Italy

From Venice to Capri

April 18 - 29, 2011

$3,770 + tax

Itinerary:

Saturday April 9 LAX

Tuesday April 19 Venice
We arrive at Venice Mestre airport and by private boat transfer to Venice Island for checking to our hotel. The remainder of the day at your leisure. Hotel Gabrielli Sandwirth (D)

Wednesday April 20 Venice
Today as we are staying on the island of Venice everything is in walking distance a city tour on foot. Visiting St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), which was called "the drawing room of the world" and has been the centre of religious and social life in the Venetian republic for almost one millennium. Here you will find St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica San Marco), the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), with paintings from Tintoretto, Veronese, and works by Bosch, the Bell tower (Campanile) and the most famous sights of Venice. We continue to the Bridge of Sighs (). We take time to watch skilled Glassblowers work their art. Hotel Gabrielli Sandwirth (B/L)

Thursday April 21 Venice - Verona - Florence
A short distance from Venice we reach the medieval setting of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, to see Juliet's Balcony and the well preserved Arena in Verona. Our day will end in Florence, home to Renaissance splendor. Hotel Degli Orafi (B/L)

Friday April 22 Florence-Torre del Lago Puccini-Pisa-San Gimignano-Florence
The morning gives us an orientation tour of Torre del Lago, Opera composer Giacomo Puccini lived and worked here. Puccini called this area "paradise". His operas, including La Boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, are among the most frequently performed. We continue to Pisa for pictures of its amazing Leaning Tower. The tour continues to San Gimignano, small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena. It is well known for its medieval architecture, and flavorful white wine. Hotel Degli Orafi (B/D)

Saturday April 23 Florence
A full day guided sightseeing tour of Florence including a visit to the Uffizi Gallery which is one of the oldest and most famous art museums of the Western world. Hotel Degli Orafi (B/L)

Sunday April 24 Florence
After breakfast a short drive will take us to Siena. We walk through charming narrow streets to Piazza Del Campo one of Europe's greatest medieval squares. This splendid renowned town is known worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. Hotel Degli Ulivi (B/L)

Monday April 25 Siena - Rome
Italian landscape of Tuscany. We drive to the eternal city of Rome. Our city tour of Rome includes a visit to the Coliseum elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. Hotel Beverly Hills (B/L)

Tuesday April 26 Rome - Pompeii - Sorrento
Heading south to the famous ruins of Pompeii, we visit this Roman city preserved by the eruption of Mont Vesuvius in 97 AD. Walk through day by day life of a city at its highest time of Roman power. Ending our day at the charming resort of Sorrento and enjoy a leisurely stroll and check out the local artisan's workshop. Hotel Grand Paradiso (B/L)

Wednesday April 27 Sorrento- Capri & Ana Capri - Naples - Rome
Another exciting day as we speed across the blue bay by Jetfoil to the beautiful and romantic island of Capri. A tour of the island including a drive to Ana Capri and to Blue Grotto by boat. Afternoon return on Hydrofoil to Naples and continue to Rome. Hotel Beverly Hills (B/L)

Thursday April 28 Rome
Our full day city tour of Rome start by visiting the Vatican Museum including the Sistine Chapel world famous for Michelangelo's Ceiling paintings and the last Judgments. Continue to St. Peter's square and Basilica. Tonight is our last chance to sampl the fine cuisine of Italy and to toast the memories of the past week! We have arranged a farewell dinner for you at a local restaurant. Hotel Beverly Hills (B/D)

Friday April 29 Rome - LAX
This morning we say Arrivederci to Rome and Italy by catching our homebound flight. Our flight arrives the same day.

(B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner

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