Grand Tour of Italy
17 Days
Featuring: Rome, Gargano Peninsula, Lecce, Bay of Naples,
Assisi, Venice, Bolzano, Bologna, Milan, Santa Margherita, Portofino,
Florence, Siena
Day
1- Depart North America Overnight flight to Rome
Day
2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred
to your hotel. After check-in, there's time to unwind before meeting
your Tour Director for a Welcome dinner and drink in a trattoria.
(Welcome Dinner)
Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace (2 nights)
Day
3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our day starts with a guided visit of Michelangelo's amazing Sistine
Chapel brought to life with the use of our effective audio system.
We continue our sightseeing with a visit to St. Peter's Basilica
and then on for a walking tour in ancient Rome where we stop in
the Forum to see the Colosseum. Next we are taken to the Palatine
Hill to view the Circus Maximus, the Roman stadium where 'Ben
Hur' style chariot races were the order of the day. Later, there's
free time perhaps to visit the Catacombs or simply relax over
drinks at a sidewalk cafι. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
4 - Rome Gargano Peninsula
Today journey takes us through the Abruzzi Mountains to the Adriatic
Coast. We reach the Gargano promontory and drive along its pretty
coast. Next we head to the curious site of Monte Sant Angelo before
arriving in the port of Manfredonia, guarded by its 13th century
castle. (Breakfast Buffet / Dinner)
Hotel: Regio Hotel Manfredi
Day
5 - Gargano Peninsula Alberobello Lecce
This morning a drive along the coast takes us to the region of
the Trulli strange, white, dry-stone structures with conical
roofs. We visit the unique town of Alberobello on route to beautiful
Lecce. Here our guided sightseeing tour shows us this delightful
city including the stunning Basilica and its monumental Piazza
del Duomo. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: President
Day
6 - Lecce Sorrento (2 nights)
After breakfast, we drive along the coast to Bari and the autostrada
taking us to the Gulf of Salerno to Sorrento. Here orientation
shows us the Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia with its boutiques
and cafιs. Tonight, we enjoy dinner in a picturesque restaurant. (Buffet
Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace (2 nights)
Day
7 - Isle of Capri Excursion
This morning we will visit an inlaid wood workshop where we see
a demonstration of this local craft. Then, we cruise across to
the beautiful Isle of Capri for the day. Here orientation takes
us up to Capri Town where we enjoy a walking tour with use of
our audio system to admire views of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina
Piccola. Then we visit the Piazzetta where the rich and famous
sip their cappuccinos followed by free time to perhaps ascend
to Anacapri. At the end of the afternoon we cruise back to Sorrento. (Buffet
Breakfast / Dinner)
Day
8 - Sorrento Pompeii Assisi
It's a short drive to Pompeii for a guided walking tour with audio
system of the excavations of the town petrified by the eruption
of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Then, through the Campania, stopping
at Monte Cassino to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Next
on through the hills of Frascati and the Umbria en route to Assisi,
St. Francis' town. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner) Hotel: Grand
Day
9 - Assisi sightseeing Ravenna Venice (Lido.) (2 nights)
Our morning walking tour with audio equipment in Assisi includes
the Upper and Lower Basilicas with their Giotto frescoes plus
the Santa Maria degli Angeli to visit the Basilica. From here
we travel through the Apennines stopping to visit the smallest
and oldest Republic in the world the fairy-tale Republic of San
Marino. Finally, we enjoy a scenic drive along the Adriatic Coast,
to the magical city of Venice for our two-night stay. (Buffet
Breakfast/ Dinner ) Hotel: Boulevard (2 nights)
Day
10 - Venice sightseeing & at leisure
Today we savour the sights and sounds as we cruise to St. Mark's
Square on our private launch, seeing the Bridge of Sighs, Doges'
Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Afterwards, we visit a Murano
glass-blowing workshop for a demonstration of this craft. At leisure
maybe enjoy lunch on the island of Burano. (Buffet Breakfast
)
Day
11 - Venice (Lido.) Cortina d'Ampezzo Bolzano (Dolomites)
Today through the Veneto plains to world-famous Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Here we will see the Olympic ski-jump before time at leisure.
Later, a stunning drive along the Tre Croci Pass via Dobiacco
and Brunico to Bolzano. This evening we dine at our hotel. (Buffet
Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Alpi
Day
12 - Bolzano (Dolomites) Verona Milan
Today we're off to Verona for a guided walking tour using our
effective audio system to see Juliet's balcony and the Roman Arena.
Then we arrive in Milan home to the Italian fashion gurus. A
walking tour using audio system with our Tour director here shows
us the Duomo, the Galleria, and the world famous La Scala Opera
House. Later, perhaps visit one of the museums or shop in the
boutiques (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Quark
Day
13 - Milan Pavia Santa Margherita
We stop at Pavia to enjoy a guided visit of the Carthusian Abbey
by one of the monks (when available). Next via Genoa, Columbus'
birthplace, to the Italian Riviera. We stay in the famous resort
of Santa Margherita in Liguria for the night. (Buffet Breakfast/
Dinner)
Hotel: Park Suisse
Day
14 - Santa Margherita Portofino-Pisa Florence (2 nights)
This morning we cruise to nearby Portofino (weather permitting),
an internationally loved resort. Then past the quarries of Carrara
to Pisa, where we see the Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the square
of Miracles. Finally, following the old road to Empoli we reach
the city which was the jewel of the Renaissance Florence. (Buffet
Breakfast/ Dinner)
Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (2 nights)
Day
15 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure
Our guided walking tour with an audio system includes the Duomo,
Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistry and a visit to Santa Croce
Basilica. Later some free time before we enjoy a panoramic view
from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later you may wish to shop for fine
quality leather goods and 18 carat gold designer jewellery for
which this city is so famous! There are also many wonderful museums
to visit here your Tour Director can advise you on how to make
the most of your time here. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
16 - Florence Siena Serre di Rapolano Rome
Our day begins with a drive through the Chianti vineyards to the
medieval city of Siena. Here an orientation includes the Piazza
del Campo, scene of the annual Palio horse race, and the Cathedral.
Next we stop in the grounds of the ancient castle of Serre di
Rapolano, before we return to the 'Eternal City', Rome. Perhaps
join in an excursion to Tivoli this evening, to see the wonderful
gardens and fountains of the Villa d'Este. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Sheraton Golf
Day
17 - Rome - North America
This morning bid farewell as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino
airport for your return flight to America.(Buffet Breakfast)
2002