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On this marvelous vacation through Italy, not only will you see the main Italian cities—Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, and Assisi—you’ll also have an opportunity to enjoy some of the smaller towns and scenic attractions. On this tour—our most popular vacation—you’ll see the must-see sights in the cities, such as the Vatican Museums in Rome, Michelangelo’s David in Florence, St. Mark’s Square and Basilica in Venice, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, Juliet’s balcony in Verona, and much more. A tour highlight is Pompeii, which was completely buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago! This preserved town gives you an amazingly detailed look into life at the peak of the Roman Empire. Admire the paintings still on the walls, and look for the early fast-food restaurants beloved by ancient Romans.

Spend time in Lake Maggiore, Italy’s second-largest lake and one of Italy’s most beautiful areas. Enjoy the picturesque lakefront, colorful flowerbeds, shops, cafés, and restaurants. You’ll also have an opportunity to relax in the laid-back town of Sorrento. Explore the cobblestone streets lined with shops and restaurants, and be sure to sample limoncello, the sweet drink made from the enormous lemons that come directly from the town’s numerous lemon trees. Delight in the amazing views, watch the sunset dip into the sea, and see Mount Vesuvius across the bay. You’ll also have time in beautiful Capri, where celebrities go to “get away from it all.”

From the relaxing towns of Sorrento and Lake Maggiore to the faster-paced cities, this tour offers it all. You’re sure to have plenty of stories and photos to share with friends and family back home.

Note:

• December 17 Departure Christmas Eve in Venice, dinner included.

Day 1 Arrive in Rome, Italy
Time to rest or start exploring the “Eternal City.” At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (Dinner)

Day 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. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (Breakfast)

Day 3 Rome–Pisa–Florence
North to Pisa for pictures of its amazing Leaning Tower. Continue to Florence, the capital of Tuscany and home to Renaissance splendor. Why not join an optional dinner at a Tuscan restaurant? (Breakfast)

Day 4 Florence
Follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s David. Admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE, and see Ponte Vecchio. Afternoon free to relax or to find out more about Florence’s artistic wealth. (Breakfast)

Day 5 Florence–Milan–Lugano, Switzerland–Lake Maggiore, Italy
Drive through the Apennine hills past Bologna, home of Europe’s oldest university, to dynamic Milan. An orientation features its gothic Duomo, glass-domed GALLERIA, and famed La Scala Opera House. Then, continue to Lugano in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. A leisurely break to stroll along the lake, window-shop on the refined Via Nassa, or sip an espresso on the Piazza Riforma. Next, a scenic drive along Lake Maggiore, one of Italy’s most beautiful areas. Spend two nights at your elegant resort. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 At Leisure by Lake Maggiore
A restful day to sleep in or maybe join an optional excursion to the baroque palace and peacock gardens of enchanting Isola Bella (open Mar. 26-Oct. 23, subject to change). (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 Lake Maggiore–Verona–Venice
East to Verona, medieval setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, to see Juliet’s balcony and the well-preserved Arena. Join the locals for lunch before continuing to Venice, deemed by some the most romantic city in the world. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. (Breakfast)

Day 8 Venice
Highlights of your guided walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Then, watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in the age-old manner. Later, discover Venice at your own pace or take an optional gondola ride. (Breakfast)

Day 9 Venice–Ravenna–Assisi
Follow the sparkling Adriatic coast to Ravenna to see the mosaics in the 6th-century BASILICA OF ST. APOLLINARIS IN CLASSE. Afternoon arrival in Assisi. Visit ST. CLARE’S CHURCH and ST. FRANCIS’ BASILICA with a Local Guide. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10 Assisi–Pompeii–Sorrento
Today, visit POMPEII, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Overnight in the charming, bayside resort of Sorrento. (Breakfast)

Day 11 Sorrento. Excursion to Capri
Speed across the bay by JETFOIL to the Isle of Capri. Ride the FUNICULAR to Capri village for a guided visit of this pretty town. Free time to explore the little shops on the Piazzetta before returning to Sorrento. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 12 Sorrento–Rome
Return to Rome. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with wine in a local restaurant to celebrate the success of your vacation. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 13 Rome
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

INCLUDED FEATURES

Rome
Welcome and farewell dinners at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square & Basilica, and the Colosseum and Roman Forum

Pisa
Marvel at the legendary Leaning Tower

Florence
Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David, and Signoria Square

Milan
Orientation including the Galleria

Lugano (Switzerland)
Visit the subtropical town

Verona
Walking tour including Juliet’s balcony and the Arena

Venice
Private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square & Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration

Ravenna
Visit the Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe

Assisi
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Clare’s Church and St. Francis’ Basilica

Pompeii
Guided walking tour of the excavations

Sorrento-Capri
By jetfoil

Capri
Guided visit of Capri village, including a funicular ride Headsets throughout the tour

Note:
Departures January 23, February 20, October 22-December 17; January 21 & February 18, 2013 overnight in Milan instead of Lake Maggiore; Dinner on day 5 and Lugano visit not included.

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

Accommodations

MEALS
Full buffet breakfast daily; 5 three-course dinners (departures January 23, February 20, October 22-December 17; January 21 & February 18, 2013 have 4 three-course dinners included), including special welcome and farewell dinners with wine in Rome

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
ROME Albani (F), FLORENCE Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F), LAKE MAGGIORE Grand Hotel Bristol (F) at Stresa or Starhotels Ritz (F) at Milan, VENICE ISLAND All’Angelo (F), ASSISI Subasio (F), SORRENTO Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto (F), ROME Holiday Inn Rome Aurelia (F)

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