Italy Bellissimo
12 Days
Featuring: Rome, Isle of Capri, Sorrento, Assisi, Venice,
Montecatini, Florence
Day 1 Depart
USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 Arrive Rome You are met on
arrival at Rome airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in,
there's time to unwind or people-watch from a pavement café. This
afternoon, enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Day 3 Rome - Pompeii - Isle of Capri
(2nights) This morning we will travel through the area the
Romans knew as the 'Campania felix' to Pompeii. Here we enjoy
a guided tour of the excavations of the Roman city petrified and
preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. From here we continue
to the Bay of Naples for our short sea-crossing to the Isle of
Capri for two relaxing nights. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 4 Capri orientation & at leisure
An orientation of Capri Town this morning includes views of the
Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola plus the famous 'Piazzetta'
- home to the international jet-set. At leisure, time to explore
the elegant boutiques, or take a trip to see the Blue Grotto.
This evening, your Tour Director will advise you on the best dining
in this romantic spot! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 5 Isle of Capri - Sorrento -
Assisi We enjoy a morning sail across the Mediterranean on
our 'return to Sorrento'. Here time to enjoy the atmosphere of
the Piazza Tasso. Next, we will visit an inlaid wood factory to
admire the fine local craftsmanship. Then heading north, we view
the Abbey of Monte Cassino before heading into the Umbrian hills
and mystical Assisi. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 6 Assisi - Ravenna - Venice (Mestre)
(2nights) We enjoy a sightseeing tour of Assisi, the town
of the much-loved St. Francis. We'll see the Basilica with its
serene Giotto frescoes, as well as the miraculous Church of St.
Mary of the Angels. Later, we drive along the Adriatic Coast to
Ravenna where we visit the Basilica of Saint Apollinaris in Classe
with it glittering mosaics, before arriving at Venice for our
overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 7 Venice sightseeing & at leisure
A private motor launch takes us on a canal cruise to St. Mark's
Square, where we view the Byzantine Basilica, Bridge of Sighs
and Doges' Palace. After witnessing a demonstration of the ancient
art of Murano glass-blowing, you are free to explore. Why not
take a cruise to the island of Burano, and enjoy a fresh seafood
lunch? (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 8 Venice (Mestre) - Padua - Montecatini
(Tuscan Hills) (2nights) This morning we gaze on the beauty
of the Palladian villas as we drive along the scenic Brenta Canal.
On our arrival in Padua, we view the Basilica of St. Anthony,
before we ascend into the Apennine Mountains, the Emilia Romagna
and Tuscany. Later, we make our approach to the spa-resort of
Montecatini. This evening, why not try some of the reputed Tuscan
cuisine and Chianti wines? (Buffet breakfast)
Day 9 Montecatini - Florence Excursion
This morning it's just a short drive to Renaissance Florence.
On our arrival a sightseeing tour on foot with a local guide highlights
the Cathedral with its magnificent Baptistry, and visits the Santa
Croce Basilica and the Piazza Signoria. Florence is truly a shopper's
paradise with bargains in leather and gold. For 'culture vultures',
there are many museums and art galleries to visit. Later, we return
to Montecatini. This evening, dinner is at a local restaurant.
(Buffet breakfast/ Specialty Dinner)
Day 10 Montecatini (Tuscan Hills) - Siena
- Rome (2nights) A short drive brings us to Siena - famous
for its Palio horse race. Admire the architecture from one of
the open-air cafés on the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo. Or pick
up some local pottery before we continue past the towns of Orte
and Orvieto and into the Latium. Later, we are back in Rome. Tonight,
why not dine out in one of the city's fine trattorias? (Buffet
breakfast)
Day 11 Rome sightseeing & at leisure
A visit to the Sistine Chapel to marvel at the ceiling of
Michelangelo provides a thrilling start to our morning sightseeing
tour with a local guide. From here we visit St. Peter's Basilica
and then cross the Tiber to stop in the Forum and then cross the
Tiver to stop in the Forum and see the mighty Colosseum. Finally,
we view the Circus Maximus, where 'Ben Hur' style chariot races
were once the order of the day. The rest of of your day is at
leisure to take an excursion to the Catacombs, ancient Trevi or
simply while away the afternoon sipping a cappuccino at a cafe
and watch the world go by! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 12 Rome - USA After breakfast,
time to bid farewell before we transfer you to the airport for
your return flight to America. (Buffet breakfast)
2002