Italian Dream
Escorted
First Class Tour
October
1-9, 2010
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?
Hotel: Prime Hotel Area
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)
Hotel: Il Burchiello (Oriago)
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)
Hotel: Relais Certosa
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)
Hotel: Papillo
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)
