Day 3: Gondola Ride with music & champagne
(Evening w/dinner $85)
More than 100 waterways criscross the beautiful city
of Venice,
"La Serenissima." Gliding along the canals
aboard a black gondola is a timeless and romantic tradition. This memorable
evening excursion begins with a scenic gondola ride, followed by a dinner of
local specialties.
Day 6: Siena
& San Gimignano
(Full-day w/wine-tasting $105)
Journey to two historical Tuscan towns on this full-day excursion. Journey through the countryside to the town of San Gimignano, with
its unusual skyline of huge, medieval towers. Fourteen of the original
70 towers remain from the Middle Ages, an ongoing
testament to the Guelph-Ghibelline rivalry that
shaped an earlier era. In Siena,
a local guide shows you the city’s marble cathedral and stunningly
adorned baptistry, as well as the famous Campo, where
the annual “Palio” horse race takes
place. Take in views of the glorious scenery before continuing to Palagio
Castle, where
you’ll have the opportunity to sample some of the region’s finest
wines.
Please note: This excursion involves extensive walking.
Day 7: Dinner in Fiesole
(Evening w/dinner $59)
Travel to the hill town of Fiesole
for a dinner of regional culinary specialties. From Fiesole,
you’ll have panoramic views of Florence—it
was amidst these same slopes that Leonardo experimented with his "flying
machine!"
Day 7: Pisa
(Half-day $59)
Travel through the Tuscan countryside for a visit to Pisa’s Piazza dei
Miracoli (Field of Miracles). Here you can view
the 12th-century Leaning
Tower. This medieval bell
tower has been tilted since 1173, and increases its angle each year, with a
current overhang of 15 feet. Your guided visit includes a stop at the adjacent
cathedral, older even than the Leaning
Tower, and a visit to the
Baptistery, with its precious Romanesque carvings and echoing acoustics.
Day 10: Dinner with Tenors
(Evening w/dinner $85)
End your day with an elegant four-course dinner in the heart of Rome. While you dine on a
savory meal, you’ll be entertained by talented singers performing some of
opera’s most beloved masterpieces. Don’t miss this festive cultural
evening, sure to leave you with wonderful memories of Italian hospitality!
Day 10: Vatican City
(Half-day $99; must be pre-booked)
This guided tour takes you into the world’s smallest state, Vatican City. Visit the
enormous St. Peter’s Basilica, the same cathedral where the Pope
celebrates Mass. The artists whose efforts have contributed to its glory are
some of the best Italy
has ever known, including Bramante, Peruzzi, Raphael and Michelangelo.
Treasures loom at every turn, from Bernini’s magnificent staircase
(ceremonial entrance to the Vatican
Palace) to
Michelangelo’s Pietà. Next, visit
another timeless Roman classic: the Sistine Chapel, painted with
Michelangelo’s captivating frescoes depicting the history of humankind
from Creation to The Last Judgment.
Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 35
days prior to departure.
Day 11: Pompeii
(Full-day w/lunch $165)
Travel to Pompeii,
one of the world’s best archaeological sites, for a guided tour of the
ruins. Discover how Roman citizens lived two thousand years ago, before Mt. Vesuvius
erupted in A.D. 79, preserving the town of Pompeii in a flood of volcanic ash. View the
excavated ruins of theaters, villas, temples and baths. Pompeii
is located near the idyllic Bay of Naples, known for its expansive views of the
area’s islands, capes, and nearby Mt. Vesuvius.
Lunch is included.