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Grand Italia 2009/2010
15 Days from $3140 Tour Code: ITA10

 

Day 1 USA - Rome

VIP Door-to-Door Transfer to your local airport for your overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2 Arrive Rome

After arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director.

Day 3 Rome

A full day in Rome to enjoy this mecca of art and history! This morning experience a very special privately guided tour, with our local guide, of the priceless collection of art and treasures found in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. See the beautiful frescoes created by Michelangelo, Perugino and Botticelli, and marvel at the unique ceiling of the Sistine Chapel - surely one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the Christian world, and then continue to the famous Colosseum, site of gladiatorial combats and early Christian martyrdom. See the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Buffet Breakfast Included

Day 4 Rome - Pompeii - Sorrento

Stop at the Abbey of Montecassino, then on to the Bay of Naples where our private guide shows us the archaeological treasures of Pompeii, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius almost 2000 years ago. Our scenic drive continues to beautiful Sorrento where we spend two relaxing nights. This evening, we bring you closer to the locals with an Explore & Discover dinner with a local family. Enjoy local wine and olive oil and practice your Italian language skills.
Buffet Breakfast and Highlight Dinner Included

Day 5 Sorrento (Isle of Capri Included)

Visit the legendary and idyllic Isle of Capri, once the summer home of Roman Emperors, and enjoy time to explore this enchanting island with white washed houses, orange and lemon trees, fashionable shops and restaurants. Weather permitting you may join an optional cruise around the island and stop in Anacapri. Later, our jetfoil will take us back to Sorrento.
Buffet Breakfast Included

Day 6 Sorrento - Assisi

Today, we journey north to the mystical city of Assisi, the pink-stoned city ringed by medieval ramparts, set in the heart of the Umbrian hills. The highlight of the day is a stop at the 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis, known for its beautiful fresco paintings. Your afternoon is at leisure to stroll along the cobblestone streets of this historic hilltop village.
Bbuffet Breakfast and Dinner Included

Day 7 Assisi - San Marino - Venice

We continue north this morning along the sun-drenched landscapes of the Adriatic coast to San Marino. This tiny republic, the smallest in the world, is known for its spectacular hilltop location. Later we continue on to a relaxing two-night stay in Venice.
Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Included

Day 8 Venice

The finest way to absorb Venice’s unusual sights, sounds and unique Byzantine atmosphere is on an included cruise to St. Mark’s Square to view the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace. Watch a glassblowing demonstration of Venetian craftsmen fashioning their delicate objects in an age old manner and later enjoy a highlight Venetian gondola ride.
Buffet Breakfast Included

Day 9 Venice - Verona - Baveno

This morning we journey first to the cypress-clad hills of Verona to admire the Roman Arena, still in use today, and Juliet’s balcony from Shakespeare’s famous Romeo & Juliet. There is time to stroll through the picturesque market square before heading across the plains of Lombardy for a relaxing two-night stay in the spectacular Italian Lake District.
Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Included

Day 10 Baveno (Lugano Included)

Today’s excursion takes us along the shores of Lake Maggiore, crossing over the border into Switzerland to the fashionable lakeside resort of Lugano. Here you have time to shop along Via Nassa, or walk in the shade of Parco Ciani’s magnificent old trees. We return to our hotel by ferry across Lake Maggiore, viewing the splendor of the Swiss Alps that surround us!
Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Included

Day 11 Baveno - Pisa - Florence

Traveling across the rich Po Valley, we cross the Apennine Mountains before heading south along the Mediterranean coast to Pisa. View the extraordinary Leaning Tower: 180 feet high and no less than 16 feet out of the perpendicular! Then, it’s on to a pleasant threenight stay in Florence, capital of Tuscany and home of the Renaissance. For dinner this evening, enjoy the freedom of your Dine-Around program, and choose from a selection of restaurants recommended by your Tour Director.
Buffet Breakfast and Dine-Around Included

Day 12 Florence

A relaxing day to explore the wealth of art this Tuscan gem has to offer. Or, perhaps take an optional excursion to the medieval village of San Gimignano.
Buffet Breakfast Included

Day 13 Florence

Signoria Square, Santa Croce Basilica, the Baptistry and Piazza Michelangelo are all included on your panoramic sightseeing tour of this historic Italian city. Enjoy a highlight visit to the Accademia to view Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of David with our Florentine and Renaissance local expert.
Buffet Breakfast Included

Day 14 Florence - Siena - Rome

This morning we enjoy a pastoral drive south through Tuscany to Siena. Once a powerful republic, this city is renowned for the Palio horse race which takes place in the main square every summer. Enjoy this hilltop town at leisure before continuing south to Rome where we enjoy a Highlight Farewell Dinner for the last night of our memorable tour.
Buffet Breakfast and Highlight Dinner Included

Day 15 Rome - USA

We bid farewell to Italy.
Buffet Breakfast Included