This trip will show you the highlight cities of Italy, covering all the notable features, from St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and the Forum in Rome to Michelangelo’s David and the cathedral in Florence and St. Mark’s Basilica and Doges’ Palace with the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Local Guides in these cities will answer all your questions. Also included are: special welcome and farewell dinners with wine at lively Roman restaurants, a stop in Pisa to admire the Leaning Tower, and a stop in Romeo & Juliet’s Verona to see Juliet’s balcony and the arena, and to savor a tortellini lunch in one of its attractive restaurants. In Venice, a gondola serenade has been included as a special introduction to this romantic city, as well as a private boat ride and a glassblower’s demonstration. Scenic rides will show you the Tyrrhenian coast, the Lombardian plains, the flat Po area, the wooded Etruscan Apennine mountain range, and Tuscany’s Chianti wine country.
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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 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. (B)
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Day 3
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. (B)
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Day 4
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. (B)
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Day 5
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. (B)
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Day 6
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. (B)
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Day 7
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. (B,D)
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Day 8
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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ROME Welcome and farewell dinners with wine at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman ForumPISAMarvel at the legendary Leaning Tower FLORENCE Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David and Signoria SquareVERONAWalking tour including Juliet’s balcony and the Arena; a [LF] special pasta lunchVENICE [LF] Gondola serenade; private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblower demonstrationFERRARA Walk along Este Castle to the cathedralHeadsets throughout the tour
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ROME Cicerone (SF) or NH Villa Carpegna (F)FLORENCE Kraft (F) or Ambasciatori (F) or Starhotels Tuscany (SF)VENICE ISLAND Carlton on the Grand Canal (F)ROME Villa Pamphili (SF)
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Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 1 special lunch (L) in Verona; 2 three-course dinners (D): special welcome and farewell dinners with wine in Rome
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Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $336.Triple room reduction per person: $46.Extra nights per person in Rome:in single room $208, in twin $150, in triple $128.
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LJE|Add Sicily to Your VacationLJS|Add Sorrento to Your Vacation
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Italy's Great Cities
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Motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; boat ride in Venice
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This trip will show you the highlight cities of Italy, covering all the notable features, from St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and the Forum in Rome to Michelangelo’s David and the cathedral in Florence and St. Mark’s Basilica and Doges’ Palace with the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Local Guides in these cities will answer all your questions. Also included are: special welcome and farewell dinners with wine at lively Roman restaurants, a stop in Pisa to admire the Leaning Tower, and a stop in Romeo & Juliet’s Verona to see Juliet’s balcony and the arena, and to savor a tortellini lunch in one of its attractive restaurants. In Venice, a gondola serenade has been included as a special introduction to this romantic city, as well as a private boat ride and a glassblower’s demonstration. Scenic rides will show you the Tyrrhenian coast, the Lombardian plains, the flat Po area, the wooded Etruscan Apennine mountain range, and Tuscany’s Chianti wine country.
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