Italian Discovery
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in at the hotel, there's time to relax or perhaps take a stroll through this historic city. This evening we will enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure Our first highlight today is a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel, enhanced by the use of our audio system used by our local guide, where we can gaze in awe at Michelangelo's beautiful painted ceiling. Next we visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, and then cross the Tiber to ancient Rome where we will overlook the Forum and visit the Colosseum, infamous for gladiatorial combat, and also see the Circus Maximus where chariot races were held. After, enjoy time on your own and later maybe try out some Roman cuisine in a typical trattoria. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Rome — Florence Our Tour Director will take the time to show us a true Hidden Treasure during our journey today! We start by driving through the Latium, Umbria and into Tuscany to Renaissance Florence. On our arrival we enjoy the view from Piazzale Michelangelo before our guided walking tour, including an audio system. We'll see the Duomo, Baptistery, the Piazza Signoria and visit the Santa Croce Basilica where so many great Italians are buried, including Michelangelo. Then time at leisure to explore further or to shop for leather and gold. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 5 - Florence — Pisa — Turin This morning after breakfast our first stop will be at Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the Square of Miracles. Here there's time for photos before we continue our drive past the quarries of Carrara and the resorts of Portofino, Rapallo and Genoa, Columbus' birthplace. Then on to Turin where our orientation shows us the ëAntonellianaí building and the Piazza san Carlo. Tonight we enjoy a dinner of local specialities in a local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 6 - Turin — Lake Maggiore — Milan First we travel to Lake Maggiore, making a stop in elegant Stresa, facing the pretty Borromean islands. From here we enjoy a scenic drive along the lake and then head south for the capital of Lombardy, Milan. Here our guided tour includes the Galleria, the Piazza del Duomo where we admire the Gothic Cathedral, bristling with innumerable sculptures, and the renowned opera house, La Scala. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Milan - Pavia - Verona - Venice (Lido) (2 nights) This morning our first stop is a visit to the Cistercian Abbey of Pavia; an important architectural monument in Italy. Later we continue our journey into the Veneto stopping to see Juliet's balcony in Shakespeare's Verona. We also see the 2000 year old Roman arena, still in use today, before continuing to magical Venice for two nights. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast our morning cruise by private motor launch takes us to St. Mark's Square highlighting the Doges' Palace and Basilica en route to one of the oldest Murano glass-blowing workshops. We'll witness a demonstration of this ancient art before time at leisure. You may wish to relax in a cafÈ or take an optional excursion to one of the islands in the Lagoon! Later after dinner at the hotel, why not experience this city from an elegant gondola" (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Venice (Lido.) - Mantua - Bologna First we visit Mantua with its arcaded streets and Cathedral. Later we arrive in Bologna, famous for its University, architecture and fine sausages and hams. Bologna is a feast for the senses and the stomach! Here a sightseeing tour with a local guide shows us Neptune's fountain, the 'kissing' Towers and Piazza Maggiore. Later, perhaps enjoy some of the city's fine cuisine at a local trattoria! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - Bologna — Assisi — Rome This morning we travel over the Apennine Mountains stopping at Assisi, for a walking tour using our audio system of the peaceful home-town of St. Francis. Here we will visit the magnificent Basilica and see the Church of St. Mary of the Angels. From here it's a short drive back to the 'Eternal City' Rome via the town of Orte. Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director and travelling companions. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 11 - Rome - USA This morning it's 'buon viaggio' to your Tour Director and new-found friends as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
Please Note: This tour visits Switzerland for a short time Day 5
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