Max group size: 12

Itinerary

Day 1 | Depart the United States on your Trans-Atlantic flight to Europe.
Yes, we can arrange your air travel from the QueensLander air department. We’ll work with you to get the absolutely lowest-fare available based on your travel preferences. We utilize both our own air department and online agencies to find the best rate. At the end of the Great Cities Tour you should set your flight to return from Rome. Or if you are extending to the Amalfi Coast, then you should set your flight to return from Naples.

Day 2 | Welcome to Venice, Italy ~ We Stay in the Very Heart of San Marco!

Our tour representative will meet you upon arrival at the Venice airport or Train Station. Opt to take our Arrival Transfer for $95 per person (minimum two passengers). Arrive in style and enjoy the Bay of Venice! We make our way to our hotel in the heart of Venice located very near St. Mark's Square.  Enjoy a great location in Venice with our hotel and then join the Tour Captain in the lobby tonight for an included Welcome Dinner to Venice!   

Day 3 | Venice | Grand Canal, Giudecca Canal, St. Mark's Square, Doges' Palace, Bridge of Sighs

Start your morning sightseeing in style as your Tour Captain and our local Guide escorts you throughout Venice! We tour by walking today, with in-depth visits to St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica, the DOGES' PALACE and the Bridge of Sighs. The romance of this city is apparent every step of the way, from Venetian glass blowers fashioning their craft in their traditional style to the classic gondola ride.  Enjoy a boat ride on Luigi’s new authentic Venetian boat over to the Isle of Murano to experience the original glass blowers – quite fascinating to observe!

Day 4 |  Venice  to  Florence   | Birthplace of the Renaissance, Roman Capital, Michelangelo
 

We embark on the EuroStar via 1st Class service with reserved seats to Florence. Florence is the city of Arts and birthplace to the Renaissance. After transferring from the Florence Train Station (smaller groups of less than 10 passengers may utilize taxi service arranged and included by Tour Captain), we check-in to our hotel to freshen up and meet in the lobby for a short walk through the cobblestones streets to dinner.  Enjoy 2 nights at the Helvetia & Bristol Hotel or similar. The Helvetia & Bristol is authentic Italiano and perfectly located in the heart of Firenze (Florence!).  Tonight included dining at a delightful restaurant, fully authentic! Florence welcomes us with a variety of regional cuisine, beverages and a sampling of fine local wines.

Day 5 | Discovering  Florence
 

Today join your Tour Captain and our local guide on a guided tour of Florence. Florence boasts a variety of fine sights to see, including Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistry's Bronze "Gate of Paradise," Giotto's Bell Tower, Signoria Square and the Accademia Galleria where Michelangelo's David is housed. We also visit Piazza Republica, Piazza Signoria and the "old bridge" - Ponte Vecchio - the only bridge to survive World War II bombing. A great tour and perfectly balanced day allows you to enjoy the afternoon for shopping and sightseeing on your own. We highly recommend the Uffizi Gallery if you want to dig deeper into the vast riches of Florence’s art and heritage. This afternoon you may also choose from our Authentic Italian Cooking Experience. Inquire with reservations if you're interested in this phenom class.

Tonight’s dinner is optional – join your Tour Captain in the lobby or explore Florence on your own tonight for a great feast!

Day 6 | Under the Tuscan Sun – Discovering San Gimignano and Villa Dievole Estate in the heart of beautiful  Tuscany   and Chianti regions
 

This morning we enter deep into the heart of Tuscany with a stop in the hilltop village of San Gimignano - One of San Gimignano’s most impressive sights is the medieval skyline made up of 13 remaining towers dating back from the 11th century. San Gimignano rises on a hill dominating the Elsa Valley. The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle-Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim's route that crossed it. Once in San Gimignano, we enjoy free time to explore the city of towers. San Gimignano also has several distractions for shopping – so dig in and enjoy! – from San Gimi we're off to Villa Dievole Estate for a tour of the cellars and a delightful wine tasting with appetizers. Experience the castle grounds with a tour of the cellars along with wine-tasting featuring palate-pleasing appetizers including pecorino cheese and bruschetta!  You’ll get your fill of classic Chianti and Tuscan vino along with delicate cuisine. We overnight tonight in Cortona in the heart of Tuscany - absolutely beautiful!

Day 7 |   Cortona in Arezzo, Toscana | Assisi in Umbria | To Rome

After breakfast, enjoy morning in Cortona – is a small but fascinating city in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany, central Italy, situated on a commanding hill, and overlooking Lake Trasimeno. Its cyclopean walls, still in great part preserved, are said to be 3000 years old. It was one of the twelve cities of Etruria and is our host this morning as we observe Italian life in Tuscany! Depart 12:00 for departure for Assisi. Assisi including the Basilica: the mystic city of St.Francis surrounded by ancient walls lays on top of the green slopes of Mount Subasio. Its rose-stone buildings complemented by winding narrow streets, palaces, balconies with blooming flowers will hold you spellbound. You will have a visit of the Basilica of St. Francis, with the masterpieces of Giotto and Cimabue. Then we're off to Rome – where all roads lead. We check into our hotel, the Grand Hotel de la Minerve or similar - about 2 minutes from the Spanish Steps.

Day 8 | Welcome to  Rome   !  Today we have in-depth touring of  Rome   with the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, Roman Forum & the Colosseum, Bernini and Vatican City

There was a dream that was Rome . You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile.

 

After a great breakfast we begin our walking tour of Rome! We begin along the banks of the Tiber River in the heart of Rome. Your Tour Captain provides commentary at important points along the route including Castello San Angelo, the Justice Palace and finally arriving at St. Peter’s square. We navigate along the outer perimeter of the square before meeting our local guide for admission and tour of Vatican City. Our 2 hour tour includes the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica – however, make note the Pope may close any of the Vatican at any time without notice for a variety of reasons. After exiting the Vatican via St. Peter’s square – smaller groups will take taxis to relocate to the Pantheon where you will enjoy a delightful lunch at one of the many restaurants in the Piazza (not included). After lunch, we continue our tour and go back in time as we visit the Roman Forum with admission to the Colosseum – one of the most impressive sights in the entire city of Rome – and did you know, all of Rome is a live archaeological dig? Literally, new discoveries are happening all of the time! Ask your Tour Captain about optional tours later today or tomorrow but join him tonight for dinner (optional).

Day 9 | Roman Holiday

Enjoy a free day in Rome to sightsee and explore on your own. Go back to the Colosseum and explore the Forum deeper. Your Tour Captain will have a variety of activities you can opt for or you can explore on your own. Tonight, enjoy our farewell Gala dinner at an authentic Roman restaurant at the Spanish Steps with your Tour Captain. Our days have been filled with new sights, tastes and discoveries - tonight enjoy reflecting on the incredible journey we've had together!

Day 10 | Check Out or Extend Further. Arrividerci Day
Catch flights for the USA from Rome . Until we meet again, may your days be full of discovery and your nights full of good friends.

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