ART CITIES:  8 Day Tour

The perfect introduction to Europe’s most visited destination, this eclectic tour travels from Rome heading North of this amazingly diverse country, providing our guests an opportunity to explore the most beautiful and intriguing parts of Italy, from its vibrant cities, like Rome and Venice, to its bucolic countryside. A balanced blend of sightseeing, guided touring, and time for leisure, this tour is ideal for travelers of all experience levels, from the novice European visitor to seasoned travelers who’ve already scoped out their favorite parts of this remarkable country. From beginning to end, this tour provides you with memories that last a lifetime, all wrapped up in one neat little package –Italy!

Itinerary At a Glance

• DAY 1: Venice
• DAY 2: Venice
• DAY 3: Venice-Florence
• DAY 4: Florence
• DAY 5: Florence-Rome
• DAY 6: Rome
• DAY 7: Rome
• DAY 8: Rome

Day 1:  VENICE

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel, after which you can spend the remainder of the day as you wish. Settle in for an overnight stay.

Day 2:  VENICE

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll embark on a morning walking tour of one of the world’s most romantic cities (meet at 9:00 a.m. at Piazza San Marco tourism office near the Correr Museum). World-famous for its canals and gondolas and its numerous museums, palazzi, churches, and villas, the New York Times has dubbed Venice “undoubtedly the most beautiful city ever built by man.” This morning, we will see the Doge’s Palace, the ducal residence and symbol of great authority; the famous Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners got their last look at Venice before being incarcerated; St. Mark’s Square, known for its abundant pigeon population and beautiful St. Mark’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and one of the most photographed churches in the world. In the afternoon, you can continue exploring at your leisure and then return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 3:  VENICE, FLORENCE

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the train station at a designated time and depart for a picturesque train ride to Florence.Spend the night in this cultural city.

Day 4:  FLORENCE

After breakfast, we’ll spend the day exploring this popular city of Etruscan- Roman origins, which flourished in the Middle Ages as a free commune. Now the most populated city in Tuscany, Florence is recognized as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and is lauded for its magnificent sites.

You’ll visit the architectural gem of Florence, the domed cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as The Duomo. This 14th century masterpiece is visible throughout the city and is the most-visited attraction in Florence. The tour will then proceed to the Campanile (bell tower), partly designed by Giotto, and the accompanying Baptistery, graced with spectacular bronze doors that artist Michelangelo dubbed “The Gates of Paradise.” Other city sites include the Florence Accademia Gallery, where visitors can view Michelangelo’s David, the Ufizzi Gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Ponte Vechhio, Florence’s oldest bridge.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, with the option of visiting nearby Pisa. Known, of course, for its famous Leaning Tower, Pisa achieved notoriety as one of Italy’s four 11th century Maritime Republics and was the birthplace of physicist/astronomer Galileo. While in Pisa, we’ll take time to admire the Square of Miracles where we’ll find the lovely Duomo, the quirky Leaning Tower, and many other notable sites.

Upon return to Florence, you’ll eat dinner and settle in for an overnight stay.

Day 5:  FLORENCE, ROME

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and get ready for an exciting morning tour (meet at ~9:15 at Piazza Stazione corner to Piazza Dell’Unita), which will include visits to the magnificent 14th century Duomo with its famous dome, visible throughout the city, the Baptistery with its stunning golden doors by Ghiberti; Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Academy of Fine Arts where you’ll view the original statue of David by Michelangelo, and the busy Piazza della Signoria with its wonderful statuary.  In the late afternoon (4:00-4:30 p.m.), we’ll depart by bus for Rome for an overnight stay.

Day 6:  ROME

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start the day at 7:45 a.m. with a morning tour that will include visits to the famed Trevi Fountain (don’t forget to throw in a coin!), the Greco-Roman Pantheon, (except on Monday); Piazza Navona, where Romans came to watch the ancient games, and St. Peter’s Basilica, the symbolic “mother church” of the Roman Catholic Church, with seating for 60,000 worshipers!  Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to dine, shop, or explore more sights of ancient and modern Rome. We’ll spend the night in The Eternal City.

Day 7:  ROME

Eat breakfast at the hotel. Today, the entire day’s itinerary is up to you.Spend it as you wish or opt for the Coliseum Tour, which includes visits to the Coliseum, a masterpiece of Rome Architecture and Engineering, The Roman Forum (once the economic hub of the city) and Palatine Hill, where Roman mythology says the twins Romulus and Remus were raised. The city would later be names after Romulus.Return to the hotel in the evening for an overnight stay.

Day 8:  ROME

Have breakfast at the hotel and say goodbye to the Eternal City. End of services.

Not ready to go home yet? Having too much fun exploring magnificent Italy? Your travel specialist will review all the options available to you at the end of the trip, including an extended opportunity to explore the country or the option of spending an extra night in Rome. If you must go, you’ll head to the airport for your return home. Remember, we are always eager to help you create the travel experience you desire, so don’t hesitate to ask if you’d like to keep your travel options open!

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: 3 and 4 star hotel pricing available

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The tour includes:

• Private transfer to and from airport
• Transportation by deluxe motor coach
• Multilingual tour guide and escort
• Accommodation at the hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Panoramic visits as per itinerary
• Luggage service: 1 piece of luggage per person in Florence and Venice
• Taxes and fees
• 24 hour emergency hotline

The tour does not include:

• Tips
• Drinks and extras in hotel
• Entrance fees to monuments or museums
• Everything that is not mentioned in the paragraph “the TOUR includes”
• Extra luggage may incur an additional fee