Explore Italy’s most famous cities on this unique vacation. Start in romantic Venice and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, guided sightseeing including visits to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doges’ Palace with its Bridge of Sighs, and a glassblower’s demonstration. On the way to Florence, enjoy a Leonardi Acetaia vinegar tasting near Modena. In Florence, admire Michelangelo’s David and sculpture-filled Signoria Square. In Siena, visit the impressive Piazza del Campo, and an exclusive lecture by a representative of the Torre Contrada about the biannual, medieval-style Palio horse race has been arranged at the Palio Museum. Via Pienza, continue to Rome, where guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Next is Pompeii, where a guided walk takes you through the excavations of the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. End your vacation in the charming resort of Sorrento, where you will stay for two nights and enjoy an excursion to the Isle of Capri and a special farewell dinner at a lemon farm.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Venice Island, Italy. Welcome to Venice! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a special welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (D)
Day #2 Venice Island. Highlights of your walking tour with a Local Guide 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. To enhance your stay, choose from our optional activities: a serenaded gondola ride or an excursion to the picturesque island of Burano. (B)
Day #3 Venice Island–Modena–Florence. Enjoy a special treat today: a [LF] Leonardi Acetaia VINEGAR TASTING near Modena. Continue through the fertile Po area and the Apennine Mountains into Italy’s most popular province, Tuscany, and arrive in Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Time for independent sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. Tonight is your chance to join an optional dinner to try out Tuscan specialties. (B)
Day #4 Florence–Siena. This morning, follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS to see Michelangelo’s celebrated David. Also admire the magnificent marble cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Next is Siena, Italy’s best-preserved medieval town, where an exclusive [LF] LECTURE at the Palio Museum will be held by a representative of the Torre Contrada, one of the city subdivisions that regularly competes in the biannual Palio, held in the center of town. Lively stories of past races will bring this one-of-a-kind event to life! (B)
Day #5 Siena–Pienza–Rome. Your guided walking tour takes you inside its historic ramparts to the duomo and to the PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, where the Palio is held. Next, join the Via Cassia, named after the antique road leading to Rome, and stop in Pienza, famous for pecorino cheese. This picturesque town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to a member of the Piccolomini family who became Pope Pius II in the 15th century and redesigned the town in perfect renaissance style. Tonight, in the “Eternal City,” an optional dinner with local specialties is available at one of Rome’s famous restaurants. (B)
Day #6 Rome. Morning guided sightseeing features visits to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings; monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA; and the COLOSSEUM and 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 #7 Rome–Pompeii–Sorrento. A scenic drive southwards along the Highway of the Sun. Arrive in fascinating POMPEII, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Your Local Guide will walk you past patrician homes, public baths, and commercial districts that strikingly recall day-to-day life when Rome was at the apex of her power. Overnight in the charming, bayside resort of Sorrento. (B)
Day #8 Sorrento. Excursion to Capri. Speed across the glittering bay by JETFOIL to the world-famous Isle of Capri. Ride the FUNICULAR to Capri village for a guided visit of this beautiful town. Free time to explore the little shops on the pretty piazzetta before returning to Sorrento. The remainder of the day is at leisure, and this evening, a [LF] special farewell dinner with wine at a local agriturismo has been arranged to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (B,D)
Day #9 Sorrento. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Naples). (B)
Hotels:
VENICE ISLAND Palazzo Selvadego (F)
FLORENCE Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F)
SIENA Garden (F)
ROME NH Villa Carpegna (F)
SORRENTO Michelangelo (F)