Best of Italy (Winter 2011/2012)

13 day tour from A$2650.00*

Tour Style: Regional Tours

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Overview

Explore world-famous ancient monuments in Rome, the long-lost city of Pompeii and beautiful beaches on the Isle of Capri. See the ancient Romanesque Abbey of Pomposa, Juliet’s balcony in Verona and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Cruise along Venetian canals and lose yourself in the wonders of Florence, Siena and Milan on this spectacular itinerary of Italy!

Hightlights

Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Assisi, Classe, Pomposa, Venice, Verona, Milan, Lugano, Pisa, Florence, Siena

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Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE ROME (2 nights)

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City! You are free to explore the city on arrival. Take a leisurely stroll through ancient streets and soak up the atmosphere. Meet for a Welcome Drink this evening with your travelling companions and Tour Director.

Hotel: Milton Rome (F)

Day 2

ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Visit St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica, one of the greatest buildings of the Late Renaissance, during your sightseeing tour with your expert Local Guide. See Tiburtina Island on your journey across the River Tiber. Marvel at the Circus Maximus, ancient Rome’s most famous chariot racing venue. Learn about the significance of the Colosseum and the events staged therein. Later, you will have free time to explore the city on your own. You might like to visit the ancient Catacombs, or simply relax on the Via Veneto and experience ‘la dolce vita’.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 3

ROME SIGHTSEEING – POMPEII – SORRENTO (2 nights)

View the magnificent Sistine Chapel during your guided visit to the Vatican Museums. Gaze at the amazing frescoed ceiling depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis, said to be Michelangelo’s crowning achievement. Later see the Abbey of Monte Cassino en route to the Bay of Naples. Tour the excavations at Pompeii, completely buried when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 and rediscovered centuries later, with an expert Local Guide. Arriving in Sorrento, join your party for a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant tonight.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Hotel: Flora Sorrento (F)/Johanna Park (F)

Day 4

ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

Witness the art of inlaid woodworking, an ancient craft for which Sorrento is renowned. Take the ferry to the Isle of Capri for a guided excursion where you have the opportunity to explore narrow streets, beautiful gardens and the tempting boutiques of this lovely island.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 5

SORRENTO – ASSISI

Driving north through Umbria you arrive in the mystical town of Assisi on the slopes of Mount Subasio. The birthplace of St. Francis overlooks beautiful countryside. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for its fresco paintings depicting the life of this much-loved saint on your guided sightseeing tour. Spend free time exploring the town, which is dominated by two medieval castles and a number of churches and monasteries.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Ora Hotel Cenacolo (SF)

Day 6

ASSISI – CLASSE – POMPOSA – VENICE (2 nights)

Visit the Church of St. Apollinaris, close to the ancient town of Classe, with its exquisite mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Admire the Basilica of Pomposa, a Benedictine monastery where modern musical notation was invented in the 11th century. Driving north across the Po Valley you arrive in Venice. An enchanting city built across 117 small islands in a marshy lagoon, Venice will soon have you under its spell.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: NH Laguna Palace (SF)

Day 7

VENICE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Your cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark’s Square is breathtaking. See the Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace and Basilica of St. Mark. Visit a traditional glass-blowing factory to witness a demonstration of this ancient art. The afternoon is yours to explore the wonderful sights. Consider a trip to the Island of Burano for a delicious seafood lunch, or you might like to glide along the ancient canals in a gondola.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8

VENICE – VERONA – MILAN – ITALIAN LAKES (2 nights)

Marvel at the Roman Arena and Juliet’s balcony in Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. Crossing the plains of Lombardy you arrive in Milan, a powerhouse of fashion and design. See the Duomo, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Admire La Scala opera house and the Galleria, with its vaulted ceilings and glass dome. Arrive later in the stunning Italian Lake District for your two-night stay. This evening, dine at your hotel.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Porro Pirelli (SF)

Day 9

LUGANO EXCURSION (SWITZERLAND)

See the beautiful lakeside resort of Lugano during your excursion into the Italian speaking region of Switzerland, Ticino. You might like to shop for souvenirs and enjoy a leisurely lunch at a lakeside restaurant. Explore the pleasant terraced gardens on the shores of the lake.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 10

ITALIAN LAKES – PISA – FLORENCE (2 nights)

South via the Plains of Lombardy and across the Apennine Mountains you pass Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. See the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa on your way to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F)

Day 11

FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

See Signoria Square, gateway to the Uffizi Gallery, during your guided walking tour of Florence. Admire the elaborate Duomo, including the Baptistery and Campanile. Visit the Ponte Vecchio which spans the River Arno. Appreciate panoramic views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. You might like to see the myriad Renaissance wonders the city is so famous for, or shop for hand-crafted leather and 18-carat gold jewellry . Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a Be My Guest dinner of regional specialities in a local family restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Day 12

FLORENCE – SIENA – ROME

Admire the sprawling, picturesque vineyards of Chianti on your way to Siena. Visit this historic city, famous for its exciting Palio horse race. Consider exploring the Gothic cathedral or relax with a drink in Piazza del Campo, a splendid square lined with medieval mansions and palaces. Don’t forget to shop for souvenirs! Tonight in Rome, join your companions and Tour Director for a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo (F)

Day 13

13 DEPART ROME

Say ’arrivederci’ to your new-found friends and Tour Director at the end of a remarkable Italian holiday! Airport transfers are available, conditions apply.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

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2011/2012 Rates

Departs On Returns On Twin Land Only Single Land Only
Sat, Nov 05, 2011 Thu, Nov 17, 2011 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Nov 12, 2011 Thu, Nov 24, 2011 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 Thu, Dec 01, 2011 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Dec 03, 2011 Thu, Dec 15, 2011 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 Thu, Dec 22, 2011 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 Fri, Dec 30, 2011 A$2699.00 A$3349.00
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 Sun, Jan 08, 2012 A$2865.00 A$3515.00
Tue, Jan 03, 2012 Sun, Jan 15, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Jan 07, 2012 Thu, Jan 19, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Jan 14, 2012 Thu, Jan 26, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Jan 21, 2012 Thu, Feb 02, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Jan 28, 2012 Thu, Feb 09, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Feb 04, 2012 Thu, Feb 16, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Feb 11, 2012 Thu, Feb 23, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Feb 18, 2012 Thu, Mar 01, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 Thu, Mar 08, 2012 A$2650.00 A$3300.00
Sat, Mar 03, 2012 Thu, Mar 15, 2012 A$2699.00 A$3349.00
Sat, Mar 10, 2012 Thu, Mar 22, 2012 A$2699.00 A$3349.00
Sat, Mar 17, 2012 Thu, Mar 29, 2012 A$2699.00 A$3349.00
Sat, Mar 24, 2012 Thu, Apr 05, 2012 A$2699.00 A$3349.00
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 Thu, Apr 12, 2012 A$2699.00 A$3349.00

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Child Prices: a 25% discount will apply to children under the age of 16 at time of travel. (Optionals for American tours are already discounted.)

Details for our Optional Excursions are not available at this time