$3019
The Best of Italy 2012
On this Best of Italy tour, visit some of Italy’s most popular cities, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Assisi. See the must-see sights in these cities, including the Vatican Museums, Colosseum, and Roman Forum in Rome; the Leaning Tower of Pisa; St. Mark’s Square and Basilica in Venice; and the church where St. Francis is buried—St. Francis Basilica—in Assisi. In Orvieto, situated high atop a volcanic rock, ride a funicular through the ramparts and visit the cathedral.
A tour highlight is Pompeii, which was completely buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago—this preserved town gives you an amazingly detailed look into life at the peak of the Roman Empire. Admire the paintings still on the walls, and look for the early fast-food restaurants beloved by ancient Romans. Another tour highlight is the picturesque Isle of Capri, where you’ll ride the funicular to Capri village and have time to pamper yourself at one of its luxurious spas, shop at its designer shops, enjoy limoncello (a sweet local drink), savor the sumptuous cuisine at a bistro, and enjoy the amazing views of the breathtaking azure sea.
Italy can satisfy even the most discerning traveler, and this tour allows you to experience its stunning beauty, ancient ruins, amazing sculptures, exquisite art, tasty cuisine, fine wines, and so much more. So grab your camera and leave all the details to Globus, so you can just enjoy yourself on this memorable vacation!
Dates From:
03/11/2012 through 10/28/2012
Trip Length:
11 days
Supplier:
Globus family of brands
Itinerary:
| Day | Description | View All + |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 |
Arrive in Rome, Italy. Time to rest or to start exploring the “Eternal City.” At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D) |
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| Day 2 |
Rome. Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (B) |
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| Day 3 |
Rome–Orvieto–Tuscany. Following the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto, perched high atop a volcanic rock. Access, denied to many a would-be conqueror through the ages, is easy for you. Ride a modern FUNICULAR right through the forbidding ramparts. Time to browse through tempting shops in the lanes off Piazza del Duomo and to find the right angle for a picture of the fabulous gothic façade of the CATHEDRAL with its San Brizio Chapel. Next, drive through the Chianti wine area to the spa resort of Montecatini in Tuscany. (B) |
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| Day 4 |
Tuscany. Excursion to Florence. All day dedicated to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Your guided walking tour includes visits to Michelangelo’s David in the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS and the magnificent cathedral. Admire Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Afternoon for independent sightseeing and browsing through the many shops. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. (B,D) |
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| Day 5 |
Tuscany–Pisa–Venice. A short drive to Pisa. Take your pictures of the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 12 feet out of the perpendicular. Next, enjoy a comfortable drive north to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the world. (B) |
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| Day 6 |
Venice. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and its byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Then, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional excursion to the island of Burano. (B) |
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| Day 7 |
Venice–Assisi. Through the Apennine Mountains to peaceful Assisi. Meet your Local Guide and visit ST. CLARE’S CHURCH and ST. FRANCIS’ BASILICA built above the Saint’s grave. (B,D) |
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| Day 8 |
Assisi–Pompeii–Naples–Capri. South on the Highway of the Sun to famous POMPEII. Meet your Local Guide and start your highlight visit of this Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. See a patrician home, public baths, and shops that give a striking picture of what day-to-day life was like in Rome at its apex of power. Next, drive to Naples, cross the blue bay by JETFOIL to the beautiful Isle of Capri for your two-night stay, and ride the FUNICULAR to Capri village. (B,D) |
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| Day 9 |
Capri. This morning, enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide. Highlight is a visit to VILLA SAN MICHELE in Anacapri. Afternoon and evening are at leisure to stroll around and discover the beauty of this famous island. (B) |
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| Day 10 |
Capri–Sorrento–Rome. Speed across the bay to the charming resort of Sorrento. Enjoy time to stroll around and check out the local shops before returning to Rome. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with wine in a local restaurant to celebrate the success of your vacation. (B,D) |
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| Day 11 |
Rome. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
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Highlights:
Rome
Welcome and farewell dinners at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum
Orvieto
Ride a funicular though the ramparts and visit the cathedral
Florence
Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David, and Signoria Square
Pisa
Marvel at the legendary Leaning Tower
Venice
Private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration
Assisi
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Clare’s Church and St. Francis’ Basilica
Pompeii
Guided walking tour of the excavations
Naples-Capri-Sorrento
By jetfoil
Capri
Funicular ride; guided sightseeing, visit Villa San Michele in Anacapri
Headsets throughout the tourNotes:
PRICE DETAILS: Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe.
Prices based on double room occupancy.
Single room supplement:
$471
Triple room reduction per person:
$78
Extra nights per person in Rome:
in single room $226, in twin room $165, in triple room $138
What's Included:
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B), 5 three-course dinners (D), including special welcome and farewell dinners with wine in Rome
HOTELS: Full buffet breakfast (B), 5 three-course dinners (D), including special welcome and farewell dinners with wine in Rome
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