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Tours:
Monte Carlo, Tuscany & Como
Best of Italy
Italy
Italy
is world famous for its wonderful food,
beautiful landscapes, unique art treasures
and passionate operas! Situated in the heart
of Mediterranean Europe, an bordered by
France, Switzerland, Austria dn slovenia,
Italy offers something for everyone.
It
continues to be one of the most popular
destinations in the world. All roads really
do lead to Rome!
Enjoy
a relaxing family holiday or have a romantic
city break in one its' beautiful cities
infused with history and air - Rome, Venice,
Florence, Milan or Naples.
Monte Carlo, Tuscany & Como 11 Days from $2,099*
Featuring: France, Italy
Tour Duration: 11 days
Tour Pace
This tour certainly is easy paced with three nights each in Monte Carlo , the elegant spa town of Montecatini and lakeside Como . There are half day excursions included in each centre still leaving plenty of free time to explore.
Day 1: Saturday - Depart USA Overnight flight to Nice.
Day 2: Sunday - Arrive Cote D'Azur
Welcome to the French Riviera ! On arrival at Nice Airport there are complimentary transfers along the coast to the tour hotel in Monaco . This afternoon is at leisure to relax and settle in. This evening, join your fellow passengers and Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Meridien Beach Plaza . (3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)
Day 3: Monday - Monaco sightseeing
This morning we explore Monaco which has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 13th century. We walk with our Tour Director through the old town to see the Royal Palace , where the Grimaldi family lives, the yacht-filled harbour and the Cathedral, housing the tombs of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. We also drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit to see the world famous Monte Carlo Casino. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4: Tuesday - Nice & St. Paul De Vence excursion
A day to enjoy an exotic taste of the Jet-set! We visit Nice - one of the liveliest cities in France , with a host of attractions. Take a stroll in the shady gardens, relax on the beach or browse in the exclusive boutiques. Later, we visit the medieval town of St Paul de Vence , perched high on a hill top. It was a source of inspiration for artists such as Chagall, Matisse and Cezanne and you will understand why as we wander through the narrow cobbled streets and enjoy the panoramic views over Provence . (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 5: Wednesday - Monaco - Pisa - Montecatini
We cross into Italy and drive along the "Flower Riviera ", following the amazing autostrada through tunnels and bridges. A glimpse of the world famous marble quarries of Carrara now, before arriving in Pisa , once one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean . Its wealthy merchants dedicated some of their wealth to build a fine cathedral and baptistry, but today it is the belltower which attracts most notice by leaning 4 metres from the perpendicular! We stay tonight in the nearby Tuscan spa town of Montecatini. Hotel : Grand Hotel Tettuccio. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)
Day 6: Thursday - Florence sightseeing
A short drive brings us to Florence , cradle of the Renaissance. Here we see the lofty Cathedral and Baptistry, Giotto's 14th century Campanile (said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world), the 'Gates of Paradise ', Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture, and we visit one of the great art galleries to see Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Statue of David. This afternoon you may wish to discover more of the art treasures housed in the many museums and galleries, or to explore more of this fascinating city, before returning to the hotel. Tonight, perhaps join a Tuscan dinner party? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7: Friday - Lucca excursion
This morning a short drive brings us to the delightful medieval town of Lucca – its churches, squares and palaces perfectly preserved within its encircling ramparts. We see the birthplace of Puccini, who wrote the tragic opera 'La Boheme', and the bronze statue dedicated to him. After time here to explore we return to the hotel. This afternoon maybe take an excursion to the hilltop town of San Gimignano , renowned for its many tall fortress towers, or take a relaxing stroll in Montecatini? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8: Saturday - Montecatini - Como
We drive northwards this morning through the dramatic scenery of the Appenine mountains to the fertile plains in the Po valley . Then we head towards Milan , the commercial capital of Northern Italy , where we see the magnificent Gothic cathedral and the famous La Scala opera house. From here we drive northwards to the spectacular Italian Lake District and our hotel in the lakeside resort of Como . Hotel: Palace. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)
Day 9: Sunday - Como
Enchanting Lake Como , considered the jewel of the Italian Lakes for its superb mountain setting. There is time to explore the resort of Como , dominated by its marble cathedral set in the narrow streets of the old town. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10: Monday - Como - Lugano excursion
We cross into Switzerland to fashionable Lugano, beautifully located on the shores of its lake amid spectacular mountains. Time here to stroll in the gardens and browse in the exclusive shops with the chance to buy delicious Swiss chocolate or even that exclusive Swiss watch! We return to Como this afternoon and enjoy a Highlight Dinner together tonight in a local restaurant. (Full Breakfast, Highlight Dinner)
Day 11: Tuesday - Return to USA
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. Transfer to Malpensa Airport will arrive at 09.00 hours. (Buffet Breakfast)
Best of Italy 11 days from $1,899*
Featuring: Rome, Assisi, Venice, Tuscany, Florence, Naples, Isle of Capri
Tour Duration: 11 days
Tour Pace
This tour has a well balanced pace with two night stays in three of the five centres – Rome, Tuscany and Sorrento – with overnight stays in Assisi and Venice. The driving days are of a comfortable length with several stops en route, both for refreshment and photography.
Day 1: Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2: Rome at leisure
On arrival at Rome 's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. After checking in, there's time at leisure to explore or relax. Perhaps spend some time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso or the elegant designer stores in the neighbourhood of the Spanish Steps? Tonight, we get together with our Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peters.
Day 3: Rome sightseeing
This morning we enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour with a local guide which takes us inside the Vatican Museums to gaze upon the treasures of the Popes. We also see Michelangelo's famous ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel. Next we tour St Peter's Basilica to wonder at another of his works, the emotive 'Pieta'. Now we cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial contests and we also overlook the Roman Forum. The rest of the day is at leisure to continue sightseeing or shop? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4: Rome - Assisi
We leave Rome this morning, following the valley of the River Tiber until we reach the hills of Umbria , which form part of the Apennines . Our destination today is the peaceful hilltop town of Assisi , the home of St Francis. First, we visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built on the site of the original Porziuncule Chapel foundations. Then we continue up Mount Subasio to the town, where we visit the Basilica of St Francis with its magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto. Hotel: Subasio. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)
Day 5: Assisi - Venice
A pleasant drive brings us to the romantic city of Venice . What better way to see Venice than from our own private launch? We cruise past Palladian churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark's square where we disembark to see the Doges' Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs . It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! Around the corner we admire the mosaics of the Basilica and then watch one of the few remaining Masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory. Now relax and enjoy the atmosphere as we cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. Hotel: Continental/Gabrielli Sandwirth. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)
Day 6: Venice - Tuscany
Leaving magical Venice this morning, we drive along the scenic Brenta Canal with its magnificent Palladian villas, once the summer residences of Venetian nobility. We then cross the plain of the Po River and traverse the Apennines , the hilly backbone of Italy , to reach the Arno valley. We now follow the river westwards to the coastal town of Pisa . Here we see the famous Leaning Tower , where elaborate steps have been taken to prevent this landmark from falling over! There is also time to admire the white marble cathedral and Baptistery, before we continue to the Tuscan spa resort of Montecatini for our two night stay. Hotel: Francia & Quirinale. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7: Florence sightseeing
This morning we drive to the Tuscan capital, Florence , where we are joined by a local guide. Our walking tour begins with a highlight visit inside the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's monumental figure of David. Now we continue to the multi-coloured marble Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore , where we see Giotto's belltower, and 'Gates of Paradise ' . We also visit the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence . The area around nearby Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the high quality of its luxury goods, and so we are treated to a demonstration of leatherwork, where this craft first established itself. Then, there's free time to shop for Florence 's finest or continue sightseeing! (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)
Day 8: Tuscany - Sorrento
Today the smooth motorway takes us south through the rich volcanic hills of Frascati to Cassino . Here we visit the Commonwealth Cemetery , overlooked by the austere monastery of Montecassino - headquarters of the Benedictine order. Now we take the clifftop road to our hotel in the picturesque resort of Sorrento . Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace. (Buffet Breakfast)
 Day 9: Isle of Capri excursion
This morning we are shown the art of 'intarsio' or marquetry wood inlaying, and then we cruise to the sun drenched island of Dreams , Capri - a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean . We take the funicular train up to the main village ( Capri Town ) , then time to explore the narrow alleyways, browse in the exclusive boutiques, and enjoy fabulous views over the Mediterranean Sea . Perhaps join an optional tour to Anacapri, where you can visit Villa San Michele before returning to our hotel for some time to relax. (Buffet Breakfast, 3 or 4-course or buffet-style Dinner with menu choices)
Day 10: Sorrento - Rome
Only a short drive from our hotel lies Pompeii . This fascinating Roman city was preserved in its daily life by layers of ash from the eruption of the nearby Mount Vesuvius in AD79. With a local guide, our walking tour of the excavations brings the ancient, ill-fated city to life. Now the smooth motorway brings us back to the ' Eternal City ' of Rome . Tonight we stop by the beautifully illuminated Trevi Fountain (to drop the traditional coin or three!) on the way to our special highlight dinner of local cuisine with entertainment. Hotel: Sheraton Roma. (Full Breakfast, Highlight Dinner)
Day 11: Return to USA
Arrivederci Roma! Our memorable tour ends this morning with a transfer to Rome Airport . (Buffet Breakfast)
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