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THE ITALY's BEST - 2010
14 days incl. air,
or 13 days from Rome to Rome (CO-6390)Return
to Italy Vacations & Tours 
Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
Italy is home to a wealth
of “magnificents,” and this vacation features them all. Experience Rome
with its famed archaeological sites; Florence, “Cradle of the
Renaissance;” Pisa’s infamous Leaning Tower; the unique floating city of
Venice; and Pompeii’s remarkable archaeological site. You also visit
Milan, the capital of fashion; enchanting Lake Maggiore; Italian-speaking
Lugano, Switzerland; lively Sirmione on Lake Garda; Ravenna with its
precious Byzantine mosaics; Assisi with the frescoed St. Francis
Basilica; Perugia, capital of Umbria; the lively resort of Sorrento; and
the Isle of Capri, where the rich and famous meet. Sightseeing tours in
many of the cities introduces you to Italy’s famous landmarks. Enjoy all
of this, along with the warmth of the Italian people and the beauty of
the diverse landscapes, as you discover the best of this captivating
country. You’ll cherish the memories and stories you’ll get from this
amazing Italy vacation.
Itinerary
Day
1 BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 ARRIVAL IN ROM, ITALY
Check
into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this
ancient capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day
3 ROME
The
”Eternal City”—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting
and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in
St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty
Colosseum. (B)
Day
4 ROME-FLORENCE AREA
This
morning, vistas of undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees,
terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of
your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Reach Florence in time to enjoy
the included walking tour with a Local Guide, featuring most of the city
highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza
Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi;
and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the
Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as
the “Gate of Paradise.” (B,D)
Day
5 FLORENCE. EXCURSION TO PISA Pisa
An
easy drive this morning to see more of the Tuscan countryside on the way
to Pisa. Stop for a visit and see the Square of Miracles and the amazing
Leaning Tower. Return to Florence for the afternoon. End the day by joining
the optional Tuscan dinner in a typical restaurant. (B)
Day
6 FLORENCE AREA-MILAN-LAKE MAGGIORE
This
morning, leave hilly Tuscany to travel north into the plains of Lombardy,
crossing the great River Po with new and quite different scenery as you approach
Milan for a stop to see its great Duomo. Overnight in Baveno in the Lake
Maggiore area. (B)
Day
7 LAKE MAGGIORE
Time
to relax and get to know the area. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy’s
largest lakes and is located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. In
fact, on clear days you can see the peaks of the Swiss Alps. Take
advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano and its lake in
Switzerland. (B)
Day
8 LAKE MAGGIORE-VERONA-VENICE AREA
Travel
across the Po river plain and stop in the romantic city of Verona to see Romeo
and Juliet's balcony, and enjoy some time at leisure, before reaching
the Venice Area. (B)
Day
9 VENICE
Venice
is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its
criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces,
and little quiet piazzas. The included orientation starts with a
boat ride and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch
Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did
centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along
the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)
Day
10 VENICE AREA-RAVENNA-ASSISI-PERUGIA
An
interesting drive southwards right across the Po Delta to Ravenna. In the
afternoon, journey to Assisi, enclosed by ramparts and little changed
since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic
St. Francis—see the Church of St. Clare, founder of the Order of Poor
Clares, the medieval castle, and cathedral. Overnight in beautiful nearby
Perugia, capital of Umbria. (B,D)
Day
11 PERUGIA-SORRENTO
Drive
south on the autostrada to Pompeii. Time stopped for the rich,
aristocratic town of Pompeii with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79
AD. On the included visit you can see the remains of luxurious villas,
temples, theater, and forum. Next, Sorrento, set on a plateau above the
waters of the Bay of Naples. Wander the winding streets lined with shops
and stalls, and sit with a glass of wine absorbing the easygoing life of
this charming resort. (B)
Day
12 SORRENTO. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI
This
legendary island is surrounded by rocky coastline where the crashing sea
has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza,
maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a mecca
for the jet set. An optional island tour is available. (B,D)
Day
13 SORRENTO-ROME
A
comfortable drive northwards this morning for arrival in Rome, well in
time to enjoy most of the afternoon and evening. (B)
Day
14 YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
|
Departure
Details
|
Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
|
Land/Cruise
Price Only
|
Status
|
|
Popular Departure
|
3/1/2010
|
3/2/2010
|
3/14/2010
|
$1,665.00
|
Available
|
|
3/1/2010
|
3/2/2010
|
3/14/2010
|
$1,935.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
3/8/2010
|
3/9/2010
|
3/21/2010
|
$1,665.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
3/15/2010
|
3/16/2010
|
3/28/2010
|
$1,745.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
3/22/2010
|
3/23/2010
|
4/4/2010
|
$1,745.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
3/29/2010
|
3/30/2010
|
4/11/2010
|
$1,779.00
|
Available
|
|
4/5/2010
|
4/6/2010
|
4/18/2010
|
$1,779.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/12/2010
|
4/13/2010
|
4/25/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
4/19/2010
|
4/20/2010
|
5/2/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
4/26/2010
|
4/27/2010
|
5/9/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
5/3/2010
|
5/4/2010
|
5/16/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/10/2010
|
5/11/2010
|
5/23/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
5/17/2010
|
5/18/2010
|
5/30/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/24/2010
|
5/25/2010
|
6/6/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
5/31/2010
|
6/1/2010
|
6/13/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/7/2010
|
6/8/2010
|
6/20/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
6/14/2010
|
6/15/2010
|
6/27/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
6/21/2010
|
6/22/2010
|
7/4/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/28/2010
|
6/29/2010
|
7/11/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
7/5/2010
|
7/6/2010
|
7/18/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
7/12/2010
|
7/13/2010
|
7/25/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/19/2010
|
7/20/2010
|
8/1/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
7/26/2010
|
7/27/2010
|
8/8/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
8/2/2010
|
8/3/2010
|
8/15/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
8/9/2010
|
8/10/2010
|
8/22/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
8/16/2010
|
8/17/2010
|
8/29/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
8/23/2010
|
8/24/2010
|
9/5/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
8/30/2010
|
8/31/2010
|
9/12/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
|
9/6/2010
|
9/7/2010
|
9/19/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
9/13/2010
|
9/14/2010
|
9/26/2010
|
$1,815.00
|
Available
|
Popular Departure - due
to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out
quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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