This perfect one-week vacation covers Rome, Florence, and Venice, with enough time to explore on your own. Sightseeing with a Local Guide in all cities covers the must-see sights: the Colosseum, Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome, Michelangelo’s celebrated David statue, sculpture-studded Signoria Square in Florence, as well as St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, and the Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Enjoy a special dinner with Tuscan specialties and wine in Florence, and in Venice, enjoy a glassblower’s demonstration and receive a special gift. A welcome dinner in Rome and a private boat ride in Venice are included, as well as a farewell drink at famous Florian Café on St. Mark’s Square. The full day at leisure in Venice gives you the opportunity to join an optional excursion to the island of Burano.
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Day 1
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. (D)
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Day 2
Sightseeing with your Local Guide this morning concentrates on religious Rome: visit the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Next, visit monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (B)
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Day 3
Start with a guided visit to the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. In the early afternoon, drive along the Highway of the Sun north into Tuscany and its hill-clad vineyards, which house the famous Chianti wine, to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance”. You may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant and try out the Chianti wines. (B)
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Day 4
During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David, admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE, and visit SANTA CROCE BASILICA with the tomb of Michelangelo. The afternoon is free. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. (B)
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Day 5
Through the wooded Apennine Hills and the lush plains of the River Po, the largest river in Italy, to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter 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. (B)
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Day 6
A whole day to explore Venice on your own. Wander through the narrow streets, discover Rialto Bridge, and top it all off with a farewell drink at famous CAFFÉ FLORIAN. Later, why not join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano followed by a delicious meal of local specialties to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation? (B)
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Day 7
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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ROME Welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and BasilicaFLORENCE [LF] Dinner at a local restaurant; guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David and Signoria SquareVENICE Private boat ride, guided walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; [LF] glassblower demonstration with surprise gift; [LF] farewell drink at Caffé FlorianHeadsets throughout the tour
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ROME Cicerone (SF)FLORENCE Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F)VENICE ISLAND Palazzo Selvadego (F)
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Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 2 three-course dinners (D): a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome and a special dinner with wine in Florence; farewell drink in Venice
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Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $222.Triple room reduction per person: $64.Extra nights per person in Rome:in single room $208, in twin $150, in triple $128.Extra nights per person in Venice:in single room $226, in twin $198, in triple $167.
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LHE|Add Lake Maggiore to Your Vacation
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A Taste of Italy
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Motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; boat in Venice
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This perfect one-week vacation covers Rome, Florence, and Venice, with enough time to explore on your own. Sightseeing with a Local Guide in all cities covers the must-see sights: the Colosseum, Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome, Michelangelo’s celebrated David statue, sculpture-studded Signoria Square in Florence, as well as St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, and the Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Enjoy a special dinner with Tuscan specialties and wine in Florence, and in Venice, enjoy a glassblower’s demonstration and receive a special gift. A welcome dinner in Rome and a private boat ride in Venice are included, as well as a farewell drink at famous Florian Café on St. Mark’s Square. The full day at leisure in Venice gives you the opportunity to join an optional excursion to the island of Burano.
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