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Welcome to Italy,
where history, culture, art and romance take on new
meaning! This grand vacation takes you to the
must-sees of Rome, Florence and Venice, and through
the vineyards and olive plantations that dot the
Tuscan countryside. Your two-night stay in Rome
includes visits to the fabulous landmarks of
Classical Rome, including the Colosseum and the
Trevi Fountain. After a visit to the outlying
medieval town of Assisi, you’ll venture through the
low-lying hills of Tuscany to Siena and San
Gimignano. In Florence, you’ll see Michelangelo’s
Statue of David and the Uffizi Museum, and maybe
shop a bit among the city’s legendary shops. You’ll
enjoy a visit to San Marino, one of the smallest
countries in the world, while on the way to romantic
Venice. Here you will enjoy a glass making
demonstration and a leisurely walking tour. You’ll
conclude your memorable adventure in the picturesque
Italian Lake District with a stay in the beautiful
resort of Como.
- In Rome, enjoy
a fun filled evening of fine Italian wine,
cuisine and traditional music.
- A tour of
Florence showcases the cultural treasures of the
"Cradle of the Italian Renaissance."
- Discover
Siena’s narrow Gothic streets, magnificent
palaces and historic Piazza del Campo.
- An artisan in
Venice will demonstrate the history and artistry
of traditional Carnival mask-making.
- Enjoy a day in
the beautiful resort town of Como in the Italian
Lake District.
Day 1: Overnight
Flight
Welcome to Italy, a
land rich in history, culture, art and romance. Your
journey begins with an overnight flight to Rome,
“The Eternal City.”
Day 2: Arrive
Rome, Italy
In Rome you have free
time to relax or perhaps independently explore the
city. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a
special welcome dinner at a popular local restaurant
featuring regional delicacies and fine Italian
wines. (D)
Day 3: Rome
This morning it’s
your choice! Perhaps a trip to Vatican City, with an
optional tour to the Vatican Museums, will be on
your personal sightseeing list. This afternoon enjoy
a locally guided panoramic tour of classical Rome
featuring the impressive Piazza Venezia, the Circus
Maximus, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, and
the famous Trevi Fountain. (B)
Day 4: Rome -
Assisi - Perugia
Travel to Assisi and
see the Basilica of St. Francis. Next, enjoy meeting
and learning about the fascinating lifestyle of
Benedictine Monks. Then travel to medieval Perugia,
the capital of Umbria. Behold one of the grandest
squares in Italy, the Piazza IV Novembre, and
delight in the medieval palaces and ornate
cathedrals. (B, D)
Day 5: Perugia -
Siena - San Gimignano - Florence
A scenic journey
through Tuscany’s graceful low-lying hills brings
you to the mystical city of Siena. Discover the
narrow Gothic streets, magnificent palaces and the
historic Piazza del Campo. En route to Florence you
stop in San Gimignano, overlooking the Tuscan
countryside, permeated by vineyards and olive grove
plantations. Enjoy a stroll along Piazza Del Duomo
and Piazza Della Cisterna, two of Italy’s most
evocative squares. (B, D)
Day 6: Florence
In Florence, the
“Cradle of Italian Renaissance,” you see
Michelangelo’s famous Statue of David, located in
the Academy Gallery. On your cultural tour of
Florence, view the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del
Fiore, located in the religious center of the Piazza
Del Duomo. You also view the Palazzo Vecchio, the
Uffizi Museum, and the Church of Santa Croce, burial
place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. The
remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 7: Florence -
San Marino - Venice
Today, you visit one
of the smallest countries in the world, the Republic
of San Marino - only 23 square miles. Next, travel
past the lagoons and rice-growing fields of the Po
River en route to enchanting Venice, built on 117
islands with 150 canals and 400 bridges. (B, D)
Day 8: Venice - Murano Island - Venice
Your day begins with
a boat trip* (weather permitting) to Murano Island
for an up-close glass making demonstration. Return
by boat to charming St. Mark’s Square, a hub of
quintessentially-Italian activity and events. A
local expert provides a leisurely walking tour
featuring the Clock Tower, with its famous Moors;
St. Mark’s Basilica; the Doge’s Palace; and the
famous Bridge of Sighs. Later, a local artisan
explains and demonstrates the art and history of
carnival mask making. This evening, an optional
gondola serenade cruise is available. (B)
Day 9: Venice -
Como
Travel to the
picturesque Italian Lake District region and the
beautiful resort of Como. Visit one of the areas
most distinguished silk producers and learn how this
famous fabric is made. Later, travel along the
scenic shore of Lake Como to Tremezzo, where you
will enjoy local wine and breathtaking views of the
mountains and lake. This evening gather for a
farewell dinner celebrating the end of an
unforgettable trip. (B, D)
Day 10: Como - Milan - Tour Ends
Transfer to Milan for
your return flight home. (B)
Stay Another Night - Add a pre night stay
in Rome. Prices start at $110 per person, double.
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Uniquely For You
Vatican
City, Italy |
| It's a country located in the middle
of Rome. At 1/5 of a square mile in size, Vatican City is, by
far, the world's smallest country. What is lacks in size,
however, it makes up for in spirituality; this tiny enclave is the
religious center of the Roman Catholic world. Vatican City
operates just like any standard country - they have their own post
office, tourist office and the citizens (all 850 of them) have their
own passports. Vatican City Passport #1 belongs to the Pope. With a treasure trove of art within
its hallowed walls, many people consider Vatican City to be the
wealthiest country in the world - per square foot.
St. Peter's Basilica is home to Michelangelo's dome ceiling and di
Cambrio's statue of St. Peter. Not to be outdone, the Vatican
Museum showcases art by Michelangelo,
da Vinci and Raphael; the Vatican Library houses every decision,
interpretation and law ever made by the Catholic church. But
perhaps the most talked about masterpiece inside the Vatican is
painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Simply titled
"Creation," Michelangelo's famous fresco is like no other.
An optional tour of the Vatican Museums will be available during your
visit to Rome. |
Base Rates Per Person
|
Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
|
Mar 13 2006 |
$1719 |
$2129
from NYC |
|
Mar 13 2006 |
$1719 |
$2129
from NYC |
|
Mar 16 2006 |
$1719 |
$2129
from NYC |
|
Apr 03 2006 |
$1869 |
$2459
from NYC |
|
Apr 17 2006 |
$1869 |
$2459
from NYC |
|
May 15 2006 |
$1899 |
$2519
from NYC |
|
May 29 2006 |
$1899 |
$2929
from NYC |
|
Jun 05 2006 |
$1899 |
$2929
from NYC |
|
Jul 10 2006 |
$1699 |
$2729
from NYC |
|
Aug 07 2006 |
$1699 |
$2729
from NYC |
|
Sep 11 2006 |
$1899 |
$2519
from NYC |
|
Sep 25 2006 |
$1899 |
$2519
from NYC |
|
Oct 11 2006 |
$1899 |
$2519
from NYC |
|
Oct 23 2006 |
$1799 |
$2419
from NYC |
|
Nov 02 2006 |
$1699 |
$2199
from NYC |
|
Nov 04 2006 |
$1699 |
$2199
from NYC |
|
Nov 06 2006 |
$1699 |
$2199
from NYC |
|
Nov 09 2006 |
$1699 |
$2199
from NYC |
|
Nov 12 2006 |
$1699 |
$2199
from NYC |
|
Feb 12 2007 |
$1549 |
$2049
from NYC |
|
Mar 03 2007 |
$1599 |
$2099
from NYC |
|
Mar 09 2007 |
$1599 |
$2099
from NYC |
|
Mar 21 2007 |
$1599 |
$2099
from NYC |
|
Apr 16 2007 |
$1699 |
$2319
from NYC |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a
specific gateway based on twin occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not
include inter-air flights. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates.
Tours departing BEFORE 4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is
listed here. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For
tours that feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above.
Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
10 days, 13 meals
8 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
Day 1 -
Overnight Flight
Day 2, 3 - Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio, Rome
Day 4 - Hotel Sangallo
Palace, Perugia
Day 5, 6 - Hotel Villa
Gabriele D’Anunzio, Florence
Day 7, 8 - Hotel Bellini,
Venice
Day 9 - Grand Hotel Di
Como or Tremezzo Palace, Lake Como
On some dates
alternate hotels may be used
NOTES:
- Return
flights should not be booked prior to 10:00
a.m.
- Vatican Museums
are closed on Sundays and on holidays that fall
on
Saturday.
- Most
national museums in Florence, including
the Uffizi
Gallery and the Academy, are closed on Mondays.
-
Due to flight
schedules, you may require an early morning
departure from the hotel on
your last day.
-
On occasion, due
to inclement weather, your boat trip to Murano
Island
may be substituted with a visit to a
local glass factory in Venice.
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