Italy's Great Cities

2012 Season
Departs From: Rome

From 1,209EUR

Length:  8 days from Rome to Rome, or 9 days incl. travel

Overview

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!

Duration:  8 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
29 May, 2012	05 June, 2012
03 June, 2012	10 June, 2012
05 June, 2012	12 June, 2012
07 June, 2012	14 June, 2012
10 June, 2012	17 June, 2012
10 June, 2012	17 June, 2012
17 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
19 June, 2012	26 June, 2012
21 June, 2012	28 June, 2012
24 June, 2012	01 July, 2012
26 June, 2012	03 July, 2012
01 July, 2012	08 July, 2012
01 July, 2012	08 July, 2012
03 July, 2012	10 July, 2012
08 July, 2012	15 July, 2012
15 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
22 July, 2012	29 July, 2012
29 July, 2012	05 August, 2012
05 August, 2012	12 August, 2012
09 August, 2012	16 August, 2012
12 August, 2012	19 August, 2012
16 August, 2012	23 August, 2012
19 August, 2012	26 August, 2012
26 August, 2012	02 September, 2012
28 August, 2012	04 September, 2012
02 September, 2012	09 September, 2012
06 September, 2012	13 September, 2012
09 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
11 September, 2012	18 September, 2012
16 September, 2012	23 September, 2012
20 September, 2012	27 September, 2012
23 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
27 September, 2012	04 October, 2012
30 September, 2012	07 October, 2012
04 October, 2012	11 October, 2012
07 October, 2012	14 October, 2012
11 October, 2012	18 October, 2012
18 October, 2012	25 October, 2012
04 November, 2012	11 November, 2012

City Highlights

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

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. (D)

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. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B,D)

Day 8   Rome. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 2 three-course dinners (D): special welcome and farewell dinners with wine in Rome

Hotel Information:  ROME Cicerone (SF), FLORENCE Kraft (F), VENICE ISLAND Carlton on the Grand Canal (F), ROME Villa Pamphili (F)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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