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Italian Dream

Escorted First Class Tour & Approved Nursing Conference

May 11-19, 2012

• Day 1 - Depart USA
  Overnight flight to Rome.

• Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
  Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. After checking into your hotel, you will have time to relax and unwind before meeting with your Tour Director in the afternoon. This evening why not take a stroll around this fascinating city and admire the beautiful squares and fountains by night?

• Day 3 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure
  We have an included sightseeing tour with a local guide this morning who introduces us to this ancient city. The highlight of the tour is the visit to the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. Then we cross the Tiber River to enjoy views of the Forum and the iconic Colosseum, the scene of gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome. Later we have time at leisure to explore the city further or maybe to take an optional excursion to see the catacombs, the underground burial places of the early Christians, or maybe to drive out of Rome to visit the splendid Tivoli Gardens with their unique and elaborate fountains. (Buffet breakfast) 

• Day 4 - Rome – Venice (2 nights)
  This morning we head north from Rome following the upper Tiber valley until we reach the region of Umbria with its gentle hills and fields of bright yellow sunflowers. We see several of the medieval towns, which cling to the top of these former volcanic hills, including Orvieto, former stronghold of the popes, and Orte, which lies just a short distance from the highway. Then we enter Tuscany with its unique landscape, so admired by generations of artists, which features the silver grey olive groves and clusters of dark green cypress trees. From here we climb through the forested Apennine Mountains, known as the spine of Italy, and descend on to the flat plain of the River Po, which we cross in order to reach the magical city of Venice, set in the lagoon. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  

• Day 5 - Venice sightseeing and at leisure
  We start today with a cruise by vaporetto to the heart of Venice, St. Mark’s Square. On the way we have the chance to savor the sights and sounds of this unique floating city where all services must be provided either by water or on foot. On arrival we can marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, immortalized by Lord Byron, the magnificent and ornate Doge’s Palace and the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark adorned with colorful glass mosaics. We have the opportunity to watch a demonstration of the ancient craft of glass-blowing, which originated on the Island of Murano. Then we have time at leisure to explore this fascinating city or perhaps to take a trip out across the lagoon to the colorful fishermen’s Island of Burano where we can enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

• Day 6 - Venice – Verona – Florence (2 nights)
  Our day will start with a drive to the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, in Verona. We see Verona’s answer to the Colosseum, the vast Roman Arena, where concerts are still held regularly each year as part of the Verona Music Festival in the summer. Then we walk on to see Juliet’s balcony with memories of the famous scene from Romeo and Juliet in our minds. We
  have time to explore further before rejoining the coach to drive through the gastronomic region of Emilia Romagna on our way to the beautiful region of Tuscany and its magnificent capital city Florence, which witnessed the birth of the Renaissance. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  

• Day 7 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure
  Our morning sightseeing tour on foot with a local guide shows us the baptistery, renowned for its carved bronze doors, the domed cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which is constructed with many different shades of colored marble, the impressive bell tower designed by Giotto, the Piazza Signoria, which is now an outdoor art gallery, and the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial place of Michelangelo and many other great figures of the Renaissance, including Galileo. We enjoy a demonstration of fine leatherwork before we have time to explore further, sample the delicious local ice-cream or shop for high quality leather goods and 18- carat gold jewelry. (Buffet breakfast)

• Day 8 - Florence – Assisi – Rome
  This morning’s drive will take us back to the province of Umbria and mystical Assisi, which lies perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio and overlooks the peaceful Umbrian landscape. This city, under the protection of St. Francis, is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. Here we have time to visit the great basilica and see the saint’s tomb, and later we see the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built on the site of where St. Francis died. Later we travel southwards back to Rome, the Eternal City, and we must remember to throw a coin or two in the Trevi fountain to ensure our return one day! (Buffet breakfast)
  

• Day 9 - Rome – USA
  Today we must bid farewell to our Tour Director and new found friends and say ‘arrivederci Roma’ as our Italian vacation comes to an end and we return home with many wonderful memories. There are transfers available to Rome Fiumicino Airport, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)