ITALY'S GREAT CITIES 8 DAYS FROM $1,889 US Details below or
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What do you want from your Italian vacation—amazing architecture, sumptuous food, delicious wine, breathtaking art, historical treasures, or scenic beauty? Whatever it is, this Italy vacation offers it to you! You’ve seen photos of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square—now’s your chance to stand in this square, where people gather to hear the pope. You’ve heard about gladiator contests in ancient Rome—now’s your chance to see the Colosseum, where the contests took place. You know the story of Romeo and Juliet—now’s your chance to see Juliet’s balcony in Verona. You’ve seen photos of Venice’s gondolas—now’s your chance to experience a romantic ride in one of them. You’ve seen photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa—now’s your chance to get up close and take your own photos.
Scenic rides between cities will show you the Tyrrhenian coast, Lombardian plains, flat Po area, wooded Etruscan Apennine mountain range, and Tuscany’s Chianti wine country—with its vine- and olive-clad hills. These are just a few of the many highlights offered on this tour through Italy’s great cities. You’ll also have some leisure time to enjoy Italy’s most popular cities—Rome, Florence, and Venice—on your own. It’s the trip of a lifetime!
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 and leave the hotel 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 (arranged next morning if closed today), 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
Follow the Aurelian Way along the Tyrrhenian coast to Pisa. Here, take your pictures of the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 12 feet out of the perpendicular. Then, on to Florence, the splendid capital of Tuscany. You may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant. (Breakfast)
Day 4 Florence
Follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David and the magnificent cathedral. Admire Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. The afternoon is free. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. (Breakfast)
Day 5 Florence–Verona–Venice
North to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet’s balcony and the well-preserved Arena. Stroll around the picturesque market square. Arrive in Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Tonight is your chance to sample the city’s fine restaurants. (Breakfast)
Day 6 Venice
Start the day in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Afterwards, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano. (Breakfast)
Day 7 Venice–Ferrara–Rome
A scenic drive today through the lush plains of the mighty River Po to Ferrara. Stroll past imposing Este Castle to the marble cathedral before continuing to Rome across the wooded Apennine mountain range, and past the vine- and olive-clad Tuscan Hills, home of the popular Chianti wines. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant to celebrate the success of your vacation. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 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 and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum
Pisa
Marvel at the legendary Leaning Tower
Florence
Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David, and Signoria Square
Verona
Walking tour including Juliet’s balcony and the Arena
Venice
Private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration
Ferrara
Walk along Este Castle to the cathedral
Headsets throughout the tour
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Full buffet breakfast daily; 2 three-course dinners : special welcome and farewell dinners with wine in Rome
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
ROME Cicerone (SF), FLORENCE Kraft (F), VENICE ISLAND Carlton on the Grand Canal (F), ROME Villa Pamphili (F)
DEPARTURE DATES January - December
PRICES Cruise Only From approx $1,889 US Per
Person Double
Occupancy
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FORM
What do you want from your Italian vacation—amazing architecture, sumptuous food, delicious wine, breathtaking art, historical treasures, or scenic beauty? Whatever it is, this Italy vacation offers it to you! You’ve seen photos of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square—now’s your chance to stand in this square, where people gather to hear the pope. You’ve heard about gladiator contests in ancient Rome—now’s your chance to see the Colosseum, where the contests took place. You know the story of Romeo and Juliet—now’s your chance to see Juliet’s balcony in Verona. You’ve seen photos of Venice’s gondolas—now’s your chance to experience a romantic ride in one of them. You’ve seen photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa—now’s your chance to get up close and take your own photos.
