9 Day Classic Italy

$1349 Land Only

$2039* Air & Land

Home : : Italy Travel: Apr 2008 - Oct 2008

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Highlights Escorted Package Includes Flights NYC-Venice, Rome-NYC. Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline fuel surcharges 7 nights accommodations 2 nights Carlton & Grand Canal, Venice 2 nights Mediterraneo, Florence 3 nights Nova Domus, Rome All transfers 9 meals: 7 buffet breakfasts, 2 dinners with wine Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout Services of local guides in all major cities Entrance fees per itinerary Special Features Doges' Palace, Venice Wine tasting with local specialties at Tuscan countryside farm Michelangelo's David, Florence Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, Rome Forum & Colosseum, Rome Wine & mineral water with all dinners Whisper technology enhanced touring Itinerary DAY 1, Sunday - Depart USA Depart the USA for Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Venice Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner. Overnight: Venice Meals: Dinner DAY 3, Tuesday - Tour Venice Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Visit St. Mark's Square to begin a guided walking tour of romantic Venice. View the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and visit the Doge's Palace, whose facade features a massive late-Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. Take the remainder of the day to explore Venice on your own. Optionals: Gondola Tour (PM) Overnight: Venice Meals: Breakfast DAY 4, Wednesday - Venice, Pisa, Florence Travel through the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Pisa. On arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza make for a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. En route to Florence, visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting with local specialties. Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 5, Thursday - Tour Florence Today's morning tour begins with a visit to the Accademia of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo's David is housed. Walk to the Duomo, celebrated for its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery's renowned "Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio, known as the "Old Bridge." Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Florence. Optional: Tuscan Evening with Dinner Optional: Uffizi Tour (PM) Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast DAY 6, Friday - Florence, Assisi, Rome Today travel along the famous "Sun Route" motorway to the medieval the city of Assisi, world-known for its 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes. Continue to Rome. Optionals: Dinner with Opera Singers and Illumination Drive Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast DAY 7, Saturday - Tour Vatican Museum Today begins with the visit to the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Stroll through St. Peter's Square, passing Bernini's famous colonnade, to visit St. Peter's Basilica, where you will view Michelangelo's Pieta. This highly-finished marble sculpture depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of Mary after the Crucifixion, and was created for the funeral monument of French cardinal Jean de Billheres. Remainder of the day at leisure. Optionals: Walking tour of Piazzas and Fountains of Rome (PM) Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast DAY 8, Sunday - Ancient Rome This morning, a historic tour of "ancient Rome" takes you to the Roman Forum, the political center during the Roman Republic, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure in the Eternal City. Optional: Christian Rome (PM) Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast DAY 9, Monday - Depart for the USA Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Meals: Breakfast Optionals Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Gondola Ride with Music Day #3 01 Apr 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $59 This is one of the highlights of any Italian holiday, a relaxing ride in a Venetian gondola through centuries old canals, past lavish palaces, under famous arched bridges, accompanied by music. Uffizi Tour 1:30 PM Day #5 01 May 2008 - 31 Mar 2009     $65 Skip the long lines and enjoy a tour of the Uffizi Gallery with an expert guide. Located in the Palazzo degli Uffizi, the gallery is one of the oldest and most prominent collections of art in the world. Originally the private collection of the Medici family, the palazzo was opened to the public in 1765. Your tour highlights exceptional examples of Florentine painting with an aim to help you better understand the works of masters including Giotto, Fra Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. Following the tour, enjoy a refreshing break at the museum's cafeteria, offering a breathtaking view of the city. Afterward, continue to explore the galleries at your leisure. Tour departs from the reservation entrance door outside the Uffizi Gallery at 1:30 PM. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure. Dinner at a Tuscan Restaurant Day #5 01 Apr 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $79 Come join us for a Tuscan Feast tonight! An enjoyable ride through the lovely Tuscan hills will take us to a villa where a sumptuous Tuscan dinner will be served. As we enjoy the appetizers, the home-made pastas, the meats and dessert, let the wine flow and the music accompany our experience! Includes round-trip transportation, 5-course dinner with entertainment, and unlimited wine. Dinner with Opera Singers & Illuminated Drive Day #6 01 Apr 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $89 Optional opera dinner, complete with wine and music, and followed by a illuminated tour of Rome by night. Piazzas of Rome Day #7 01 Apr 2008 - 30 Apr 2009     $42 A half day walking tour to explore the Eternal City. Stand in awe in front of the majestic Spanish Steps, and with your local guide stroll through the most characteristic Piazzas of Rome, including Trevi Fountain (Three coins), the monumental Pantheon -- best preserved of Roman buildings -- and the baroque Piazza Navona. #4 Christian Rome Day #8 01 Apr 2008 - 31 Mar 2009     $51 Depart the Piazza San Bernardo this afternoon along the Via Nazionale to the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Dedicated to John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, the Basilica is ranked first among the four major basilicas of Rome, and is famous for its spectacular baroque and medieval masterpieces. Proceed to the Holy Stairs, the 28 marble steps climbed by Jesus Christ to stand trial in Pilate's Palace. From this ancient pilgrimage site, the tour continues by coach, crossing the Piazza San Giovanni and Via Latina, to the ancient Appian Way, where you will find the sacred Chapel of "Domine Quo Vadis." Then, walk along the Appian Way to the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metellea, built around 50 B.C. Pass by the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla and continue with a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Return to your hotel early this evening. Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Rates & Hotels Click On A Date To Book Online * All Prices are in USD 2008 Land Only Air & Land May 18 1869 2909 May 25 (Sold Out) 1869 2839 Jun 1 (Sold Out) 1869 2959 Jun 8 1869 2959 Jun 15 1959 3049 Jun 22 1869 3039 Jun 29 (Sold Out) 1769 2939 Jul 6 1769 3009 Jul 13; 20; 27; Aug 3 1699 2859 Aug 10 1699 2879 Aug 17; 24 1699 2879 Sep 7; 14; 21; 28 1869 2729 Oct 5 1869 2549 Oct 12 1869 2659 Oct 19; 26 1799 2469 Nov 2 1799 2369 Nov 9 1649 2219 Nov 16; 23; 30 1539 2109 Dec 7 (Sold Out) 1539 2229 Dec 14 1539 2399 Dec 21 1589 2449 2009 Land Only Air & Land Jan 18 1349 2039 Feb 15 1629 2319 Mar 1; 8 1539 2229 Mar 15 1739 2429 Mar 22; 29 1899 2589 *Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, restaurant tips of $5, optional tours, tips to local guides, driver, and tour manager (see Terms & Conditions). Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers. Hotel Plans 9 Day Classic Italy - [details] Hotel Carlton & Grand Canal   Venice This first class hotel is located on the Grand Canal and is just a few minutes from the shopping and historical center. [more] Grand Hotel Mediterraneo   Florence This superior tourist class hotel is situated on the bank of the River Arno, within walking distance of the city center. [more] Quality Hotel Nova Domus   Rome This first class hotel is centrally located, within walking distance to Vatican City and Museum and the Sistine Chapel of Michelangelo. [more] Package Date: Select Date   Pre/Post Accommodations Pre-Accommodations: Nights   Post-Accommodations: Nights   Include Flight? 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Gate 1 Travel Airfare - These are Gate 1 Travel fares which allow you to book your trip while paying a minimal deposit at time of booking. Instant Purchase/Published Airfare - These are fares that airlines have published which require payment in full at time of purchase. In some cases, these fares may be displayed as Gate 1 Airfare with Instant Purchase Requirement. To find the lowest available airfare, select [ANY] and you will get results for both kinds of airfare. Each of these fare types has its own set of restrictions which cover changes, cancellations, fuel surcharges, etc. Please refer to our terms and conditions for full details. Airfare Type [Any] Gate 1 Travel Airfare Only Published Airfare Only We are unable to reserve airline seats for you until 11 months prior to your date of travel. Until then, we offer a choice of airfares from major US cities which you may select for your reservation. Your final flight details, airfare, airport taxes and fees will be advised 11 months prior to travel. Airfares are subject to change. Air reservations may be completed no more than 11 months prior to the date of travel. For travel more than 11 months prior, please call Gate 1 at (800) 682-3333. Accommodations Select Number of Rooms   1 2 3 4 Room 1 # of Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 # of Children -- 1 2 3