Rates for Trafalgar Vacation Best of Sicily
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Simply Italy |
From $1099 US
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| Rome, Florence, Venice | ||
7 Days Rome to Rome |
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INCLUDED FEATURES… SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS ROME: Sightseeing tour with special audio system includes views of the Forum and Colosseum and visits St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel SIENA: Visit the medieval Tuscan city FLORENCE: Sightseeing tour with special audio system includes Signoria Square, Santa Croce Basilica, the Baptistry and views from Piazzale Michelangelo VENICE: Canal cruise by private launch. View St. Mark's Square, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; visit a glass-blowing factory SCENIC DRIVES: Through the Chianti vineyards of Tuscany, across the fertile Po Valley and over the Apennine Mountains
MEALS Buffet breakfast daily; Welcome dinner in Rome and 2 three course dinners ACCOMMODATIONS First Class hotel accommodations includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities; all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes AIRPORT TRANSFERS Transfers will be provided for passengers who have booked our Land + Air package. Group transfers on arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30 and 15.30. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at the Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.
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Day 1: DEPART USA. Overnight flight to Rome.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peter's (2 nights) Day 3: ROME SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE. Our morning sightseeing tour of the ‘Eternal City’ with a local guide includes Michelangelo’s magnificent depiction of the Creation on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, as well as St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Our visit of the Basilica – built at the spot where St Peter is said to have died – will include Michelangelo’s moving statue of the ‘Pietà’, as well as the colonnades around St Peter’s Square guarded by the gaily attired Swiss Guards. Then we cross the River Tiber to reach Ancient Rome but first pause in Piazza Venezia where we may take pictures of the ‘Wedding Cake’ or monument to Victor Emmanuel, the first King of a Unified Italy. We will also see the 15th century Palazzo Venezia as well as the Campidoglio. We continue along the Via Sacra to the Roman Forum and the breathtaking Colosseum, the most famous monument of Ancient Rome. Originally known as Flavian’s Amphitheatre, it was started by the Emperor Vespasian between 70 and 76 AD – and today is still standing! Finally we see the Roman’s favourite chariot racing stadium – the Circus Maximus overlooked by the Palatine Hill. Later maybe visit the Catacombs and Pantheon or relax, sip a cappucino and watch the world go by in a sidewalk café on the famous Via Veneto. This evening, why not try one of the many trattorias for dinner, and don’t forget to throw a coin in the famous Trevi Fountain to ensure your speedy return. (Buffet Breakfast) Day 4: ROME - FLORENCE (2 nights). We drive through the Lazio region into peaceful Umbria and then into the lush green hills of Tuscany where we arrive in the valley of the river Arno and Renaissance Florence. This afternoon perhaps take a leisurely stroll through the medieval streets of the city and visit some of its incredible galleries and museums. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Mediterraneo (2 nights)
Day 6: FLORENCE - VENICE (Lido).
Today it's a short drive to magical Venice where we enjoy a canal cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs, the Doges' Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. Later we visit a traditional glass-blowing factory before time at leisure. Venice is a fabulous city and there’s much to see at every turn. Perhaps discover the island of Burano – one of the many islands in the lagoon – and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch with fish freshly caught in the lagoon. This evening, before dinner at our hotel, a romantic gondola serenade as you glide through the narrow canals of this Byzantine masterpiece, would be hard to resist! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Villa Mabapa 
Day 7: VENICE (Lido) - ROME.
Our morning drive takes us across the fertile Po valley to Bologna, where we join the Autostrada del Sole for the beautiful journey over the Apennine Mountains through the Emilia Romagna and into the Chianti vineyards to Siena, famous for its Palio horse race around the Piazza del Campo. Set on three hills Siena is reputedly the best-preserved walled city in the Tuscany region, with its pedestrianised medieval centre. There’s time to enjoy a drink on the main square or maybe visit the stunning marble Cathedral which was begun in the 12th century in the Romanesque style but was transformed in the 13th century into one of the finest examples of the Italian Gothic. Then back to Rome where tonight you may wish to explore the famous Trastevere district and enjoy the exciting nightlife! (Buffet Breakfast) Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo Day 8: ROME - USA. Today, it's 'Arrivederci Roma' as your Tour Director transfers you to the airport for your return flight to the USA. (Buffet Breakfast) Christmas & New Year Highlights Tour departure 22 Dec will spend Christmas in Florence. Tour departure 24 Dec will spend Christmas in Rome. Tour departure 27 Dec will be accommodated in Venice on New Year's Eve. |
Day 2: ARRIVE IN ROME (2 nights).
Trafalgar greets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel for our two night stay. The rest of your day is free to perhaps relax or maybe explore on your own before a warm welcome from your Tour Director and a chance to meet your fellow travellers. Afterwards, perhaps enjoy an evening Illuminations tour of the Eternal City or join the evening throng in cosmopolitan Piazza Navona with its centrepiece of Bernini's magnificent fountain. (Dinner)
Day 5: FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE.
Our sightseeing tour of this beautiful city on foot includes the Cathedral, the Baptistery with its magnificent Bronze doors, the Signoria Square with its Renaissance sculptures and the fine marble architecture of the Santa Croce Basilica, which we visit to see the resting place of Michelangelo and many other great artists, scientists and politicians. There's time to shop for fine leather goods and 18 carat gold designer jewellery before perhaps taking an excursion to Pisa – famous for its amazing Leaning Tower. Tonight, why not dine in one of the restaurants set in the Chianti hills? (Buffet Breakfast)