Simply Italy (Winter 2008/2009)
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) Trafalgar greets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel for our two night stay. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore on your own. This evening we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travellers. Afterwards, maybe enjoy an evening illuminations tour of the city or join the evening throng in cosmopolitan Piazza Navona with its centrepiece of Bernini's magnificent fountain.
Day 3 - - Rome sightseeing and at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour of the Eternal City with a local guide includes Michelangelo's magnificent depiction of the Creation on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, as well as St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Our visit of the Basilica — built at the spot where St. Peter is said to have died — will include Michelangelo's moving statue of the "Pietŕ", as well as the colonnades around St. Peter's Square guarded by the gaily
attired Swiss Guards.
Then we cross the River Tiber to reach Ancient Rome but first pause in Piazza Venezia where we may take pictures of the "Wedding Cake" or monument to Victor Emmanuel, the first King of a unified Italy. We will also see the 15th century Palazzo Venezia as well as the Campidoglio. We continue along the Via Sacra to the Roman Forum and we visit the breathtaking Colosseum, the most famous monument of Ancient Rome. Originally known as Flavian's Amphitheatre, it was started by the Emperor Vespasian between 70 and 76 AD — and today is still standing!
Finally we see the Roman's favourite chariot racing stadium — the Circus Maximus overlooked by the Palatine Hill. Later maybe visit the Catacombs and Pantheon or relax, sip a cappucino and watch the world go by in a sidewalk café on the famous Via Veneto. This evening, why not try one of the many trattorias for dinner, and don - t forget to throw a coin in the famous Trevi Fountain to ensure your speedy return. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Rome - Siena - Florence (2 nights) We drive through the Lazio region into peaceful Umbria and then into the Chianti vineyards of Tuscany where we continue to Siena, famous for its Palio horse race around the Piazza del Campo. Set on three hills, Siena is reputedly the best preserved walled city in the Tuscan region, with its pedestrianised medieval centre. There's time to enjoy a drink on the main square or maybe visit the stunning marble Cathedral, which was begun in the 12th century in the Romanesque style but was transformed in the 13th century into one of the finest examples of the Italian Gothic. Later we continue to Renaissance Florence for two nights. Tonight , why not dine in one of the many picturesque restaurants set in the rolling Chianti hills" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 5 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure Our sightseeing tour of this beautiful city on foot includes the Cathedral, the Baptistery with its magnificent bronze doors, the Signoria Square with its Renaissance sculptures and the fine marble architecture of the Santa Croce Basilica, which we visit to see the resting place of Michelangelo and many other great artists, scientists and politicians. There's time to shop for fine leather goods and 18-carat gold designer jewellery before perhaps taking an excursion to Pisa — famous for its amazing Leaning Tower. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Florence — Venice (Lido) Today it's a short drive to magical Venice where we enjoy a canal cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Later we visit a traditional glass-blowing factory and our Tour Director shows us a Hidden Treasure of this unique city! Perhaps discover the Island of Burano — one of the many islands in the lagoon — and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch with fish freshly caught in the lagoon. This evening, before dinner at our hotel, a romantic gondola serenade as you glide through the narrow canals of this Byzantine masterpiece, would be hard to resist! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Venice (Lido) - Rome Our morning drive takes us across the fertile Po Valley to Bologna, where we join the Autostrada del Sole for the beautiful journey over the Apennine Mountains. We drive back through the unique Tuscan landscape, the shady hills of Umbria and return to the region of Rome, Lazio. Later this evening we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. (BuffetBreakfast / Farwell Dinner)
Day 8 - Rome — USA Today, it's 'Arrivederci Roma' as your Tour Director transfers you to the airport for your return flight to the USA. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 - Christmas & New Year's Eve Highlights Tour departures 19 & 24 Dec will be accommodated in Rome over Christmas and tour departures 21 Dec will be accommodated in Florence. Tour departures 26 Dec will be accommodated in Venice on New Year's Eve giving you the opportunity to celebrate in true Venetian style.
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