Rome Sightseeing includes views of the Forum, Colosseum, the Circus Maximus plusvisits St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain and the Sistine* Chapel.
Pompeii Visit the excavations.
Sorrento Witness the art of inlaid wood–working. Excursion to the Isle of Capri.
Assisi Sightseeing includes St. Francis' Basilica.
Ravenna Visit the Church of Saint Apollinaris in Classe and admire its Mosaics.
Pomposa View the ancient Romanesque Abbey.
Venice Canal cruise by private launch. See St. Mark's Square, the Byzantine Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a traditional glass–blowing factory.
Verona See the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony.
Milan* See the Duomo.
Lugano Excursion Visit this magnificent lakeside resort.
Pisa View the Leaning Tower.
Florence Sightseeing featuring a visit to Signoria Square and the Santa Croce Basilica. Admire Florentine leatherwork and the panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Siena Visit the medieval Tuscan city, home of the Palio horse race.
Scenic drives along the Sorrento Peninsula, the Adriatic Coast, Italian Lakes, Lombardy Plains, Apennine Mountains, Chianti wine region and Umbrian and Tuscan Hills.
*Note: On certain departures Milan will be visited on Day 10 and Lugano on Day 9.
Note: Friday departures will visit the Sistine Chapel before the departure to Sorrento on Day 4.
Dining Highlights
A welcome drink with your Tour Director in Rome.
12 Buffet breakfasts
6 three–course dinners in hotels
1 local speciality restaurant dinner in Sorrento
19 meals in total(see day–by–day itinerary)
First Class Travel Highlights The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi–lingual Tour Directors. A qualified local city guide in Rome, Pompeii, Assisi and Florence. Chauffeur driven on Trafalgar's luxury air–conditioned motorcoaches with reclining seats and washroom. Cruise to the Isle of Capri. A stylish travel bag and wallet containing tour documents and helpful information. First Class Hotels You'll stay in twin–bedded rooms with private facilities in these superb hotel:
Rome: Ripa Sorrento: Johanna Park/ Parco delSole/ La Residenza Assisi: Giotto Venice (Mestre): Laguna Palace Italian Lakes(Baveno): Dino Baveno Florence: Grand Mediterraneo Rome: Sheraton Gulf
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
Airport Transfers Transfers will be provided for passengers who have booked our Land +Air package. Group transfers on arrival at Rome Airport will operate at 9:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Rome Airport at 7:00 and 9:30.
For passengers who book Trafalgar's Land only package and who choose to make their own flight arrangements, a transfer will be provided at a charge of $25 per person round trip. Your Travel Agent must provide Trafalgar accurate flight details no less than 21 days prior to tour departure and must arrange your flights to coincide with our specific arrival and departure transfer times. If however, you arrive outside the scheduled transfer times, then you must make your own alternative transfer arrangements at your own expense.
Call (917) 882-7651 for more information or to book today!
You are met at Rome airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. This afternoon, we enjoy a welcome drink with our Tour Director.
First, with a local guide we visit the Sistine* Chapel to admire the great work of Michelangelo. Then we head into St. Peter's Basilica to see this amazing building. Next we cross the Tiber into ancient Rome stopping in the Forum to admire the colossal Colosseum, before heading to the Circus Maximus where at one time 'Ben Hur' style chariot races took place. The rest of the day is at leisure to sightsee further or relax in a sidewalk café. (Buffet Breakfast)
Today we head past the Abbey of Monte Cassino to the Bay of Naples. Next we enjoy a guided tour of Pompeii, the town frozen in time when it was engulfed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Then we drive along the coastline to Sorrento. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 5
Isle of Capri
After breakfast we witness the art of inlaid wood–working, one of the crafts of the Sorrento peninsula, before embarking on our excursion by ferry to the Isle of Capri. Time to explore this lovely island. Why not visit the Blue Grotto (weather permitting) before our return to Sorrento? Tonight, we enjoy dinner in a picturesque restaurant. (Buffet breakfast/ Restaurant dinner in Sorrento)
We head to the province of Umbria and Assisi. This city under the protection of St. Francis is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. Sightseeing here includes St. Francis' Basilica, renowned for its fresco paintings. At leisure, why not shop for local handicrafts? (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Our first stop today is at Ravenna with its ancient mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Here we visit the Church of Saint Apollinaris in Classe before seeing the Romanesque Basilica of Pomposa. Then on to the floating city of Venice. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Absorb this city's unique atmosphere on our canal cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square. We view the Bridge of Sighs before a visit to a traditional glass–blowing factory. Then time on your own to perhaps discover Burano. Tonight a gondola serenade would be hard to resist. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
We start the day with a drive to Verona stopping to admire the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony. Next we cross the plains of Lombardy to Milan, where we see the gothic 'Duomo'. Then on to the Italian Lake District. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Today we enjoy an excursion into the Ticino, the Italian–speaking region of Switzerland, to visit the resort of Lugano. There's time to shop or relax with a cappuccino in the main square. Later, we return to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Our morning drive takes us via the Plains of Lombardy and cross the Apennine Mountains to Genoa, Christopher Columbus' birthplace. Next off to Pisa to see the extraordinary Leaning Tower, before arriving at Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. (Buffet Breakfast)
The Cathedral, Signoria Square and a visit to Santa Croce Basilica highlight our sightseeing tour on foot, together with a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, you may wish to discover the artistic wonders in the museums or shop for leather and gold. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
We enjoy a scenic drive through the Chianti wine–producing region to Siena. Here there's time to explore the wonders of this beautiful city before a late afternoon arrival in Rome. This evening why not discover the city's culinary delights in a local trattoria? (Buffet breakfast)
Day 14
Return USA
Today we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
Modern hotels in Rome: the Crowne
Plaza St Peters
with its magnificent garden setting
close to the Vatican, and the Sheraton Roma
in the EUR district. Traditional hotels
in the other centres include the 15th
century
Continental or Principe in magical
Venice.
Fellow Passengers
This tour attracts the first–time
visitor to Italy
who wishes to see the major highlights
of this beautiful country in 10 days. It
also appeals to those with a love of
history, art, architecture, Italian cuisine
and ‘la dolce
vita’.
Highlights
Highlights are many: the ancient
historic and
religious sights of Rome, the touching
beauty of Assisi, the unique waterscape of
Venice, the artistic heritage of
Florence (epitomised by the statue of
David) and
the stunning scenery of Capri, the
Island of Dreams.
Enjoy our
Premium Highlights plus these
extra tour features
Excursions &
Sights
Tour St Peter’s
Basilica and visit the
Spanish Steps in Rome
Visit the Basilicas of St
Francis & St Mary of the Angels
in Assisi
Cruise, with commentary, to St
Mark’s Square in Venice
See the Bridge
of Sighs, Doges’ Palace &
St Mark’s Basilica
Scenic Brenta Canal drive
past the summer mansions of the
Venetian nobility
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa,
Cathedral & Baptistery
See Florence’s
Duomo, ‘Gates of
Paradise’ & Signoria
Square
Visit the Commonwealth Cemetery
at Cassino
Demonstration
of traditional Florentine
leather–work, Demonstration of
‘Intarsio’ marquetry
inlay woodworking in Sorrento
Demonstration of traditional
glass–blowing in Venice
Scenic
Apennine Mountains drive
Cliff–top drive from Sorrento
to Naples overlooking the
Bay of Naples
Guided City Tours
Indepth sightseeing tours in Rome,
Assisi,
Florence & Pompeii
Orientation tours of Venice,
Sorrento & Isle of Capri
Insight's First Class Services
Escorted by a professional Tour
Director
Luxury
air–conditioned 40 seat coach with
onboard toilet
First–class hotels with all service
charges, taxes and porterage
Travel bag, document wallet, map
book journal and information
pack
Quality Dining
Call (917) 882-7651 for more information or to book today!
Tour Duration: 11 days
DAY 1 – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Rome.
DAY 2 – ROME AT LEISURE
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city
filled with Classical
antiquities, medieval buildings,
Renaissance palaces and
baroque churches. On arrival at
Rome’s Fiumicino
Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there
are complimentary
transfers to your tour
hotel. After checking in, there’s
time at leisure to explore or relax.
Spend time in the
boutiques of the Via del Corso or the
elegant designer
stores of the Via Condotti. As night
falls, meet your Tour
Director and fellow travellers for a
Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St
Peters.
DAY 3 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy an indepth sightseeing
tour with a local guide who
will take you inside the Vatican
Museums to gaze upon
the treasures of the Popes. Also see
Michelangelo’s famous
ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel.
Tour St Peter’s Basilica
to wonder at another of his
works, the emotive
‘Pieta’, then cross the
Tiber to visit the Colosseum, scene of many
gladiatorial contests. After
seeing the Roman Forum, the
rest of the day is yours to relax,
sightsee or shop. (BB)
DAY 4 – ROME –
ASSISI
Leave Rome and follow the valley of
the River Tiber to the
hills of Umbria, which form part of
the Apennines. Your
destination is the peaceful hill–top
town of Assisi, the
home of St Francis. Visit the
Basilica of St Mary of the
Angels, built on the site of
the original Porziuncule Chapel
foundations, then continue up
Mount Subasio to the town
and visit the Basilica of St
Francis with its magnificent
frescoes by the artist Giotto.
Hotel: Subasio. (BB,D)
DAY 5 – ASSISI –
VENICE
A pleasant drive leads to the
romantic city of Venice, and
what better way to see it than from a
private launch? Cruise
past Palladian churches and 13th century
palaces
to St Mark’s square
and disembark to see the
Doges’
Palace, connected to the
prisons by the Bridge of Sighs.
It was from here that Casanova
made his daring escape. After turning
the corner and admiring the
mosaics of the
Basilica, watch one of the few
remaining Masters blow
molten glass into a unique
creation at a Venetian
glass–blowing factory. Relax and
enjoy the atmosphere
as you cruise along the Venetian
canals by gondola. Hotel:
Continental/Principe/Amadeus.
(BB,D)
DAY 6 – VENICE –
TUSCANY
Leave magical Venice, and drive along
the scenic Brenta
Canal with its magnificent
Palladian villas, once the
summer residences of Venetian
nobility. Cross the plain of
the Po River and traverse the
Apennines, the hilly
backbone of Italy, to reach the Arno
valley. Follow the
river westwards to the coastal town of
Pisa to see the
famous Leaning Tower, where
elaborate steps have been
taken to prevent this landmark from
falling over. Time
also to admire the marble
cathedral and Baptistery before
continuing to the Tuscan spa resort of
Montecatini for a
two–night stay. Hotel: Francia
& Quirinale. (BB)
DAY 7 – FLORENCE
SIGHTSEEING
Drive to the Tuscan capital,
Florence, and join a
local
guide for a walking tour and
highlight visit to the
Academy Gallery to see
Michelangelo’s monumental
figure of David. Continue to
the multi–coloured marble
Cathedral of Santa Maria dei
Fiore to see Giotto’s
belltower and
‘Gates of Paradise’
before visiting the Piazza
della Signoria, still the
political heart of Florence. The
area around Santa Croce
Basilica is
famous for the quality of its
luxury goods; see a
demonstration of leatherwork
in the very place this craft
first established itself. Then,
there’s free time to shop for
Florence’s finest or continue
sightseeing. (BB,D)
DAY 8 – TUSCANY –
SORRENTO
Take the smooth motorway south
through the rich
volcanic hills of Frascati to
Cassino and visit the
Commonwealth Cemetery,
overlooked by the austere
monastery of Montecassino –
headquarters of the
Benedictine order. Take the clifftop
road to your hotel in
the picturesque resort of
Sorrento. Hotel: La Pace.
(BB)
DAY 9 – ISLE OF CAPRI
EXCURSION
Spend the morning being shown the art
of ‘intarsio’
or marquetry wood inlaying before
cruising to the
sun–drenched island of dreams, Capri
– a rock rising
from the Mediterranean. Take the
funicular train up to
the main village (Capri Town),
then spend time
exploring the narrow alleyways,
browse in the exclusive
boutiques and enjoy the fabulous
views over the
Mediterranean Sea. Join an
optional tour to Anacapri to
visit Villa San Michele before
returning to your hotel for
some time to relax. (BB,D)
DAY 10 – SORRENTO –
ROME
Only a short drive from the
hotel lies Pompeii, the
opulent Roman town which was preserved
by layers of
ash from the disastrous eruption of
Mount Vesuvius in
AD79. A walking tour through the
varied and extensive
excavations with a local guide brings
the ancient, ill–
fated city to life.
Afterwards, the smooth motorway
leads back to the ‘Eternal
City’ of Rome. Tonight, stop
by the elegant Spanish Steps and
Boat Fountain on the
way to a special Highlight
Dinner of local cuisine,
complete with wine and
entertainment.Hotel:
Sheraton/Crowne Plaza St Peters.
(BB,HD)
DAY 11 – RETURN TO USA
Arrivederci Roma! The tour ends
with transfers to
Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci
Airport. (BB)
Dates/Pricing
Click Quote or call us to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!
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