---

Italy is home to a wealth of “magnificents” and this vacation features them all. Overnight in Rome with its famed archaeological sites; Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance;” enchanting Lake Maggiore; the unique floating city of Venice; Perugia, capital of Umbria; and the lively resort of Sorrento. You’ll also experience Pisa’s amazing Leaning Tower; Milan, the capital of fashion; Italian-speaking Lugano, Switzerland; lively Sirmione on Lake Garda; Ravenna with its precious Byzantine mosaics; Assisi’s frescoed St. Francis Basilica; Pompeii’s remarkable archaeological site; and the jet-set Isle of Capri. Enjoy it all amid the warmth of the Italian people and the beauty of the panoramic landscapes.

Dec 24 departure - Christmas in Rome

Day 1 ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 2 ROME
The ”Eternal City”—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (Breakfast)

Day 3 ROME–PISA–FLORENCE
This morning, vistas of undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Stop in Pisa for a visit and see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower. Arrive in Florence for an overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 4 FLORENCE
Today, enjoy the included walking tour with a Local Guide, featuring most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the “Gate of Paradise.” (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 FLORENCE–MILAN–LAKE MAGGIORE
This morning, leave hilly Tuscany to travel north into the plains of Lombardy, crossing the great River Po with new and quite different scenery as you approach Milan for a stop to see its great Duomo. Overnight in Baveno in the Lake Maggiore area. (Breakfast)

Day 6 LAKE MAGGIORE. EXCURSION TO LUGANO
Time to relax and get to know the area. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy’s largest lakes and is located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. In fact, on clear days you can see the peaks of the Swiss Alps. Take advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano and its lake in Switzerland. (Breakfast)

Day 7 LAKE MAGGIORE–VERONA–VENICE AREA
Travel across the Po river plain and stop in the romantic city of Verona to see Romeo and Juliet´s balcony, and enjoy some time at leisure before reaching the Venice area. (Breakfast)

Day 8 VENICE
Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9 VENICE AREA–RAVENNA–ASSISI–PERUGIA
An interesting drive southwards right across the Po Delta to Ravenna. In the afternoon, journey to Assisi, enclosed by ramparts and little changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis—see the Church of St. Clare, founder of the Order of Poor Clares, the medieval castle, and cathedral. Overnight in beautiful nearby Perugia, capital of Umbria. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10 PERUGIA–POMPEII–SORRENTO
Drive south on the autostrada to Pompeii. Time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town of Pompeii with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. On the included visit you can see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Next, Sorrento, set on a plateau above the waters of the Bay of Naples. Wander the winding streets lined with shops and stalls, and sit with a glass of wine absorbing the easygoing life of this charming resort. (Breakfast)

Day 11 SORRENTO. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI
This legendary island is surrounded by rocky coastline where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a mecca for the jet set. An optional island tour is available. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12 SORRENTO–ROME
A comfortable drive northwards this morning for arrival in Rome, well in time to enjoy most of the afternoon and evening. (Breakfast)

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

INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits to Pisa, Milan, Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Verona, Venice, Ravenna, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Tuscany, Italian Lake District, Bay of Naples

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

GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Rome, Florence, Pompeii. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring

STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Learn more about transportation, hotels, and other standard included features offered.

ACCOMMODATIONS

MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner Buffet breakfast (B); 4 dinners (D)

HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
Rome Pineta Palace (F), Florence Holiday Inn (F), Lake Maggiore Simplon (F) at Baveno or Splendid (F) at Baveno, Venice Area Poppi (F) at Mira, Perugia Holiday Inn (F), Sorrento Central Park (ST) at Massalubrense

TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Canal transfer boat in Venice; boat transfer to Capri

Optional Excursions

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this cruise in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your cruise will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back a later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.

CITY: Florence

Tuscan Flavors
A lovely typical meal in the Tuscan countryside. La Certosa Restaurant is situated in front of the Charterhouse of Florence, which was built in the 13th century and formed from the old chemist of the Monks. The historical residence enjoys an enchanting and privileged panoramic position.
Approximate value: EUR €50 per person

Uffizi Gallery
Admire the world's greatest collection of Italian and Florentine art. The gallery exhibits works by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo.
Approximate value: EUR €30 per person

CITY: Lake Maggiore

Dinner On Pescatori Island
Enjoy a three course dinner, including drinks, on the picturesque island of Lake Maggiore. Dinner will be served on the big terrace which stretches out to the lake and ends with a small terrace surrounded by an abundance of colorful and sweet-smelling flowers. On cool evenings dinner will be served in the hall of which the big old fireplace is a feature. The setting is a mixture of antique and modern. Fish and age-old recipes are the specialties of this former inn, one of the oldest on the island.
Approximate value: EUR €35 per person

CITY: Lugano

Lunch On Monte Tamaro
After your orientation tour of Lugano, take a 20 minute cable car ride to the Tamaro viewing point. Then a visit of the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Enjoy lunch in the mountain-top restaurant, complete with a glass of wine and coffee.
Approximate value: EUR €38 per person

CITY: Rome

Treasures of Rome By Night & Dinner
An evening tour including some of the city's fountains and majestic squares: Piazza Barberini, Triton Fountain, Via Veneto, Villa Borghese and Trevi Fountain. Finish the evening with a meal in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music included.
Approximate value: EUR €52 per person

Vatican Mus.& Sistine Chapel
A tour around the Vatican museums to admire the beautiful tapestry gallery and the Sistine Chapel with masterpieces by Botticelli and Signorelli. See the "Genesis" and Michelangelo's "Last Judgment".
Approximate value: EUR €52 per person

Castelli Romani With Dinner
Drive through the ancient villages in the Alban Hills, a landscape of rare beauty, myths, legends and history. Take pictures of the Pope's summer residence, Castel Gandolfo. Then to Frascati where one of the famous local white wines is included with your dinner in a tavern.
Approximate value: EUR €50 per person

Tivoli With Dinner
Tivoli is infinitely rich from all points of view, and its enchanting Villa d'Este gardens are undeniably one of the masterpieces of the Italian water gardens and UNESCO world heritage site. Europe. (Entrance fee not included). Enjoy dinner with wine accompanied by music in a local restaurant.
Approximate value: EUR €47 per person

CITY: Sorrento

Capri Island Tour
This romantic island, one of the jewels of the Mediterranean, has always inspired artists and poets. Once the "In" place for Roman emperors, today it is a rendezvous for the jet set. Take a chair lift to Monte Solaro for a breathtaking view of the entire Bay of Naples or visit Capri Miniature if the chair lift is closed.
Approximate value: EUR €45 per person

Sorrento Musical
Enjoy an evening of Neapolitan songs and dances presented on stage with a continuous change of scenery. The show takes its cue from the "Tarantella," a typical dance of the southern regions. Free-flowing wine, spumante or soft drinks are included.
Approximate value: EUR €27 per person

Sorrento Flavors
Enjoy an evening out dining in a typical restaurant, with a mixed starter, pizza and pasta, dessert, wine, mineral water and coffee or tea, or the famous Sorrento lemon liquor, "Limoncello".
Approximate value: EUR €26 per person

CITY: Venice

Venetian Night Out And Dinner
Enjoy a motorboat ride along the impressive Giudecca Canal with a commentary of the most important sights. A leisurely walk to St. Mark's Square, passing famous buildings, small bridges and inner canals, will take you to a typical Venetian restaurant for an aperitif before your four-course dinner including wine, mineral water and coffee.
Approximate value: EUR €65 per person

Gondola Serenade
This is one of the highlights of any European holiday - a gondola ride through centuries-old canals, under famous arched bridges, and past lavish palaces and quaint piazzas.
Approximate value: EUR €40 per person

Discover The Venetian Lagoon
By private boat cross the lagoon to the picturesque fishing island of Burano with its gaily painted houses. See lace makers at work; then there's time to explore this unforgettable island on your own before returning to Venice. Approximate value: EUR €25 per person

---