Leisurely Italy - 10 days land only

This 10-day vacation includes three nights each in Rome, Tuscany and Venice. In Rome enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide including St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and Colosseum and Roman Forum. Enjoy the wines and a special lunch in Verrazzano Castle in Chianti before arriving in Tuscany where you will stay in the famous spa Montecatini. Of course you will visit the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence to admire Michelangelo’s David, the Cathedral and Signoria Square with a Local Guide. Take pictures of the amazing 180-feet-high Leaning Tower of Pisa and visit Lucca. On your way to Venice stop in St. Anthony’s Padua and in Venice visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace with the Bridge of Sighs, enjoy a private boat ride, and watch a glass blowers’ demonstration. Enjoy an included farewell dinner on your last night in Venice.

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 for a special welcome dinner with wine in one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)
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 and The Last Judgement. 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. This afternoon time to explore the city on your own, relax, or join your Local Guide for an optional walk that takes you to the magnificent marbled Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, the well preserved Roman Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and finishes with a Roman dinner party. (BB)
Day 3
At Leisure in Rome. Savor la dolce vita and enjoy independent activities. Take a stroll along beautiful Via Condotti, discover Rome’s hidden treasures at your own pace, or just sit on a terrace and watch people go by. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner with local specialties at one of Rome’s famous restaurants? (BB)
Day 4
Rome-Verrazzano Castle-Tuscany. North into Tuscany through the lush Apennine Mountains. Leave the highway and enter the Chianti wine area; visit VERRAZZANO CASTLE, where you will hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti Classico; here enjoy WINE TASTING and lunch, before you reach your hotel in Montecatini. (BB,L)
Day 5
Tuscany. Excursion to Florence. All day dedicated to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Follow your Local Guide to the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE, and Michelangelo’s celebrated David in the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS. Time for independent sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. (BB,D)
Day 6
Tuscany. Excursion to Pisa and Lucca. This morning visit Pisa to take your pictures of the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 12 feet out of the perpendicular, and charming Lucca, a beautifully preserved medieval town nearby. Balance of the day at leisure to relax at your hotel. (BB)
Day 7
Tuscany-Padua-Venice. A scenic drive through the Apennine Mountains and the fertile Po area to Padua, city of St. Anthony the Hermit, for a visit to the majestic six-domed BASILICA. In the afternoon a scenic drive following the Brenta canal brings you to Venice. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. You may want to join an optional dinner tonight. (BB)
Day 8
Venice. Highlights of your walking tour with a Local Guide are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the BYZANTINE BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE, and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASS BLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Remainder of the morning and the afternoon to spend as you wish. (BB)
Day 9
At Leisure in Venice. A full day to enjoy Venice at your own pace. This city has attracted and inspired photographers from all over the world because of its setting and translucent light. You may also wish to take an optional cruise through the lagoon, and have lunch on one of the islands. This evening an included farewell dinner celebrates the success of your Italian vacation. (BB,D)
Day 10
Tour ends. (BB)
Meals:
9 buffet breakfasts (BB); 3 dinners (D) including a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome and a farewell dinner with wine in Venice; 1 lunch (L) with wine-tasting in Verrazzano Castle
City Highlights:
ROME Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing including headsets; visit St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Colosseum and Roman Forum VERRAZZANO CASTLE Wine tasting and lunch FLORENCE Guided sightseeing including headsets; visit the cathedral, Michelangelo’s David, and Signoria Square PISA Orientation and picture stop at the Leaning Tower LUCCA Orientation PADUA Visit St. Anthony's Basilica VENICE Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets; visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs; glass blowers’ demonstration; farewell dinner