Best of Italy Program Details
12 days escorted tour visiting Florence (3 nts.), Rome (3 nts.), Sorrento (3 nts.) & Rome (1 nt.)
 Colosseum, Rome |
 Best of Italy |
Itinerary
Day 1/Tue Depart USA
Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board.
Day 2/Wed Florence
Morning arrival into Florence Peretola Airport. Here you'll be met and
transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to allow
you to get acquainted with the city where Renaissance reached its highest
point. Florence is also a city that boasts a cuisine of high quality.
You may explore restaurants on your own or have the tour director assist
in your selection.
Day 3/Thu Florence
Morning tour takes you to Michelangelo Square for a panoramic view of
the city, and the Academia to see Michelangelo's original "David"
statue, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry with its "Gates of Paradise"
doors, Signoria Square and Santa Croce Church. Afternoon is free. Tonight,
enjoy a festive dinner with wine and music at a charming villa located
on a beautiful Tuscan hillside outside Florence.
Day 4/Fri Florence (Pisa excursion)
This morning is free for some last minute shopping, or join an optional
tour to Siena famous for "Il Palio", the bareback horse race.
During this optional excursion you will travel through the heart and hills
of Tuscany to explore breathtaking landscapes with Chianti vineyards,
cypress trees, olive groves, and medieval villages. In the afternoon enjoy
an included excursion to one of the world's best-known sights - the Leaning
Tower of Pisa. Late afternoon return to Florence and dinner on your own.
The tour director will suggest Florentine restaurants you will certainly
enjoy.
Day 5/Sat Florence/Perugia/Assisi/Torgiano/Rome
Morning departure for Rome. Drive through the serene Tuscan and Umbrian
countryside, passing by the shores of Lake Trasimeno, past the medieval
city of Perugia and on to Assisi. Here you will stop at the Basilica of
St. Francis, the burial site of St. Francis. Continue south to Torgiano,
known for the production of fine red wine, where you will enjoy a rustic
lunch and a wine tasting at the Lungarotti wine cellar. Resume your journey
to Rome. Tonight, experience a taste of the Roman dining scene on your
own, then explore the exciting Roman Dolce Vita and nightlife.
Day 6/Sun Rome
Rome is filled with monuments, fountains, antiquities and other sites
worth exploring. Use this free day to discover the ancient and modern
aspects of cosmopolitan Rome for yourself. You might also choose to take
an optional tour to Ostia Antica, the Castelli Romani, or attend a Papal
Blessing. There's only one Rome, so make sure you bring home enough memories
to last a lifetime. In the evening, again, discover on your own why Roman
trattorias are famous for their fine food and wine.
Day 7/Mon Rome
This morning experience a very special privately guided tour of the priceless
collection of art and treasures in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum.
You will be amazed by the beautiful wall frescoes created by Michelangelo,
Perugino and Botticelli. The unique ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is surely
one of Michelangelo's greatest achievements. Continue to St. Peter's Basilica,
the largest church in the Christian world, built over the tomb of St.
Peter. Then proceed to the Piazza Venezia and Roman Forum, with a stop
at the Colosseum - a testament to the greatness of Rome's past. Continue
your full day tour by viewing the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus,
the synagogue, Isola Tiberina and Castel Sant'Angelo. Tonight bid arrivederci
to Rome at a special dinner with wine in a lovely Roman restaurant.
Day 8/Tue Rome/Naples/Pompeii/Sorrento
This morning drive south along the Highway of the Sun to Naples, where
you will have an orientation drive highlighting Via Caracciolo (the seafront
promenade), the San Carlo Opera House, Santa Lucia, and the Angevin Castle.
Before heading to Sorrento, stop in Pompeii (the ancient city covered
by volcanic lava 2,000 years ago), with a guided tour of the remarkably
preserved ruins of temples, houses, gardens and public buildings. Then
drive along the spectacular coast road of the Bay of Naples to Sorrento,
the famous resort town of orange and lemon groves. Dinner at your hotel
restaurant is included.
Day 9/Wed Sorrento (Capri excursion)
A morning jetfoil whisks you across the blue Bay of Naples to the fabled
Isle of Capri. After a scenic minivan ride, visit Anacapri at the topmost
point of the island, where you can gaze at spectacular views from awe-inspiring
heights. By minivan, descend to the center of town, visit the Floral Gardens
of Augustus, and still have free time for lunch and some shopping before
returning to the pier by funicular to board the jetfoil back to Sorrento,
arriving in time for dinner at a local restaurant.
NEW! Day 10/Thu Sorrento/Positano
(by Cruise) Amalfi/ Ravello/ Sorrento
Leave Sorrento in the morning for Positano. Brief stop at the Belvedere
to enjoy a unique view of the Moorish architecture, blended with pastel-colored
houses. Descend to town by minibus, passing elegant boutiques and craft
shops, and still have time to visit its charming center. Weather permitting,
board a motorlaunch and cruise along the coast to Amalfi. Otherwise, you
will reach Amalfi by motorcoach. A guided walking tour of Amalfi's old
town will highlight its powerful 11th century maritime republic history,
which rivaled Genoa and Venice. Continue to Ravello, arriving in time
for lunch at an enchanting restaurant with a spectacular view of the Amalfi
coast and the Bay of Salerno. Here your guided tour includes the noble
medieval Villa Rufolo, whose tropical gardens inspired Wagner's Opera
"Parsifal" (the Wagner festival is now an annual event). Return
to Sorrento via Chiusi and the Sorrentina coast to your hotel. Your tour
director will be a good source of advice for your evening selection of
dinner venues.
Day 11/Fri Sorrento/Monte Cassino/Rome
This morning you depart Sorrento and drive toward Rome. Enroute stop at
the Abbey of Mt. Cassino, renowned for the battle during World War ll.
Upon arrival in Rome, check into your hotel. Rome is filled with monuments,
museums, fountains and antiquities. Use this free afternoon to discover
them for yourself. Tonight, experience exquisite cuisine at a fabulous
farewell dinner with wine, in a memorable Roman restaurant.
Day 12/Sat Rome to USA (or
extend your stay)
Morning transfer to airport for your return flight home. Meals and refreshments
served aloft. Same day arrival into USA.
Preferred 4 Star Hotels |
|
| City | Hotels |
| Florence (3 nights) | Hotel Londra |
| Rome (3 nights) | Visconti Palace Hotel |
| Sorrento (3 nights) | Conca Park Hotel |
| Rome (1 night) | Visconti Palace Hotel |
| May 27, 2008 & Jun 17, 2008 include San Gimignano Villa stay instead of Florence hotel. | |
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