italy_fascinating

Day 1 Depart USA Overnight flight to Milan. Day 2 Arrive Milan On arrival at Milan's Malpensa Airport, you are transferred to your hotel. After check-in, an orientation of Italy's financial and fashion capital shows us the Gothic Duomo, the 19th century Galleria and "La Scala" Opera house. Later before dinner at our hotel, we enjoy a welcome beverage with our Tour Director and fellow travelers. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Day 3 Milan – Verona (2) The morning is at leisure, perhaps visit some of Milan's museums before we head for the city of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers – Verona. Here our sightseeing on foot with a local guide takes us to visit the 2,000 year old arena, plus see Juliet's balcony, the ornate tombs of the noble Scaliger family and the Church of St. Zeno, Verona's patron saint. Later, time on your own, why not shop in the chic boutiques? Hotel: Leopardi (2 nights)
Day 4 Venice Excursion Today a short drive brings us to magical Venice, where we cruise by private launch past Palladian palazzos to St. Mark's Square. We see the Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs before seeing a demonstration of Murano glass-blowing. Afterwards, free time to take an excursion into the Lagoon and enjoy a seafood lunch or maybe delight in a gondola serenade! Later, we return to Verona. Day 5 Verona – Florence This morning we drive via Mantua and Bologna and on through the Apennine Mountains to Renaissance Florence. Our sightseeing on foot takes us to Piazza della Signoria, Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower and to the Santa Croce district. Then time at leisure to maybe shop, before a panoramic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Hotel: Raffaello Day 6 Florence – Pisa – Monte Carlo (2) Today we drive to Pisa to see the incredible Leaning Tower and the marble Cathedral in the 'Square of Miracles'. Then we continue along the Italian Riviera, past Genoa, Columbus' birthplace. We enter France at Ventimiglia en route to the Principality of Monaco, where we stay in Monte Carlo. This evening, we enjoy a dinner of Monegasque specialties in a local restaurant. Hotel: Marriott Cap d'ail (2 nights) Day 7 Monaco sightseeing Our morning orientation of Monaco includes the Cathedral with the afternoon free to explore
	Day 9 Chamonix After breakfast we enjoy an orientation of this amazing mountain resort including the Old Town. Perhaps take an excursion on one of the cable cars and funiculars up the Aiguille du Midi for a splendid Alpine panorama over the Monte Rosa and the Mont Cervin. Later, why not try the local melted cheese specialty – Raclette – or simply relax and breathe in the fresh Alpine air? Dine at our hotel tonight.
Day 10 Chamonix – Italian Lakes – Milan Enjoy another scenic day as we travel via Martigny and along the Rhône Valley through Switzerland to the Simplon Pass. Next into Italy and the beautiful Italian Lakes. We stop at the pretty resort of Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, to view the stunning Borromean islands. Then on to Milan, for our final night. Why not dine on some fine Milanese cuisine at one of the city's elegant restaurants? Hotel: Crowne Plaza Day 11 Milan – USA Bid farewell as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America.