Monday, September 16, 2019
Highlights of ITALY Tour
Scheduled International Flights • Top Quality Four Star Hotels • Buffet Breakfast and Dinners Daily • Top Guide with In-Depth Knowledge of Italian culture and history • Private Air Conditioned Motorcoach Visits to the Major Historical Sites •
Boat Ride to visit the Blue Grotto • ........and much more
Have A Very Pleasant Journey!
SPECIAL NOTE:The tour operator and/or guide reserve the right to alter the sequence of the daily itinerary and make substitutions in order to meet changes brought about by weather, airline delays or as deemed necessary for the best interest and overall comfort of the group.
TOUR CONDITIONS
PRICE PER PERSON FROM LOS ANGELES: $4342
(Note: This is a custom tour and the cost quoted above is based on a minimum No. of 40 adult participants. Should tour membership fall below this number, the tour operator reserves the right to re-cost the program.) All airfares are subject to change.
PRICE INCLUDES
• Round trip jet economy class
• First Class Hotels. Accommodations based on two persons sharing a room
• Full Buffet-Breakfast daily & six dinners
• Round trip transfers by private motor coach including a qualified, licensed English-speaking guide
• Porterage for one suitcases per person not to exceed 50 pounds.
• Airport taxes & airline fuel surcharges of $600 per person, subject to change
• Tips for guides, driver, restaurant staff and housekeeping staff
NOT INCLUDED
• The cost of obtaining a U.S. passport, meals or beverages other than specified, insurance, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, etc.
DOCUMENTS
• A valid U.S. passport is required.
ITALY TRIP ITINERARY
MON, SEP 16 LOS ANGELES • ROME
Depart from Los Angeles on our flight to Rome. Meals and overnight on board. After dinner relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.
TUE, SEP 17 ROME
Morning arrival at Rome Airport where we are met and transferred to our hotel. In the afternoon we visit St John's Gate, Via Latina, Old Appia Way, Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis, Catacombs of St. Callixtusor St. Sebastianthe site of over 125,000 martyrdom's, St. Sebastian's Gate, the Caracalla Baths, and the Circus Maximus. Lunch and afternoon on your own. This evening we are on our own for dinner. This evening around 7:00PM we walk from the hotel to a local restaurant for dinner. Return to the hotel for overnight.(D)
WED, SEP 18 ROME
Today we will visit the Vatican Museumand Art Galleries, the Vatican Gardens, St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapelwith the works of Michelangelo, Gallery of the Chandeliers, Tapestries, Geographical Maps, Raphaels’s Gallery, and the Library Hall. Lunch in the Vatican cafeteria (on own). Afternoon visit will include, Old Appia Way, Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis, Catacombs of St. Callixtus or St. Sebastian+ + Basilica of St. Mary Major as well as the Basilica of St. John Lateran. This evening we take a short walk to a local restaurant for dinner. (B & D)
THU, SEP 19 ROME
This morning we will tour the Roman Forum, Colosseum(internal). Later proceed on a walking tour visiting the Trevi Fountain, the Partheonand Piazza Navona. In the afternoon we visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major as well as the Basilica of St. John Lateran. This evening dinner is on your own. Return to the hotel for overnight. (B)
FRI, SEP 20 ROME • POMPEII • SORRENTO
This morning we depart Rome for Pompeii. Pompeii is an entire town perfectly preserved as it was on that tragic day almost 2,000 years ago, when ash and lava just stopped it in its tracks. We’ll see the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape along with their children and dogs. Proceed to Sorrento. Dinner is at a local Italian restaurant. (B & D)
SAT, SEP 21 SORRENTO • CAPRI • SORRENTO
After breakfast we transfer to Naplesharbor where we board a hydrofoil to the Island of Capri. The town of Capri is the main center of population on the island. It has two harbors, Marina Piccolaand Marina Grande(the main port of the island). The separate commune of Anacapri is located high on the hills to the west. Upon arrival we board our boat to visit the famous Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto is one of several sea caves, worldwide, that is flooded with a brilliant blue or emerald light. The quality and nature of the color in each cave is determined by the unique lighting conditions in that particular cave. In the case of the Blue Grotto, the light comes from two sources. One is a small hole in the cave wall, precisely at the waterline, that is perhaps a meter and half in diameter. This hole is barely large enough to admit a tiny rowboat, and is used as the entranceway. Later we tour the island of Capri with a local guide using taxies. Dinner in Sorrento. Overnight Sorrento. (B, D)
SUN, SEP 22 SORRENTO • FLORENCE
Depart Sorrento for Florence. Enroute we visit Ovieto. Umbria's grand hill town, Orvieto, while no secret. Just off the freeway between Florence and Rome, with three popular claims to fame (cathedral, Classico wine, and ceramics), it's loaded with tourists by day and quiet by night. The town sits majestically on a big chunk of volcanic rock called tuff, and the streets are lined with exhaust-stained buildings made from the carvable stuff. Evening dinner in the heart of Florence. Return to the hotel for overnight.. (B & D)
MON, SEP 23 FLORENCE • SAN GIMIGNANO
Statr the day with a visit to Piazza Michelangelo where we enjoy the view of the entire city. We will visit the Galleria dell-Accademiawith its original Statue of David, the Third Pieta, and the Four Slaves by Michelangelo. We proceed to the Duomo, the Cathedral St. Maria del Fiore, with its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, the Baptistry, where we find the golden bronze doors of Ghibertiand admire the Giotto campanielle (bell tower). This afternoon transfer to the village of San Gimignano. Check in at the hotel. Dinner tonight will be very special! Dine at an old Farm House – Poggio All’Oro farm house. This farm makes their own wines & cheeses. The meat is also from the farm. This is a feast to remember!! Overnight San Gimignano. (B, D)
TUE, SEP 24 SAN GIMIGNANO • ROME
After breakfast we depart for Rome. Arrive Rome by the early afternoon. The rest of the day is yours to explore this romantic city on your own. Dinner is on own tonight. Overnight Rome. (B & D)
WED, SEP 25 ROME • LOS ANGELES
After an early breakfast we transfer to the airport. Depart on our flight to Los Angeles. Arrive the same day with wonderful memories of Italy. (B)
B = Breakfast D = Dinner