THE SPLENDORS OF ITALY

Tour Code - 6400

9 days Rome to Rome 
Rome, Siena, Montecatini, Venice Area

Price starting at: $1069

Begin in Rome list with included sightseeing visiting of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. On to charming Orvieto and its gothic cathedral, and Siena, set in the verdant, rolling hills of Tuscany. This is also the famous Chianti wine-producing region, with stops in San Gimignano and in Greve for some wine tasting. Spend two nights in Montecatini and in Florence enjoy the guided walking tour through the old town centre. Among the highlights, see the Piazza Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Piazza del Duomo with the Giotto Campanile. Next on the agenda is Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower, then cross the Apennines to the unique floating city of Venice. Take a boat ride along one of its great canals and reach St. Mark's Square. Here you can admire the most prominent palaces and the basilica with its golden mosaics. Before returning to Rome, experience another quaint hilltop village with a great history: Assisi. In the beautiful basilica dedicated to St. Francis, marvel at the delicate frescoes by Giotto and take in the peaceful atmosphere.

Meals
Breakfast - 8
Lunch - 0
Dinner - 2

Standard Features
Headsets throughout the tour

Sightseeing: Visits to Orvieto, Siena, San Gimignano, Greve in the Chianti with wine tasting, Pisa, Venice, Assisi

Scenic Highlights: The Chianti Valley
Guides: Local Guides for city sightseeing in Rome, Florence. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring

Transportation: Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Canal transfer boat in Venice

Hotels: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

Meals: Buffet breakfasts (B); 2 dinners (D)

01

ROME, ITALY. 
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

02

ROME. 
The "Eternal City"-a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

03

ROME-ORVIETO-SIENA. 
Journey northwest to the charmingly located city of Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral, an excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. By early evening you'll be in Siena with time to visit this jewel of Tuscany. Sit in one of the cafes surrounding the Campo and admire one of Italy's most unique squares, famed the world over for its Palio horse race. (B)

04

SIENA-SAN GIMIGNANO-GREVE-MONTECATINI
Drive this morning to San Gimignano, one of Tuscany's greatest attractions. Its medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers make it unique. Next, into the very heart of the Chianti vineyards; watch out for names such as Castellina in Chianti, Badia, Gaiole, and Brolio, where classical Chianti wines are produced. Stop in Greve for some wine tasting at a local wine producer. Arrive in Montecatini in time to join the outing for an optional Tuscan dinner. (B)

05

MONTECATINI-EXCURSION TO FLORENCE
This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled the entire day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic centre so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city's timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Don't miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide, which features most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the "Gate of Paradise." (B,D)

06

MONTECATINI-PISA-VENICE AREA
This morning, drive to Pisa for a visit to its Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, 55 metres (180 feet) high and no less than 5 metre (16 feet) out of the perpendicular. Later, head across the wooded Apennine Hills into the farmlands of the Po Valley for two overnights in the Venice area. (B)

07

VENICE AREA. 
Venice is more like a marvellous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don't miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

08

VENICE AREA-ASSISI-ROME. 
An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then crossing the Apennines. Stop in Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous Basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)

09

ROME. 
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Dates and Prices. Rates are per head in US$:

 Optional Gratuity :  US$70

WHERE TO GET YOUR U.K & SCHENGEN VISA