Italian Masterpiece
 16 Days
/ 15 Nights
Day 1
Arrival in the Venice Area. Diner and overnught Stay.
Day 2
At leisure in Venice. Venice, a city of unparalleled beauty, is a feast of
wonderful sites. Visit historical center, Basilica, St. Marks square, Doges
Palace. In the afternoon the island of the lagon, Murano, Burano, Torcello.
Day3
Venice, The Academy The most important art museum in Venice is situated in
the ancient site of the Scuola of Charity. Here the masterpieces of Venetian
painting (and not just Venetian) produced from the origins till the end of the
Republic of Venice, are preserved and protected. In the afternoon time at leisure.
Concert Performance.
Day 4
Venice area - San Marino - Adriatic Riviera Drive by the Po Delta to the tiny
Republic of San Marino, one of the world's most ancient states, perched on Monte
Titano - see the Basilica, and Government House.
Day 5: Riviera Adriatica - Urbino - Gubbio - afternoon in Assisi
First to Urbino, the epitome of Renaissance with its magnificent Ducal Palace
mastering the town. Drive to medieval Gubbio, where a wonderful view over the
city can be had from the Consul's Palace. The afternoon is spent in Assisi surrounded
by ramparts and little changed since the Middle-Age. This is the town of the
deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis - see the Church of St. Clara, the founder
of the Order of Poor Clares, and the medieval castle and cathedral.
Day 6: Sorrento
First to Orvieto to visit its splendid Gothic Cathedral, and then south on
the easy motorway to lovely Sorrento, clinging to a cliff high above the waters
of the Bay of Naples. Take a walk along its winding streets and admire the local
handcraft, or sit with a glass of wine absorbing the easy-going life of this
charming city.
Day 7-8: Sorrento - trip to Capri
During your stay in Sorrento take optional trips to the Vesuvius, or along
the scenic drive to Amalfi. An included trip on day 6 takes you across the sea
to Capri. This legendary island is surrounded by a rocky coastline where the
violence of the sea has formed deep caves. This city with its little Piazza
and its maze of streets is a mecca for the jet-set.
Day 9: Sorrento - Pompei - Roma
The life of Pompeii stopped in 79 A.D. with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius.
You can see the remains of the temples and of the luxurious villas, the theatre
and the Forum, and even human and animal body solidified in lava. On to Rome.
Day 10 to 12: Rome
The optional tours include visits to the Vatican, the Sistin Chapel, and the
catacombs. It is worth visiting the Roman Hills and the city of Tivoli, with
its spectacular fountains and the lovely gardens of Villa d'Este. A night sight
of this magnificent city rounds off a busy day of shopping and sightseeing.Concert
Performance.
Day 13: Rome - Porto Santo Stefano - Pisa
North to Tuscany, taking occasional glimpses of the coast. Stop in beautiful
Porto Santo Stefano on the coast at only 5 1/2 miles from Orbetello. To Pisa
for overnight.
Day 14: Pisa - San Giminiano - Siena - Florence area
Admire the "Square of Miracles" with its Leaning Tower before leaving
for San Giminiano bristling with its medieval fortress towers, status symbols
of nobility. From here to the red-clay hills surrounding Siena, an almost perfect
medieval town. Overnight in Florence area.
Day 15: Florence
This Renaissance city of the Medicis will keep you busy for the whole day.
All traffic is banned from the historic centre so visitors can wander at leisure
and admire this city's timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. The short
drive to Piazzale Michelangelo allows you to enjoy the best view over Florence
stretching across the River Arno. Overnight in Florence area.Concert Performance.
Day 16
Breakfast and departure.
|
