7 day tour (6 nights) - Deluxe Tour
Day 1: See the Glories of the Roman Empire
Tour departs: Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino. Discover
ancient relics of the Roman Empire as you travel from the airport
to Rome, capital of Italy and the ancient world. See the Circus
Maximus, where Roman chariot races were held, the Baths of Caracalla
and Palatine Hill, believed to be the home of Rome's mythical founder,
Romulus, before arriving at your hotel for a two-night stay. A local
guide will take you on a fascinating journey through history this
afternoon! Walk in the brave footsteps of ancient gladiators in
the Roman Forum and have your picture taken with Roman Centurions
at the Colosseum, the most stirring site of ancient Rome. Join us
for a festive welcome dinner tonight. Meals LD
Day 2: Explore Ancient Rome
Visit the Pantheon this morning with a local expert during a walking
tour of Ancient Rome. Enjoy genuine Italian gelato by the famous
fountains in Piazza Navona; see the massive fortress of Castel Sant'
Angelo across the Tiber River, dating back to the days of Emperor
Hadrian in 139 AD, and tour awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica.
Spend the afternoon as you wish before joining us for an evening
stroll down Via Veneto; stop at a Capuchin church for a glimpse
of the scary skeletons of Italian monks who are entombed here! Dine
family-style in charming Trastevere tonight at the oldest restaurant
in Rome. Meals BD
Day 3: Stay in a Medieval Hilltop Village
Travel back to medieval Italy this morning, a land of rolling hills,
cypress trees and domed basilicas. Your first stop is Orvieto, former
stronghold of the Etruscan civilization. See the colorful Duomo,
one of Italy's greatest cathedrals, built during the late 13th century
and have lunch in a typical country "trattoria." Stay
in a lovely country-style hotel, set amidst the medieval village
of Todi. Meals BL
Day 4: Discover The Art of Florence
Travel through the lush landscapes of Umbria to Assisi, built into
the side of a hill in the 12th century; learn about the life of
St. Francis when you visit the Basilica di San Francesco, hearing
stories about his ability to "talk" to the animals. Journey
through Tuscany to Florence, city of art and birthplace of the Renaissance.
A local art historian will share insights on the legends and lore
of David and Goliath in preparation for your visit to the Galleria
dell'Accademia, the first art school in Europe, and home to Michelangelo's
famous statue of David. Meals BL
Day 5: Take the High-Speed Eurostar to Venice
Admire the treasures of Florence today as you wish, perhaps visiting
the enormous Brunelleschi Duomo; renowned as the largest dome of
its time, it still stands as the tallest structure in Florence!
Board the sleek Eurostar train for a high-speed trip to Venice this
afternoon, where a private boat will be waiting to take you to the
heart of the city in St. Mark's Square. Explore the mysterious Basilica
di San Marco, shimmering with decorative mosaics, and tour the grand
Doge's Palace, an eloquent example of Venetian Gothic architecture.
This evening is free to see the sights of the city on your own.
Meals B
Day 6: Learn How to "Drive" a Gondola
Imagine going to gondola school to learn how to "drive"
in Venice; today you do just that at a local school where you may
have an opportunity to participate in a hands-on demonstration!
The remainder of the day is free to do whatever you please in Venice!
Join us for a farewell dinner tonight as we say "Arrivederci"
to Italia Bella. Meals BD
Day 7: Journey Home
Tour ends: Venice's Marco Polo Airport two and one-half hours prior
to the departure of our selected flight(s). A transfer to the airport
is included. Meals B
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