italian_holiday

Day 1 Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome. Day 2 Arrive Rome (2) Trafalgar meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. After check-in the rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps relax over a cappuccino at a café on the Via Veneto or explore the elegant shops along the Via Condotti. This afternoon, enjoy a welcome beverage with your Tour Director and meet your fellow travelers. Hotel: Melia Roma Aurelia Antica (2 nights)
Day 3 Rome sightseeing Today's highlight is our visit to the Sistine Chapel where we admire the painted ceiling by Michelangelo. Then we are taken into St. Peter's Basilica to see the famous Pieta – among other great works. From here we cross the Tiber to ancient Rome stopping at the Forum to admire the mighty Colosseum. Finally our local guide takes us to the Trevi Fountain where we have the chance to throw in a coin to ensure our safe return to the 'Eternal City'! At leisure perhaps visit the Catacombs and this evening why not dine on that famous Roman cuisine in a typical trattoria?
	Day 4 Rome – Venice (Mestre) We drive through the Umbrian Hills, past Orvieto and into the Apennine Mountains. Past hilltop villages, we reach the gastronomic heart of Italy – the Emilia Romagna. Then past Bologna and along the Veneto Plain to magical Venice. Tonight, there's time to enjoy a gondola serenade. Hotel: Antony
Day 5 Venice sightseeing – Italian Lakes We enjoy a canal cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square, with views of the Bridge of Sighs and Doges' Palace this morning. After a visit to a traditional glass-blowing factory, you're free to do as you please. Why not take a trip to Burano, where you can find bargains in hand-made lace and enjoy a seafood lunch? Later, we travel across the Veneto Plains and Lombardy past Milan and head towards the Italian Lake District for the night. Hotel: Simplon
Day 6 Italian Lakes – Florence Perhaps take a trip across the lake to the Borromean islands before we make our way to Renaissance Florence. Here we enjoy a sightseeing tour on foot showing us the Duomo, Baptistry, Piazza Signoria and Santa Croce Basilica. Then there's time to shop for quality leather and gold jewelry in the area around Santa Croce, or browse in the elegant boutiques. Hotel: Grand Mediterraneo Day 7 Florence – Rome Today we enjoy a pleasant journey back to the Italian capital, with an early afternoon arrival in Rome. Perhaps take an excursion to the ancient Sabine town of Tivoli or visit the beautiful fountains and gardens of the Villa d'Este. Hotel: Hilton Airport Day 8 Rome – USA Farewell to Italy and 'buon viaggio' on our return flight to America.