Italian Discovery 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy, and the Eternal City! 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 traveling 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 and watch Rome go by! (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 regions of Latium, Umbria and into Tuscany to Renaissance Florence. On our arrival we enjoy the view from Piazzale Michelangelo before our guided walking tour reveals to us the medieval and Renaissance past of this culturally rich city. We will see the Piazza Signoria, the political centre of the 15th century city, with its impressive sculptures and imposing palazzos, the multi-coloured marble Duomo and the famous Baptistery with the bronze doors designed by the Renaissance artist Ghiberti. We will also visit the Basilica of the Holy Cross where so many of the great men of Italy are buried, including Michaelangelo. Then time at leisure to explore further or to shop for high quality leather and 18-carat gold jewellery. Tonight we enjoy an authentic Tuscan dinner of local produce in a restaurant with stunning views over the vineyards of the Chianti Hills. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be my guest' Dinner)
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 Antonelliana building and the Piazza san Carlo. Tonight why not sample a dinner of local specialities in a local restaurant" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 6 - Turin — Lake Maggiore — Milan First we travel to Lake Maggiore, which is the most westerly of the three large prealpine lakes of Italy. 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 2,000 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 Doge's 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 café 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, the setting for Verdi's opera, Rigoletto, with its arcaded streets and cathedral. Later we arrive in Bologna, famous for its university, architecture, 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 hometown of St. Francis. It was here that he founded his Order of Grey Friars or Franciscans in 1208 and he died here in 1226 and was canonized just two years later. We will visit the magnificent basilica and see the tomb of St. Francis and later also see the Church of St. Mary of the Angels which stands on the site of where he died. From here it's a short drive back to the 'Eternal City' Rome via the impressive hill-top town of Orte. Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine together with our Tour Director and traveling companions. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 11 - Rome - USA This morning it's 'buon viaggio' to our Tour Director as our Italian vacation comes to an end. There are airport transfers available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 12 - Free airport transfers: Transfers on arrival 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 Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.
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