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2009 Italian & Sicilian Classic
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Highlights
Saint Mark's Square & Doges' PalaceFlorence Cathedral & Academy of Fine ArtsJuliet's Balcony in VeronaWine Making in Torgiano & MarsalaSistine Chapel & St. Peter's BasilicaSegesta's Fifth Century Greek RuinsExcursion on Slopes of Mount EtnaFarewell Sicilian Dinner with Wine
What's Included
Services of a professional English-speaking tour directorGuided tour of Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's BasilicaTransportation by private deluxe air-conditioned motor coaches throughoutHalf-day sightseeing tour of Palermo and Mondello with a local guideSuperior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 12 nightsHalf-day sightseeing tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento with a local guide12 buffet breakfasts with selection of cold dishes (BB)Half-day sightseeing tour of the Roman Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina with a local guide7 set dinners (D) with mineral water or coffee including a typical Sicilian dinner in a local restaurant in TaorminaHalf-day sightseeing tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse with a local guide1 lunch (L)Marsala winery tour with tastingWelcome get-together glass of Prosecco, Venetian wineExcursion to slopes of Mount EtnaHalf-day walking tours of Venice and Florence with local guidesVisits and admissions to Doges' Palace, Basilica San Marco, Academy of Fine Arts, Palace of the Normans, Palatine Chapel, Palermo Cathedral, Benedictine Abbey of Monreale, Segesta Archeological Site and Greek Theater in SyracuseGlassblowing demonstration in VeniceOutside views of Juliet's Balcony, Verona Arena, Florence Cathedral & BaptisteryTour and tasting at Lungarotti Vineyards, TorgianoDeluxe flight bag, ticket wallet and luggage tagsPanoramic tour of Rome with photo stop at the ColosseumAll local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
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| Call (907) 376-5231 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7543608 | | CIE Tours | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Depart USA | Depart U.S. for Italy: Depart your hometown and fly through the night to start your Italian vacation in Venice. | | Day 2 | Venice | Arrival in Venice: Land in Venice where your tour escort will be at the exit from Customs to meet you from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon and accompany you to a motor launch to transfer to your hotel. This is a wonderful introduction to a city built on water! Check in to your hotel, located on the Grand Canal, and enjoy free time. In the evening join your group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant. (D) | | Day 3 | Venice | Saint Mark's Square & Doges' Palace: This morning start your walking tour of Venice at the Piazza San Marco. Visit the elaborate Doges' Palace where the impressive state rooms contain Renaissance paintings by Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto. Cross the Bridge of Sighs, linking the Palace with the Piombi Prisons. Then visit the Basilica San Marco, consecrated in 1094, to see its famous golden mosaics on the interior domes and archways. Head to a glassblowing factory to watch craftspeople create the popular glass. The balance of the day is free to explore Venice on your own. (BB) | | Day 4 | Florence | Verona's Roman Amphitheater & Tuscany: Travel to the charming town of Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's love story of Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet's Balcony at her family's house, which dates from the 13th century. Also see the Arena, a 1st century Roman amphitheater, one of the best preserved such buildings. Drive through the Emilia Romagna region and the Tuscan countryside where rolling hills are covered in olive groves, vineyards and sunflower fields. Arrive in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, an imposing city of old stone located on the River Arno. After checking into your hotel, you will have some free time before dining with your fellow travelers. (BB, D) | | Day 5 | Florence | Florence Cathedral & "David": Take a half-day walking tour of Florence, beginning at the majestic Piazza Del Duomo to see the delicately patterned green, white and pink cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi's dome. See the Campanile, Giotto's Bell Tower dating from 1359 and the famous bronze doors by Ghiberti on the 11th century Baptistery. Then visit the Academy of Fine Arts, which was founded in 1563. Here see Michelangelo's superb "David" and many of the master's unfinished works. The afternoon and evening are free for independent sightseeing, shopping and dining. (BB) | | Day 6 | Rome | Umbria & Torgiano Wine Tasting: Today, drive through the beautiful countryside of Tuscany and Umbria to Torgiano, a hilltop town with vineyard-filled valleys all around. Visit the Wine Museum to learn all about wine and tour the Cantine del Vino to see production methods and enjoy a sample. Take some time to stroll around the attractive town and stop for photos in the medieval city of Todi. Continue your journey south into the metropolitan region of Rome. Take a short orientation drive around the major monuments in the city center, stopping for photos at the Colosseum before checking in to your hotel. Dine with your group in the hotel or in a local restaurant. (BB, D) | | Day 7 | Rome | Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's: This morning experience a guided tour around the Vatican, starting at the Corte della Pigna with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. See the Hall of Tapestries and the Maps Gallery but the highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's famous paintings of the "Creation" and "Last Judgment." Walk across St. Peter's Square to enter St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom, to see the famed "Pieta" by Michelangelo and many other treasures. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (BB) | | Day 8 | Palermo | Fly to Sicily: Take a group transfer to Rome Airport for your flight to Palermo. (Rome to Palermo flight is not included in land only price - please ensure that you have an airline ticket for this segment.) Your Sicilian tour escort will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The afternoon is free so you may rest or explore Palermo on your own. Sicily has been influenced by Greek, Roman and Ottoman cultures as well as by medieval traders and Crusaders en route to the Holy Land and the island contains a wealth of archaeological remains. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (BB, D) | | Day 9 | Palermo | Palermo Cathedral & Palace of the Normans: Your tour starts at the Palace of the Normans, seat of the rulers of the island for centuries. Visit its richly-decorated 12th century Palatine Chapel. Palermo Cathedral has a long history also, dating back to the 9th century when it was a mosque. See the Quattro Canti (Four Corners) in the city center where the four most important streets intersect. Visit the Benedictine Abbey of Monreale to see the 12th century cathedral with mosaics and the cloisters and in Monte Pellegrino you may visit the sanctuary of Santa Rosalia. End your tour in Mondello, a pretty resort area with a long, sandy beach. The afternoon and evening are free. (BB) | | Day 10 | Agrigento | Marsala Wines & Agrigento: Head west to Segesta to view the 5th century ruins of the Greek Doric temple. Then drive along the Via del Sale (Salt Road) to Marsala, an attractive town that is famous for its dessert wines. Visit one of the wineries to sample some vintage wines and then savor lunch in a local restaurant. Enjoy the pleasant scenery as you drive to Agrigento. This town flourished under the Greek civilization but today is a collection of medieval streets and shady squares. Check into your hotel where dinner is served this evening. (BB, L, D) | | Day 11 | Giardini Naxos | Piazza Armerina & Taormina: This morning tour the Valley of the Temples, where some of the greatest Greek ruins are found. See the Temple of Zeus, with huge Doric pillars; the elegant and well-preserved Temple of Concord; the Temple of Hercules, showing traces of fire; and the Temple of Castor & Pollux. Continue your journey to Piazza Armerina to view the extraordinary mosaics of the Roman Villa del Casale. End your day in Taormina at Giardini Naxos, a charming coastal town with views of Mount Etna, that is popular with international travelers. (BB, D) | | Day 12 | Giardini Naxos | Explore Mount Etna: Today visit the slopes of the largest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. See how lava flows have carved out craters and shaped the landscape with lush forests and citrus groves. Return to your hotel in Giardini Naxos where you have the afternoon and evening free to relax, explore the beautiful surroundings or visit nearby Taormina. (BB) | | Day 13 | Giardini Naxos | Syracuse Excursion: Travel to Syracuse for a guided tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park, where you will see the Latomie (stone quarries) used in the construction of the many temples and public buildings. Also see the Ear of Dionysius, a naturally-formed S-shaped cavern and visit the Greek Theatre, which dates back over two millennia. Return to your hotel and enjoy some free time before joining your traveling companions to savor a special Sicilian farewell dinner with wine in a popular local restaurant. (BB, D) | | Day 14 | Return USA | Depart Catania for the US: Take a transfer from your hotel to Catania Airport for your return flight to the United States. (BB) |
| | | Grand Hotel Carlton - Venice - 2 night(s) | | Hotel Raffaello - Florence - 2 night(s) | | Hotel Mantegna Rome - Rome - 2 night(s) | | Hotel Politeama - Palermo - 2 night(s) | | Jolly Della Valle Hotel - Agrigento - 1 night(s) | | Naxos Beach Hotel - Giardini Naxos - 3 night(s) |
| | Coach Tour and River Cruise prices are based on two people sharing roomsThis list indicates brochure rates and dates. Air price is based on departures from New York. Additional add-on airfares from other cities are available! The air inclusive prices below are for general information only and not a reflection of current seat availability.Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies.We highly recommend that you review our general conditions page for full details on terms, conditions, and penalties. |
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