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Day
1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights)
Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy and the Eternal City! You will
have time to relax and unwind before we meet with our Tour Director and
fellow travelers this evening. Find out more about your tour and your
traveling companions as you all enjoy a Welcome Drink together with your
Tour Director.
Hotel:
Villa Pamphili (2 nights)
Day 3 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
This morning we will enjoy an included sightseeing tour with a local
guide using our effective audio system, which shows us the Forum, the
Colosseum and Circus Maximus, and includes a visit to St. Peter’s
Basilica. Then some time at leisure. Later, we enjoy an evening drive
during which we discover a Hidden Treasure with our Tour Director before
continuing to Piazza Navona where we will be treated to a drink or ice
cream of our choice! Then time to try out the local restaurants and taste
some of the Roman specialities. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 4 - Rome – Greve in Chianti – Florence (4 nights)
This morning we travel into the northern Lazio region and continue
over the border into the rolling hills of Umbria and into Tuscany where we
visit the capital of its food and wine – the charming town of Greve.
Here we visit a wine and olive oil outlet where we can taste a plethora of
excellent Chiantis and extra virgin olive oils. On the town's main square
are some of the finest food shops in Europe where you have the chance to
taste the 'salumi'. Finally after an exhilarating drive through the
Chianti hills we arrive at our hotel in Florence. This evening, over a
glass of wine in a well known restaurant, we will have a short lecture on
the basic principals of Italian cuisine and learn a few words of Italian
in preparation for our shopping and cooking day! Tonight we will have
dinner at the hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel:
Croce Di Malta (4 nights)
Day 5 - Tuscan lifestyle experience
Our day begins first at a fruit and vegetable market where we buy
fresh produce for our cooking lesson. Having selected the best produce
available at this time of year, we will proceed to the restaurant where we
have use of the kitchen and where we will all participate in the
preparation of today's midday meal and the purchasing of the wine to go
with it! After this Highlight Lunch enjoyed with the wines we have
selected, we return to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight Lunch)
Day 6 - Florence sightseeing
After breakfast, we will enjoy a walking tour with a local guide,
which takes us to the Accademia to see the recently restored 'David' of
Michelangelo as well as Piazza Signoria and the multi-coloured marble
Duomo. The afternoon is free to relax or to perhaps visit some of the
other fine museums the city has to offer. This evening we enjoy a Tuscan
style Highlight Dinner in a farmhouse restaurant. (Buffet breakfast /
Highlight Dinner)
Day 7 - Excursion to Pisa
Today we will travel to Pisa where we visit the Square of Miracles
with its monumental cathedral and famous Leaning Bell Tower. Time to
explore the other monuments in the square before driving to an authentic
Tuscan restaurant, located amongst the olive groves, where we have the
chance to taste the local produce as we enjoy a delicious lunch together.
(Buffet breakfast/ 'Be my guest' Dinner)
Day 8 - Florence - Venice (Grand Canal) (3 nights)
Enjoy the morning at leisure with time to participate in various
optional activities which you can book through your Tour Director. Choose
from either more sightseeing in Florence or an excursion to San Gimignano,
known as ‘a medieval Manhattan’ because of its many tall towers.
Later, we will drive to Venice. This evening we have dinner at our hotel
located by the Grand Canal the main thoroughfare of Venice! (Buffet
breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel:
Continental (3 nights)
Day 9 - Venice orientation & at leisure
After breakfast this morning our visit to the magical city of Venice
would not be complete without an orientation cruise by private motor
launch along the Giudecca and over to St. Mark's Square. Here we will
witness a demonstration of the ancient art of Murano glass-blowing in one
of the city's oldest workshops. Then there's time on your own to perhaps
join the various optional activities on offer or to explore the labyrinth
of streets and canals. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 10 - Secret Venice walking tour & visit to the market
Today with our local guide we enjoy a guided commentary using our
effective audio system, which will bring the city to life, as we cruise
along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. We cross the Rialto and visit
the colourful fish market, which has existed for centuries, and then enjoy
a walking tour through the 'calle' seeing sites such as the house of Marco
Polo and other curious as well as beautiful architectural works of art.
The balance of the day is at leisure to perhaps take a trip to Burano and
enjoy eating some of the local seafood. This evening we gather together
with our Tour Director and fellow companions to celebrate our last night
with a special Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (Buffet
breakfast / Farwell Dinner)
Day 11 - Venice (Island) - USA
This morning it is time to say ‘arrivederci Italia’ as our
vacation comes to an end. There are airport transfers available to Marco
Polo Airport, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
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