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Grand Tour of Italy
17 Days From $3,099USd (Subtract 15%
from this price)
Featuring: Rome, Gargano Peninsula, Lecce, Bay of Naples,
Assisi, Venice, Bolzano, Bologna, Milan, Santa Margherita,
Portofino, Florence, Siena
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Day 1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to
your hotel. After check-in, there's time to unwind before meeting
your Tour Director for a Welcome dinner and drink in a trattoria.
(Welcome Dinner)
Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace (2 nights)
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our day starts with a guided visit of Michelangelo's amazing Sistine
Chapel brought to life with the use of our effective audio system.
We continue our sightseeing with a visit to St. Peter's Basilica and
then on for a walking tour in ancient Rome where we stop in the Forum
to see the Colosseum. Next we are taken to the Palatine Hill to view
the Circus Maximus, the Roman stadium where 'Ben Hur' style chariot
races were the order of the day. Later, there's free time perhaps
to visit the Catacombs or simply relax over drinks at a sidewalk café.
(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Rome – Gargano Peninsula
Today journey takes us through the Abruzzi Mountains to the Adriatic
Coast. We reach the Gargano promontory and drive along its pretty
coast. Next we head to the curious site of Monte Sant Angelo before
arriving in the port of Manfredonia, guarded by its 13th century castle.
(Breakfast Buffet / Dinner)
Hotel: Regio Hotel Manfredi
Day 5 - Gargano Peninsula – Alberobello –
Lecce
This morning a drive along the coast takes us to the region of the
Trulli – strange, white, dry-stone structures with conical roofs.
We visit the unique town of Alberobello on route to beautiful Lecce.
Here our guided sightseeing tour shows us this delightful city including
the stunning Basilica and its monumental Piazza del Duomo. (Buffet
Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: President
Day 6 - Lecce – Sorrento (2 nights)
After breakfast, we drive along the coast to Bari and the autostrada
taking us to the Gulf of Salerno to Sorrento. Here orientation shows
us the Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia with its boutiques and cafés.
Tonight, we enjoy dinner in a picturesque restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast
/ Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace (2 nights)
Day 7 - Isle of Capri Excursion
This morning we will visit an inlaid wood workshop where we see a
demonstration of this local craft. Then, we cruise across to the beautiful
Isle of Capri for the day. Here orientation takes us up to Capri Town
where we enjoy a walking tour with use of our audio system to admire
views of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then we visit the
Piazzetta where the rich and famous sip their cappuccinos –
followed by free time to perhaps ascend to Anacapri. At the end of
the afternoon we cruise back to Sorrento. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Sorrento – Pompeii – Assisi
It's a short drive to Pompeii for a guided walking tour with audio
system of the excavations of the town petrified by the eruption of
Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Then, through the Campania, stopping at Monte
Cassino to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Next on through the
hills of Frascati and the Umbria en route to Assisi, St. Francis'
town. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Hotel: Grand
Day 9 - Assisi sightseeing – Ravenna – Venice
(Lido.) (2 nights)
Our morning walking tour with audio equipment in Assisi includes the
Upper and Lower Basilicas with their Giotto frescoes plus the Santa
Maria degli Angeli to visit the Basilica. From here we travel through
the Apennines stopping to visit the smallest and oldest Republic in
the world –the fairy-tale Republic of San Marino. Finally, we
enjoy a scenic drive along the Adriatic Coast, to the magical city
of Venice for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Hotel: Boulevard (2 nights)
Day 10 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure
Today we savour the sights and sounds as we cruise to St. Mark's Square
on our private launch, seeing the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace and
St. Mark's Basilica. Afterwards, we visit a Murano glass-blowing workshop
for a demonstration of this craft. At leisure maybe enjoy lunch on
the island of Burano. (Buffet Breakfast )
Day 11 - Venice (Lido.) – Cortina d'Ampezzo –
Bolzano (Dolomites)
Today through the Veneto plains to world-famous Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Here we will see the Olympic ski-jump before time at leisure. Later,
a stunning drive along the Tre Croci Pass via Dobiacco and Brunico
to Bolzano. This evening we dine at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast /
Dinner)
Hotel: Alpi
Day 12 - Bolzano (Dolomites) – Verona –
Milan
Today we're off to Verona for a guided walking tour using our effective
audio system to see Juliet's balcony and the Roman Arena. Then we
arrive in Milan – home to the Italian fashion gurus. A walking
tour using audio system with our Tour director here shows us the Duomo,
the Galleria, and the world famous La Scala Opera House. Later, perhaps
visit one of the museums or shop in the boutiques (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Quark
Day 13 - Milan – Pavia – Santa Margherita
We stop at Pavia to enjoy a guided visit of the Carthusian Abbey by
one of the monks (when available). Next via Genoa, Columbus' birthplace,
to the Italian Riviera. We stay in the famous resort of Santa Margherita
in Liguria for the night. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Hotel: Park Suisse
Day 14 - Santa Margherita – Portofino-Pisa –
Florence (2 nights)
This morning we cruise to nearby Portofino (weather permitting), an
internationally loved resort. Then past the quarries of Carrara to
Pisa, where we see the Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the square of
Miracles. Finally, following the old road to Empoli we reach the city
which was the jewel of the Renaissance – Florence. (Buffet Breakfast/
Dinner)
Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (2 nights)
Day 15 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure
Our guided walking tour with an audio system includes the Duomo, Giotto's
bell tower, the Baptistry and a visit to Santa Croce Basilica. Later
some free time before we enjoy a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Later you may wish to shop for fine quality leather goods and 18 carat
gold designer jewellery for which this city is so famous! There are
also many wonderful museums to visit here – your Tour Director
can advise you on how to make the most of your time here. (Buffet
Breakfast)
Day 16 - Florence – Siena – Serre di Rapolano
– Rome
Our day begins with a drive through the Chianti vineyards to the medieval
city of Siena. Here an orientation includes the Piazza del Campo,
scene of the annual Palio horse race, and the Cathedral. Next we stop
in the grounds of the ancient castle of Serre di Rapolano, before
we return to the 'Eternal City', Rome. Perhaps join in an excursion
to Tivoli this evening, to see the wonderful gardens and fountains
of the Villa d'Este. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Sheraton Golf
Day 17 - Rome - USA
This morning bid farewell as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport
for your return flight to America.(Buffet Breakfast)
