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 magnificent cathedral in Milan, the medieval square in Siena, 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.
Vacation Highlights& Inclusions
INCLUDED FEATURES
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Full buffet breakfast (B); 2 lunches (L), including 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.
Headsets throughout the tour
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: Walking tour
Florence: Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square
Pisa: Take pictures of the 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 and Burano: Lagoon cruise and island visits including a glassblowers’ demonstration in Murano and a lunch in Burano
Verona: Walking tour including Juliet’s Balcony and the Arena
Milan: Walking tour, visit the Galleria and the Duomo
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.” 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. 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. (Breakfast)
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. An optional excursion to Ostia Antica is available. (Breakfast)
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. (Breakfast)
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 Florentine restaurant? (Breakfast)
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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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. (Breakfast)
DAY 8 Venice. 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. (Breakfast, Lunch)
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, glass-domed GALLERIA, and magnificent gothic DUOMO. An optional farewell dinner may be the perfect way to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (Breakfast)
DAY 10 Milan
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Rome: NH Giustiniano (SF)
Florence: Starhotels Michelangelo (SF)
Venice: Boscolo del Dogi (D)
Milan: Starhotels Ritz (F)
MEALS
Full buffet breakfast; 2 lunches, including one with wine tasting at Verrazzano Castle and one with wine in Burano; 2 three-course dinners, including a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome.
ITALIAN HIGHLIGHTS – 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 |
|
| 3/1/12 |
3/2/12 |
3/11/12 |
$2,569.00 |
|
| 3/8/12 |
3/9/12 |
3/18/12 |
$2,569.00 |
|
| 3/15/12 |
3/16/12 |
3/25/12 |
$2,569.00 |
|
| 3/22/12 |
3/23/12 |
4/1/12 |
$2,569.00 |
|
| 3/29/12 |
3/30/12 |
4/8/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 4/5/12 |
4/6/12 |
4/15/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 4/12/12 |
4/13/12 |
4/22/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 4/19/12 |
4/20/12 |
4/29/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 4/26/12 |
4/27/12 |
5/6/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 5/3/12 |
5/4/12 |
5/13/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 5/10/12 |
5/11/12 |
5/20/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 5/17/12 |
5/18/12 |
5/27/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 5/24/12 |
5/25/12 |
6/3/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 5/31/12 |
6/1/12 |
6/10/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 6/7/12 |
6/8/12 |
6/17/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 6/14/12 |
6/15/12 |
6/24/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 6/21/12 |
6/22/12 |
7/1/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 6/28/12 |
6/29/12 |
7/8/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 7/5/12 |
7/6/12 |
7/15/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 7/12/12 |
7/13/12 |
7/22/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 7/19/12 |
7/20/12 |
7/29/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 7/26/12 |
7/27/12 |
8/5/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 8/2/12 |
8/3/12 |
8/12/12 |
$2,969.00 |
|
| 8/9/12 |
8/10/12 |
8/19/12 |
$2,969.00 |
|
| 8/16/12 |
8/17/12 |
8/26/12 |
$2,969.00 |
|
| 8/23/12 |
8/24/12 |
9/2/12 |
$2,969.00 |
|
| 8/30/12 |
8/31/12 |
9/9/12 |
$2,969.00 |
|
| 9/6/12 |
9/7/12 |
9/16/12 |
$3,169.00 |
|
| 9/13/12 |
9/14/12 |
9/23/12 |
$3,169.00 |
|
| 9/20/12 |
9/21/12 |
9/30/12 |
$3,169.00 |
|
| 9/27/12 |
9/28/12 |
10/7/12 |
$3,169.00 |
|
| 10/4/12 |
10/5/12 |
10/14/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 10/11/12 |
10/12/12 |
10/21/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 10/18/12 |
10/19/12 |
10/28/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 10/25/12 |
10/26/12 |
11/4/12 |
$3,019.00 |
|
| 11/1/12 |
11/2/12 |
11/11/12 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 11/8/12 |
11/9/12 |
11/18/12 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 11/15/12 |
11/16/12 |
11/25/12 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 1/10/13 |
1/11/13 |
1/20/13 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 2/7/13 |
2/8/13 |
2/17/13 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 2/28/13 |
3/1/13 |
3/10/13 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 3/7/13 |
3/8/13 |
3/17/13 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 3/14/13 |
3/15/13 |
3/24/13 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 3/21/13 |
3/22/13 |
3/31/13 |
$2,649.00 |
|
| 3/28/13 |
3/29/13 |
4/7/13 |
$3,099.00 |
|
| 4/4/13 |
4/5/13 |
4/14/13 |
$3,099.00 |
|
| 4/11/13 |
4/12/13 |
4/21/13 |
$3,099.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Prices based on double room occupancy. |
|
|
| Single room supplement: |
|
|
|
| $593, $738 (March 29-October 25 & March 28-April 11, 2013) |
|
| Triple room reduction per person: |
|
|
|
| $73, $102 (March 29-October 25 & March 28-April 11, 2013) |
|
| Extra nights per person in Rome: |
|
|
|
| in single room $226, in twin room $165, in triple room $138 |
|
| Extra nights per person in Milan: |
|
|
|
| in single room $280, in twin room $190, in triple room $157 |
|
| 2013 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in Sept. 2012. |
