17 Day Enchanting Italy with 7 Day Western Mediterranean Cruise - MSC Orchestra

    $3399
Land Only 		   $4059*
Air & Land 		 
Home : : Italy Travel: Apr 2008 - Oct 2008
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Highlights

Escorted Package Includes

  • Flights NYC-Venice, Naples-NYC.
    Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
  • Airline fuel surcharges
  • 15 nights accommodations
  • All transfers
  • 32 meals: 15 buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches, 11 dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager on Day 2-9
  • 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
  • Dinner with Opera Singers, Rome
  • Visit to the excavations at Pompeii
  • Wine & mineral water with all dinners
  • Whisper technology enhanced touring
  • Cruise Features: fitness center, casino, disco, internet cafe

Itinerary

DAY 1, Sunday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Venice
Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel. The Hotel Plaza in Venice Mestre is located directly opposite the railway station, only a few minutes train journey from Venice Island. Round trip train tickets for two full days are provided at no additional charge should you choose to further explore Venice Island on your own. 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 Doges' 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. Evening at leisure
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast

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. This evening, dine in an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the countryside
Optional: Uffizi Tour (PM)
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Friday - Florence, Perugia, Assisi, Rome
Today travel along the famous "Sun Route" motorway to the hilltown of Perugia. Following an orientation of this medieval center, continue to the city of Assisi, world-known for its 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes. Continue to Rome
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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. The remainder of the day is at leisure
Optionals: Walking tour of Piazzas and Fountains of Rome (PM)
Overnight:Rome
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Sunday - Tour Ancient Rome
This afternoon, 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. Tonight, dine in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music, then enjoy an illuminated tour of the city
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Monday - Rome, Pompeii, Naples, Cruise to Palermo
Drive south, passing by the famous Monte Cassino Abbey, founded by St. Benedict of Norcia in 529. Destroyed on four separate occasions, it was last rebuilt after being the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War. View Mt. Vesuvius in passing the Bay of Naples, before reaching Pompeii. Visit the ruins of this best preserved Roman city, including the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Continue to pier in Naples to board ship for 7:00 pm departure
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Tuesday - Palermo
Early morning arrival at 7:00 am. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure on board or explore Palermo on own. Depart for Tunis at 7:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Wednesday - Tunis
Arrive into Tunis (Tunisia) at 8:00 am. Morning at leisure to explore Tunis on your own. Depart for Palma de Mallorca at 2:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Thursday - Palma de Mallorca
Arrive into Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) at 1:00 pm. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Palma on your own. Ships sails at 1:00 am for Barcelona
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Friday - Barcelona
Arrive into Barcelona (Spain) at 9:00 am. Full day at leisure to explore Barcelona on own. Depart for Marseille at 6:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14, Saturday - Marseille
Arrive into Marseille (France) at 8:00 am. Full day at leisure to explore Marseille on own. Ship sails at 7:00 pm for Genoa
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15, Sunday - Genoa
Arrive into Genoa at 9:00 am. Full day at leisure to explore Genoa on own. Depart for Naples at 5:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16, Monday - Naples
Disembark cruise in Naples (Italy) at 12:00 pm. Transfer to hotel. Balance of day at leisure
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 17, Tuesday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA
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
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
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.
Piazzas of Rome
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.

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/Cruise Only Air & Land/Cruise
Jun 1 (Sold Out) 3489 4579
Jun 22 (Sold Out) 3479 4569
Jul 13 (Sold Out) 3299 4329
Aug 3 3429 4459
Sep 28 3399 4059
Oct 12 3399 4099

*Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, restaurant tips of $15, optional tours, tips to local guides, driver, and tour manager, cruise line surcharge, taxes and fees of $169.75, shore excursions and tips (see Terms & Conditions).

Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers but does include transfer from port to hotel.

Single and Triple Cabins are available on request only.

On day of embarkation, all flights must arrive by 3:00 PM
Cabin Categories
Cabin 2 Inside - [details]
Cabin 4 Outside - [details]
Cabin 7 Outside - [details]
Cabin 11 Outside - [details]