**( Itinerary is subject to change and variations with and/or without notice. Definite itinerary will be given prior to trip )
Day 0 - Depart USA - Sunday, October 10, 2010
Remember you will arrive in Europe the day after you depart the USA. You will need to book your air travel so that you arrive in Rome early enough to check into your hotel and be ready to meet with the group for sightseeing at 3:00pm on Monday, October 11, 2010.
Day 1 - Arrival Day - Benvenuto! - Monday, October 11, 2010
Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Rome and meet at 3:00pm for welcome drink in the hotel lobby. Our hotel is located right in the middle of the historical district.
We will then begin our sightseeing of this magnificent city with a walking tour of Ancient Rome's most important sights. The Colosseum is one of the most impressive sights in the entire city of Rome. We will visit inside and learn about 'Bread and Circuses' and the Gladiatorial games. We will also pass the ancient Roman Forum which sits several feet below today's streets. You will have the opportunity to visit inside tomorrow.
After our sightseeing we will enjoy a welcome dinner in one of my favorite restaurants in Rome. After dinner, we will take a short walk to the Trevi Fountain, one of the most popular after dark spots in Rome someday. Do not forget to toss that coin in the fountain for good luck, and to assure your return to Roma. If anyone still has room, we can make a stop for gelato at one of Rome's most famous gelaterias which is right near the hotel. (D)
ROME - CAPITAL OF AN EMPIRE
Rome is the largest and most exciting city in Italy. Once the heart of an empire, Rome has attracted poets, artists, writers and travelers for thousands of years. Rome is one of the most exhilarating and romantic travel destinations in the world. (Afterall, Roma is amor spelt backwards.) Today Rome is crammed with great sights. In no other city are the accumulated layers of history so evident. Every corner and crest seems to lead to a famous monument, church or square. Do not forget that the Vatican is also located here and is an independent country unto itself.
However, for most first-time visitors this city can seem very confusing. It can also be very tiring trying to visit all the sights located on Rome's 12 hills in a short visit. That is why planning is so important to an enjoyable visit to Rome. I have chosen to include only the most popular (and unfortunately, most crowded) sights in Rome on my daily itinerary. Therefore you will find that most of our time will be filled with intense sightseeing. You will never be able to see all the sights in Rome on only one visit. Just assume you will return.
One way to survive this chaotic mess is to be a "student". Learn as much as you can before you leave. I will provide material to read before hand that will give you much of the information you will need to know about Rome's history and descriptions of today's sights.
Do not worry, however, because you will truly be enthralled by this great city. One of the nicest things about this tour, is that you will be visiting Rome first, so no matter how overwhelmed or tired you may become, you will always have the peaceful allure of Tuscany to look forward to.
Day 2 - Rome was not built in a day, but can be toured in a day! - Tuesday, October 12, 2010
After a good nights sleep and a good breakfast on the beautiful hotel terrace, we will jump right into more of ROMA. We will continue our walk among the ancients with a visit to the Roman Forum, the political and religious center of Rome. Then we will take time to learn about the history of Rome and its empire as we visit the Campidoglio which sits on the Capitoline Hill. You can climb to the top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument located here and have spectacular views of all of Rome.
We will lunch today just like the everyday Roman, with a quick pannini (sandwich) and drink in one of the many deli-type eateries found all over Rome. Most people grab their lunch and continue with their lunch break activities.
We then head to Vatican City, a tiny independent country, and the headquarters of the Holy Catholic Church. We will visit the Vatican museum with a guided tour that includes Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican museum is over four miles long and contains some of the greatest art in the world. Afterwards, we will enter St. Peter's Basilica, the largest and grandest church in Christendom.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to perhaps stroll along the Via Condotti with its designer shops which leads to the beloved Roman landmark of the Spanish Steps. Later this evening I will guide you on a "night walk across Rome" to see many of its most impressive piazza's and fountains brilliantly lit under floodlights. (B) (L)
Day 3 - Wednesday, October 13, 2010
We begin our morning with a walking tour of the historical district of Rome near our hotel. We will visit inside the Pantheon, the only building in Rome that has been continuously in use since its construction in 27BC. Then we will pass through Piazza Navona with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. (Both seen in 'Angels and Demons') Then its off to Campo de Fiore with its lively market. You will then have time on your own for lunch or shopping.
After lunch, we will board a train for our journey to Florence. You will have the opportunity to experience the most popular mode of transportation in Europe.
After time to check into the hotel in Florence we will meet for dinner. (B) (D)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Today you will join the original Tuscan Adventure as your fellow travelers arrive. You will have the morning however for your own pursuits or to rest and prepare for the upcoming events. You might wish to take advantage of the extra time in Florence to visit one of the marvelous museums or to perhaps take a side trip to Pisa. (B)
THE FOLLOWING IS INCULDED IN YOUR
PRE-TOUR OR ROME
October 11-14, 2010
- 3 nights accommodation in 3-4 star, centrally located hotels with private bath or shower. (2 nights in Rome and 1 night in Florence)
- Meals included: 3 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 2 dinners (D)
- Train transportation from Rome to Florence. (Also transportation from hotel to train station in Rome.)
- Guided sightseeing and entrance fees to select sights and museums as described in itinerary above.
- Local VAT taxes and government fees.
OCTOBER 2010 LAND ONLY PRE-TOUR PRICES
Airfare and transportaton from airport to hotel NOT Included
( must have at least 4 people for this pre-tour to run)
Pre-Tour begins in ROME,
Pre-Tour is for 3days/3nights.
(2 nights in Rome and one extra night in Florence)
The total cost per person is $899.00 with double occupancy.
(includes taxes, fees, and Euro exchange rate adjustment)
Single supplement for the pre-tour is $100.00 extra per person.
ROMAN HOLIDAY - PRE-TOUR VISIT TO ROME
October 11, 2010
for
ITALY WITH FRIENDS FALL 2010 TUSCANY
FOOD AND WINE LOVER'S "GASTRONOMIC" ADVENTURE
