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Details
The Aurelian - 12
Follow in the footsteps of the Romans on this leisurely 12-day vacation with
two-night stays in Rome, Florence, Nice, Barcelona, and Madrid. Start from Rome
and visit St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum. Next is Florence
where you can admire Michelangelo’s David in the Academy of Fine Arts, and then
on to Nice via Pisa and its Leaning Tower. From Nice follow the French Riviera
to Cannes, visit Van Gogh’s Arles in the Camargue and continue to Barcelona in
Spain. Stop in Saragossa on your way to Madrid.
| Day 1 |
- Arrival in Rome, Italy. Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet
your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner in one
of Rome's lively restaurants. (D)
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| Day 2 |
- Rome. Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE
CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings. Continue to monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE
and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched
in triumph. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (BB)
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| Day 3 |
- Rome-Venice. A scenic day. Drive north across the Apennine Mountains and through the fertile
plains of the mighty River Po to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from
around the globe. (BB,D)
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| Day 4 |
- Venice-Florence. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your
walking tour are ST. MARK’S BASILICA and SQUARE, lavish Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Also
watch skilled GLASS BLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. A
comfortable drive in the afternoon brings you to Florence, the splendid capital of Tuscany. This
evening you might try the culinary delights of a fine Florentine restaurant. (BB)
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| Day 5 |
- Florence. Follow your Local Guide to the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s
heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise," and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. To top it off, admire
Michelangelo's celebrated David in the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS. Afternoon at leisure. You may wish to
join your local expert for an optional visit of the Uffizi Gallery. (BB,D)
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| Day 6 |
- Florence-Pisa-Nice, France.Focus on Pisa this morning for pictures of its amazing Leaning
Tower, 180 feet high and 12 feet out of the perpendicular. Then a scenic drive past a string
of Italian and French Riviera resorts to Nice. An optional excursion to Monte Carlo
is available. (BB)
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| Day 7 |
- At Leisure in Nice. The day is yours to do as you please. You may wish to dabble in the blue
Mediterranean or stroll along the elegant Promenade des Anglais. Ask your Tour Director
for suggestions. (BB)
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| Day 8 |
- Nice-Arles-Barcelona, Spain. Along the glittering shores of the Côte d’Azur past Cannes, famous for
its annual international film festival to Arles on the northern edge of the Camargue alluvial plain. During
your walking tour take pictures of the Roman Amphitheater before continuing across the border into Spain
to Barcelona, the proud capital of Catalonia. (BB,D)
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| Day 9 |
- Barcelona.Your Local Guide takes you to the Columbus Monument, elegant tree-lined Ramblas and Plaza
de Cataluna, historic buildings along Paseo de Gracia, the Church of the Holy Family, a panoramic view
of the city and harbor from Monjuich Hill, and a visit to the Cathedral of SANTA EULALIA. Afternoon
at leisure. An optional excursion to Montserrat can be arranged. (BB)
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| Day 10 |
- Barcelona-Saragossa-Madrid. Today travel through Catalonia and Aragon to Saragossa, then wind your way
through three sierras to Madrid on the plateau of Castille. (BB)
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| Day 11 |
- Madrid. Sightseeing with Local Guide in Spain’s capital features Puerta del Sol, Plaza
de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, and a highlight
visit to the PRADO MUSEUM. Afternoon at leisure and tonight enjoy a farewell dinner to
celebrate the success of your European vacation. (BB,D)
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| Day 12 |
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| Meals: |
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11 buffet breakfasts (BB); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome
dinner in Rome and a farewell dinner in Madrid
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| City Highlights: |
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ROME Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing including headsets; visit St.
Peter’s Square and Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Colosseum
and Roman Forum VENICE Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including
headsets; visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica; glassblowers’ demonstration
FLORENCE Guided sightseeing including headsets; visit the cathedral,
Michelangelo’s David , and Signoria Square PISA Picture stop at the
Leaning Tower ARLES Orientation including the amphitheater BARCELONA
Guided sightseeing; visit the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia SARAGOSSA Orientation
MADRID Guided sightseeing; visit the Prado Museum; farewell dinner
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