6 Days / 5 Nights 4 Star Hotels
Tuesday Departure:
Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Padua, Venice,
Verona, Lake Como,
Milan |
Day 1 Tuesday Rome - Assisi - Siena - Florence
After breakfast at hotel, depart Rome via deluxe motorcoach through
the Umbrian and Tuscan countryside. Visit Assisi, a hill-top town
entirely built in pink sandstone from nearby Mount Subasio, and
the home of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscans order, and his
desciple St. Claire, founder of the Poor Claires. You'll be lead
on a guided tour including basilicas dedicated to both saints, where
highlights include masterpieces by the Renaissance painters Giotto
and Cimabue. Lunch is on your own, and you may wish to sample an
Umbrian specialty like "strangozzi"
(pasta) or "cinghiale" (wild boar) or Dolce D'Assisi (sweet,
rich chestnut pastry). This afternoon, proceed to Siena in the Chianti
region of Tuscany, famed for the rich red color of its cityscape.
Siena is home to St. Catherine of Siena (a designated Doctor of the
Church and credited with returning the Papacy to Rome) and the Palio,
a horse race dating from medieval times and which takes place each
July in Siena's central square! Enjoy Siena's major treasures, including
its fabulous marble gothic cathedral. Proceed through the cypress
groves and vineyards of Chianti country to Florence, "flower" of
the Renaissance. Dinner, overnight in Florence.
Day 2 Wednesday Florence
After breakfast at the hotel, meet Florence with guided tour highlighting
Florentine treasures: the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (St.
Mary of the flower, Florence's namesake), Baptistry of St. John, Bell
Tower by the Renaissance master Giotto, the Academy of Fine Arts gallery
housing Michelangelo's "David", and Santa Croce, a 13th-century
gothic beauty housing Cimabue's famed painted Crucifix, the tombs
of illustrious Florentines (Macchiavelli, Galileo, among others),
and its own centuries-old leather school and shop. This afternoon
is free to join an optional tour to Pisa, town of the leaning tower
or to explore additional treasures of Florence and shop on your own.
The outdoor Market of San Lorenzo boasts leather products, and the
Ponte Vecchio, covered since medieval times with godsmiths' shops,
is a must for Florence's other specialty, gold jewelry. Dinner, overnight
in Florence.
Day 3 Thursday Florence - Padua - Venice
After breakfast at the hotel, depart Florence, traverse the Appenine
mountains to arrive at Padua for a visit to the magnificent Basilica
of St. Anthony of Padua, revered destination of pilgrimages. Proceed
to Venice, city of canals, lagoons, gondolas, and known as "La
Serenissima". After check-in at the hotel, enjoy a tour of the
magnificent Piazza and Basilica of St. Mark's, its marvelous Byzantine-style
architecture studded with colored marbles and glittering gold mosaics
and housing the tomb of the Evangelist Mark. Visit also the elaborate
Doge's Palace, sumptuous home of the former Venetian rulers with
its famous Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners crossed before being
led to the dungeons. Dinner, overnight in Venice.
Day 4 Friday Venice
After breakfast at the hotel, the day is at leisure, perhaps for optional
excursion to islands of Burano, Murano, & Torcello, famed for
their hand-blown glass and lace-making crafts, Venetian treasures
which are available for purchase. You may wish to explore Venice's
canals, museums, churches, and quiet neighborhoods on your own. Dinner,
overnight in Venice.
Day 5 Saturday Venice - Verona - Lake Como
After breakfast at hotel, depart Venice for the brief drive to Verona.
Enjoy a short visit of this city of Romeo and Juliet, site of the
magnificent Roman Arena Amphitheatre. Drive through the Veneto countryside
with vineyards of bardolino and valpolicella wines and through Lombardy
to beautiful Lake Como, a glacial lake nestled in the Alps on the
Swiss border. Dinner, overnight in Como.
Day 6 Sunday Lake Como - Milan
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll make the short trip to Milan,
Italy's fashion and business capital. End of the tour at Central Railway
Station.
(Transfer to Airport or hotel in Milan not included)
PRICE PER PERSON:
Go
to our Catalog
OUR SELECTED FIRST CLASS HOTELS
In Florence Adriatico or similar - In Venice Principe or similar - In
Como Grand Hotel or similar
UNBEATABLE FEATURES
- 5 Nights Accomodations at 4 Star Hotels with down-town location -
5 Daily Italian Breakfasts - 5 Dinners -Service charges and taxes included
-Ground transportation by deluxe motorcoach- Professional assistant
during the tour - Sightseeing as per itinerary with local guides and
entrance fees
English speaking tour leader and guide guaranteed. Please ask for other
languages
Italian version 
