Best of Italy 2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 14
• Tour Style: Regional
• Destinations: Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Isle of Capri, Assisi, Ravenna, Venice, Verona, Milan, Lugano, Pisa, Florence, Siena

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Rome.



• Day 2 - Arrive Rome (2 nights) Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy, and the Eternal City! After check-in the remainder of the day is at leisure, perhaps to relax or explore. Later, enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and traveling companions.
  
  Hotel: Mediterraneo (2 nights)
  



• Day 3 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure The first highlight of our day with our local guide is a visit to the Sistine Chapel where the works of Michelangelo are brought to life by the guide’s clear and exciting commentary thanks to the use of an excellent audio system. Then we head into St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, to see this amazing building. From here we cross the Tiber into ancient Rome to overlook the Forum and the Circus Maximus, where chariot races took place, and to visit the mighty Colosseum. The rest of your day is at leisure and this evening why not discover the city’s culinary delights? (Buffet breakfast)
  



• Day 4 - Rome – Pompeii – Sorrento (2 nights) Today our journey takes us past the Abbey of Monte Cassino en route to the Bay of Naples. Next we will enjoy a walking tour with audio equipment, of Pompeii, the town frozen in time when it was engulfed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Later, we continue our journey along the coastline to Sorrento. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Johanna Park (2 nights)
  



• Day 5 - Isle of Capri Excursion After breakfast, we witness the art of inlaid wood-working, one of the crafts of the Sorrento peninsula. After we will embark on an excursion by ferry to the Isle of Capri where we will enjoy a walking tour of Capri town and gardens using our excellent audio system. There’s plenty of time to explore this lovely island. Why not visit the villa of the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe? We return to Sorrento where tonight for dinner, we enjoy the delicious local produce on a local working lemon farm. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be My Guest' Dinner)
  



• Day 6 - Sorrento – Assisi This morning’s drive will take us to the province of Umbria and mystical Assisi, perched on Mount Subasio and overlooking a peaceful Umbrian landscape. This city under the protection of St. Francis is still enclosed by medieval ramparts. On our arrival a guided walking tour with audio system includes the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for its fresco paintings depicting the life of this much-loved saint. Later time is your own to do as you please. Why not shop for local handicrafts? This evening we will dine at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Giotto
  



• Day 7 - Assisi – Ravenna – Venice (2 nights) We enjoy a morning drive through the Apennines to the Adriatic Coast and the Roman town of Ravenna with its ancient mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Here we will visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe before seeing the Romanesque Basilica of Pomposa. Next we drive to the floating city of Venice. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Novotel Venezia-Mestre Castellana (2 nights)
  



• Day 8 - Venice sightseeing and at leisure This morning after breakfast we will absorb this city’s unique atmosphere on our included canal cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark’s Square. We view the Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace and Basilica. Afterwards we will stop to visit a traditional glass-blowing factory to witness a demonstration of this ancient art. Today our Tour Director shares one of the many Hidden Treasure of Venice with us all and there is still time to cruise across the lagoon to discover the colorful Island of Burano and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. (Buffet breakfast)
  



• Day 9 - Venice – Verona – Milan – Lake Maggiore (2 nights) Our day will start with a drive to the home of Shakespeare’s starcrossed lovers, Verona. We stop to admire the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony. From here we cross the plains of Lombardy to the fashionable city of Milan for a walking tour, which shows us the gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera house and the famous Galleria, before continuing to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Splendid (2 nights)
  



• Day 10 - Lugano Excursion We drive into the Ticino, the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, where we stop to visit the beautiful resort of Lugano. On our arrival there’s time to shop or simply relax with a cappuccino in the main square. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
  



• Day 11 - Lake Maggiore – Pisa – Florence (2 nights) We drive across the Plains of Lombardy and the forested Apennine Mountains and pass by Genoa. Next off to Pisa to see the extraordinary Leaning Tower before arriving at Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Tonight, why not enjoy a meal of excellent Tuscan cuisine? (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Grand Hotel Meditteraneo (2 nights)
  



• Day 12 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure The cathedral, Signoria Square and a visit to Santa Croce Basilica feature on our guided walking tour, enhanced by the use of our audio system. Later, enjoy a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo before free time. Perhaps discover the artistic wonders in the museums or shop for high quality leather and gold. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
  



• Day 13 - Florence – Siena – Rome We enjoy a scenic drive through the Chianti wine-producing region to medieval Siena, famous for its exciting Palio horse race. We arrive in Rome late in the afternoon. This evening, we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director and new-found touring friends. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Sheraton Golf
  



• Day 14 - Rome – USA This morning, after breakfast, it is time to say `buon viaggio’ as our Italian vacation comes to an end. There are airport transfers available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)
  



• Free airport transfers Transfers on arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30 and 15.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.


Depart USAArrive Rome Rome sightseeing and at leisureRome – Pompeii – Sorrento Isle of Capri ExcursionSorrento – AssisiAssisi – Ravenna – Venice Venice sightseeing and at leisureVenice – Verona – Milan – Lake Maggiore Lugano ExcursionLake Maggiore – Pisa – Florence Florence sightseeing and at leisureFlorence – Siena – RomeRome – USAFree airport transfers

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• Rome: Views of the Forum and Circus Maximus plus visits to St Peters Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.
• Pompeii: Visit the excavations.
• Sorrento: Witness the art of inlaid wood-working. Excursion to the Isle of Capri.
• Assisi: Visit St. Francis' Basilica.
• Ravenna: Visit the Church of St. Apollinaris in Classe and admire its mosaics.
• Pomposa: View the ancient Romanesque Abbey.
• Venice: Canal cruise by private launch. See St. Mark's Square, the Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a traditional glass-blowing factory.
• Verona: See the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony.
• Milan: Guided tour includes Duomo, La Scala and the Galleria.
• Lugano Excursion: Visit this magnificent lakeside resort.
• Pisa: View the Leaning Tower.
• Florence: Visit Signoria Square and Santa Croce Basilica. Admire Florentine leatherwork and views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
• Siena: Visit the medieval Tuscan city, home of the Palio horse race.

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Dining Highlights

• 12 hot Buffet breakfasts
• 5 three-course dinners in hotels
• ‘Be My Guest’ speciality dinner with wine of local produce on a working lemon farm near Sorrento.
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Rome.
19 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel Highlights

• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes. 
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard. 
• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors. 
• A qualified local city guide in Rome, Pompeii, Assisi, Milan and Florence. 
•  Cruise to the Isle of Capri.
• Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 14 (conditions apply)
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.

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Airport Transfers

• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
• For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
• Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
• In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
• All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
• In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel.
• Gatwick Airport: Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
• European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown
• Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
• Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
• Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
• Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

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Important note:

• On certain departures we visit Milan on Day 10 and Lugano on Day 9.
• Certain departures will visit the Sistine Chapel before the departure to Sorrento on Day 4 and the Pompeii visit will be on Day 6.

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.