ITINERARY
Coach Tour
16 DAYS • 14 NIGHTS
4 nights in Rome • 2 nights in Florence • 1 night in Venice • 1 night in San Marino • 2 nights in Sorrento • 1 night in Rende • 2 nights in Acireale or Giardini Naxos • 1 night in Agrigento
DAY 1: Departure to Rome
Overnight flight to Rome.
DAY 2: Arrive Rome (2 nights)
On arrival in Rome, meet your tour escort and then transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon discovering the Eternal City at your leisure. Overnight in Rome. (Dinner)
DAY 3: Rome
This morning, after a guided visit of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, go on a walking tour to see the Capitol, the Forum and the Colosseum (exterior). The afternoon will be at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a wonderful walking tour through Baroque Rome before a welcome dinner with wine with your travel companions. Overnight in Rome. (Buffet Breakfast, Welcome Dinner)
DAY 4: Rome / Siena / Florence (2 nights) (322 km)
Morning departure for Siena and a walking tour upon arrival in the city. See the Duomo (exterior) and the splendid square known as Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio race is run twice a year on bareback horses. Later in the afternoon, arrive in Florence, where you will visit Michelangelo’s Square for a photo opportunity before making your way to your hotel. Overnight in Florence. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5: Florence / Pisa / Florence (204 km)
This morning, you’ll go on a guided sightseeing tour of Florence that will include the Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the doors of the Baptistry, Piazza della Signoria and the Church of Santa Croce. After lunch in a local restaurant, depart for Pisa to admire the Cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower. Return to Florence, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Florence. (Buffet Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 6: Florence / Venice (260 km)
The morning is at leisure. In the early afternoon, you will depart for Venice, where the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Venice. (Buffet Breakfast)
DAY 7: Venice / San Marino (230 km)
In the morning guided visit of Piazza San Marco and see the neighbouring sights. The afternoon will be at your leisure. Later in the day, depart for San Marino, the world’s oldest republic. Overnight in San Marino. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 8: San Marino / Assisi / Rome (area) (412 km)
After breakfast, enjoy some free time in San Marino. With 29,000 inhabitants, it is the third smallest republic after the Vatican and Monte Carlo. Then head to Assisi, a great religious town connected to the life of St. Francis. Here you’ll visit the Basilica and the wonderful medieval city. Late in the afternoon, drive through the magnificent Umbria Region, the ‘Green Heart’ of Italy, to Rome, where you will be treated to a special dinner, with wine, in a traditional Roman restaurant. Overnight in Rome.(Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 9: Rome (area) / Naples / Sorrento (2 nights) (270 km)
Depart for a panoramic tour of Naples before continuing on to Sorrento. Drive along the Sorrentine Peninsula to Sorrento and take advantage of the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Sorrento. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 10: Sorrento / Capri / Sorrento
After breakfast, transfer to the harbour and depart for Capri by hydrofoil to enjoy some free time to roam the island. Optional tours ($) to Augustus’ Garden, the Blue Grotto and Anacapri are available. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon. Overnight in Sorrento. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 11: Sorrento / Rende (Cosenza) (314 km)
The morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon, depart for Rende (Calabria Region). Overnight in Rende (Cosenza). (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 12: Rende (Cosenza) / Taormina / Giardini Naxos (Acireale) (2 nights) (243 km)
This morning, depart for the beautiful town of Taormina. Orientation tour and free time for shopping or a leisurely stroll along the panoramic terrace. Overnight in Taormina or Giardini Naxos. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 13: Giardini Naxos (Acireale) / Etna / Syracuse / Giardini Naxos (Acireale) (270 km)
A morning excursion to Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe. You’ll be taken to Rifugio Sapienza, 1800 m above sea level and will have free time to enjoy the view. Continue on to Syracuse for a guided visit of the Neapolis Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysus, a curiously-shaped grotto. Overnight in Taormina or Giardini Naxos (Acireale). (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 14: Giardini Naxos (Acireale) / Piazza Armerina / Agrigento (215 km)
You’ll be taken on a guided visit of the Roman villas of Piazza Armerina with their beautiful mosaics, a site that is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In the afternoon depart for Agrigento to admire the Valley of the Temples, a masterpiece of Sicilian Greek culture. Overnight in Agrigento.(Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 15: Agrigento / Monreale / Palermo / Rome (area) (150 km)
Morning departure for Palermo with a stop in Monreale for a guided visit of the Cathedral, considered the finest example of Norman architecture in Sicily and extensively decorated with mosaics and fi ne gold. Enjoy a farewell lunch featuring typical local cuisine. Continue on to Palermo for a panoramic tour of the city and then transfer by air to Rome. Overnight in Rome. (Buffet Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 16: Rome / End of tour
In the morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight. (Buffet Breakfast)
YOUR HOTELS (OR SIMILARS)
Hotels offered for departures from Toronto • Rome: NH Leonardo Da Vinci (4*)
• Florence: NH Anglo American (4*)
• Venice (Downtown): Bonvecchiati (4*)
• San Marino: Titano (4*) or Grand Hotel (4*)
• Rome (area): Four Points Sheraton (4*)
• Sorrento: Conca Park (4*)
• Rende: Executive (4*)
• Giardini Naxos: Naxos Beach (4*) or Acireale: Tecla Palace (4*)
• Agrigento: Jolly Hotel Della Valle (4*) or Villa Romana (4*)
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
• Roundtrip flight in Economy Class
• Roundtrip transfer between the airport and the hotel on tour dates
• Transportation in air-conditioned coach with reclining seats
• Hotel taxes and service charges
• The meals and visits mentioned in the tour description
• 14 hot or cold buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches, including one of regional cuisine in Sicily 11 dinners including one welcome dinner/show with wine in Rome
• 14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels with private facilities
• Audio headsets for the duration of the tour
• Air transfer from Palermo to Rome (Baggage allowance 20 kg)
19 INCLUSIONS
• Guided visit of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica in Rome
• Walking tour to see the Capitol, the Forum (exterior)
• Walking tour of Baroque Rome
• Walking tour of Siena
• Photo stop at Michelangelo’s Square
• Sightseeing tour of Florence
• Admire the Cathedral and Leaning Tower in Pisa
• Visit the Piazza San Marco and neighbouring sites in Venice
• Visit the Basilica and medieval city of Assisi
• Panoramic tour of Naples
• Panoramic drive along the Sorrentine Peninsula
• Visit to the Isle of Capri
• Orientation tour of Taormina
• Excursion to Mount Etna
• Guided visit of the Neapolis Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysus in Syracuse
• Guided visit of the Roman villas of Piazza Armerina
• Visit to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
• Guided visit of the Cathedral in Monreale
• Panoramic Tour of Palermo
YOUR TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Excess baggage
• Meals other than those detailed
• Optional tours
• Gratuities
• All drinks and wine
• Items of a personal nature
USEFUL INFORMATION
In Europe, hotel rooms are generally smaller than in North America. There are rarely two double beds in a room. Triple rooms usually feature one double bed and one single bed or three single beds or one double bed and one foldaway bed or two single beds and one foldaway bed.
Some types of sports equipment, including golf bags, etc., are not accepted in the rooms. They have to be kept in a specific area, which is usually locked
All hotels provide towels; some do not offer face cloths.
In most European countries the voltage is 220V.
REMARKS
Departing and arrival time, days and all the inclusions mentioned in the Tour description can change without notice. This information is valid for departures from November 1st, 2009 until October 31, 2010.
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