Vacation Overview
When you think of the ideal vacation to Italy, what comes to mind? Savoring the local cuisine and sampling the local wine? Visiting the historical sights from the Roman Empire? Maybe it’s seeing the architectural treasures, splendid art, and ornate churches with their religious artifacts. Or maybe it’s shopping for local goods. If so, all this and more are offered on this amazing tour through Italy. Food and wine connoisseurs will enjoy the visit to Verrazzano Castle. Located on a hilltop in the Chianti region, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how the famous Chianti wine is made. You’ll even get a chance to sample some! History buffs will enjoy seeing some of Italy’s ancient sights, including the Roman Forum, dating back to the 7th century BC, and the Colosseum, completed in the 1st century AD. Art fans will enjoy seeing Michelangelo’s famous works, including the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling paintings in Rome and his celebrated David in Florence. If you’re interested in magnificent churches, you’ll enjoy the Vatican as well as St. Francis’ Basilica, where St. Francis is buried. You’ll also have a chance to see the Florence Cathedral, built between 1296 and 1436; the Orvieto Cathedral, a great example of gothic architecture in Italy; and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, one of the best examples of byzantine architecture. Food, wine, history, churches, art, shopping—what more could you ask for? This vacation to Italy is sure to leave you with plenty of photos and stories to share with loved ones back home.
INCLUDED FEATURES
Headsets throughout the tour
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: Take pictures of the Leaning Tower
Lucca: Walking tour
San Gimignano: Orientation
Siena: Walking tour including Piazza del Campo
Verrazzano Castle: Wine tasting and light dinner
Florence: Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, 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
Ravenna: Visit St. Apollinaris in Classe Assisi: Guided walking tour, visit St. Clare’s Church and St. Francis’ Basilica
Orvieto: Ride a funicular through the ramparts to the cathedral
Note:December 20 departure - Christmas Eve in Florence.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
Itinerary
DAY 1 Arrive in Rome, Italy
Time to rest or start exploring the “Eternal City” on your own. At 6 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. (Dinner)
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. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (Breakfast)
DAY 3 Rome–Pisa–Lucca
This morning, head north along the Tyrrhenian coastline through an area where many a town was founded at the very beginning of recorded history by the mysterious, highly civilized Etruscans. Stop in Pisa for lunch and to take pictures of its Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 12 feet out of the perpendicular. Then, continue to Lucca, and enjoy an orientation walk and time to explore this pretty town on your own. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4 Lucca–San Gimignano–Siena–Florence
A scenic day in Tuscany. Morning visit to hilltop San Gimignano, the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns. On to Siena for a leisurely lunchtime break and a walk through ancient narrow lanes to beautiful PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, theater of the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race. In the afternoon, drive along the Chianti Road leading from Siena due north to Florence. Next is the highlight of the day: stop at splendid VERRAZZANO CASTLE to hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti. Enjoy a WINE TASTING followed by a light dinner of local specialties. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5 Florence
During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit 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. Afternoon free for independent sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. Why not try the culinary delights of a fine Florentine restaurant tonight? (Breakfast)
DAY 6 Florence–Verona–Venice
Stop in Verona, setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to see Juliet’s Balcony and 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. 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. (Breakfast)
DAY 7 Venice
Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT and enjoy morning sightseeing with your Local Guide featuring 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. Then, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (Breakfast)
DAY 8 Venice–Ravenna–Assisi
Along the coastline of the Adriatic Sea to Ravenna. Here, see the famous mosaics in the 6th-century BASILICA of ST. APOLLINARIS IN CLASSE. In the afternoon, arrive in Assisi. During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit ST. CLARE’S CHURCH and ST. FRANCIS’ BASILICA, the hub of a religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God’s creatures. Hear about monastic life and admire the priceless frescoes adorning the walls of the church. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 9 Assisi–Orvieto–Rome
Following the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto, perched high atop a volcanic rock. Access, denied to many a would-be conqueror through the ages, is easy for you. Ride a modern FUNICULAR right through the forbidding ramparts. Time for lunch, browsing through tempting shops in the lanes off Piazza del Duomo, and finding the right angle for a picture of the fabulous gothic CATHEDRAL. In the late afternoon, return to Rome. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant to celebrate the success of your vacation. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 10 Rome
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Rome: Albani (F)
Lucca: Grand Hotel Guinigi (F)
Florence: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F)
Venice: Carlton & Grand Canal (F) or Principe (F)
Assisi: San Francesco
Rome: NH Villa Carpegna (F)
MEALS
Full buffet breakfast; 5 three-course dinners, including special welcome and farewell dinners with wine in Rome.
ITALIAN TREASURES – 11 DAYS - G.
Dates and Prices
Prices below do not include airfare. We will be glad to help you find the least
expensive airfare,
or you can use mileage if desired. When you Book Online
please enter your departure city
on the "SPECIAL REQUESTS" field and we will
get back to you immediately with an air quote.
If you book your air with us, airport transfers at destination will be included.
Otherwise we can provide them for you at a fee of $50 per person round-trip,
as long as you let us know your flights in advance. Thank you.
| Depart Date |
Vacation Start Date |
Return Date |
Price Without Air |
| 3/12/12 |
3/13/12 |
3/22/12 |
$2,269.00 |
| 3/26/12 |
3/27/12 |
4/5/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/2/12 |
4/3/12 |
4/12/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/9/12 |
4/10/12 |
4/19/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/12/12 |
4/13/12 |
4/22/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/12/12 |
4/13/12 |
4/22/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/16/12 |
4/17/12 |
4/26/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/19/12 |
4/20/12 |
4/29/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/19/12 |
4/20/12 |
4/29/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/23/12 |
4/24/12 |
5/3/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/26/12 |
4/27/12 |
5/6/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/26/12 |
4/27/12 |
5/6/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/30/12 |
5/1/12 |
5/10/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/3/12 |
5/4/12 |
5/13/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/3/12 |
5/4/12 |
5/13/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/7/12 |
5/8/12 |
5/17/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/10/12 |
5/11/12 |
5/20/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/10/12 |
5/11/12 |
5/20/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/14/12 |
5/15/12 |
5/24/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/17/12 |
5/18/12 |
5/27/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/17/12 |
5/18/12 |
5/27/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/21/12 |
5/22/12 |
5/31/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/24/12 |
5/25/12 |
6/3/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/24/12 |
5/25/12 |
6/3/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/28/12 |
5/29/12 |
6/7/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/31/12 |
6/1/12 |
6/10/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 5/31/12 |
6/1/12 |
6/10/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/4/12 |
6/5/12 |
6/14/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/7/12 |
6/8/12 |
6/17/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/7/12 |
6/8/12 |
6/17/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/11/12 |
6/12/12 |
6/21/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/14/12 |
6/15/12 |
6/24/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/14/12 |
6/15/12 |
6/24/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/18/12 |
6/19/12 |
6/28/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/21/12 |
6/22/12 |
7/1/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/21/12 |
6/22/12 |
7/1/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/25/12 |
6/26/12 |
7/5/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/28/12 |
6/29/12 |
7/8/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 6/28/12 |
6/29/12 |
7/8/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/2/12 |
7/3/12 |
7/12/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/5/12 |
7/6/12 |
7/15/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/5/12 |
7/6/12 |
7/15/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/9/12 |
7/10/12 |
7/19/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/12/12 |
7/13/12 |
7/22/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/12/12 |
7/13/12 |
7/22/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/16/12 |
7/17/12 |
7/26/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/19/12 |
7/20/12 |
7/29/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/19/12 |
7/20/12 |
7/29/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/23/12 |
7/24/12 |
8/2/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/26/12 |
7/27/12 |
8/5/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/26/12 |
7/27/12 |
8/5/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 7/30/12 |
7/31/12 |
8/9/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 8/2/12 |
8/3/12 |
8/12/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 8/2/12 |
8/3/12 |
8/12/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 8/6/12 |
8/7/12 |
8/16/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 8/9/12 |
8/10/12 |
8/19/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 8/9/12 |
8/10/12 |
8/19/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 8/13/12 |
8/14/12 |
8/23/12 |
$2,599.00 |
| 8/16/12 |
8/17/12 |
8/26/12 |
$2,599.00 |
| 8/16/12 |
8/17/12 |
8/26/12 |
$2,599.00 |
| 8/20/12 |
8/21/12 |
8/30/12 |
$2,599.00 |
| 8/23/12 |
8/24/12 |
9/2/12 |
$2,599.00 |
| 8/23/12 |
8/24/12 |
9/2/12 |
$2,599.00 |
| 8/27/12 |
8/28/12 |
9/6/12 |
$2,599.00 |
| 8/30/12 |
8/31/12 |
9/9/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 8/30/12 |
8/31/12 |
9/9/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/3/12 |
9/4/12 |
9/13/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/6/12 |
9/7/12 |
9/16/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/6/12 |
9/7/12 |
9/16/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/10/12 |
9/11/12 |
9/20/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/13/12 |
9/14/12 |
9/23/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/13/12 |
9/14/12 |
9/23/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/17/12 |
9/18/12 |
9/27/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/20/12 |
9/21/12 |
9/30/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/20/12 |
9/21/12 |
9/30/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/24/12 |
9/25/12 |
10/4/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/27/12 |
9/28/12 |
10/7/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 9/27/12 |
9/28/12 |
10/7/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 10/1/12 |
10/2/12 |
10/11/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 10/8/12 |
10/9/12 |
10/18/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 10/15/12 |
10/16/12 |
10/25/12 |
$2,799.00 |
| 10/22/12 |
10/23/12 |
11/1/12 |
$2,649.00 |
| 10/29/12 |
10/30/12 |
11/8/12 |
$2,399.00 |
| 11/5/12 |
11/6/12 |
11/15/12 |
$2,399.00 |
| 12/17/12 |
12/18/12 |
12/27/12 |
$2,399.00 |
| 1/14/13 |
1/15/13 |
1/24/13 |
$2,289.00 |
| 2/11/13 |
2/12/13 |
2/21/13 |
$2,289.00 |
| 3/11/13 |
3/12/13 |
3/21/13 |
$2,289.00 |
| 3/18/13 |
3/19/13 |
3/28/13 |
$2,289.00 |
| 3/25/13 |
3/26/13 |
4/4/13 |
$2,289.00 |
| 4/1/13 |
4/2/13 |
4/11/13 |
$2,649.00 |
| 4/8/13 |
4/9/13 |
4/18/13 |
$2,649.00 |
|
|
|
|
| Prices based on double room occupancy. |
|
| Single room supplement: |
|
|
| $349, $379 (March 26-October 22 & April 1-April 8, 2013) |
| Triple room reduction per person: $58 |
|
| Extra nights per person in Rome: |
|
|
| in single room $226, in twin room $165, in triple room $138 |
| 2013 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in Sept. 2012. |
