Day 1
Fly to Overnight Rome
Today you will fly overnight to Rome.
Day 2
Arrive Rome │Transfer to Rome Hotel
Today you will arrive into Rome.Your tour manager will meet you outside of the customs area. You will be transferred to the hotel for your one night included Rome stay.
Day 3
Rome to Tuscany (Montecatini) │ Included Stopover in Assisi
Today you will be transferred to the Montecatini Hotel.. You will depart early from the Rome hotel. On your way to Montecatini you will have an included sightseeing tour of Assisi. (B, D)
Day 4
Montecatini at Leisure │ Optional Tour: Montecatini Orientation & Tuscany Farm Lunch
Today you will enjoy a lovely day in Montecatini at your leisure to explore this wonderful resort town visited by the Emperors and the rich for centuries. (B, D)
Optional Tour:
Tuscany Farm Lunch
Please see your tour manager for more details
Tuscan Wine Tasting & Classic Tuscan Hill Towns:
Full Day Tour
The coach will take you to one of the typical wine estates in Tuscany, where you’ll have some free time to explore the surrounding town and then you will learn more about the wine-making in Tuscany and enjoy the wine tasting. You can decide for an optional lunch (not included) with undisturbed panoramic views and delicious regional cuisine. On your way back to Montecatini, continue your tour of the Tuscany visiting Medieval hill towns and enjoy more incredible views of the countryside. You’ll be back in your hotel just in time for dinner.
Day 5
Included Pisa & Lucca Sightseeing Tour
This morning you will have an included tour of Pisa & Lucca, two of Italy’s most famous sights. Head west into the very heart of the Tuscan region as you visit lovely Pisa. Famous for its Leaning Tower. Your guide will explain to you one of the most important ‘City States’ that existed long before there was an Italy. Next travel to Lucca, considered to be the most beautiful medieval city in Europe. This walled city is intact and you can walk the 600 year old ramparts that protected this ‘City State’ from its rivals. Tonight you enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Day 6
Montecatini at Leisure │ Optional Tour: World Famous Cinque Terre
Today you will enjoy another day in Montecatini at leisure to explore this quaint resort town enriched with culture and history. (B, D)
Optional Tour: World Famous Cinque Terre by Train, Port Villages & Cinque Terra National Park:
Full Day Tour
You will travel to La Spezia by coach. Here you will start a scenic train ride to the beautiful mountain & seaside villages of the Cinque Terre. On your way, you will admire beautiful panoramas of the coast. The Cinque Terre is a National Park and territory protected by UNESCO. This zone is characterized by the presence of typical steep slopes cultivated with vines thanks to terraces. The first stop will be Riomaggiore start of a a spectacular path along the seaside that goes until Manarola. Next a short ride to Vernazza, a picturesque fishing village where you will enjoy time at leisure. No visit to Cinque Terre is complete without visiting Monterosso al Mare. You will have free time to explore the tiny shops and nice restaurants. You will return to Montecatini after a wonderful trip to another of the beautiful places of Italy.
Day 7
Tuscany ~ Florence ~ Venice
This morning you check-out of the Montecatini hotel and will be transferred to the Venice area hotel. In route to the Venice hotel you will have an included Florence sightseeing tour.. (B, D)
Day 8
Venice at Leisure │ Optional Tour: Verona & Juliet’s Balcony
Today you will enjoy a relaxing day in Venice at leisure to explore this fascinating city enriched with culture and history. (B, D)
Optional Tour:
Verona & Juliet’s Balcony
Please see your tour manager for more details.
Day 9
Included Guided Venice Orientation Tour with focus on St. Marks│ Optional Add-on: Gondola Ride
This morning you will have an included tour of Venice. (B, D)
Optional Add-on:
Gondola Ride
Please see your tour manager for you departure time and location.
Day 10
Venice at Leisure │ Optional Tour: The Beautiful Dolomite Mountains
Today you will enjoy another relaxing day in Venice at leisure to explore this fascinating city enriched with culture and history. (B, D)
Optional Tour:
The Beautiful Dolomite Mountains
The comfortable coach will bring you from your hotel to this region of peaceful valleys, villages and towering peaks. You’ll stop at Pieve di Cadore, birthplace of the painter Titian, a typical Italian village surrounded embedded in soaring peaks. Then admire Lake Santa Caterina and Lake Misurina, ‘the pearl of the Dolomites’. The lake is famous for its breathtaking views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the most celebrated peaks of the region. There will be enough time for lunch (at your expense) at a local trattoria, then a short (optional) walk is offered along a level trail to further appreciate the dramatic scenery of the area. In the afternoon, drive into the Cortina region to visit the cosmopolitan ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, pausing at a panoramic viewpoint to admire the town circled by soft green meadows and towering mountains. Enjoy free time to wander around the town of Cortina, with its streets lined with elegant boutiques, or relax at one of the street-side cafes. In the late afternoon, you’ll travel back to the hotel with overwhelming impressions of the beautiful Alps.
Day 11
Venice ~ Siena ~ Rome
This morning you check-out of the Venice hotel and will be transferred to Rome. Today you head south and visit world famous San Gimignano & Siena before arriving into Rome. Later you will check into your hotel for your four night stay. (B, D)
Day 12 │ May 23, 2015
Included Orientation Tour of Rome with focus on Vatican & Historic Rome
This morning you will have an included orientation tour of Rome. Enjoy a tour with your guide of the classic sights of Rome including The Roman Forum and The Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Learn about the history of one of the greatest civilizations in human history on your excursion that combines both the ancient and modern sights of Rome. This afternoon is at your leisure and your Tour Manager will be able to help you with a variety of activities. Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel. Afternoon optional sightseeing is dedicated to Christian heart of Rome as you visit Vatican City and world famous St Peters Square, and the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel (B, D)
Day 13
Rome at Leisure │ Optional Tour: Tivoli Gardens & Christian Catacombs
Today you will enjoy Rome at your leisure to explore this magnificent city enriched with beautiful culture and many historical sites. (B,D)
Optional Tour: Tivoli Gardens & Christian Catacombs.
Tivoli Gardens & Christian Catacombs – Full Day
Your coach will take you to Villa d’Este, masterpiece of the Italian Garden, a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a much-copied model for European gardens in the mannerist and baroque styles. The garden is generally considered within the larger –and altogether extraordinary– context of Tivoli itself: its landscape, art and history which includes the important ruins of the Villa Adriana, from Roman days. After this visit you will head towards the Esquiline Hill where our guide will show you some of the treasures inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, before continuing by coach to stop and see the Holy Staircase and the Lateran Palace before visiting inside the Basilica of San Giovanni*, the cathedral of Rome (visit inside). Then proceeding along the Ancient Appian Way, you will pass by the Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis?” before arriving at the Catacombs, the ancient underground cemeteries and first hiding places for the Christians. A visit will be made to either, the Catacombs of S. Callisto, Santa Domitilla or San Sebastiano depending upon seasonal conditions. *IMPORTANT, we recommend comfortable walking shoes. Proper attire is required – no shorts, miniskirts or uncovered shoulders.
Day 14
Rome at Leisure
Today you will enjoy another relaxing day in Rome at leisure to explore this wonderful city enriched with beautiful culture and many historical sites. (B,D)
Day 15
Depart for USA
This morning all passengers will be transferred to the Rome Airport.
All included meals will be listed in the tour description: (B): breakfast (D): dinner
TOUR MANAGER: Your tour manager will be with you throughout your trip. They will be there to assist you with any questions you may have and with getting you on your optional tours and included tours.
OPTIONAL TOURS: Your tour manager will have a name list of each tour and who has purchased the tours. Should you wish to purchase additional optional tours please see your tour manager for assistance. A valid photo I.D. is required to participate in all optional tours.