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. The remainder of your day is at leisure. This afternoon, we enjoy a Welcome Dinner and drink in a Trattoria with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (Welcome Dinner)

Hotel: Diana/Tiberio (2 nights)

Day 3: ROME SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE. The main highlight of our day is a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums followed by a fascinating tour of St. Peter's Basilica brought clearly to life by our local guide using our effective audio system. From here we cross the Tiber for a walking tour into ancient Rome stopping in the Forum to admire the mighty Colosseum. Finally our sightseeing tour ends with a visit to the Palatine Hill to see the Circus Maximus, the stadium which in Roman times, was used for 'Ben Hur' style chariot racing. Then, there's time to sightsee further - 'Roma non basta una vita' - a lifetime is not enough to see all Rome has to offer! (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4: ROME - PISA - FLORENCE. This morning we leave the 'Eternal City', and make our way to Pisa to view the famed Leaning Tower. From here we continue on to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany. The balance of the day is free perhaps to take a walk along the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio and across to the Pitti Palace. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo

Day 5: FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING - VENICE (MAIN.) (2 NIGHTS). Our guided walking tour, including our special audio system, features a visit to Signoria Square and the Santa Croce Basilica. We will also admire the panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, we drive to the floating city of Venice and our hotel for next two nights. This evening, why not experience this city from an elegant gondola? (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Hotel: NH Laguna Palace (2 nights)

Day 6: VENICE SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE. Today we savour the sights and sounds of this serene city on an included canal cruise by motor launch to St. Mark's Square. We view the Bridge of Sighs and Doges' Palace before a visit to a glass-blowing factory. Then free time to shop or sightsee. Why not discover Burano in the Venetian Lagoon and enjoy a seafood lunch? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7: VENICE (MAIN.) - SAN MARINO - ASSISI. Today's morning drive takes us along the Adriatic coast and up into the hills of the Marches to the tiniest and oldest Republic in the world San Marino. Time to buy souvenirs in this fairy-tale Republic before continuing to the pink-stoned city of Assisi, where our walking tour with audio system highlights St. Francis' Basilica. There's also time to visit the Church of St. Clare and explore this tranquil magical place. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Hotel: Grand

Day 8: ASSISI - POMPEII - NAPLES - AT SEA. After breakfast this morning we drive through Umbria to Pompeii, the town buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, for a walking tour with audio system of the excavations. From here it's a short journey to nearby Naples, where we will board our steamer for the overnight crossing to Palermo, Sicily's capital. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 9: AT SEA - PALERMO. After our morning arrival in Palermo we join our coach for a sightseeing tour with a local guide which includes the Piazza Bellini. Then we stop to admire the view of the Conca d'Oro from Monreale, and visit the 12th century Norman Cathedral. Next, we visit the village of Mondello (audio system) before returning to Palermo. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Astoria Palace

Day 10: PALERMO - SELINUNTE - AGRIGENTO. Our first stop is at Selinunte, to visit the Dorian Temples and the Acropolis. Then with a local guide, we make our way to Agrigento where we visit the nearby Valley of Temples. Dating from the 6th century B.C., they rival those of Athens in their Grecian grandeur! Later, on to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Hotel: Grand dei Templi

Day 11: AGRIGENTO - PIAZZA ARMERINA - ENNA - TAORMINA (GIARDINI NAXOS) (2 NIGHTS). Today we will travel through the vineyards of the Southern Hills to enjoy an included visit to see the colourful mosaics of the 4th century Roman Villa of Casale. Then we are off to the scenic splendour of Piazza Armerina before stopping to view the fortress town of Enna. Soon we arrive in the seaside resort, Taormina, where we spend the next two nights. (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Caesar Palace (2 nights)

Day 12: TAORMINA AT LEISURE. A full day to relax in this fun-loving Sicilian resort. Perhaps swim and sunbathe or shop for hand-made lace on the Corso. There's also a chance to visit the Church of San Pancrazio or take an excursion to the crater of Sicily's active volcano, Mount Etna. This evening, we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast/Highlight Dinner)

Day 13: TAORMINA (GIARDINI NAXOS) - SORRENTO (2 NIGHTS). Today begins with a drive along the coast where we board our ferry across the Straits of Messina to mainland Italy. Next we continue through the rustic simplicity of Calabria driving via Salerno - landing place of the Allied Armies in 1943 - to clifftop Sorrento. Here orientation shows us the Piazza Tasso, with its many cafés, plus the Corso Italia with its shops and boutiques, before we head to our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)

Hotel: Parco del Sole/ La Medusa (2 nights)

Day 14: ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION. First a morning visit to an Inlaid Wood workshop to see a demonstration of this local craft. Next we board our ferry for a short cruise to the charming Isle of Capri. On our arrival we enjoy a walking tour with audio equipment in Capri town where we enjoy views across the sea to the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola. Then free time to explore further or perhaps take a chairlift from Anacapri. Later, we cruise back to Sorrento (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 15: SORRENTO - ROME. This morning we enjoy a spectacular drive along the Bay of Naples, before we continue on our way north to view the Abbey of Monte Cassino. From here we make our way back to Rome, with the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, why not spend your final night with your fellow travelling companions in a Roman trattoria? (Buffet Breakfast)

Hotel: Sheraton Golf

Day 16: ROME - USA. 'Buon viaggio' to new-found friends as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)

**Note Friday departures will visit the Sistine Chapel before the departure to Pisa on Day 4