Italian Highlights

2012 Season
Departs From: Rome

From 1,689EUR

Length:  10 days from Rome to Milan, or 11 days incl. travel

Overview

This is the perfect vacation to see Italy’s highlights—from the historical treasures in Rome and the splendid art in Florence to the picturesque, walled medieval town of San Gimignano and the romantic canals in Venice. Of course, you’ll see the famous sights on your sightseeing tours, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, the glass-domed Galleria in Milan, the medieval square in Siena, Juliet’s balcony in Verona, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. You’ll also learn how Chianti wine is made and even sample some at Verrazzano Castle.

Enjoy a Venetian lagoon cruise to the islands of Murano and Burano. Did you know the Venetian Republic—fearing fire—ordered the glassmakers in Venice to move to the island of Murano in the 13th century? By the 14th century, the glassblowers became some of the most respected citizens and were granted special privileges. On this tour, you’ll see skilled Murano glassblowers in action.

Italy is an amazing country filled with beautiful art, magnificent architecture, extensive history, sumptuous cuisine, fine wines, and friendly people. You’ll experience its splendor on this fabulous vacation highlighting Italy’s most-treasured places. Be sure to pack your camera, because you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

Duration:  10 Days

Schedule:

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

City Highlights

Rome
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum

Siena
Walking tour including Piazza del Campo

San Gimignano
Orientation

Florence
Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David and Signoria Square

Pisa
Marvel at the legendary Leaning Tower

Verrazzano Castle
Wine tasting and lunch

Venice
Private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs

Murano & Burano
Lagoon cruise and island visits, including a glassblowers’ demonstration in Murano and lunch in Burano

Verona
Walking tour including Juliet’s balcony and the Arena

Milan
Walking tour, visit the Galleria

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, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Afterwards, relax or explore the city on your own. Later, you may wish to join an optional walk to Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, the Roman Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. (B)

Day 3   Rome. This morning, follow your Local Guide and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time to savor la dolce vita and enjoy independent activities. (B)

Day 4   Rome–Siena–San Gimignano–Florence. First stop this morning is in Siena. Walk through ancient, narrow lanes to PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, site of the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race. Then, continue through unforgettable landscapes of gently rolling, vine-clad hills to hilltop San Gimignano, and walk through the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns. Next is Florence, the splendid capital of Tuscany and birthplace of the Renaissance. (B)

Day 5   Florence. 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 see Ponte Vecchio. Afternoon for independent sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. Tonight, why not try the culinary delights of a fine Tuscan restaurant? (B)

Day 6   Florence. Excursion to Pisa & Verrazzano Castle. A fast journey will bring you to Pisa. Here, take your pictures of the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 12 feet out of the perpendicular. Today’s highlight: hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti at VERRAZZANO CASTLE; enjoy a WINE TASTING and lunch before returning to Florence. (B,L,D)

Day 7   Florence–Venice. Morning drive through the wooded Apennine Mountains to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter its glittering maze of islands, canals, and bridges 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. Then, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (B)

Day 8   Murano & Burano Islands Excursion. Start your day with an unforgettable Venetian LAGOON CRUISE to the islands of Murano and Burano. Glide past the islands of San Giorgio and Sant’Elena, and along the banks of the famous Lido. In Murano, watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Then, continue on to the picturesque fishing village of Burano, renowned for its bright pastel-colored houses and for its lace making. Take pictures of traditional fishing boats, still used by the island inhabitants, and enjoy an included lunch with wine. Return to Venice in the early afternoon. (B,L)

Day 9   Venice–Verona–Milan. Stop in Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet’s balcony and stroll around the lovely market square. Don’t miss the Arena, an incredibly well-preserved pink marble Roman amphitheater. Built in the 1st century AD, it is now the magical venue for world-famous opera performances. Then, on to the dynamic city of Milan, hub of Italy’s economic miracle with its famous La Scala Opera House, the magnificent gothic Duomo, and the glass-domed GALLERIA. An optional farewell dinner may be the perfect way to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (B)

Day 10   Milan. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 2 lunches (L), one with wine tasting at Verrazzano Castle and one with wine in Burano; 2 three-course dinners (D), including a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome

Hotel Information:  ROME Mediterraneo (F), FLORENCE Starhotels Michelangelo (SF), VENICE ISLAND San Clemente Palace Hotel &
Resort (D), MILAN Starhotels Ritz (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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