Italian Concerto
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (3 nights) Welcome to Italy! You are met at Rome Fiumicino airport and transferred to your hotel. There's time to relax and unwind, before joining our Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome dinner of pasta and wine in a local trattoria this evening. During dinner you will learn more about the tour, programme. Later, why not enjoy Rome by night" (Welcome Dinner)
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure This morning, with a local guide, we enjoy an excellent and clear commentary on 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. From here we cross the Tiber River for a walking tour of Ancient Rome, where we will see the Forum, Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Then enjoy time at leisure in the grandeur of this monumental city. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner in a typical trattoria" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Rome at leisure A completely free day to enjoy 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 — Abbey of Monte Cassino — Paestum — Amalfi Coast (Maiori) (3 nights) Today we travel past the Apennine Mountains and up to the Abbey of Monte Cassino, famous for its part in World War 2. We visit the Abbey and see the Polish Cemetery and then return to the autostrada and past the city of Naples, for a walking tour around the excavations of the ancient Greek Temples at Paestum using our audio system, before continuing to the legendary Amalfi Coast, where we spend the next three nights. This evening, dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Isle of Capri Excursion First we travel to Salerno before we cross the Mediterranean Sea to the magical Isle of Capri. On our arrival we ascend to Capri town by funicular and enjoy a walking tour of this part of the island which includes views of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola, plus the famous 'Piazzetta', home to the international jet-set, later we return to our hotel in Maiori, on the Amalfi coast. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Amalfi orientation — Amalfi drive & at leisure Today we take a trip as far as Positano and then drive along the spectacular Amalfi drive to the town of Amalfi, where our Tour Director takes us on an orientation tour featuring the attractive Romanesque Church. The rest of your day is free. Perhaps have fun shopping in the boutiques. Amalfi is one of the most exclusive places to stay in the Mediterranean, so why not spend the evening sipping your favourite cocktail whilst overlooking the glorious Bay of Naples" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8 - Amalfi Coast (Maiori) — Pompeii — Florence (2 nights) This morning we head towards Naples and soon arrive at Pompeii — literally 'petrified' by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Here we enjoy a guided walking tour with audio system of the excavations with a local expert. Then on through the Umbrian hills and into the Chianti vineyards to Florence. Tonight we enjoy a dinner of a selection of different pizzas and wine in the city's best pizzeria! (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 9 - Florence sightseeing & Chianti Vineyards Excursion 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. Then, by coach, we travel into the hills of the Chianti, stopping in the village of Greve for a wine tasting of some of the region's most popular wines, also a great opportunity to buy delicious olive oil and salamis! Tonight, why not enjoy a Florentine banquet in one of the elegant 'palazzos'" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - Florence — Ravenna — Venice (island) (2 nights) Today we head for some awe-inspiring scenery as we travel over the Apennines via Forli to Ravenna. We stop to bisit the Basilica of Sant Apollinaris in Classe with its stunning Byzantine mosaics. Then along the Strada Romea through a section of the Po Delta and past "fisherman's Venice" the town of Chioggia to the waterbound city of Venice, built on over 200 islands in the Lagoon. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 11 - Venice orientation and at leisure Savour the sights and sounds of this Byzantine city on canals as we enjoy an included canal cruise to St Mark's square seeing the Palladian Churches of the Redeemer and St George as well as the elegant Customs House, Doges Palace, Bridge of Sighs and top of the Grand Canal. We stroll across St Mark's square with time to admire the Basilica and its "campanile" to visit one of the oldest Murano Glass workshops on the island. Here we will witness a demonstration of glass blowing "by one of the few remaining craftsmen able to create beautiful objects out of molten crystal. Then you have time to visit some of the other islands in the Lagoon and perhaps enjoy a seafood lunch! (Buffet Breakfast )
Day 12 - Venice island - USA 'Buon viaggio' to your newly made friends as we transfer you to Venice's airport for your return flight to America..(Buffet Breakfast)
Please do not schedule any flights before 10.30am.
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