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Day 1:
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2: Arrival in Rome, Italy. Time to rest or
to start exploring the "Eternal City" at 6pm, meet your Tour
Director and traveling companions for a special welcome dinner
with wine in one of Rome's lively restaurants. (D)
Day 3: 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
Judgment. 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 won, 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 that finishes with a Roman
dinner party.(B)
Day 4: Rome Italian Cooking Lesson. This
morning, a Cooking Lesson introduces you to the culinary secrets
of some traditional Italian dishes. Afterward, savor the
delicious lunch that you helped create. This afternoon, perhaps
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?
(B,L)
Day 5: Rome-Peinza-Montalcino-Tuscany. Travel
north to Tuscany through the lush Apennine Mountains, stopping
in the renaissance town of Pienza, reowned for pecorino cheese.
Time to stroll around before continuing to the Montalcino wine
area. The Altesino Estate and winery is beautifully located in
the eastern hills of Montalcino and housed in an elegant 14th
century building known as the Palazzzo Altesi. For the past 30
years the estate has been a trendsetter in the production of
Brunello di Montalcino. We will tour the winery and taste a
selection of their famed Brunello di Montalcino while the
winemaker discusses the innovations that made their wines
famous. Lunch will be served at the estate and includes pecorino
Cheese Tasting. An afternoon arrival at your hotel in Tuscany.
(B,L)
Day 6: Tuscany. Excursion to Flourence &
Verrazzano Castle. All day is dedicated to Flourence, "Cradle of
the Renaissance.". Follow your Local Guide to the Academy of
Fine Arts with Michelangelo's celebrated David and the
magnificent Cathedral. Admire Giotto's Bell Tower, the
Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise," and
sculpture-studded Signoria Square. Time for independent
sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Florentine leather
goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys.
Later, visit Verrazzano Castle, where you will hear about the
fine art of bending four types of grapes to obtain the famous
Chianti; here, enjoy Wine Tasting and dinner before returning to
your hotel. (B,D)
Day 7: Tuscany. Excursion to Seina. Today, a
guided visit of Siena introduces you to Piazzo Del Campo and the
Palazzo Pubblico, the city's finest gothic palace and home to
the Civic Museum, housing masterpieces of Sienese painting
giants Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Time in Siena at
leisure to explore on your own or you may opt to visit Nannini,
one of Burt Wolf's favorite places for Tuscan cakes. (B)
Day 8: Tuscany-Modena-Modena-Venice. A scenic
drive through the Apennine Mountains and the fertile Po area to
Modena to visit one of the oldest producers of balsamic vinegar.
After learning about the production process, partake in a
Vinegar Tasting of the final product. Next, enjoy an
introduction to one of Italy's most well-known cheeses with a
visit to a Parmesan Factory. In the afternoon, continue to
Venice. Enter in style by Private Boat. You may want to join an
optional dinner tonight. (B)
Day 9: 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 Glassblowers fashion their delicate objects in an
age-old traditional manner. spend the remainder of the morning
and afternoon as you wish. (B)
Day 10: At leisure in Venice. A full day to
enjoy Venice at your own pace. Simply relax at your hotel,
stroll along the narrow streets, visit the bell tower, or you
may want to join an optional lagoon cruise with lunch on the
charming island of Burano. This evening, an included farewell
dinner celebrates the success of your Italian Vacation. (B,D)
Day 11: Your homebound flight arrives the same
day.
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