2008 Italian Tradition
Highlights
Walking tours ofVenice - Ravenna - Florence -Siena -Assisi -Saint Mark's Square &Doges' Palace Ravenna's GoldenByzantine Mosaics FlorenceCathedral St. Francis' Basilica inAssisi Capri & Anacapri Pompeii'sRoman Ruins Vatican Museums
What's Included
Round trip flights from U.S. to Venice and return from Rome Welcome get-together glass of Prosecco,Venetian wine Group airport transfers on arrival and departure - by motor launch in Venice and by coach in Rome Half-day walking tours of Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Siena & Assisi with local guides Transportation by private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach from Venice departure until arrival in Rome Round trip ferry transportation to Capri and cable car ride to Anacapri with local guide Services of a professional Englishspeaking tour director Half-day tour of Vatican Museums Superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 9 nights Visits and admissions to Doges' Palace, Basilica San Marco, Church of St.Vitale, Accademia Gallery, St. Francis Basilica, Pompeii and Sistine Chapel 9 buffet breakfasts with selection of cold dishes (BB) Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap 6 dinners (D) including - Farewell dinner in Rome - 5 table d'hote dinners with mineral water All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person Informal country-style lunch with a beverage (L)
What's Included
Call (256) 413-0701 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7186821
- Tour Operator
- CIE Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 9/30/2008
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Depart U.S. for Italy | Depart U.S. for Italy : Depart your hometown and fly through the night across the Atlantic to start your Italian vacation in Venice. Relax with inflight meal and entertainment service as you travel. |
| Day 2 | Venice | Arrival in Venice : Land at Venice's Marco Polo Airport, collect your luggage and pass through customs inspection. Your tour escort will be at the exit from Customs to meet you from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon and accompany you to a motor launch for a group transfer across the lagoon to your hotel. This is a wonderful introduction to a city built on water! If you emerge from Customs later than 12:00 noon, you must transfer to the hotel at your own expense. After checking in you will be free for the remainder of the day. In the evening get together with your tour director and fellow travelers with a welcome glass of wine to discuss your trip and then enjoy local cuisine in the hotel restaurant. (D) |
| Day 3 | Venice | Venice Highlights : This morning set out on a walking tour of Venice, starting in the Piazza San Marco, the hub of the city. See the elaborate Doges' Palace, a rare example of civil Venetian Gothic architecture. Visit the impressive state rooms to view Renaissance paintings by Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto. Cross the Bridge of Sighs, linking the Palace with the Piombi Prisons. Then visit the Basilica San Marco, consecrated in 1094 and decorated to reflect the Venetian Republic's maritime and commercial power. See its famous golden mosaics on the interior domes and archways. Admire the simple lines of the Campanile, or Bell Tower, and see the Clock Tower where the "Moors" strike the hours. The balance of the day is free to explore Venice on your own. You may like to take a gondola or a vaporetto ride through enchanting canals. (BB) |
| Day 4 | Florence | Ravenna & Tuscan Countryside : Travel by motor coach today as you head south to Ravenna. Take a look around this charming town and visit the Church of St. Vitale to see the famous mosaics of the Emperor Justinian and his wife, Empress Theodora, dating from the 6th century. Stop at an estate for a rustic lunch with locally-made cheeses, meats and home-style bread. Head south through the Tuscan countryside where rolling hills are covered in olive groves, vineyards and fields of sunflowers. This very popular regionis the subject of many books and movies. Arrive in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, an imposing city of old stone located on the River Arno. After checking into your hotel, enjoy some free time to look around the city before dining in your hotel. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 5 | Florence | Florence Sightseeing : Take a half-day sightseeing walking tour of Florence, a city of artistic wealth and beauty where there are countless treasures to discover. Begin your visit in the town center at the majestic Piazza Del Duomo to see the delicately patterned green, white and pink cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi's dome. See the Campanile, Giotto's Bell Tower dating from 1359. The 11th century Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence and famous for its exquisite bronze doors by Ghiberti. Then visit the Accademia Gallery, which was founded in 1563 to teach fine arts. Here see Michelangelo's superb "David" and many of the master's unfinished works. The afternoon and evening are free for independent sightseeing, shopping and dining. (BB) |
| Day 6 | Assisi | Siena & Assisi : Today, drive through the beautiful countryside of Tuscany to Siena. This fine medieval city sits on gentle hills between three river valleys. Take a walking tour through the maze of narrow streets to one of the finest squares in Italy, the Piazza Del Campo where the famous Palio Horse Race is held twice a year. Enjoy some free time to browse around the narrow old streets with many elaborate stone doorways. Drive through the region of Umbria to Assisi and check into your hotel. Head out for a private walking tour of this lovely town, which is located on the slopes of Mount Subasio. Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis and visit the Basilica built between 1228 and 1230 especially to hold his remains. (BB, D) |
| Day 7 | Sorrento | Naples & Sorrento : Depart Assisi this morning and sit back in your motor coach as you travel south by highway. Admire the scenery, listen to some commentary from your tour escort and maybe take a nap as the miles roll by. In the afternoon arrive in Naples and take a short sightseeing tour of the principal places of interest before continuing a little further south to the lovely coastal town of Sorrento. You may see wonderful sunsets over the Mediterranean. As Sorrento is located so far south, it boasts amazing gardens as well as orange and lemon groves. Check into your hotel and relax a little before enjoying dinner with your fellow travelers. (BB, D) |
| Day 8 | Sorrento | Boat Trip to Capri : Enjoy a full day excursion by taking a ferry from Naples to Capri, a small paradise encircled by a crystal clear deep blue sea. This famous and romantic island is dotted with grottos and abounds with olive trees and vineyards. The fame of the island dates back to 27 AD when Emperor Tiberius spent ten years in retirement there. Your local guide will relate the stories of magnificence, profligacy and horrors during his residence but will also show you the highlights of the island and what life is like nowadays. Enjoy breathtaking views of the sea as you travel by cable car to the delightful village of Anacapri. Life in Anacapri centers around the Piazza della Vittoria and you will see shady streets threading between white houses, gardens and little squares. Return to Sorrento on the mainland to dine with your fellow travelers in your hotel. (BB, D) |
| Day 9 | Rome | Pompeii & Rome : Drive north up along the coast and stop to tour the ruins of Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Walk through the Roman Forum, Market Place and Home of the Vettii to see narrow streets and luxurious villas frozen in time. After your visit continue your journey to Rome and take a panoramic sightseeing tour of the principal buildings and monuments from the comfort of your coach. See the Piazza Venezia, the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill and many other famous places. Enjoy some free time and your tour director will help you choose a restaurant for independent dining. (BB) |
| Day 10 | Rome | Rome & The Vatican : This morning tour the Vatican, the world's smallest independent state. Your Roman guide will start the tour in the Corte della Pigna with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. See the Hall of Tapestries and the Maps Gallery but the highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's famous paintings of the "Creation"and "Last Judgment". The afternoon is at leisure to wander through this majestic city. You may like to explore on your own St. Peter's Square & St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom, to see many treasures including the golden mosaics of the apse, Bernini's bronze baldachin and the famed "Pieta" by Michelangelo. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner in your hotel. (BB, D) |
| Day 11 | Depart Rome for USA | Depart Rome for USA : Take a group transfer to Rome Airport where your tour concludes at 10:00 am. Check in for your flight in good time and you may like to shop at the duty-free stores. If you need to arrive at Rome Airport before 10:00 am, your escort will coordinate an earlier group transfer once you are on tour. (BB) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
Hotel Residenza Cannaregio - Venice - 2 night(s) Hotel Raffaello - Florence - 2 night(s) Grand Hotel Assisi - Assisi - 1 night(s) Hotel La Residenza Sorrento - Sorrento - 2 night(s) Hotel Mantegna Rome - Rome - 2 night(s)
- Disclaimer
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