italy reg of cont 14

Day 01:

Departure via scheduled airline

Day 02 –Rome:

Arrive in Rome and be greeted by awaiting guide and coach that will take

you to your hotel. After check-in and relaxation time, begin your orientation tour of the Eternal City. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 03 –Rome:

A full day of guided sightseeing is planned beginning at the Colosseum, then a walk through the civic center of Imperial Rome, the Forum. After lunch in Trastevere, it’s on to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. After dinner, visit the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.

Day 04 - Rome/Ostia Antica:

Today’s guided tour begins at the Vatican Museum. There you will experience the Raphael rooms and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Then it is on to the splendor of St. Peters Basilica. After a lunch break, the balance of the day is for individual interest. You can explore Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo’s Moses and Santa Maria Maggiore. You can also choose to take a metro ride to Ostia Antica to see the excavations of a classical Roman city. Your evening is free to select a special Roman place for dinner.

Day 05 – Rome/Siena/Volterra:

After breakfast, leave the Eternal City by private coach. Arrive in the heart of Tuscany, Siena. There you will see one of Europe’s preserved Medieval cities. Visit the famous Duomo (built 1150-1376) and the Piazza del Campo, scene of Il Palio. Next stop is the Medieval city of Volterra. Check into your hotel and begin to explore this mountaintop jewel. Dinner at hotel tonight.

Day 06 – Volterra/San Gimignano:

This morning, drive to nearby San Gimignano (a UNESCO world cultural heritage site). After a short guided orientation walk, explore the many back streets, shops, and points of interests. Your guides can advise one of many of San Gimignano’s unique eateries, most with great views

of the Tuscan countryside. After returning to Volterra for relaxation, prepare for an authentic Tuscan feast prepared specially for you at Lischeto’s farm. Part of the “slow food movement”, Lischeto’s multi course dinner offers the finest fresh local ingredients, including their

world famous cheeses.

Day 07 – Volterra:

Today is designed to slow down your visit to Italy. Your options include a one day cooking school where you will learn the basics of Europe’s “mother cuisine”. You may opt to visit Massa Carrara or spend part of the day at the beautiful nearby Tuscan beach Vada.

Day 08 - Florence:

Your private coach takes you to nearby Florence. After your hotel check-in and a lunch break, stroll to the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery. Finish today with a visit to Santa Croce.

Day 09 - Florence:

Begin the day with one of these options: to the Uffizi Gallery, the Bargello, climb the Duomo’s Cupola or Giotto’s Tower. After lunch, visit the Academy to see Michelangelo’s David. Balance of day free.

Day 10 – Florence:

Florence’s many treasures need time to explore.Today is reserved just for you and your interests.

Day 11- Florence to Venice:

Travel this morning from Florence to Venice by rail. After hotel check-in, begin exploring the Piazza San Marco, the Basilica of San Marco, Doges Palace and Bridge of Sighs.

Day 12 – Venice:

Today enjoy your guided half day tour of the Venice most tourist miss. Historic spots and spectacular art treasures are waiting to be seen in their original venues – the churches of Venice. Titians, Bellinis, and Carravaggios capture the richness of the Venetian Republic. After a break for lunch, travel via water bus across the Grand Canal to San Giorgio Maggiore and visit the bell tower to take the very best photographs of Venice.

Day 13 - Venice:

Free option day. Today plan to go to the beach at the Lido or an optional guided visit to the lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.

Day 14:

Group will transfer to Venice airport and return flight to the USA.

ITALY: REGIONS OF

CONTRAST

WITH TUSCANY

14 Days

Rome: touring includes: