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Itinerary
DAY 1 - Overnight flight to Italy.
Refer to the 'Departure
Instructions' in your Final Documents for easy
check-in
procedures.
DAY 2 - ITALY . . Arrival at Milan's
Malpensa Airport . . Milan. Your
'Arrival Instructions' page in your Final
Documents provides easy to follow instructions
on where and when to meet
your tour manager. Transfer to your
Milan hotel to check-in, freshen-up and
rest a little. At your 'Welcome to Italy'
dinner in the hotel this evening, get to
know your fellow tour members.
(Dinner)
DAY 3 - ITALY . . Milan - Verona -
Venice.
This morning transfer to
Milan's city center for free time. Both
the modern Galleria and the gothic
Duomo dominate Milan's main square.
Depending on your interests, the
tour manager can direct you toward
high-fashion shops or noteworthy
sights such as interesting churches, the
nearby museums, and La Scala Opera
House. Along the way, the 'gelateria'
will tempt you with delicious Italian ice
cream. Then it's on to Verona, famous for
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Find
yourself lost in the bittersweet love story
as you walk to Juliet's balcony. Also admire
Verona's own amphitheater, which
is still used for extravagant, outdoor
opera performances every summer.
Next it's on to your Venice area hotel
for dinner. (
Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4 -
ITALY . .
Venice -
Montecatini-Terme. A motor boat transfers you
into the magical city of Venice. Marvel
at the architecture of the San Marco
Basilica, the Doges' Palace, the Clock
Tower, and the 16th and 17th-century
Law Courts. Walk through the maze of
narrow streets, lined with boutiques
that make Venice a shopper's paradise.
If you have your heart set on gliding
through the canals of Venice by gondola,
your tour manager can usually
arrange a small group. Based on five
to six persons to a gondola, the cost is
about $45 per person. Numerous little
bistros offer pizza and pasta dishes for
your independent lunch. If you do not
mind spending a little more, choose an
outdoor café along St. Mark's Square,
where you will be serenaded by live
music. In the afternoon, travel south
past the town of Padua, home to
the university where Galileo taught,
and make a short stop near Bologna.
Pastel-tinted buildings on palm-lined
streets welcome you to the spa resort
town of Montecatini-Terme, your
home in the Tuscany region for the
next four nights. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5 - ITALY . . Pisa - Montecatini-
Terme. The focus this morning is
Pisa and its Leaning Tower. Work on
the structure began in 1174, but it
started to tilt even before completion.
The complete complex consists
of the Duomo, an immense Baptistry
and the bell tower. Built of white
marble and set against the 'Field of
Miracles', an expansive green lawn,
all three buildings are an impressive
sight. After snapping pictures, return
to Montecatini-Terme for a leisurely
afternoon. Hiking, swimming, tennis,
bike rentals, and golf are all possible
in Montecatini-Terme. Another way
to spend the afternoon and evening
is with the optional 'Wine Tasting &
Cooking Class' excursion. (Breakfast)
DAY 6 - ITALY . . Florence - Montecatini-
Terme. This day is devoted to artistically
glorious Florence. The first architectural
masterpieces you will notice during
the guided tour stand on the Piazza del
Duomo: the 'Duomo' (cathedral); the
Baptistery with its renowned bronze
doors by Ghiberti; and Giotto's
'campanile'(bell tower). The rest of the
day is yours to explore Florence at your
own pace. Admire the piazzas, each with
their own distinct character, shop the
open-air markets, visit an art gallery, or
enjoy gathering with Florentines and visitors
alike on the Ponte Vecchio. Return
to Montecatini-Terme for an included
dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 7 - ITALY . . Montecatini-Terme. Spend a leisurely day in Montecatini-
Terme. Perhaps begin with a walk
through the classic pavilions and parks
that characterize this bath town. Take
the funicular up to the old town of
Montecatini Alte and sip a cappuccino
as you enjoy a great panoramic view of
the Tuscan countryside. Or, you might
consider returning to Florence by train to
spend your free day. Another choice for
today is the optional 'Cinque Terre' excursion.
For your independent dinner, you
might wish to dine 'al fresco' at one of the
sidewalk terraces of the grand hotels in
Montecatini-Terme. (Breakfast)
DAY 8 - ITALY . . Rome. Your last morning
in Tuscany takes you past olive
groves and into Siena, a beautiful city
built on three hills. Piazza del Campo is
the main square and focal point of Siena,
but there are also more intimate squares
worth exploring in this eye-pleasing,
medieval village. You must spend some
time studying the Duomo of Siena, a mix
of Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
After independent lunch, leave Tuscany
to rejoin the Autostrada toward Rome.
This evening, during dinner at your
Rome area hotel, take the opportunity
to share tour experiences with your
fellow travelers and newly made friends.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 9 -
ITALY . .
Rome. The entire day
is devoted to the wonders of Rome. As
legend has it, Rome was built on seven
hills by Romulus and Remus. A local
guide accompanies the motor coach
this morning to point out highlights
such as the Trajan and Roman Forums,
the Arch of Constantine, and the Colosseum.
After the city sightseeing tour,
you might indulge in a shopping spree
in Rome's highly touted fashion stores.
The best way to become familiar with
this vibrant city is on foot. Walk from the
center of Rome to Trevi Fountain or visit
the Gardens and Villa Borghese at the
end of the Via Veneto. Stop at a few of
the beautiful churches, each one a museum
in its own right. The tour manager will offer an optional
afternoon 'Vatican
Museums & Sistine Chapel'
excursion. Choose from
over 2000 restaurants for an
independent dining experience,
or join the optional 'Rome Dinner'
excursion. (Breakfast)
DAY 10 -
ITALY . .
Rome. This is a day
to set your own pace. If you wish to
have more time to explore Rome, the
hotel can assist you with transportation
and sightseeing information. Or, add a
fascinating slice of history to your travel
experiences if you decide to join the
full day optional 'Pompeii' excursion. Italy
is the cradle of European civilization,
art, architecture and music. However
you choose to spend your day, the sights
are sure to leave you brimming with
grand impressions. (Breakfast).
DAY 11 - Daytime flight back to
the U.S.A. Transfer to the Rome Fiumicino
Airport for the return flight home.
(Breakfast)
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