Best of Italy

Tour Highlights:
Vatican Museum
Roman Forum and Coliseum
Walking tour pf Venice
Walking tour of Florence
Entrance to the Accademia
Siena Cathedral
Walking tour of Siena

Prices & Dates : Below

Based on per person traveling in twin room, Prices are subject to change 

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• Escorted sightseeing by luxury motorcoach
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Accommodation at 4 star hotels for 5 nights and a Tuscan Villa for 2 night
• Breakfast (B) daily except morning of arrival
• Four dinners (D)
• Welcome reception hosted by your Tour Director (R)
• All entrance fees to:
  • Vatican Museum
  • Roman Forum and Coliseum
  • Walking tour of Venice
  • Walking tour of Florence
  • Entrance to the Accademia
  • Siena Cathedral
  • Walking tour of Siena
• Sightseeing including Rome, Siena, Florence, Tuscany, Pisa, Venice and Assisi
• Tips for baggage handling, taxes and hotel gratuities except gratuity to your Tour Guide and driver

Pricing excludes

• Airfare, Airport taxes and security charges
• Transfers from airport/ hotel/ airport
• Meals not speciically identified
• Other personal expenses

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart USA Your trip begins with an overnight transatlantic flight for the Italian vacation of a lifetime.

Day 2: Arrive Rome This morning you arrive in Rome’s FCO airport, collect your bags and proceed through customs where our BMIT representative will be waiting to welcome you to Italy. From here we will transfer you to your hotel in Rome, where you may relax, or explore a bit at your leisure, before meeting your tour director for a welcome reception. This evening you are on your own to enjoy this amazing city. Accommodation: Del Gianicolo Hotel or similar. (R)

Day 3: Vatican & Ancient Rome This morning tour the Vatican, the world's smallest, yet wealthiest independent state. Your guide will start the tour with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. See the Hall of Tapestries and the Maps Gallery, but the highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's famous paintings of the 'Creation' and 'Last Judgment.' Then we explore St. Peter's Square, with Bernini's 284 columns, before entering St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom. See the many treasures including the golden mosaics of the apse, Bernini's bronze baldachin and the famed 'Pieta' by Michelangelo. We will have a break for lunch on our own and then continue our tour of the city. This afternoon we will see the sites of Ancient Rome, including a visit to the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and the Coliseum. We will return to our hotel to freshen up, and this evening we will enjoy our included dinner. Accommodation: Del Gianicolo Hotel or similar. (B, D)

Day 4: Assisi & Venice After our included breakfast we will head north through the Lazio and Umbria regions of Italy to the delightful town of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. Here we will have time to visit the cathedral and its amazing frescoes by Giotto. We then continue on through the Apennine region to the amazing city of Venice for our two night stay. Accommodation: Ai Mori d'Oriente Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 5: Venice After breakfast this morning your guide will take you on a delightful walking tour of this ‘City of Islands’. On our tour we will see St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Bell Tower and the Clock Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. Our tour will conclude at the Doges’ Palace, which you can visit at your leisure. This afternoon is free for additional sightseeing. Perhaps you might enjoy our optional gondola experience later in the day. Tonight you are free to savor the flavors of this unique city. Accommodation: Ai Mori d'Oriente Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 6: Pisa & Tuscany This morning we will leave Venice and begin our scenic journey to Tuscany and our villa. We will make a photo stop at the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. This afternoon we will arrive at our Tuscan Villa for our two night stay. Our home is a splendid villa not far from Florence, and surrounded by century-old trees and parkland. The villa offers a beautiful swimming pool which blends seamlessly with its delightful garden amidst the natural setting of the Tuscan hills. This evening we will enjoy dinner at the villa. Accommodation: Villa Pitiana or similar. (B, D)

Day 7: Florence After breakfast this morning we will set off on tour though the bustling city of Florence. During our excursion we will see the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. We will end our tour with a visit to the Accademia to admire Michelangelo’s statue of David. After seeing so many of Florence’s Renaissance attractions, the afternoon is yours to explore her shops, museums, markets and cafes at your leisure. We return in the afternoon to our villa and prior to dinner we will enjoy a tasting of wine produced by the vineyards of the area. Accommodation: Villa Pitiana or similar. (B, D)

Day 8: Siena & Rome Today, we drive through the beautiful countryside to Siena. This fine medieval city sits on gentle hills between three river valleys. Notice the medieval ramparts where you are greeted with the Latin inscription 'Cor Magis Tibi Sena Pandit' (Siena opens its heart to you). Take a walking tour through the maze of narrow streets to one of the finest squares in Italy, the Piazza Del Campo where the famous 'Palio Horse Race' is held twice a year. Visit the 13th century Cathedral to see the many works of art including the black and white marble walls and columns and the marble floors with decorative inlays. We continue on to our hotel in Rome. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner we will see the landmarks of the city illuminated with the soft light of an Italian evening, and we’ll make a stop at the Trevi Fountain to toss our coin to insure our return visit to this magical land. Accommodation: Del Gianicolo or similar. (B, D)

Day 9: Rome & USA After breakfast we depart for the airport for your homebound flight. You may choose to extend your stay in Rome or another Italian city. (B)