This trip will show you the highlight cities of Italy, covering all the notable features, from St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and the Forum in Rome to Michelangelo’s David and the cathedral in Florence and St. Mark’s Basilica and Doges’ Palace with the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Local Guides in these cities will answer all your questions. Also included are: special dinners with wine at lively Roman restaurants, a stop in Pisa to admire the Leaning Tower, and a stop in Romeo & Juliet’s Verona to see Juliet’s balcony and the arena, and to savor a tortellini lunch in one of its attractive restaurants. In Venice, a gondola serenade has been included as a special introduction to this romantic city, as well as a private boat ride and a glassblower’s demonstration. Scenic rides will show you the Tyrrhenian coast, the Lombardian plains, the flat Po area, the wooded Etruscan Apennine mountain range, and Tuscany’s Chianti wine country. Next, fly to Sicily, where you’ll spend three relaxing overnights and will enjoy guided sightseeing and a visit of the Greek-Roman Amphitheater as well as plenty of time at leisure.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Rome, Italy. Welcome to Rome! At 5 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. (D)
Day #2 Rome. Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the fascinating 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. To make the most of your stay, join our optional Roman Highlights excursion, and see the sites and squares of medieval Rome made famous in the movie Angels and Demons. (B)
Day #3 Rome–Pisa–Florence. Follow the Aurelian Way along the Tyrrhenian coast and enter Tuscany. In Pisa, take the traditional picture pushing back the amazing Leaning Tower, then continue to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Tonight is your chance to try out local specialties on an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant. (B)
Day #4 Florence. Guided sightseeing features a visit to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS to see Michelangelo’s celebrated David. Admire the magnificent marble cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. The afternoon is free. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. (B)
Day #5 Florence–Verona–Venice Island. A special visit to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Take pictures of Juliet’s balcony and rub the shining breast on her statue for good luck. Next, admire the Arena, an incredibly well-preserved pink marble Roman amphitheater, where gladiators used to fight. Built in the 1st century AD, it is now the magical venue for world-famous opera performances. A highlight is a [LF] tortelllini lunch in one of the attractive restaurants, with a chance to try out typical local candy, like baci di Giulietta or Nadalin, and top it off with a glass of the local grappa or prosecco. Arrive in Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. A romantic [LF] GONDOLA SERENADE has been arranged for you as a proper welcome to this fascinating city. (B,L)
Day #6 Venice Island. Start the day in style by PRIVATE BOAT and 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. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Afterwards, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano. (B)
Day #7 Venice Island–Ferrara–Rome. A scenic drive today through the lush plains of the mighty River Po to Ferrara. Stroll past imposing Este Castle to the marble cathedral before continuing to Rome across the wooded Apennine mountain range, past the vine- and olive-clad Tuscan Hills, home of the popular Chianti wine. This evening, a special farewell dinner with wine awaits you as a proper “Arrivederci, Roma!” (B,D)
Day #8 Rome–Sicily. Transfer by AIR and coach to your hotel in Giardini Naxos. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day #9 Sicily. Morning guided sightseeing includes a walking tour of picturesque Taormina and a visit to the GREEK-ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. (B)
Day #10 Sicily. Full day at leisure. Ask your local host for suggestions. (B)
Day #11 Sicily. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Catania). (B)
Hotels:
ROME Cicerone (SF) or NH Villa Carpegna (F)
FLORENCE Kraft (F) or Ambasciatori (F) or Starhotels Tuscany (SF)
VENICE ISLAND Carlton on the Grand Canal (F)
ROME Villa Pamphili (SF)
SICILY Hilton Giardini Naxos (SF) at Giardini Naxos. Rooms include sea view