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This exciting vacation covers the main sights of Italy, but with a special focus on the green, hilly landscapes of Tuscany. Begin with an overnight and free time in Rome, then stop in Orvieto, an Umbrian town with a beautiful cathedral, and reach Poggibonsi, your base for exploring Tuscany. Join the included excursions to Renaissance Florence to experience Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Duomo complex, and to Pisa to see its famed Leaning Tower. Experience a less-known but equally interesting city of the Veneto region—Verona—as well as magnificent Venice with its maze of canals. Stop in Ravenna, known for its Byzantine mosaics, and overnight in San Marino, one of the smallest countries of the world. Dedicate a day to Italy’s Umbria region with visits of Urbino, Gubbio, Assisi, and Foligno. Cross the Apennines, see the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino, and spend three nights in Naples. Enjoy included excursions to the beautiful Isle of Capri, the fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii, and the lively resort of Sorrento. Return to Rome for two more nights and guided sightseeing of the “Eternal City” that features the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Dec 12 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 Italy’s ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 2 ROME–ORVIETO–TUSCANY This morning, start your journey northwards to Orvieto in the province of Umbria to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral. Next, enjoy the beauty of the Tuscan countryside with its hillside towns and villages that skirt the Chianti wine-growing region of Castellina. Overnight in Poggibonsi, situated in the heart of Tuscany almost halfway between Pisa and Siena and next door to San Gimignano. No better place than this to easily get around in Tuscany. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3 TUSCANY
Take advantage of today’s optional excursion to San Gimignano, one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval towns. Admire its 14 towers and the countryside dotted with vineyards and olive trees. Next is Siena, rightly considered the jewel of Tuscany. The Piazza del Campo is quite unique in shape and setting, and famous the world over for the Palio horse racing event. Tonight, join the optional Tuscan dinner. (Breakfast)
Day 4 TUSCANY. EXCURSION TO FLORENCE
A full day is dedicated to the city that’s known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty. The included walking tour with a Local Guide will introduce you to most of the city’s highlights. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5 TUSCANY. EXCURSION TO PISA
This morning, enjoy the short drive to Pisa to see its world-famous Square of Miracles and Leaning Tower. Take a stroll down the busy Via Santa Maria, perhaps Pisa’s most typical street. Plenty of time this afternoon at leisure or join one of the optional excursions available. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 TUSCANY–VERONA–VENICE AREA
A comfortable drive north today, first through more of Tuscany, then into the flatlands of the Po Valley and across its river to Verona on the banks of the Adige River. Get to know more about this enchanting city on your included sightseeing tour that will take in all the highlights and, of course, the famous balcony of Romeo and Juliet. Later, continue to your overnight hotel in the Venice area. (Breakfast)
Day 7 VENICE
Venice is a city of unparalleled beauty and a feast of wonderful sights. View the delightful criss-crossing canals, the gondolas, water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and quiet little piazzas. Enjoy the included orientation, which starts with a boat ride and is followed by time at leisure and a visit to a typical Venetian glassblowing workshop. In the afternoon, join one of the many optional excursions. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 VENICE AREA–RAVENNA–SAN MARINO
South today to Ravenna, at one time an imperial city known as the “Byzantium of the West.” After a short stop here, continue to the tiny hilltop Republic of San Marino, one of the smallest in the world. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9 SAN MARINO–URBINO–GUBBIO–ASSISI AREA
First to Urbino with its magnificent Ducal Palace towering over the town. Then, on to medieval Gubbio, where a superb view of the rooftops of the town from the Consul’s Palace is a must. Continue on to Foligno in the Assisi area for an overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10 ASSISI AREA–MONTECASSINO–NAPLES
Start the day in Assisi by visiting the Basilica of St. Francis with its famous paintings by Giotto dating back to the 1300s. Travel south across the Apennines into the province of Latium for a stop in Montecassino, known for its Benedictine Abbey. Next, continue to the shores of the Mediterranean for three overnights in Naples, rightly known as Italy’s most colorful city. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11 NAPLES. EXCURSION TO CAPRI
Cross the blue sea to Capri. This legendary island, surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you round the island with its steep roads and panoramic views. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12 NAPLES. EXCURSION TO POMPEII & SORRENTO
This morning, get to know more about lively, bustling, and mind-boggling Naples on the included orientation drive. Next, Pompeii, where time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Continue to Sorrento to spend a leisurely evening in this easy-back town with views over the Gulf of Naples. Return to Naples for an overnight. (Breakfast)
Day 13 NAPLES–ROME
North this morning back to the “Eternal City” with plenty of time to enjoy one of the optional excursions, to do last-minute shopping, or maybe sip a drink on Piazza Navona and watch the world go by. (Breakfast)
Day 14 ROME
This city is 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. Then, some more time to do just as you please. (Breakfast)
Day 15 ROME
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS WITH US
Learn more about booking an air-inclusive vacation - the reasons why include, you'll receive free airport transfer on published dates and your air will be coordinated with your vacation.
AIRPORT TRANSFER TIMES
View details and pricing on airport transfer times and extra nights. Learn more about what's included with your vacation and how you can personalize it.
Vacation Highlights
INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits to Orvieto, Pisa, Venice, Ravenna, San Marino, Urbino, Gubbio, Assisi, Montecassino, Naples, Sorrento, Capri
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Tuscan countryside
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Florence, Verona, Pompeii, Rome. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring
STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Learn more about transportation, hotels, and other standard included features offered.
Accommodations
MEALS
Buffet breakfasts; 8 dinners
HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
Rome Buenos Aires (ST), Tuscany Toscana Ambassador (F) at Poggibonsi, Venice Area Poppi (F) at Mira, San Marino Titano (ST), Assisi Area Holiday Inn Express (ST) at Foligno, Naples San Germano (F)
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 vacation 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 vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back 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
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 €35 per person
CITY: Poggibonsi
Tuscan Dinner
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
San Gimignano & Siena
Drive through rolling Tuscan countryside to San Gimignano, famous for its 14 grey stone towers, each one representing noble medieval families. Set on a hilltop and enclosed within an outer wall including five gates, it is a charming medieval town. Continue to Siena, site of the famous Palio delle Contrade horse race held in the Piazza del Campo. See the cathedral in Piazza del Duomo, of multicolored marble and a richly decorated interior.
Approximate value: EUR €25 per person
CITY: Rome
Treasures Of Rome Bn & Dinner
A night 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 €50 per person
Vatican Museum & 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 Judgement".
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 €48 per person
Farewell Dinner
Why not top off your Italian experience in the company of new found friends while enjoying dinner in a typical restaurant? Soak up "la dolce vita" of this romantic but pulsing capital to the sound of clinking glasses as you "saluti" your way through the evening. Before or after dinner you will have a tour including some of the city's fountains and majestic squares.
Approximate value: EUR €50 per person
CITY: Sorrento
Sorrento Flavours
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 €28 per person
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
CITY: Venice
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
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
DEPARTURE DATES April - December
PRICES From approx $2,039 US
per person double occupancy
More Tours and Cruises Available For more information please complete the INQUIRY
FORM
This exciting vacation covers the main sights of Italy, but with a special focus on the green, hilly landscapes of Tuscany. Begin with an overnight and free time in Rome, then stop in Orvieto, an Umbrian town with a beautiful cathedral, and reach Poggibonsi, your base for exploring Tuscany. Join the included excursions to Renaissance Florence to experience Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Duomo complex, and to Pisa to see its famed Leaning Tower. Experience a less-known but equally interesting city of the Veneto region—Verona—as well as magnificent Venice with its maze of canals. Stop in Ravenna, known for its Byzantine mosaics, and overnight in San Marino, one of the smallest countries of the world. Dedicate a day to Italy’s Umbria region with visits of Urbino, Gubbio, Assisi, and Foligno. Cross the Apennines, see the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino, and spend three nights in Naples. Enjoy included excursions to the beautiful Isle of Capri, the fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii, and the lively resort of Sorrento. Return to Rome for two more nights and guided sightseeing of the “Eternal City” that features the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
