical Rome, including
the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. After a visit to the
outlying medieval town of Assisi, you'll venture through the
low-lying hills of Tuscany to Siena and San Gimignano. In
Florence, you'll see Michelangelo's Statue of David and the
Uffizi Museum, and maybe shop a bit among the city's legendary
shops. You'll enjoy a visit to San Marino, one of the smallest
countries in the world, while on the way to romantic Venice.
Here you will enjoy a glass making demonstration and a leisurely
walking tour. You'll conclude your memorable adventure in the
picturesque Italian Lake District with a stay in the beautiful
resort of Como.
-
In Rome, enjoy
a fun-filled evening of fine Italian wine, cuisine and
traditional music.
-
A tour of
Florence showcases the cultural treasures of the “Cradle of
the Italian Renaissance.”
-
Discover
Siena’s narrow Gothic streets, magnificent palaces and
historic Piazza del Campo.
-
Visit the
beautiful resort town of Como in the Italian Lake District.
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Welcome to Italy, a land rich in history, culture, art and
romance. Your journey begins with an overnight flight to Rome,
"The Eternal City."
Day 2: Arrive Rome, Italy
You arrive in Rome today. This evening, join your fellow
travelers for a special welcome dinner at a popular local
restaurant featuring regional delicacies and fine Italian wines.
Today dinner is included.
Day 3: Rome
This morning it’s your choice! Perhaps a trip to Vatican City,
with an optional tour to the Vatican Museums, will be on your
personal sightseeing list. This afternoon enjoy a locally guided
panoramic tour of Rome featuring St. Peter's Basilica, the
impressive Piazza Venezia, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum,
the Arch of Constantine, and the famous Trevi Fountain. Today
breakfast is included.
Day 4: Rome - Assisi - Perugia
Travel to Assisi for a guided walking tour of the old city,
including the Basilica of St. Francis. Then you are off to
medieval Perugia, the capital of Umbria. Behold one of the
grandest squares in Italy, the Piazza IV Novembre, and delight
in the medieval palaces and ornate cathedrals. Today breakfast
and dinner are included.
Day 5: Perugia - Siena - San Gimignano - Florence
A scenic journey through Tuscany’s graceful low-lying hills
brings you to the mystical city of Siena. Discover the narrow
Gothic streets, magnificent palaces and the historic Piazza del
Campo. En route to Florence you stop in San Gimignano,
overlooking the Tuscan countryside, permeated by vineyards and
olive grove plantations. Enjoy a stroll along Piazza Del Duomo
and Piazza Della Cisterna, two of Italy’s most evocative
squares. Today breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 6: Florence
In Florence, the "Cradle of Italian Renaissance," you see
Michelangelo's famous Statue of David, located in the Academy
Gallery. On your cultural tour of Florence, view the Cathedral
of Santa Maria Del Fiore, located in the religious center of the
Piazza Del Duomo. You also view the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi
Museum, and the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of
Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. The remainder of the day
is at leisure. Today breakfast is included.
Day 7: Florence - San Marino - Venice
Today, you visit one of the smallest countries in the world, the
Republic of San Marino - only 23 square miles. Next, travel past
the lagoons and rice-growing fields of the Po River en route to
enchanting Venice, built on 117 islands with 150 canals and 400
bridges. Today breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 8: Venice - Murano Island - Venice
Your day begins with a boat trip (weather permitting) to Murano
Island for an up-close glass making demonstration. Return by
boat to charming St. Mark's Square, a hub of
quintessentially-Italian activity and events. A local expert
provides a leisurely walking tour featuring the Clock Tower,
with its famous Moors; St. Mark's Basilica; the Doge's Palace;
and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Later, a local artisan explains
and demonstrates the art and history of carnival mask making.
This evening, an optional gondola serenade cruise is available.
Today breakfast is included.
Day 9: Venice - Como - Milan
Today you travel to the picturesque Italian Lake region and the
beautiful resort of Como. Visit one of the areas most
distinguished silk producers and learn how this famous fabric is
made. Continue to Milan for a farewell dinner celebrating the
end of an unforgettable trip. Today breakfast and dinner are
included.
Day 10: Milan - Tour Ends
Your tour ends in Como this morning. Today breakfast is
included.
Add a pre night stay in Rome.
Prices start at $175 per person, double.
|
EXPERIENCE IT!
Vatican City, Italy |
|
It's a
country located in the middle of Rome. At 1/5
of a square mile in size, Vatican City is, by far,
the world's smallest country. What is lacks in
size, however, it makes up for in spirituality; this
tiny enclave is the religious center of the Roman
Catholic world. Vatican City operates just
like any standard country - they have their own post
office, tourist office and the citizens (all 850 of
them) have their own passports. Vatican City
Passport #1 belongs to the Pope. With a treasure
trove of art within its hallowed walls, many people
consider Vatican City to be the wealthiest country
in the world - per square foot. St. Peter's Basilica
is home to Michelangelo's dome ceiling and di
Cambrio's statue of St. Peter. Not to be
outdone, the Vatican Museum showcases art by
Michelangelo, da Vinci and Raphael; the Vatican
Library houses every decision, interpretation and
law ever made by the Catholic church. But
perhaps the most talked about masterpiece inside the
Vatican is painted on the ceiling of the Sistine
Chapel. Simply titled "Creation,"
Michelangelo's famous fresco is like no other. An
optional tour of the Vatican Museums will be
available during your visit to Rome. |
Land Rates Per Person
| |
Double |
Single |
Triple |
|
May
2008 - April 2009 |
|
|
|
| May -
June 2008 |
$2249 |
$2949 |
$2199 |
| July -
August 2008 |
$1849 |
$2449 |
$1799 |
| Sep -
October 2008 |
$2249 |
$2949 |
$2199 |
|
November 1 - 10, 2008 |
$2049 |
$2749 |
$1999 |
|
November 11 - December 2008 |
$1849 |
$2449 |
$1799 |
January - February
2009
FREE Extra night in Rome included |
$1849 |
$2449 |
$1799 |
| March
- April 2009 |
$2049 |
$2749 |
$1999 |
Also available
(diff. itinerary-see
below)
February - April 2008 |
|
|
|
February 2008
FREE Extra night in Rome included |
$1699 |
$2199 |
$1649 |
| March
2008 |
$1699 |
$2199 |
$1649 |
| April
2008 |
$1749 |
$2349 |
$1699 |
Itinerary featured is for May 2008 -
April 2009 tour departures. Departures prior to
this date feature different
hotels in Rome, Florence and Como. Please confirm at time of
reservation.
|
DEPARTURE DATES |
|
May
2008 - April 2009 |
|
2008: |
May
13, 20, 26; June 2, 9, 16, 23; July 7, 14, 21;
August 4, 11, 18; September 1, 8, 9, 15, 16, 29, 30;
October 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28; November 3,
4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18; December 1 |
|
2009: |
February 23, March 2, 3, 9, 10, 17, 18, 23, 24, 30,
April 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 |
|
February - April 2008 |
|
2008: |
February 24; March 5, 10, 12, 24, 26, 31; April 14,
21, 28 |
10 days, 13 meals
8 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
NOTES:
-
Due to flight
schedules, you may require an early morning departure
from the hotel on your last day.
Return flights should
not be booked prior to 10:00 a.m.
-
Vatican Museums are closed on
Sundays and on holidays that fall on
Saturday. Due to the
unpredictable nature of the event schedule at the
Vatican, on certain dates it may be necessary to visit
the Vatican Museums in the afternoon.
-
Most national museums
in Florence, including the Uffizi Gallery and the
Academy, are closed on Mondays.
-
Single
accommodations are limited and are available on a first
come, first served basis.
-
On occasion, due to inclement
weather, your boat trip to Murano Island may be substituted with a
visit to a local glass factory in Venice.
-
If
you have not purchased air through the tour operator and
wish to purchase transfers, you must transfer at our
pre-scheduled times.
|
