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Best of Italy
Tour Description:
TAKE THE REINS FOR THIS MEMORABLE INDEPENDENT VACATION THROUGH THE VERY BEST OF ITALY, WHICH INCLUDES TIME IN THREE AMAZING CITIES: ROME, FLORENCE AND VENICE.
Choose your adventures, savor authentic cuisine and experience some of the most amazing cities in the world on this 10-day expedition through Italy. The tour includes overnight accommodations in elegant hotels and unique guided touring in along the way. On this independent vacation, much of your time in each city is spent exploring at your leisure - perfect for the traveler who enjoys meandering through cities at their own pace. Begin in Rome, with four days to immerse yourself in the rich history of the city. In addition to the remnants of ancient Rome, there are numerous museums and landmarks to explore. Moving on to Florence, follow in the footsteps of famous artists from years past as you explore. The final stop on this tour is Venice, the City of Water. This legendary “floating” city is a hub of culture, food and fantastic history. This incredible program allows you to customize your experience and to create the Italian getaway that meets your travel desires.
Highlights:
* Rail travel on local rail networks
* Hotel accommodations for 9 nights
* 9 meals
* Rome city tour
* Tour of Frascati Winery
* Florence city tour
* Gondola ride in Venice
* Select transfers
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Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 - Rome
As your flight arrives at Rome’s international airport today, you are treated to an included shared transfer to your centrally-located hotel. Once you are settled in, feel free to begin your explorations or to dine in one of the local eateries. Overnight Rome.
Day 2 - Tour of Ancient Rome
Take the morning at leisure in Rome. Perhaps visit the Pantheon, one of the most famous attractions in the world, or make a wish in the Trevi Fountain. You could also trek up the 135 Spanish steps or marvel at the street performers and vendors in Piazza Navona. There are cafés, pizzerias and sandwich shops all throughout the city once you have worked up an appetite.
This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the sites of ancient Rome, including the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. An expert guide leads you through the city and provides fascinating tidbits about the immense history of Rome and the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. The excursion also takes you to the Colosseum, where you enjoy skip the line entrance and step back to the time of Gladiators. During our time in the 2,000-year-old structure, your guide takes you on to the arena floor, underground and even up to the third level. Overnight Rome. (B)
Day 3 - Wine Tour by Rail
The flavors of Italy are brought to life during your tour of a Frascati winery today. Travel to the town by rail alongside a small group of other tourists and enjoy a glimpse at the vineyards, a walk-through of the wine-making process and a look at the old cellars on the property. Both white and red varietals are produced here, as is olive oil. Savor tastings while gazing upon vistas of Rome. A lunch of traditional fare is served at the winery as well. Upon your return this afternoon, the remainder of the day is yours to continue your explorations of Rome. Overnight Rome. (B)
Day 4 - Rome at Leisure
Continue exploring the modern and historic sides of Rome today during your time at leisure. Perhaps visit one of the local museums, such as Capitoline Museums, a famed art museum; Galleria Borghese, which includes Neoclassical sculptures and stunning gardens; and Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, a museum that houses both 19th- and 20th-century works of art.
For a more structured day embark on an optional tour, perhaps to Positano and the Amalfi Coast by high-speed train, to explore the colorful seaside cities along with their beautiful architecture, quaint shops and famous beaches. You may also choose to visit the Vatican on a guided tour offering an in-depth look at the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, as well as no-wait entrance to the Vatican. Centuries of religious history, architectural treasures and some of the world's greatest works of art by visionary artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael lie within the Vatican walls. Your guide will give you an insider's view of their significance, heritage and meaning. Looking for a sweet treat? Taste your way through Rome with an Espresso and Gelato Walking Tour that presents the city’s most famous coffee shops and gelaterias as well as the most famous tiramisu shop. Overnight Rome. (B)
Day 5 - Florence
Soak in the beauty and history of Rome for a few more hours this morning ahead of your private transfer to Rome’s train station. Your train today is bound for the artistic city of Florence - a journey that takes just under 2 hours to complete. Upon arrival in Florence, a private transfer escorts you to your centrally-located hotel. Spend the afternoon acquainting yourself with this unique city and enjoying the varied architecture and vibrant art scene. Overnight Florence. (B)
Day 6 - Florence City Tour
This morning take a scenic tour through Florence featuring panoramic views of the unparalleled beauty of the city and the surrounding countryside. Your first stop is Fiesole, a delightful town of Etruscan origin set on a hill overlooking the city. Next, after a drive along the romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo, enjoy a stop to admire the amazing panorama of the city, one of the most beautiful in the world. The tour proceeds through the historic center of the city with a guided visit of the renowned Accademia Gallery, which hosts the famous David by Michelangelo and other masterpieces by the great artist and includes skip-the-line entrance. Following your time at the museum, enjoy an exterior guided visit of San Lorenzo Church and the stunning Duomo complex: San Giovanni Baptistery with its bronze doors including the famous Porta del Paradiso and the Cathedral with the magnificent Cupola del Brunelleschi and the elegant Giotto’s bell tower.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure; allowing you to continue uncovering the treasures of Florence. If you get hungry, the dining scene in Florence is fantastic and features an eclectic mix of mom-and-pop eateries and fine dining establishments. Overnight Florence. (B)
Day 7 - Florence at Leisure
Continue your sightseeing through Florence today. If you need some inspiration for your adventures, perhaps embark on an optional tour. Venture out to Cinque Terre and spend the day exploring the Italian Riviera; take a guided Vespa tour through Florence and the Chianti countryside, or drive a spunky vintage Fiat 500 through the city and the hills of Chianti. You may elect to immerse yourself in the Tuscan culture by learning some of its celebrated food and wine traditions with a hands-on cooking class. Your options are nearly endless. Overnight Florence. (B)
Day 8 - Venice
After a morning of relaxation at your hotel or in the city, a private transfer takes you to Florence’s train station. Traveling by high-speed train, enjoy a 2-hour journey to the shores of the Adriatic Sea with the beautiful city of Venice as your destination. As the train arrives at the station, a private transfer awaits to take you to your hotel. As you begin your discoveries, seek out the Grand Canal, the Bridge of Sighs, the ornate Rialto Bridge or St. Mark’s Square. Overnight Venice. (B)
Day 9 - Venice at Leisure
The amazing city of Venice is yours to behold today as you explore independently. No trip to Venice is complete without a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica, and Piazza San Marco is also a must-see. The artifacts and ornate surroundings of Doge’s Palace are quite impressive, as are the works at the Museum of Glass and the Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art.
You may also wish to experience the city with an optional excursion such as a comprehensive walking tour through Venice featuring Piazza San Marco, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Campo SS Giovanni e Paolo, the Great School of Charity and St. Mark's Cathedral; a Cicchetti and Wine walking tour that introduces you to the gastronomic and wine delights of Venice; or the Murano, Burano and Torcello tour, which combines cruising to these destinations with exciting excursions to places like a glass factory, a fishing village and a cathedral.
This evening, enjoy a look at the city from another perspective as you cruise through Venice on a traditional gondola. During the 30-minute ride, savor the sights and scents of the city while your guide serenades in Italian. The evening ambiance of the Grand Canal is unbelievable. Overnight Venice. (B)
Day 10 - Venice
After one final breakfast, a shared transfer takes you to Venice’s international airport where your Italian adventure concludes. (B)
