 Day 1, Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT
TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
Day 2, Sun. ARRIVAL IN ROME,
ITALY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for
you to explore Italy’s ancient capital. Tonight meet your tour
director and fellow travelers.
Day 3, Mon.
ROME-ORVIETO-TUSCANY. This morning start your journey northwards
to Orvieto in the province of Umbria to visit its black basalt and
yellow limestone cathedral. Next enjoy the beauty of the Tuscan
countryside with its hillside towns and villages that skirt the
Chianti wine growing region of Castellina. Overnight in Poggibonsi,
situated in the heart of Tuscany almost halfway between Pisa and
Siena and next door to San Gimignano. No better place than this to
easily get around in Tuscany. (B,D)
Day 4, Tue. TUSCANY.
EXCURSION TO FLORENCE. A full day is dedicated to the city
that’s known as the Cradle of the Renaissance. Wander at leisure and
admire the city’s timeless beauty. Traffic is banned in part of the
historic center. The included walking tour with a local guide will
introduce you to most of the city’s highlights. (B,D)
Day 5, Wed. TUSCANY. Take
advantage of today’s optional excursion to San Gimignano, one of
Italy’s best-preserved medieval towns. Admire its 14 towers and the
countryside dotted with vineyards and olive trees. Next is Siena,
rightly considered the jewel of Tuscany. The Piazza del Campo is
quite unique in shape and setting, and famous the world over for the
Palio horse racing event. Tonight join the optional Tuscan dinner.
(B)
Day 6, Thu. TUSCANY.
EXCURSION TO PISA. This morning enjoy the short drive to Pisa to
see its world famous Square of Miracles and Leaning Tower. Take a
stroll down the busy Via Santa Maria, perhaps Pisa’s most typical
street. In the afternoon there is the option of a trip into the
Chianti Valley. (B,D)
Day 7, Fri.
TUSCANY-VERONA-PADUA-VENICE AREA. A comfortable drive north
today first through more of Tuscany, then into the flatlands of the
Po Valley and across its river to Verona on the banks of the Adige.
Get to know more about this enchanting city on your included
sightseeing tour that will take in all the highlights and, of
course, the famous balcony of Romeo and Juliet. Continue to
Padua, famous for its university and the great Basilica of St.
Anthony. Later a short drive to your overnight hotel in the Venice
area. (B)
Day 8, Sat. VENICE.
Venice is a city of unparalleled beauty and a feast of wonderful
sights. View the delightful criss-crossing canals, the gondolas,
water buses, arched bridges, palaces and quiet little piazzas. Enjoy
the included city sightseeing with a local guide, which starts with
a boat ride and is followed by most of the city’s highlights such as
St. Mark’s Basilica and a visit to a typical Venetian glass blowing
factory. In the afternoon join one of the many choice optional
excursions. (B,D)
Day 9, Sun. VENICE
AREA-RAVENNA-SAN MARINO. South today to Ravenna, at one time an
imperial city known as the “Byzantium of the West.” After a short
stop here continue to the tiny hilltop republic of San Marino.
(B,D)
Day 10, Mon. SAN
MARINO-URBINO-GUBBIO-ASSISI AREA. First to Urbino, with its
magnificent Ducal Palace towering over the town. Then on to medieval
Gubbio where a superb view of the rooftops of the town from the
Consul’s Palace is a must. Continue on to Assisi, birthplace of the
mystical St. Francis, and overnight in nearby Foligno.
(B,D)
Day 11, Tue. ASSISI
AREA-MONTE CASSINO-NAPLES. Start the day by visiting the
Basilica of St. Francis. Travel south across the Apennines into the
province of Latium for a stop in Monte Cassino, famous for its
Benedictine Abbey. Next continue to the shores of the Mediterranean
for overnight in Naples, rightly known as Italy’s most colorful
city. (B,D)
Day 12, Wed. NAPLES.
EXCURSION TO CAPRI. Cross the blue sea to Capri. This legendary
island, surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, has incredibly beautiful
coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty
piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart
restaurants, is a mecca
for the jet set. An optional tour takes
you round the island with its steep roads and panoramic views.
(B,D)
Day 13, Thu. NAPLES.
EXCURSION TO POMPEII. This morning get to know more about
lively, bustling, and mind-boggling Naples on the included
orientation drive. Next Pompeii, where time stopped for the rich,
aristocratic town with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Return to Naples in time for the optional dinner outing.
(B)
Day 14, Fri. NAPLES-ROME.
North this morning back to the Eternal City with plenty of time to
enjoy one of the optional excursions, to do last minute shopping, or
maybe sip a drink in Piazza Navona and watch the world go by.
(B)
Day 15, Sat. ROME. This
city is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exiting and
absolutely unique. Included sightseeing with a local guide starts in
St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the
mighty Colosseum. Then some more time to do just as you please.
(B)
Day 16, Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND
FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B) | 
