APT Tour 2011 – 31 Day Italy and Magnificient Europe – Rome and Amsterdam
APT – 31 Day Italy and Magnificient Europe – Rome and Amsterdam
Overview
Rome • Sorrento • Capri • Pompeii • Naples • Siena • Florence • Lucca • Portofino • Cinque Terre • Bologna • Venice • Graz • Herend • Budapest • Bratislava • Vienna • Dürnstein • Melk • Passau • Regensburg • Nuremberg • Bamberg • Rüdesheim • Amsterdam
Tour Code EUMCRI31
Itinerary Valid 1 Mar. 2011 – 31 Dec. 2011
Trip Duration 31 days
Accomodation Luxury Cruise Ship and Hotels
Meals 63 meals included
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Rome
Be met by an APT representative on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure. You might choose to relax, or perhaps familiarise yourself with the fascinating streets of the iconic Italian capital at your own pace. Later tonight, get to know your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.
Stay: Rome, Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi
Day 2. Rome – Sorrento
Depart Rome today for the city of Naples, rich in history, art and culture, and famous for being the city in which pizza originated. After some time to explore here, continue by coach to the coastal town of Sorrento. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento offers lovely scenery and views of Mt Vesuvius as well as the Isle of Capri. For over 2000 years, visitors have been attracted to the town by breathtaking sunsets and the rich fragrance of the surrounding orange and lemon gardens. On arrival, enjoy time at leisure this afternoon, before gathering tonight for a Welcome Dinner.
Three Night Stay: Sorrento, Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Dinner
Day 3. Sorrento
This morning, take a pleasant and picturesque drive along the Amalfi coast for views of this famous coastline. Return to Sorrento and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 4. Isle of Capri
Today take a cruise out over the bay, heading for the picturesque Isle of Capri. Known in Greek mythology as the isle of the sirens, Capri was a favoured resort of the Roman emperors and remains a popular coastal holiday spot today. On a tour of the island, visit the Marina Piccola (Small Harbour) and the Belvedere of Tragara, which is a high panoramic promenade lined with villas. You’ll also see the famed Blue Grotto (weather permitting) and ruins of the Imperial Roman villas. Afterwards, return to Sorrento this afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore or relax as you please.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 5. Sorrento – Rome
Today, travel to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, buried and destroyed when Mount Vesuvius, a volcano, erupted over it in 79 AD. Rediscovered in 1748, Pompeii is now a World Heritage-listed site and one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions. Later, return to Rome, where you will enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Two Night Stay: Rome, Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 6. Rome
Today, on a tour of the Italian capital, see some of Rome’s most famous sights, including the Vatican Museum wth Michelangelo’s renowned Sistine Chapel. You’ll also visit such attractions as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona before time at leisure this afternoon. This evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Dinner
Day 7. Rome – Florence
Travel to Siena. Explore Siena’s World Heritage-listed medieval centre, and learn about its 17 fiercely competitive contrade (districts), which have existed since the middle ages. Admire the striped facade and exuberant ornamentation of the Duomo. Linger at the Piazza del Campo and imagine how it looks twice a year during Il Palio: filled with dirt, galloping horses and frenzied spectators. Then continue to a traditional Tuscan farmhouse for lunch, enjoying a superb food and wine tasting experience. Afterwards, continue to Florence, former capital of the Kingdom of Italy and today Tuscany’s capital as well as an important centre for Renaissance art and architecture. Check in to your hotel before dinner.
Three Night Stay: Florence, Grand Hotel Villa Medici
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 8. Florence
After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Florence, with its fine restaurants, pavement cafés and bars. Visit the main sights of this ‘outdoor museum’ of a city. See the Ponte Vecchio, the Arno riverfront, the many statues and monuments of the Piazza del Signoria, the 13th century Duomo, Baptistry and Belltower, the Santa Maria del Fiore and view the Piazzale Michelangelo. Then enjoy time at leisure.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 9. Florence
This morning after breakfast, enjoy the day at leisure to further explore the delights of Florence. You may like to take in the many fine museums and art treasures, go shopping in the markets and chic boutiques or see Michelangelo’s statue of David in the Galleria dell’ Accademia. Perhaps visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the top three art museums of the world, or any of the other Florentine State Museums such as Medici Chapels or the iconic Archaeological Museum.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 10. Florence – Santa Margherita Ligure
Today drive along a rocky promontory, offering one of the prettiest landscapes on the Italian Riviera, on the way to Santa Margherita Ligure. On the way, stop in at Lucca, on the river Serchio, boasting Renaissance-era city walls, cobbled piazzas, charming churches and centuries-old buildings. After, take a tour of Portofino, a small Italian fishing village and tourist resort on the Italian Riviera. Nestled around a small harbour, the town is considered to be among the Mediterranean’s most beautiful ports. Continue to Santa Margherita Ligure.
Two Night Stay: Santa Margherita Ligure, Imperiale Palace Hotel
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Dinner
Day 11. Cinque Terre
Today you’ll head to the Cinque Terre, five picturesque villages clinging to the cliffs. Here, enjoy a tour, then return to Santa Margherita Ligure and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 12. Santa Margherita Ligure – Venice
Depart Santa Margherita Ligure and travel to Venice. On arrival here, transfer by private boat to your hotel, superbly located on Venice Island. The afternoon is at leisure before dinner tonight – a wonderful three course Venetian meal on the terrace of the Restaurant La Cusina, set right on Venice’s Grand Canal.
Three Night Stay: Venice, Westin Europa and Regina
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Dinner
Day 13. Venice
Known to many as the most beautiful city in the world, Venice stretches across 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. This morning after breakfast, explore the city on a guided sightseeing tour. See the Bridge of Sighs, St Mark’s Square and St Mark’s Basilica. You’ll also visit a Venetian glass factory to take in a unique glass-blowing demonstration, before the rest of the day is free.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 14. Venice
Today you have the opportunity to spend a day discovering this beautiful canal-based city as you please. You might like to join us for an excursion to Burano, a small island in the Venetian Lagoon, renowned for its brightly painted houses and a popular haven for artists (own expense).
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 15. Venice – Graz
Today travel to the Austrian city of Graz. Recently holder of the ‘European Capital of Culture’ award, Graz boasts a relaxed atmosphere and many sights.
Two Night Stay: Graz, Grand Hotel Wiesler
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Dinner
Day 16. Graz
Today a tour of Graz includes a visit to the Armoury Museum, holding the world’s largest historical collection of Baroque weaponry, preserved since 1551. You’ll also visit Eggenberg Castle, before the afternoon is free.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Day 17. Graz – Herend – Budapest, Embark Ship
Travel to Herend and take a tour of the mini-porcelain factory and museum then continue to Budapest.
14 Night Stay: A luxurious APT river ship
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Dinner
Day 18. APT EXCLUSIVE! Budapest, Hungarian State Opera House
Tour Budapest then visit the opera house for a tour, short private music recital and a glass of champagne. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 19. Bratislava, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Slovakia’s capital, choose from a medieval tour of the city or a tour taking you to the landmarks of the city’s not-so-distant Communist past. Then, during time at leisure, perhaps walk up to Bratislava Castle.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 20. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today in Vienna, perhaps take a city tour, including a visit to an Austrian coffee house for coffee and cake. Or tour Schönbrunn Palace. Tonight you may like to join us for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense).
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 21. Dürnstein – Melk
Arrive in Dürnstein for a walking tour, then continue to Melk for a tour of Melk’s Benedictine abbey.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 22. Linz – Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, perhaps take a day tour to Salzburg or enjoy an excursion to Cesky Krumlov. Alternatively, cruise to Passau and take a tour of this historic city.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 23. Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. A guided tour of the city’s highlights includes the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 24. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring
Enter the Main-Danube Canal then, in Nuremberg, choose between a World War II tour or a medieval tour.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 25. Bamberg
Take a tour of Bamberg then, during time at leisure, perhaps visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT. Back on board, the ship enters the Main-Danube Canal.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 26. Würzburg, Rothenburg
n Würzburg, see the major sights, including the Residential Palace. Then take an included excursion to Rothenburg.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 27. Miltenberg, Wertheim
Disembark in Miltenberg and travel to Wertheim to enjoy some free time. Then return to Miltenberg and take a guided walking tour.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 28. Rüdesheim – Rhine Castles
Today arrive in Rüdesheim, a great example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Here, the Winzerexpress will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum for a tour. Later, cruise through the Rhine Gorge on the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 29. Andernach – Cologne
Cruise through the morning and arrive in Cologne this afternoon, where you’ll take a guided tour.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 30. Cologne – Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
On arrival in Amsterdam, choose from two touring activities. You might like to take a canal cruise or visit the Van Gogh Museum. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure, before a Farewell Dinner on board.
Daily meals included • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Day 31. Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Daily meals included • Breakfast
Price
| Departure dates | Double : 2 Adults | Single |
| April 15th 2011 | $17,990.00 | $25,665.00 |
| June 10th 2011 | $18,040.00 | $25,740.00 |
| July 17th 2011 | $18,040.00 | $25,740.00 |
| September 11th 2011 | $18,140.00 | $25,890.00 |
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Europe