Best of Italy (Winter 2009/2010) - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 14
• Tour Style: Family
• Destinations: Rome, Pompeii, 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. Tonight we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and traveling companions.
  
  Hotel: Albergo Diana / Novadomus



• Day 3 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure This morning, after breakfast our included sightseeing tour features a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums. We’ll also enjoy our local guide’s commentary as we are taken on an informative visit of St Peter’s Basilica where we will see many of Michelangelo’s great works, including the Pietà. From here we cross the Tiber into ancient Rome stopping at Piazza Venezia where we view the Victor Emmanuel monument and the 15th century Palazzo Venezia. Then making our way along the Via Sacra we reach the Roman Forum and visit the breathtaking Colosseum. Finally we head to the Circus Maximus where at one time ‘Ben Hur’ style chariot races took place. The rest of your day is at leisure perhaps to sightsee further or relax with a cappuccino at a pavement café on the Via Veneto. This evening, why not discover the city’s culinary delights and vibrant nightlife? (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 4 - Rome – Pompeii – Sorrento (2 nights) This morning we leave Rome and head south, with views of the Abbey of Monte Cassino en route to the Bay of Naples. Next we will enjoy a guided tour of Pompeii, the town frozen in time when it was engulfed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Finally our journey continues along the coastline to Sorrento and we enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
  
  Hotel: Johanna Park / Parco Del Sole



• Day 5 - Isle of Capri excursion After breakfast, we witness the art of inlaid woodworking, one of the crafts of the Sorrento peninsula. After we will embark on an excursion by ferry to the Isle of Capri. There’s plenty of time to explore this lovely island with its narrow streets, beautiful gardens and tempting boutiques. (Buffet breakfast)



• 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 sightseeing tour includes the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for its fresco paintings depicting the life of this much-loved saint. Then our Tour Director will reveal one of the Hidden Treasures of this charming town before we have time at leisure. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Grand Hotel / Hotel Giotto
  



• Day 7 - Assisi – Ravenna – Venice (2 nights) We enjoy a morning drive along the Adriatic Coast to 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 for our two-night stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: NH Laguna Palace / Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana



• 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 of St. Mark. After, we will stop to visit a traditional glass-blowing factory to witness a demonstration of this ancient art. Then with time on your own you may wish to discover the Island of Burano and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. Later, a gondola serenade would be hard to resist! (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 9 - Venice – Verona – Milan – Italian Lakes (2 nights) Our day will start with a drive to the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed 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. Here we see the gothic Duomo, La Scala opera house and the famous Galleria. Finally, we make our way to our hotel in the Italian Lake District for dinner and our overnight
  stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Boscolo Porro Pirelli / NH Pontevecchio Lecco



• Day 10 - Lugano excursion (Switzerland) This morning we will enjoy an excursion into the Ticino, the Italian speaking region of Switzerland where we stop to visit the beautiful lakeside resort of Lugano. On our arrival there’s time to shop and enjoy some lunch. Perhaps take a walk through the lakeside gardens. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)



• Day 11 - Italian Lakes – Pisa – Florence (2 nights) Our morning drive takes us via the Plains of Lombardy and cross the Apennine Mountains passing Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Then we travel southwards to Pisa to see the extraordinary Leaning Tower before arriving in Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Tonight, we enjoy a Be My Guest dinner in a local family run restaurant where we can taste authentic regional specialties. (Buffet breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)
  
  Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo



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



• 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. Here there’s time to explore the wonders of this city and maybe shop for beautiful locally produced ceramics. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
  
  Hotel: Cristofo Colombo / Villa Pamphili



• Day 14 - Rome – USA ‘Buon viaggio’ to new found friends and your Tour Director as the tour comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)


Depart USAArrive Rome Rome sightseeing and at leisureRome – Pompeii – Sorrento Isle of Capri excursionSorrento – AssisiAssisi – Ravenna – Venice Venice sightseeing and at leisureVenice – Verona – Milan – Italian Lakes Lugano excursion (Switzerland)Italian Lakes – Pisa – Florence Florence sightseeing and at leisureFlorence – Siena – RomeRome – USA

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• Rome: Guided visit of the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum. Sightseeing tour includes views of the Forum and Circus Maximus.
• Pompeii: Visit the excavations.
• Sorrento: Witness the art of inlaid wood-working. Excursion to the Isle of Capri.
• Assisi: Sightseeing includes 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, Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a traditional glass-blowing factory.
• Verona: See the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony.
• Milan: See the Duomo.
• Lugano Excursion: Visit this magnificent lakeside resort.
• Pisa: View the Leaning Tower.
• Florence: Sightseeing tour includes 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

• Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Rome
• 12 hot buffet breakfasts on tour
• 4 three-course dinners
• Highlight Dinner in Sorrento

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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.
• Cruise to the Isle of Capri.
• Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers are provided on Days 2 and 14.
• Professional, multi-lingual Tour Director on tour.
• Specialised local guides in Rome, Pompeii, Capri, Assisi and Florence.
• Experience Trafalgar’s commitment to conservation in Venice
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal

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Airport Transfers
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 from the last hotel will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.
• London Gateway: Trafalgar passengers purchasing either “Land Only” or “Land and Air” will receive Hotelink transfers during published hours of operation. This is providing that:
• Passengers are staying at a London hotel, booked by Trafalgar on the night of their arrival and the night before their departure.
• Passengers or their Travel Agents supply Trafalgar with accurate flight information not less than 21 days prior to departure.
• European Gateways: Trafalgar passengers purchasing “Land Only” will receive coach transfers at the times published in the brochure at NO extra charge. However, if these “Land Only” passengers arrive outside the brochure advertised coach transfer times they must make their own arrangements at their own expense.
• Passengers purchasing “Land and Air” from Trafalgar will receive coach transfers at times published in the brochure or, if they arrive outside of these set times, then a separate transfer will be booked for them. These transfers will be available only on the days of arrival and departure of the tour.
• Passengers purchasing pre and post tour accommodation must arrange their own transfers regardless of whether or not they have bought “Air” from Trafalgar.

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Options

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