Contrasts of Italy 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - - Arrive Rome (3 nights) Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy! After check-in you have time to relax or to take a walk around the Eternal City before meeting up with our travelling companions and Tour Director tonight for a Welcome Drink.
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing Michelangelo spent 11 years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but we will have a little less time to admire it on our included visit of the chapel inside the Vatican Museums! Our guided tour will continue with a visit of St. Peter's Basilica before we cross the River Tiber to ancient Rome. Here we will overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus where chariot races took place and then we will visit the mighty Colosseum. Later, we have time at leisure to perhaps explore the city further or to sit at a pavement café on the Via Veneto and watch the world go by. This evening we will enjoy dinner at the hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Rome at leisure A full day to enjoy the many attractions this beguiling city has to offer. You can take a trip to visit the Catacombs on the outskirts of the city or maybe venture into the Roman countryside to the perched town of Tivoli to visit the house and gardens of the Villa d - Este. This evening, why not throw a coin in the Trevi fountain to ensure your return one day to the Eternal City. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 5 - Rome — High-speed train — Florence (3 nights) We are transferred to Rome's mainline station to board the high-speed "Pendolino" train to Florence. After a comfortable journey (2 hours 29 minutes) through pretty countryside seeing hilltop villages and towns, we arrive in this perfect Renaissance city. On arrival, our Florentine guide will welcome us to the city so loved by Dante, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci! We - ll enjoy astounding views from Piazzale Michelangelo, and afterwards, we will go on a walking tour of the medieval and Renaissance quarters, highlighting the Holy Cross Basilica with the tombs of almost all of the greatest men Italy has produced including Michelangelo. We - ll visit the Fine Arts Academy where we will see perhaps the most famous work of the Renaissance — Michelangelo's "David" and, of course, we - ll visit the Piazza Signoria with its wonderful sculptures. Our Tour Director will also disclose the location of one of the city's
Hidden Treasures to us and tonight we will enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local cuisine in a typical trattoria. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 6 - Florence — Excursion to Pisa A short drive by coach along the Arno Valley will bring us to the one-time maritime city of Pisa. Although famous for its incredibly Leaning Tower, Pisa has a lot more to offer - a beautifully sculpted marble cathedral, the delicate lacework of its baptistery as well as a cemetery, which is said to have soil brought from Calvary in the Holy Land. Time to explore these sights in the aptly named Square of Miracles before returning to Florence. Why not shop for bargains in high quality leather goods and 18-carat gold jewellery before perhaps trying out some fine Tuscan wines in one of the city's many wine bars this evening"(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7 - - Florence at leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure to take advantage of this historically rich and attractive city. Apart from the obvious museums, there are beautiful gardens such as the Boboli and wonderful palaces to visit such as the Pitti Palace. And a little way outside of the city, in the heart of Chianti, there are many villages with fine wines and wonderful markets. Florence is also a centre for fashion so even if you do not actually shop, it's wonderful to wander the elegant shopping streets and admire the goods in the sophisticated boutiques. This evening, you should take advantage of Trafalgar's great excursion program and perhaps partake in a trip into the Chianti hills for dinner! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8 - Florence — Express Train — Venice (3 nights) All aboard the express train for Venice! A wonderful morning of scenery as the train passes through the Apennine hills and down to the Veneto plain. Soon we reach the city of Venice, its ornate gothic and Renaissance palaces beautifully reflected in the Venetian lagoon. This evening, what would be better as an introduction to this enchanting place than a gondola ride along the picturesque canals" Tonight we - ll enjoy dinner at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Venice — Canal Cruise and orientation Savour the sights and sounds of this Byzantine city as we cruise across to St. Mark's Square by private launch. We - ll see the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian Churches, the Customs House, Grand Canal, St. Mark's Basilica and Campanile as well as the Doge's Palace on our orientation of the city. A stroll across St. Mark's Square will bring us to one of the oldest glass-blowing workshops on the islands to witness how this ancient craft is performed. Then you are free to perhaps visit the Fine Arts Academy, to spend some time at one of the cafés on St. Mark's Square — the most elegant drawing room in Europe — or to enjoy a lagoon cruise to one of the 200 or so islands of the lagoon for a delicious seafood lunch!(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - Secret Venice walking tour & visit to the market Today with our local guide we enjoy a guided commentary using our effective audio system which will bring 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, which 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 and beautiful works of art. The balance of the day is at leisure. This evening we get together with our fellow travelers and celebrate the last night of our touring experience at a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant" (Buffet Breakfast/ Farewell Dinner)
Day 11 - Venice — USA This morning wish Italy "arrivederci" as our vacation comes to an end. There is an airport transfer available to Venice Marco Polo Airport, 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 Venice Marco Polo Airport at 08.00.
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