italian_discovery

Rome • Florence • Pisa • Turin • Milan • Venice • Bologna • Assisi
Discover 'la vera Italia' on this fabulous journey. Byzantine Venice, Renaissance Florence and Imperial Rome are just some of the great places you'll visit. An added bonus is the Italian Lakes, fashionable Milan and Turin, home of 'espresso', Martini and Fiat! If you love all things Italian then this is definitely the tour for you.
First Class Hotels

Day 1 Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome. Day 2 Arrive Rome (2) You are met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, time to relax or perhaps take a stroll through this historic city. This afternoon we get together with our Tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome beverage. Hotel: Villa Pamphili (2 nights)
Day 3 Rome sightseeing Today's first highlight is a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel to gaze in awe at Michelangelo's beautiful painted ceiling. Then we visit St. Peter's Basilica and cross the Tiber to ancient Rome where we stop in the Forum to admire the Colosseum. Finally drop a coin in the Trevi Fountain before free time to maybe visit the Catacombs on the Appian Way, and later, try out some great Roman cuisine in a typical Trattoria.
	Day 4 Rome – Florence It's a short drive through the Latium, Umbria and into Tuscany en route to Renaissance Florence. On arrival we enjoy a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo before our guided walking tour. We'll see the magnificent Duomo and Baptistry, the Piazza Signoria and the Piazza Santa Croce. Then free time to shop for leather and 18 carat gold. This evening, we dine at our hotel. Hotel: Demidoff
Day 5 Florence – Turin Our first stop is Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the Square of Miracles. Time for photos before driving past the marble quarries of Carrara and the resorts of Portofino and Rapallo. At Genoa, Columbus' birthplace, we drive towards the Alps and Turin, capital of Piedmont. Here an orientation tour shows us the 'Antonelliana' building and the striking Piazza San Carlo. Hotel: Starhotel Majestic Day 6 Turin – Milan The Italian Lakes beckon! First we travel to Lake Maggiore making a stop in elegant Stresa, facing the pretty Borromean islands. Then a scenic drive along the lake will bring us to the capital of Lombardy, Milan. Here an orientation of Italy's most fashionable capital includes the Galleria, Piazza del Duomo where we admire the gothic Cathedral, and the famous Opera house, La Scala. Tonight, enjoy a typical Milanese dinner in a downtown restaurant. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Day 7 Milan – Venice (Lido) (2) Today's first stop is a visit to the Cistercian Abbey of Pavia, an important architectural monument in Italy. Later, into the Veneto we stop to visit Mantua with its arcaded streets and Cathedral. We also visit the 16th century Ducal Palace to admire its paintings. Then on to magical Venice. Hotel: Golf Residence (2 nights)
Day 8 Venice sightseeing Today's included canal cruise to St. Mark's Square shows us the Doges' Palace and Basilica en route to one of the oldest Murano glass-blowing workshops. We'll witness a demonstration of this ancient art before free time. Perhaps relax over a cappuccino in a café or take an excursion to one of the other 2000 islands in the Lagoon! Later, why not experience this city from an elegant gondola?
Day 9 Venice (Lido) – Bologna We see Juliet's balcony in Verona before our arrival in Bologna, famous for its University, architecture, fine sausages and hams. Bologna is a feast for the senses all of them! An orientation tour shows us Neptune's fountain, the 'kissing' Towers and Piazza Maggiore. Later, perhaps enjoy some of the city's fine cuisine at a local trattoria! Hotel: Sheraton Bologna Day 10 Bologna – Assisi – Rome This morning we travel over the Apennine Mountains to Assisi, the peaceful home-town of St. Francis. We visit the Basilica as well as the Church of St. Mary of the Angels with its famous rose garden. Then its a short drive back to Rome via the town of Orte. This evening, why not enjoy a 'passegiata' (evening walk) along the Via Condotti? Hotel: Hilton Airport Day 11 Rome – USA It's 'buon viaggio' as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America.