INCLUDED FEATURES...

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Day 1: DEPART USA. Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2: ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS). On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, there's time to unwind before meeting your Tour Director for a Welcome dinner and drink in a trattoria. (Welcome Dinner)

Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace (2 nights)

Day 3: ROME SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE. Our day starts with a guided visit of Michelangelo's amazing Sistine Chapel brought to life with the use of our effective audio system. We continue our sightseeing with a visit to St. Peter's Basilica and then on for a walking tour in ancient Rome where we stop in the Forum to see the Colosseum. Next we are taken to the Palatine Hill to view the Circus Maximus, the Roman stadium where 'Ben Hur' style chariot races were the order of the day. Later, there's free time perhaps to visit the Catacombs or simply relax over drinks at a sidewalk café. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4: ROME - GARGANO PENINSULA. Today journey takes us through the Abruzzi Mountains to the Adriatic Coast. We reach the Gargano promontory and drive along its pretty coast. Next we head to the curious site of Monte Sant Angelo before arriving in the port of Manfredonia, guarded by its 13th century castle. (Breakfast Buffet/Dinner)

Hotel: Regio Hotel Manfredi

Day 5: GARGANO PENINSULA - ALBEROBELLO - LECCE. This morning a drive along the coast takes us to the region of the Trulli - strange, white, dry-stone structures with conical roofs. We visit the unique town of Alberobello on route to beautiful Lecce. Here our guided sightseeing tour shows us this delightful city including the stunning Basilica and its monumental Piazza del Duomo. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Hotel: President

Day 6: LECCE - SORRENTO (2 NIGHTS) After breakfast, we drive along the coast to Bari and the autostrada taking us to the Gulf of Salerno to Sorrento. Here orientation shows us the Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia with its boutiques and cafés. Tonight, we enjoy dinner in a picturesque restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast/Highlight Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace (2 nights)

Day 7: ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION. This morning we will visit an inlaid wood workshop where we see a demonstration of this local craft. Then, we cruise across to the beautiful Isle of Capri for the day. Here orientation takes us up to Capri Town where we enjoy a walking tour with use of our audio system to admire views of the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then we visit the Piazzetta where the rich and famous sip their cappuccinos - followed by free time to perhaps ascend to Anacapri. At the end of the afternoon we cruise back to Sorrento. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 8: SORRENTO - POMPEII - ASSISI. It's a short drive to Pompeii for a guided walking tour with audio system of the excavations of the town petrified by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Then, through the Campania, stopping at Monte Cassino to visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Next on through the hills of Frascati and the Umbria en route to Assisi, St. Francis' town. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)

Hotel: Grand

Day 9: ASSISI SIGHTSEEING - RAVENNA - VENICE (LIDO.) (2 NIGHTS). Our morning walking tour with audio equipment in Assisi includes the Upper and Lower Basilicas with their Giotto frescoes plus the Santa Maria degli Angeli to visit the Basilica. From here we travel through the Apennines stopping to visit the smallest and oldest Republic in the world -the fairy-tale Republic of San Marino. Finally, we enjoy a scenic drive along the Adriatic Coast, to the magical city of Venice for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Hotel: Boulevard (2 nights)

Day 10: VENICE SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE. Today we savour the sights and sounds as we cruise to St. Mark's Square on our private launch, seeing the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Afterwards, we visit a Murano glass-blowing workshop for a demonstration of this craft. At leisure maybe enjoy lunch on the island of Burano. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 11: VENICE (LIDO.) - CORTINA D'AMPEZZO - BOLZANO (DOLOMITES). Today through the Veneto plains to world-famous Cortina d'Ampezzo. Here we will see the Olympic ski-jump before time at leisure. Later, a stunning drive along the Tre Croci Pass via Dobiacco and Brunico to Bolzano. This evening we dine at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Hotel: Alpi

Day 12: BOLZANO (DOLOMITES) - VERONA - MILAN. Today we're off to Verona for a guided walking tour using our effective audio system to see Juliet's balcony and the Roman Arena. Then we arrive in Milan - home to the Italian fashion gurus. A walking tour using audio system with our Tour director here shows us the Duomo, the Galleria, and the world famous La Scala Opera House. Later, perhaps visit one of the museums or shop in the boutiques (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Quark

Day 13: MILAN - PAVIA - SANTA MARGHERITA. We stop at Pavia to enjoy a guided visit of the Carthusian Abbey by one of the monks (when available). Next via Genoa, Columbus' birthplace, to the Italian Riviera. We stay in the famous resort of Santa Margherita in Liguria for the night. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)

Hotel: Park Suisse

Day 14: SANTA MARGHERITA - PORTOFINO - PISA - FLORENCE (2 NIGHTS). This morning we cruise to nearby Portofino (weather permitting), an internationally loved resort. Then past the quarries of Carrara to Pisa, where we see the Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the square of Miracles. Finally, following the old road to Empoli we reach the city which was the jewel of the Renaissance - Florence. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (2 nights)

Day 15: FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE. Our guided walking tour with an audio system includes the Duomo, Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistry and a visit to Santa Croce Basilica. Later some free time before we enjoy a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later you may wish to shop for fine quality leather goods and 18 carat gold designer jewellery for which this city is so famous! There are also many wonderful museums to visit here - your Tour Director can advise you on how to make the most of your time here. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 16: FLORENCE - SIENA - SERRE DI RAPOLANO - ROME. Our day begins with a drive through the Chianti vineyards to the medieval city of Siena. Here an orientation includes the Piazza del Campo, scene of the annual Palio horse race, and the Cathedral. Next we stop in the grounds of the ancient castle of Serre di Rapolano, before we return to the 'Eternal City', Rome. Perhaps join in an excursion to Tivoli this evening, to see the wonderful gardens and fountains of the Villa d'Este. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Sheraton Golf

Day 17: ROME - USA. This morning bid farewell as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)