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Italy is home to many treasures. This tour visits Rome, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Florence, Verona, Venice and Assisi. Behold the great works of Michelangelo, and explore historic sites dating back to the Roman Empire. Visit the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and St. Mark’s Square. Finally, feast on Italian cuisine and local wines.
11 Days • fr. $3,999
Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, then leave the hotel for a welcome dinner at one of Rome’s lively restaurants.
Dinner
ROMANICO PALACE HOTEL
Guided sightseeing of the ‟Eternal Cityˮ starts with a visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, followed by a visit to monumental St. Peter's Square and Basilica to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà. Then, enjoy views of other major sites as you drive to the Roman Forum and visit the ancient Colossuem, where gladiators once fought. An optional walking tour with a Local Guide is available to further explore Rome's famous sites.
Breakfast
ROMANICO PALACE HOTEL
Head north and arrive in historic Lucca, completely surrounded by the original medieval walls. Enjoy a walk through the quaint town center to the famous amphitheater square. A suggestion for tonight: join an optional dinner at a local agriturismo.
Breakfast
GRAND HOTEL GUINIGI
La Spezia on the Mediterranean Coast is the town where your exciting excursion starts to Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including a boat ride (weather permitting) with a Local Guide. The name dates back to the 15th century and is derived from five little medieval villages standing on stony spurs along five miles of the rocky coastline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Then, a train ride returns you to La Spezia.
On the way back to Lucca stop in Pisa and take the traditional picture pushing back the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and at least 12 feet out of the perpendicular.
Breakfast, Dinner
GRAND HOTEL GUINIGI
A scenic day in Tuscany. This morning, visit Siena and walk through ancient narrow lanes to beautiful Piazza del Campo, theater of the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race.
Your next visit is to San Gimignano, the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns. Browse through the little shops and admire the tower houses before leaving for the splendid Verrazzano Castle. Hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti and enjoy a wine tasting with local specialties.
Next, drive to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.”
Breakfast
GRAND HOTEL MEDITERRANEO
Meet your Local Guide, and visit the Academy of Fine Arts with Michelangelo’s celebrated David. Continue your walking tour through the historic center and stand in awe in front of the magnificent cathedral, admire Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gates of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded Signoria Square. Afterward, you may wish to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry, sold by the ounce. To make the most of your stay, an optional excursion to the magnificent Uffizi Gallery is available. Tonight is your chance to try out the culinary delights of a fine Tuscan restaurant.
Breakfast
GRAND HOTEL MEDITERRANEO
Verona is world-famous as the 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. Built in the 1st century AD, it was the place where gladiators once fought. Today, it is the magical venue for world-famous opera performances.
Arrive in Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe and enter in style by private boat.
Breakfast
PALAZZO SELVADEGO HOTEL
Join your Local Guide for a walking tour and visit St. Mark's Square and the byzantine Basilica, lavish Doges' Palace, and the world-famous Bridge of Sighs. Also watch a skilled glassblower fashion delicate objects in an age-old tradition. Time to wander through the narrow streets with the numerous shops. An optional boat ride is available to the picturesque island of Burano.
Breakfast
PALAZZO SELVADEGO
Follow the Adriatic coastline to Ravenna, where you will see the famous mosaics in the 6th-century Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe.
Next is peaceful Assisi. During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit St. Clare's Church and St. Francis' Basilica, the hub of a religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God’s creatures. Hear about monastic life and admire the priceless frescoes adorning the walls of the church.
Breakfast, Dinner
HOTEL GIOTTO
Following the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto, perched high atop a volcanic rock. Here, taste local pastries at renowned Caffè Montanucci, an historic pasticceria for more than 100 years. Time to browse through tempting shops in the lanes off Piazza del Duomo, and to visit the fabulous gothic Cathedral with its San Brizio Chapel.
In the afternoon, return to Rome. This evening, a farewell dinner with operatic entertainment awaits at Tanagra restaurant.
Breakfast, Dinner
ROMANICO PALACE HOTEL
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.