Grand Italy: 14 Days Escorted Tour Gain a first-hand perspective of Italy's greatest treasures. Learn of the momentous impact of the art from the Italian Renaissance through viewing Italy's architectural and historical monuments. Relax in a country of extraordinary beauty, sample its wines, savor a variety of regional cuisines, meet its people and observe contemporarily Italian life up close. Inclusions Highlights Features Itinerary Dates Inclusions 2 nights in Venice at the Sofitel Venezia 3 nights in Florence at the Hotel Brunelleschi Firenze or the Boscolo Hotel Astoria 2 nights Spoleto at the Hotel Dei Duchi 2 nights in Minori at the Hotel Villa Romana 3 nights in Rome at the Empire Palace Hotel 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners Highlights Venice walking tour and gondola serenade See Pisa's Leaning Tower Visit Florence's Accademia and Uffizi Galleries Wine tasting at Villa Francesca Explore St. Francis' Assisi Breathtaking views along the Amalfi Drive Visit the ruins of Pompeii Tour the Vatican and explore Rome's treasures View masterpieces in the Villa Borghese

Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight flight to Venice.

Days 2 & 3 - Venice
Welcome to Venice, the city of canals. Meet your fellow travelers at the evening get-acquainted reception and dinner. Tuesday, take a walking tour through the historic landmarks around St. Mark's Square, the incredible Basilica and the Doges Palace. Be serenaded during a gondola ride on the Grand Canal and dine out at a local restaurant. SOFITEL VENEZIA

Days 4 & 5 - Pisa/Florence
Drive to Pisa, cultural center of Tuscany, to see the famous Leaning Tower before arriving in Florence, "birthplace of the Renaissance". Your viewpoint from Piazzale Michelangelo offers an unforgettable first impression of the city. On Thursday, don your most comfortable shoes for a walking tour of the city's many treasure, a wealth of delight for art lovers! Florence reached its peak during the full flowering of the Renaissance. See Michelangelo's sculptures, including his David in the Accademia Gallery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore, Giotto's Campanile and the bronze-doored Baptistry. Later, visit the famed Uffizi Gallery, housing the most important collection of paintings in Italy. HOTEL BRUNELLESCHI FIRENZE or BOSCOLO HOTEL ASTORIA

Day 6 - Lucca/Florence
Today is devoted to exploring Lucca with its impressive city walls. Here Caesar, Pompey and Crassus agreed to rule Rome as a triumvirate. Take a walking tour of the historic center of Puccini's birthplace. This area is also said to produce the best olive oil, and you learn why at a nearby farm before returning to Florence. HOTEL BRUNELLESCHI FIRENZE or BOSCOLO HOTEL ASTORIA

Day 7 - San Gimignano/Spoleto
Drive past Tuscan olive groves and quaint villages to San Gimignano, most remarkable of the medieval Tuscan hill towns. Time seems to have stood still here since the Middle Ages. See the 13 medieval towers before continuing to Villa Francesca, where you are treated to a wine tasting. Then you're off to the enchanting town of Spoleto for the next two nights at the HOTEL DEI DUCHI.

Day 8 - Assisi/Spoleto
Travel through Umbria to Assisi for lunch. On your walking tour, see the Basilica of St. Francis and the portico of the Temple of Minerva, now the church of Santa Maria della Minerva. Return to Spoleto where you are free to stroll the town and dine on your own. HOTEL DEI DUCHI

Days 9 & 10 - Amalfi Coast
Journey south through the peaceful green Umbrian hills into Campania, then continue down to the Sorrento plain, overlooking the sea. Arrive in the village of Minori perched on either side of the river Regina Minor high above the sea below. On Tuesday morning enjoy a walking tour of the village, complete with ruins of an ancient Roman villa, from which your hotel takes its name. In the afternoon take a drive along the Amalfi Coast to experience breathtaking scenery around every bend. Have lunch at a local restaurant and time to stroll the seaside town of Amalfi. HOTEL VILLA ROMANA

Day 11 - Pompeii/Rome
Visit the ruins of Pompeii, buried by hot cinders and ash from Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Visit the temple, the forum and a home adorned with frescos. The excavated ruins represent how provincial Roman resort cities looked. The decorative mural designs include some of the oldest and finest ever discovered. Arrive in the late afternoon in the eternal city of Rome, for three nights at the comfortable EMPIRE PALACE HOTEL.

Day 12 - Vatican City
Visit the Vatican to see St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's glorious Sistine Chapel. This afternoon, take a walking tour to the Villa Borghese to view the masterpieces of Bernini and Caravaggio. EMPIRE PALACE HOTEL.

Day 13 - Villa Borghese/Free time
This morning learn about Rome's many faces and see the monumental ruins of it former grandeur: the Colosseum, the Forum where Marc Anthony, Cicero, Augustus, Trajan and Nero stood. See Navona Square with Bernini's fountains and Trevi Fountain, of three coins fame! Later there is time for those last minute shopping forays or to find a quiet, al fresco trattoria for lunch, sip a glass of wine and watch the world go by. Re-join your fellow travelers for the farewell dinner at the EMPIRE PALACE HOTEL.

Day 14 - Conclude Rome
We hope this is just the beginning of your love affair with all that is Italian. Make you way to the airport for your departure flights home. Arrivederci a presto!

Travel Dates & Rates

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• Booking Code: GIT

• Land only rate is per person based on double occupancy. Airfare is not included. Please inquire about our competitive fares at time of booking. With purchase of international airfare through Maupintour, arrival and departure transfers are included. Single supplement is from $1159. Pre/post nights are available upon request. Reservation deposit is $500 per person. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars.