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Essential Italy

Italy is the kind of destination that travelers return to over and over.
Introduction

Despite incessant praise, Italy continues to surprise and delight. If you get it right, travelling in the bel paese (beautiful country) is one of those rare experiences in life that cannot be overrated.

Duration
8 Days
Starting At
$2029 per person
Style
Escorted
Departures
August 2018 - October 2018
The Journey
Venice, Florence, Rome
Roundtrip Flights From U.S. Included
Yes
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Tour Highlights

What's Included

Not Included

Tour Highlights

  • Stop at a typical farm in the Tuscan countryside for wine tasting and local specialties
  • See Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower
  • Visit the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi

What's Included

  • Flights New York-Venice, Rome-New York (other departure cities available for an additional cost)
  • 6 nights First Class accommodations
  • Breakfast daily
  • Italian city hotel taxes, fees & service charges
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout

Not Included

  • Visas (if applicable)
  • Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
  • Optional activities

The Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 1

Depart for Italy

Depart for Italy.

Day 2

Venice

Arrive in glorious Venice with its astonishing treasures; transfer to your hotel independently. Balance of the day is at leisure in this city built on over a 100 small islands and connected by 400 bridges. Venice is truly an artistic masterpiece. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager.

Overnight: Venice

Day 3

Venice

Today you can spend the day at your leisure or, choose to participate in an optional walking tour of some of the most famous Venetian sights. The tour starts with a visit to a glass blowing factory in Murano, known for its artistic and colorful Murano glassware. Then travel to St. Mark’s Square where you will learn about the Square’s most prominent monuments, including the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Doge’s Palace as well as the Bell and Clock Towers. Proceed to Santa Maria Formosa Square and Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, the second largest square in Venice. Continue to the corner of Marco Polo’s house and Malibran Theater. Then, return to St. Mark’s Square through the Mercerie, a series of interconnecting streets that link the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square, and are the main streets in the city for shopping. Please note: This is a walking and orientation tour of Venice and does not include entry into any landmarks and ends in St. Mark’s Square. The remainder of the day is at leisure or, enjoy an optional Gondola Serenade – one of the highlights of any Italian holiday!

Overnight: Venice | Breakfast

Day 4

Tuscany, Pisa, Florence

Depart Venice and travel through the stunning golden landscape of Tuscany, dotted with olive trees. Visit a typical Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting coupled with delectable local specialties. On to Pisa, to view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The monuments on the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Then, travel to the lively Renaissance city of Florence, with its priceless art and architecture for overnight.

Overnight: Florence | Breakfast

Day 5

Florence

Enjoy your day at leisure exploring this famous city of the Renaissance. Perhaps, choose to join the optional tour of the Accademia of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo’s David is housed; stand in awe of this glorious work of art. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in this spectacular city. Tonight, a delightful optional evening begins with a ride through the Tuscan hills to a lovely restaurant where a sumptuous Tuscan dinner is served along with unlimited wine and entertainment.

Overnight: Florence | Breakfast

Day 6

Rome

Depart Florence to the small medieval town of Assisi perched high on a hill in the Umbria region, with its Roman ruins, winding medieval streets and sacred shrines. Assisi is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi – patron saint of Italy. Its main attraction is the 13th century Basilica di San Francesco, one of the artistic highlights of medieval Europe, which contains the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto’s astonishing frescoes. The town of Assisi has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture. Afterwards, continue to Rome, the astonishing city built on seven hills.

Overnight: Rome | Breakfast

Day 7

Rome

Spend your last day at leisure, exploring “The Eternal City” or, choose to join the optional Ancient Rome tour. Begin at the legendary Roman Forum, the central area of the city from which ancient Rome developed. Next, view the triumphal Arch of Constantine, erected by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s tenth year of leadership over the Eternal City. Gain special access to the mighty Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire that seated over 50,000. It was used for gladiatorial contests and public events, that were attended by the rich, the poor and by the Emperor.

Overnight: Rome | Breakfast

Day 8

Depart Italy

Transfer independently to the airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast

Know Before You Go

The Fine Print

All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

Prices are correct at time of publication; however, as airfares continually fluctuate and classes of service may have limited capacity, prices and availability will change accordingly.

Deposit due upon booking. Reservations accepted until sold out.

Deposits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure with some exceptions where payment is due earlier. Payment plans available.

Passport must be valid 6 months beyond travel dates. Visa requirements vary dependent upon your nationality, the countries you are visiting, whether you require a single or a multi entry visa and the duration of your stay. Some visas can be obtained upon arrival at the airport, others must be procured in advance, and embassy’s can often take several weeks to process them, so it is important that you start thinking about obtaining your visa at the time of booking. For more information about visa requirements, visit the US Department of State.

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