Amalfi, Rome, Tuscany Tour (Fall 2014)

Transcription

1 Amalfi, Rome, Tuscany Tour (Fall 2014) Day 1 Friday September 19, 2014 Depart International flights USA-Italy. Day 2 Saturday September 20, 2014 Arrive Naples, Sorrento Welcome to La Bella Italia!!! We will be waiting for you upon arrival at Naples International Airport together we will transfer to our hotel in the heart of Sorrento for check in and time to settle in after your transatlantic flight. Remainder of day at leisure for rest and relaxation or independent exploration of the city. In the evening we will share our first Welcome to La Bella Italia dinner together. Overnight in Sorrento. PT/D/H Day 3 Sunday September 21, 2014 Sorrento, Capri Today is a lazy day on the boat and at the beach. After breakfast and weather permitting, we will board a private boat for a leisurely ride to the upscale Island of Capri. We circumnavigate the entire island during our private island boat tour and visit the most spectacular grottoes characteristic of the island, such as the Blue Grotto, Green Grotto, White Grotto, and around the famous Faraglioni Rock formations. Provided the seas are calm, we will be able to go into the Blue Grotto (an extra fee applies for entrance to the Blue Grotto). Lunch and beverages will be provided for you on board. By early afternoon we will dock at Capri and you will have time to independently visit the island or hang at the beach. Late afternoon return to Sorrento for overnight. B/Boat/L/H

2 Day 4 Monday September 22, 2014 Sorrento, Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi) Breakfast at hotel. Morning departure from our lovely hotel in Sorrento for one of the most spectacular drives you will ever experience along the scenic Amalfi Coast. Today we will leisurely explore the quaint seaside towns of this magnificent coast. Upon arrival in Positano You will surely capture some of the most memorable pictures of the coast line from this glorious spot. We will stop in Amalfi as well to view Amalfi's cathedral which was built in the 9th century and partly reconstructed at a later date in Arabian-Sicilian style. A number of its original ancient features remain, such as the bell tower, the bronze posts on the main door and the Chapel of the Crucifix. Plenty of time at leisure to wander through the winding streets and take in the bustling vitality of this small seaport town. Lunch together with the group. Dinner at leisure and Overnight in Sorrento. B/PD/L/H Day 5 Tuesday September 23, 2014 Sorrento, Pompeii, Roma Breakfast at hotel and then our private driver will accompany us to the archeological remains of Ancient Pompeii. Guided tour of Pompeii. As we stroll through the stone streets of a city built over 2,000 years ago we are magically transported in to antiquity. We will view homes in which mosaics and frescoes have been preserved despite the treacherous devastation sustained during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24th in the year 79 AD. As well we will visit the once busy commercial centers in order to gain a thorough knowledge of life in Ancient Pompeii. Independent lunch. By afternoon, we continue our drive towards the Eternal city. Check into our hotel and then dinner and overnight in Roma. B/PD/G/D/H/ET Day 6 Wednesday September 24, 2014 Roma Antica

3 Breakfast at the Hotel. This morning will be entirely devoted to the tour of Ancient Rome and all its glory. Our private, bilingual and certified guide and driver will meet us in our hotel lobby at 10.00am. As we plunge into the vivacious morning traffic of Rome, our senses will be simultaneously stimulated by antiquity and modern day society. We will feel the heartbeat of the city as we drive through the Piazza Venezia where we will admire the huge monument to the first Italian King Vittorio Emmanuelle II. Today, this has been dedicated to the memory of the unknown soldiers with the eternal flame. We will pass the Teatro Marcello and The Circus Maximus, the site of many chariot races. We will take a stroll through the Roman Forum, rich with antiquity. Through the main square of Rome, crossing the Via Sacra (the Sacred Way), the most important street in ancient Rome where many triumphant processions took place. We will see the ruins of some ancient monuments as well as the Triumphal Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus, the Curia, seat of the Roman Senate, the Basilica Emilia and the Basilica Julia which were both used for business transactions. We will also see The Vesta Temple with the house of the Vestal Virgins, and finally the Temples of Antoninus and Faustina, Vespasian and Saturn. Included are the Piazza Navona which is the most important Piazza of Baroque Rome, The Pantheon, and The Piazza di Spagna. We will enter The Coliseum (we will have tickets prearranged for you to avoid long lines), the magnificent Flavian Amphitheatre where we will envision the gladiator duels, wild beast fights and naval battles which were arranged for the entertainment of the Roman people. The Arch of Constantine is visible from here as well. Our tour will end at the famous Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that if you toss a coin into the fountain and make a wish to return to Italy, it will come true. Return to hotel or time at leisure until dinner. This is an opportunity to revisit an important Piazza or area of antiquity, do some last minute shopping or simply find a cozy Roman Osteria to relax in and reflect upon your unforgettable days in the eternal city. Remainder of day at leisure. Dinner and Overnight in Roma. B/G/ET/PD/H/D

4 Day 7 Thursday September 25, 2014 Roma Religiosa, Montalcino, San Gimignano Breakfast at hotel. This morning will be devoted to Religious Roma. This tour will begin with a visit to the Pio-Clementino Museum and will then move on to the visitation of The Vatican, The Sistine Chapel and The Vatican Museums. The journey through the Vatican Museums will proceed through the Gallery of the Candelabre, the Gallery of Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps and from these Galleries, we will enter directly into the Raphael Rooms, where we will observe the extraordinary frescoes executed by Raphael and the Sistine Chapel. The actual visit to the Basilica, the largest Christian place in the World, will include a viewing of the magnificent Pieta by Michelangelo, Bernini's bronze Baldacchino (canopy), and the throne of St. Peter. If you wish, you can visit the Underground Catacombs of the Popes at the end of our tour. We will have all entrance tickets prearranged to avoid long lines. By noontime, we will meet with our private driver for transition to one of the most beautiful regions of Italy: Toscana! Have your cameras ready for we will drive through the gently rolling hills of Tuscany and breathtaking sceneries will meet us at the horizon. Afternoon arrival to the beautiful valley where the coveted Queen of Italian Reds is produced, the famous Brunello di Montalcino. Our tasting will include olive oil, Vin Santo and grappa and will consist of a light meal. In the afternoon, we will continue our journey to the idyllic town of San Gimignano, a true Tuscan jewel. We like to refer to this genuine Tuscan town as an outdoor living room. This tiny and pristine city has remained intact over the centuries and is situated on top of the rolling hillside. It is famous for its numerous medieval bell towers, frescoes and other art treasures. Overnight in San Gimignano. B/PD/WT/H/G/ET Day 8 Friday September 26, 2014 San Gimignano, Firenze Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we will meet our private driver for transfer to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance, where we will meet with our

5 private, bilingual and certified guide for an unforgettable walking tour of the city. We will begin our tour with a visit to the lovely Santa Maria Novella. Then onto the Galleria Academia to view the beautiful sculptures by Michelangelo, the slaves or prisoners of the rocks and the unforgettable statue of David. To avoid long lines, we have prearranged all entrance tickets for our group members. The Academia houses some of the most important sculptures of Florence. Then we are on to the famous Duomo of Florence (the fourth largest church in the world), with its grandiose cupola by Brunelleschi, Giotto's bell tower, and the Baptistery with its famous bronze doors. Our guided tour will end with a visit to the Viale dei Colli up to the Piazzale Michelangelo where a wonderful panoramic view of the city will be awaiting us. Afternoon time at leisure. At this point, you may choose to rest at an outdoor café or visit the open air markets of the San Lorenzo or the Mercato Del Pulcinello for some genuine Florentine artifacts, leather goods and souvenirs. Late afternoon transfer to San Gimignano for a genuine Tuscan dinner at one of our favorite restaurants prior to overnight. B/PD/G/ET/D/H Day 9 Saturday September 27, 2014 San Gimignano Breakfast at hotel and then entire day at leisure to enjoy the elegance of this wonderful walled city. Time to prepare for your overseas journey and then in the evening, we will have our farewell dinner as we reminisce about the memories created over the last several days. This is also a good time to complete your souvenir shopping! For dessert, we will have gelato if you wish at one of the best gelaterias in town and in all of Italy! Overnight in San Gimignano. B/D/H/GTO Day 10 Sunday September 28, 2014 San Gimignano / USA Breakfast at hotel and then transfer to Florence/Pisa International Airport for overseas departure. Arrivederci Bella Italia!! B/PT

6 *Venice Add On September 28, 29, 30 available if interested. Kindly request this extra portion. Your Custom Journey to Italy includes the following: 8 Breakfasts 3 Lunches which include wine 4 Dinners which include wine 8 Nights stay in 3 star superior and 4 star hotels 2 Private transfers: upon arrival in Napoli to the hotel and upon departure from San Gimignano hotel to Airport in Florence All needed transportation within Italy 1 Wine tasting which includes a snack 4 certified bilingual guides: For Pompeii, Roma Antica, Roma Religiosa and Florence 4 entrance tickets: to Pompeii, to the Coliseum in Roma, to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Roma and to the Galleria Academia in Florence 1 private boat ride to the island of Capri Gelato and several spontaneous snacks The accompaniment of an Italian Tours by Diana Group Manager 24/7 Kick off Reception which includes a lesson in the Italian lesson Pricing Options:

7 Price per person based upon single occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon double occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon triple occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon single occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon double occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon triple occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon single occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon double occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon triple occupancy with participants is $ Price per person based upon single occupancy with 16+ participants is $ Price per person based upon double occupancy with 16+ participants is $ Price per person based upon triple occupancy with 16+ participants is $ CODES B Breakfast G Guide BR Boat Ride L Lunch ET Entrance Ticket WT Wine Tasting

8 D Dinner PD Private Driver GTO Gelato Tasting H Hotel PT Private Transfer