Tour’s Map

The numbers in colored circles on the route represent the number of nights spent at that location.

Day 1:

Flight

Depart USA. Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2:

Arrive Rome (3 nights)

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City! On arrival have time to relax or to take a walk around this fascinating city before meeting up with our companions and Tour Director tonight for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: St. John (F)/Aran Mantegna (F)

Day 3:

Rome sightseeing

Michelangelo spent four years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but we will have a little less time to admire it on our included visit of the Chapel inside the Vatican Museums!

Our guided tour will continue with a visit of St. Peter’s Basilica before we cross the River Tiber to ancient Rome where we overlook the Roman Forum and then have a guided visit of the mighty Colosseum. Finally we see the Circus Maximus, where Ben Hur style chariot racing took place, before time at leisure to perhaps explore the city further or to sit at a pavement café on the Via Veneto and watch the world go by.

This evening, why not throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return one day to the Eternal City? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4:

Rome at leisure

A full day to enjoy the many attractions this beguiling city has to offer.

You can take a trip to visit the ancient Catacombs on the outskirts of the city or take a full day excursion to see Naples and explore the ancient excavations of Pompeii.

Tonight we enjoy dinner together at our hotel.

(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5:

Rome – Assisi – Florence
(3 nights)

This morning we leave the city on the seven hills to drive northward and into the Apennine hills to the mystical town of Assisi built on the slopes of Mount Subasio.

We will enjoy a guided visit of the town including St. Francis’ Basilica, with its enchanting Giotto frescoes, the narrow cobbled streets of the town and later pass by the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which stands on the site where he died.

Then we head north into the unique Tuscan countryside and on to the great artistic city of Florence where we continue to our hotel for the next three nights.

(Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Boscolo Astoria (SF)/Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F)

Day 6:

Florence sightseeing

The medieval and Renaissance past of this culturally rich city is revealed to us on our guided walking tour. We will see the Piazza Signoria – the former political centre of the city – with its impressive sculptures and imposing palazzi, the multi-marble Duomo and famous Baptistery with the bronze doors designed by the renowned artist Ghiberti. We will also visit the Basilica of Santa Croce where so many of the great men of Italy are buried.

Finally we will enjoy a guided visit of the Academy of Fine Arts where Michelangelo’s statue of David will be the focus of our tour. This evening why not enjoy some delicious local cuisine in a Florentine restaurant with entertainment.

(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7:

Florence – Excursion to Pisa

A short drive along the Arno Valley will bring us to the one-time maritime city of Pisa. Although famous for its incredible leaning tower, Pisa has a lot more to offer. A beautifully sculpted marble Cathedral, the delicate lacework of its Baptistery as well as a cemetery, which is said to contain soil brought from Calvary in the Holy Land. We have time to explore these sights in the aptly named Square of Miracles.

On our way back to Florence we stop to enjoy a delicious ‘Be My Guest’ lunch in an authentic Tuscan restaurant. Later there is time to shop for high quality leather goods and 18 carat gold in Florence. (Buffet Breakfast / ‘Be My Guest’ Lunch)

Day 8:

Florence – Bologna – Venice (3 nights)

We cross the Apennines and enter the gastronomic heart of the country in Emilia Romagna, where we stop in the provincial capital of Bologna. Famed for its various sausages and salamis, Bologna is also home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is a charming city of arcades and more leaning towers – two of which are known as ‘the kissing towers’ as they lean towards each other as if in an embrace! These sights and more will be included on our tour with the local guide.

Then across the plains of the Veneto, crossing the River Po to Venice – a city built by people fleeing from the Barbarian invasions from the north – and constructed on wooden piles in the Venetian Lagoon. There is no other city like it – it is sure to put a spell on you!

This evening, what would be better as an introduction to this enchanting place than a gondola ride along the picturesque canals? Dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Continental (F)/B4 Venezia Mestre (F)

Day 9:

Venice – Canal cruise and orientation

Savour the sights and sounds of this Byzantine city as we cruise across to St. Mark’s Square by private launch.

We will see the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian Churches, Customs House, Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Basilica and Campanile as well as the Doge’s Palace on our orientation of the city. A stroll across St. Mark’s Square will bring us to one of the oldest glass-blowing workshops on the islands to witness how this ancient craft is performed.

Then you are free to perhaps visit the Fine Arts Academy, to spend some time at one of the cafés on St. Mark’s Square – the most elegant drawing room in Europe – or to enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Island of Burano for a delicious seafood lunch! (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 10:

Secret Venice walking tour and visit to the market

Today with our local guide we enjoy a guided commentary using our effective audio system, which will bring the city to life as we cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. We cross the Rialto and visit the fish market, which has existed for centuries, and then enjoy a walking tour through the ‘calle’ where we can observe the everyday life of Venice and also discover some splendid architectural works of art, including the home of the great explorer, Marco Polo.

The balance of the day is at leisure to perhaps visit one of the many museums or art galleries.

This evening we get together with our fellow and celebrate the last night of our touring experience at a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 11: Venice – USA

This morning we must say ‘arrivederci’ to this beautiful country. There is a transfer to Marco Polo Airport, for your flight home. (Buffet Breakfast)