Best of Italy & Croatia 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (3 nights) Welcome to Rome, capital of Italy, and the Eternal city! There's time to relax and unwind before joining our Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink and learn more about the tour programme. Later, why not enjoy Rome by night"
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure This morning, with a local guide, we enjoy an excellent and clear commentary about the magnificent works of Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel thanks to our effective audio system. Our guided tour continues through St. Peter's Basilica where, among other great works, we can admire Michelangelo's moving Pieta. Then we cross the Tiber to ancient Rome where we will overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus, and visit the mighty Colosseum. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner in a typical trattoria" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 4 - Rome at leisure Enjoy a completely free day to explore the delights that this wonderful city has to offer. Maybe take a trip outside the old city walls in order to visit the ancient catacombs, or take an excursion into the hills to the Sabine town of Tivoli with its magnificent Villa d'Este and refreshing fountains. Or you may wish to visit the museums and gardens in the Villa Borghese or just while away the hours at a sidewalk café in one of the many piazzas of the city. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 5 - Rome — Assisi — Florence (2 nights) This morning we leave the city on the Seven hills to drive northward and into the Apennine hills to the mystical town of Assisi built on the slopes of Mount Subasio. We will enjoy a guided visit using the audio system, of the town including St. Francis" Basilica with its enchanting Giotto frescoes, the narrow cobbled streets of the town and the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Then we head north to Renaissance Florence where tonight we enjoy an authentic Tuscan dinner of local produce in a restaurant with stunning views over the vineyards of the rolling Chianti hills. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be my guest' dinner)
Day 6 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure Today our walking tour with a local guide using our effective audio system shows us the city's main sights, from the multi-coloured Duomo to the Piazza Signoria with its amazing sculptures and a visit to the Santa Croce Basilica, where so many great Italians are buried including Michelangelo. Later maybe take a half day excursion to Pisa, formerly a great maritime city, to see its incredible Leaning Tower in the Square of the Miracles! This evening make sure you try out some of the justifiably renowned Tuscan cuisine washed down with some robust Chianti wine! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7 - Florence — Venice (Mestre) (2 nights) A scenic drive through the Apennine hills with its craggy gorges and mountain streams leads to the plains of the Veneto and to the unique city of Venice. On arrival, savour the sights and sounds of this Byzantine city, as we enjoy an included canal cruise past Palladian churches and palazzos to St. Mark's Square, where we will see the Basilica, Bell Tower, Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Then we witness a demonstration of the ancient art of Murano glass-blowing. Our Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure to us during our stay in Venice! (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Venice Secret Walking Tour and Visit to the Fish Market Today with our local guide we enjoy a guided commentary using our effective audio system bringing the city to life as we cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. We cross the Rialto and visit the colourful fish market that has existed for centuries, and then enjoy a walking tour through the 'calle' seeing sites such as the house of Marco Polo and other interesting as well as beautiful architectural works of art. The balance of the day is at leisure to perhaps take a trip to the Island of Burano and enjoy eating some of the local seafood. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 9 - Venice — Postojna — Ljubljana (2 nights) We take the coastal highway and are soon at the Slovene border. Driving through verdant scenery we reach the awe-inspiring world of stalactites and stalagmites at Postojna. We - ll take a train ride through the most spectacular caves in Europe before continuing to the Slovene capital, Ljubljana. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Ljubljana sightseeing and excursion to Lake Bled After breakfast, a sightseeing tour with a local guide of this Roman-founded city shows us the Opera House, the cathedral, National Museum and the castle, as well as the numerous parks. Then we - ll drive to nearby Lake Bled — "a little paradise on earth" to delight in a cruise on the glassy lake in a local "pletna" boat. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 11 - Ljubljana — Zagreb — Plitvice Lakes We drive along the River Sava valley to Zagreb, where sightseeing with a local guide highlights all the monuments: the Church of St. Mark and St. Catherine, the Parliament, the cathedral and the Government Palace. Then a short drive brings us to the Plitvice National Park, a haven of natural beauty, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - Plitvice Lakes — Trogir — Split We will visit the National Park composed of sixteen lakes linked by a series of ninety waterfalls and cascades before continuing to the Greek-founded town of Trogir where we see the Cipiko Palace and the Romanesque cathedral. Finally, a beautiful coastal drive brings us to Split. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Days 13 - Split sightseeing — Dubrovnik (2 nights) It was Emperor Diocletian's decision in 305 AD to build a palace for his retirement and as the palace grew so did the city, which we visit today. Our sightseeing tour with a local guide visits the palace — a well-preserved fortress that was once encircled by 750-foot walls. Highlights include remains
of the original palace, a colonnaded square and the Temple of Jupiter. Then we continue along the cypress-lined coast to Dubrovnik — Pearl of the Adriatic — for our two-night stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 14 - Dubrovnik sightseeing and at leisure This morning we will see the Rector's Palace, the city walls, Onofrio's fountain and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Dubrovnik and its five bastions are sure to cast a spell on you! Despite the damage suffered during the conflict after the breakdown in Yugoslavia in 1991, Dubrovnik has been restored in the original style and the only evidence can be seen near the city gates. The balance of your time here is at leisure. You may choose to explore the lively market, enjoy lunch in a seaside restaurant or simply relax in the atmosphere of this resort. Alternatively, why not take a cruise around the city walls of Dubrovnik and across to the picturesque village of Cavtat with magnificent views back towards Dubrovnik. Tonight we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner of local specialities in a characteristic restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 15 - Dubrovnik — USA Time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and new-found friends as our tour comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
Free airport transfers Transfers on Day 2 at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30, 15.30 and 18.45. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Dubrovnik Airport at 11.00 and 14.00.
|
