Treasures of Italy
11-day tour featuring Pisa, Florence, Venice & Rome
So many of the famous sights you've seen in pictures are found in this storied country ... the Roman Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter's Square, the Duomo in Florence, Pisa's Leaning Tower, the Canals of Venice, and fashionable Milan. This is the very best Italy has to offer in an 12-day tour.
Meals - In addition to any meals you may be served during your flights to and from Europe, the tour price includes 10 breakfasts, and 5 dinners during the land portion of the tour.
Call (818) 500-7747 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10478776
- Tour Operator
- Image Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 9/10/2012
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Overnight flight to Italy | Overnight flight to Italy. Today brings the beginning of a new adventure. Refer to "Preparing for your Departure" in your Final Documents for easy check-in procedures. Take time to relax on your trans-Atlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details. |
| Day 2 | Milan | ITALY . . Arrival at Milan's Malpensa Airport. Upon arrival at Milan Malpensa Airport, disembark, clear passport control, claim your suitcase, and pass through customs. Your "Arrival Instructions" page in your Final Documents provides instructions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Transfer to your Milan hotel to check-in, freshen-up and rest a little. At your "Welcome to Italy/Get-acquainted" dinner in the hotel, get to know your fellow tour members. (Dinner) |
| Day 3 | Venice | ITALY . . Milan, Verona, Venice. This morning begins with a visit to the city center of Milan. Both the modern Galleria and the gothic Duomo dominate Milan's main square. The tour manager will direct you toward high-fashion shops and noteworthy sights such as La Scala Opera House. Along the way, a "gelateria" will tempt you with Italian ice cream. Then it's on to Verona, famous for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Find yourself absorbed in the bittersweet love story as you walk to Juliet's balcony. Also admire the amphitheater, which is still used for extravagant, outdoor opera performances every summer. Continue to your Venice area hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner) |
| Day 4 | Venice | ITALY . . Venice. Today features a full day visit to the romantic city of Venice, famous for its canals and bridges, colorful gondoliers, and magnificent St. Mark's Square. All transportation is done exclusively over water. So, like the Venetians, we take a boat ride to the center. A guided walking tour follows, ending with a visit to a glass-blowing work shop where highly-skilled artisans craft anything from delicate figurines to grand, multi-colored chandeliers. If you have your heart set on gliding through the canals, the cost is about $45 per person based on six people per gondola. The day provides ample time to marvel at the architecture of the San Marco Basilica, the Doges' Palace, and the Clock Tower. If you would like to take a Lagoon Cruise to the neighboring islands, ask your tour manager for assistance. Have dinner at a pizzeria or join your tour manager at a characteristic restaurant for the optional "Venice Dinner" (see page 54). After a memorable day of sightseeing, return to your Venice area hotel. (Breakfast) |
| Day 5 | Terme | ITALY . . Venice - Montecatini-Terme. A leisurely morning drive will take you south past the town of Padua, home to the university where Galileo taught, toward Bologna and the Apennine Mountains which spine the Italian peninsula from north to south. After a brief morning stop you'll continue into the Tuscany region where pastel-tinted buildings on palm-lined streets welcome you to the spa resort town of Montecatini-Terme, your home for the next four nights. Use the afternoon to become acquainted with Montecatini-Terme, beginning with a walk through the classic pavilions and parks that characterize this charming bath town. Consider ordering a glass of local wine during dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner) |
| Day 6 | Terme | ITALY . . Florence - Montecatini-Terme. This day is devoted to the art and architecture of Florence. The first masterpieces you will notice during the guided walking tour stand on the Piazza del Duomo: the "Duomo" (cathedral); the Baptistery with its renowned bronze doors by Ghiberti; and Giotto's "campanile" (bell tower). The rest of the day is yours to explore Florence at your own pace. Admire the piazzas, each with their own distinct character; shop the open-air markets; visit an art gallery; or enjoy gathering with Florentines and visitors alike on the Ponte Vecchio. Based on availability at the time of your visit, your tour manager may be able to arrange for entrance to the "Accademia Gallery" (see page 52) to admire Michelangelo's "David". Return to Montecatini-Terme for an included dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner) |
| Day 7 | Terme | ITALY . . Pisa - Montecatini- Terme. The focus this morning is Pisa and its Leaning Tower. Work on the structure began in 1174, and it already started to tilt while constructing the second floor. The complete complex consists of the Duomo, an immense Baptistry and the bell tower. Built of white marble and set against the "Field of Miracles", an expansive green lawn, all three buildings are an impressive sight. Return to Montecatini-Terme for the afternoon. Hiking, swimming, tennis, bike rentals, and golf are all possible. Another choice is the optional "Tuscan Wine & Cooking Class" excursion (see page 54). (Breakfast) |
| Day 8 | Terme | ITALY . . Montecatini-Terme. Spend a leisurely day enjoying the shops, cafes, spas, and parks of Montecatini-Terme. Take the funicular up to the old town of Montecatini Alte and sip a cappuccino as you take in the panoramic view of the Tuscan countryside. Or, consider using the convenient and reasonably priced train service to return to Florence for further exploration. Another choice for today is the optional "Cinque Terre" excursion (see page 52) offering three different perspectives (on foot, by train, and from the water) as you discover five unique cities built on the cliffs of the Italian coastline. For your independent dinner, you might wish to dine "al fresco" at the sidewalk terrace of one of the grand hotels in Montecatini-Terme. (Breakfast) |
| Day 9 | Rome | ITALY . . Rome. Your last morning in Tuscany takes you past olive groves and into Siena, a beautiful city built on three hills. Piazza del Campo is the main square and focal point of Siena, with several smaller but equally interesting squares found throughout this medieval village. The "Siena Duomo" excursion (see page 53) provides a more in depth look at the art and architecture of the magnificent Duomo. After independent lunch, leave Tuscany to rejoin the Autostrada in the direction of Rome. This evening, during your last included group dinner at your Rome area hotel, share favorite tour experiences with your fellow travelers. (Breakfast, Dinner) |
| Day 10 | Rome | ITALY . . Rome. The entire day is devoted to the wonders of Rome. This is an energetic, modern metropolis, yet proudly protective of its abundant historical sites, crowned by the Colosseum (Roman Arena) which dates back to 80 B.C. During the city sightseeing tour, see the Trajan and Roman Forums, the Arch of Constantine, and the Colosseum. The afternoon is free for individual pursuits. There is so much to see and do in this great city, which also houses the Vatican City, a city within the city of Rome. The tour manager will offer an optional "Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel" excursion (see page 54) to the Vatican City, including St. Peter's Basilica. Choose from over 2,000 restaurants for an independent dining experience, or join the optional "Rome Dinner" excursion (see page 53). (Breakfast) |
| Day 11 | Rome | ITALY . . Rome. This is a day to set your own pace. If you wish to have more time in Rome, the hotel can assist you with transportation and sightseeing information. The best way to see more of this marvelous city is on foot. Discover the architectonic beauty of the Eternal City by walking from the Piazza Venezia to the Trevi Fountain. Or, add a fascinating slice of history to your travel experiences by joining the full day optional "Pompeii" excursion (see page 53). Italy is the cradle of European civilization, art, architecture, and music. However you choose to spend your day, the sights are sure to create lasting impressions (Breakfast). |
| Day 12 | Daytime Flight back to the U.S.A. | Daytime flight back to the U.S.A. Transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport for the return flight home (Breakfast) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- The above departures reflect Land-Only per person pricing and TWIN pricing is based upon double occupancy. Any early booking discounts available will be reflected in the summary price after you pick your departure date, your accommodation type, and any additional options in the following steps. Please choose a departure date to continue pricing the tour.
Tours
Treasures of Italy
From $2,490.00 (USD)
