Taste of Italy

TASTE OF ITALY including Rome, Tuscany, and Venice | 10 Days

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS & INCLUSIONS

Air From Most Major U.S. Gateways Vatican Museum Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation Sistine Chapel 8 Nights Quality Accommodations Rome City Tour w/ Colosseum 15 Meals: Assisi Walking Tour Florence City Tour8 Breakfasts | 1 Lunches | 6 Dinners Wine Tasting DinnerProfessional Tour Manager Bolognese Cooking Demonstration Itinerary Activity Admissions Venice Gondola Ride

ACCOMMODATIONS

Night 1 Overnight Flight Nights 2 - 4 Hotel Quirinale - Rome, Italy Night 5 Grand Hotel Assisi - Assisi, Italy Nights 6 & 7 Hotel Tettuccio - Montecatini Terme, Italy Nights 8 & 9 Methis Hotel & Spa - Padua, Italy Day 1 | Fly to Italy Our Italian adventure begins as we depart on our overseas flight to Rome. Sit back in anticipation of our visit to the Eternal City. During our stay here we will see the glories of the Caesars, experience the awe that is St. Peter’s, and become acquainted with the city that was the birthplace for much of our civilization. Meals: In-Flight

Day 2 | Arrive in Rome After clearing customs, we'll gather our luggage and enjoy a drive through the small towns and villages in the mountainous region just south of Rome. Lake Albani provides nice views as we shake off the jet lag and head to our hotel for a two-night stay. Tonight, we'll gather for a welcome dinner with our fellow travelers. Meals: D

Day 3 | Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica / Tivoli This morning we visit the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica, home of the Roman Catholic Church and the world’s largest Christian building. Also included is a visit to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. After scattering for some lunch, we'll take an afternoon drive to nearby Tivoli, used by the Romans over the holidays as a resort. This wellpreserved town boasts beautiful buildings, gardens, and statues offering incredible insight into ancient Rome. Tonight we’ll enjoy a delicious, Italian dinner. Meals: B, D

Note: A valid passport book is required for this tour.

TRIP COST PER PERSON

Includes Air From Most Major U.S. Gateways

Double Single CLICK HERE TO $3,995 $4,595 BOOK ONLINE

Tour Deposit: $300 per person Optional Guest Protection Plan: $345 per person Final Payment Due: 90 Days before Departure

1 2 3 4 5 Activity Level

Duomo - Florence, Italy

Day 4 | Rome Touring Roman history will come alive this morning as we follow our local guide into the Capitoline Hill area, from which we see the Roman Forum, as well as the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, Navonna Square, and more. The afternoon and evening will be at your leisure to explore this historic city. Meals: B

Colosseum - Rome, Italy

Day 5 | Travel to Assisi Today, we'll enter the region of Umbria and the beautiful town of Assisi. Here, a local guide will acquaint us with the life of Saint Francis and show us the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco where he is buried. The afternoon is at your leisure. Perhaps you will want to visit the medieval castle, climb to the top of its keep, and enjoy the splendid view of Assisi and the surrounding countryside. Meals: B, D Assisi, Italy Day 6 | Siena / San Gimignano A short drive brings us into the region of Tuscany, which is often described as the “Heart of Italy.” Arrive in the lovely city of Siena. A locally-guided tour of this fabulous medieval town will acquaint us with its sunken “Piazza del Campo” and the Duomo, perhaps the finest Gothic cathedral in Italy. In the afternoon, we'll drive north into Chianti country for a stop in San Gimignano and view its medevial skyscrapers. Continue to our home for two nights in Montecatini Terme. Meals: B, D Day 7 | Florence Touring / Wine Tasting Dinner Today we'll explore Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. A local guide will introduce us to the splendors of this city, including the Duomo with its famed baptistery, Giotto’s Tower, the Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s incomparable “David,” and Santa Croce Church, where both Michelangelo and Galileo are buried. There will be free time this afternoon for exploring the sprawling San Lorenzo leather market and the shops along the Ponte Veccdio. This evening, we’ll visit a local winery to enjoy dinner and a tasting. Meals: B, D Day 8 | Bologna Cooking Class / Padua We’ll learn how Bologna, as the food capital of Italy, has also earned the nickname “Bologna la Grassa" (Bologna the Fat). An included cooking demonstration will teach us some of the techniques and ingredients used in traditional Bolognese cooking. Our food preparation will culminate in our lunch today! This afternoon, we'll travel to Padua, our home for the final two nights. This town has broad streets and numerous palaces dating from the 14th century and 15th century. For its beauty and cultural importance it has been qualified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site.

The balance of the day is yours to explore. Meals: B, L Day 9 | Venice Touring / Gondola Ride A short drive brings us to Venice. Built on 117 islands, it is an endless mosaic of canals, plazas, and fascinating markets. Every minute spent here makes memories; every step a photographer’s paradise! We meet our local guide at St. Mark’s Square for a tour of the Cathedral, the Dogue’s Palace and Dungeons, as well as the Bridge of Sighs. Our day in Venice

will also include a Gondola ride through the famous canals. Meals: B, D

Venice, Italy

Day 10 | Travel Home Our Italian adventure comes to an end today as we travel to the Venice airport for our flight home. Meals: B