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BELLA ITALIA TOUR

Rates & Dates    •    Tour Overview    •    Includes    •    Itinerary
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CLICK HERE FOR RATES & DATES » BELLA ITALIA TOUR - Small Group Tour of Italy Limited to 14 people - Touring:  Venice, Florence, tuscany, siena, Rome Tour Overview and Highlights: Join one of our exclusive, upscale escorted small group tours of Italy’s most important cities.  On this classic tour of Italy we will travel to Rome, Florence and Venice, a trio of cities filled with historic, artistic and architectural treasures everyone should see in their lifetime. Your small group tour of Italy begins in Rome, where you will see the ancient wonders that have drawn visitors to this capital for centuries: the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and more.  This escorted tour of Italy will also take you into the countryside of Tuscany to the walled medieval city of Siena, driving by the vineyards and olive groves of the scenic Chianti region en route to Italy's Renaissance city - Florence.  The architecturally stunning city of Florence, famous gold, leather and other artisanal products, also awaits you on this tour.  The last stop in this Italy tour is the elegant “floating” city of Venice, a relaxing way to end this fantastic “best of Italy” tour. Arrival Airport: Rome Departure Airport: Venice NOTE ON ACCOMODATIONS: Unique Offering for this tour.  VIEW Rates & Dates »

Italy Tour Package Includes: Nine Days’ Land Tour: 3 nights in Rome, 3 nights in Florence, and 2 nights in Venice Beautiful, elegant, centrally located four-star hotels Breakfast daily One lunch and three dinners with wine Private professionally guided tours to all cities and sites; guides with backgrounds in architecture, art and history Services of your Tour Manager Entrance and reservation fees to all museums and sites featured on the tour Transportation to all planned activities Gratuities to all guides, drivers, concierges, and hotel restaurant staff. Welcome cocktails Guided tour of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica Guided tour of ancient architecture and ruins of Rome - Roman Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Arch of Constantine Guided tour of Venice's art and architecture treasures: St. Mark's Square and Cathedral in Venice, Doge's Palace and more. Guided tour of Florence and visit the city's treasures like Cathedral, Ghiberti's Gate of Paradise, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and more. Guided tour of Accademia museum in Florence for the Statue of David Excursion to medieval Siena. Possible Excursion opportunity to Lucca. Not Included: Airline tickets  Gratuity to your tour manager/escort Airport transfers in Venice and Rome (We will coordinate these transfers for you with other travelers as needed.)

INFORMATION REQUEST FORM ›        •        RESERVATION FORM ›

ITINERARY
Note:  Activities or order of activities are subject to change due to unforeseen closures, etc.  We reserve the right to replace an activity.
(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch,  D = Dinner)

DAY 1:
Arrival in Rome, Welcome Cocktails & Dinner, Overnight in Rome
This fabulous escorted small group tour of Italy starts in Rome.  Arrive at your Rome hotel, your home for the next three nights.  We can arrange a private airport transfer if you want.  Rest, freshen up and meet everyone in the hotel lobby at 5pm.  You will meet the group and we'll start our tour of Rome with a stroll and acquaint you with your new surroundings.

If you are ready to explore Rome earlier, just give us a call on our cell phone and we will come meet you.

We will walk around the hotel a bit to orient ourselves before we head to a wonderful place for cocktails before dinner. If you are ready to explore Rome earlier, just give us a call on our cell phone and we will come meet you earlier.  (D)

DAY 2:  
Ancient Rome Tour, Overnight in Rome
Meet everyone in the hotel lobby at 9:30am today.  This morning, an excellent Rome licensed tour guide will take you on a walking tour of Ancient Rome and see some of the finest feats of Roman architectural engineering.  Hear about fascinating stories about the Colosseum, which stands near the center of present-day Rome.  You will tour the Forum, once the administration, business and commercial center of Ancient Rome, and see its numerous temples, Basilicas, arches and more.  Other sites we will visit include the Arch of Constantine and Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo.

We will also take you to the Pantheon, Italy’s best-preserved dome and the biggest in Europe until the Renaissance.  We'll have lunch together at one of Rome's fantastic restaurants.

You're free to explore this wondrous city on your own after lunch.  As always, your tour manager is available for company, a meal or a stroll. (B, L)

DAY 3:
Vatican City: St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Overnight in Rome
Note: Modest dress to enter the cathedral, as in all churches in Italy.  Shoulders and knees must be covered.  No shorts, please.

We will meet our licensed Rome tour guide for our tour of the Vatican today. You are in for a treat. While a licensed local guide in Rome, she also trained and licensed by the Vatican.

In your guided tour of the Vatican, you will discover a treasure trove of art, history and religion today. The Vatican Museum’s art collection, which our tour group will visit, is one the most important in the world. You will also see the recently restored Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo's Last Judgment frescoes; and tour St. Peter's Basilica and view Michelangelo's famous Pieta, Bernini's amazing bronze Baldacchino, and the Popes’ tombs.

After the guided Vatican tour, you are free for lunch and the rest of the day.  Consult your Restaurant List for suggestions on where to eat.   (B)

DAY 4:
Rome, Siena, Florence, Overnight in Florence
Your Italy escorted tour takes you to Florence next.  Our tour group will make our way to Florence early this morning. We will stop in Tuscany, in the medieval walled city of Siena, and tour this Gothic city for a few hours. This fabulous car-free city, full of interesting sites and shops, is truly a joy to explore. We will give you an orientation tour, a map and a list of sites and restaurants before we send you off to explore on your own. As always, your tour manager is available if you want company.

You will continue onto Florence after your tour of Siena.   You'll check into your hotel and relax.  Your tour manager will suggest a place for you to have dinner.  (B)

DAY 5: 
Walking Tour of Florence, Accademia Museum, Overnight in Florence

Sleep in a bit this morning.  At 10am, our fantastic tour guide in Florence will come lead us on a three-hour guided walking tour of Florence. Afterwards, you will visit Accademia museum to view some of Michelangelo's classic works, including the Statue of David.  You can linger in the museum as long as you want.  You're free after the guided tour.  We'll again meet at the hotel lobby at 7:30pm and head out to dinner.  (B, D)

DAY 6: 
Leisure Day OR Excursion to Lucca, Overnight in Florence

NOTE: Optional guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is available.  Please inform us ahead of time so we can make a reservation for you.  You may also visit the Uffizi on your own. Either way, reservations are necessary. Please let us know what you would like to do.

Today, you're free to explore the endless sights of Florence on your own. Florence has many more museums, palaces, shops and open markets than we will have time to show you, so this is the time to explore what interests you most.  The Uffizi Museum is a must-visit for art aficionados.  You can also visit the Boboli Gardens – a 16th-century sculpture garden -- or go shopping for Florence’s trademark leather and gold.  Your tour manager is available to help you plan your day.

If you are interested, your tour manager would be happy to take you on an excursion via train to the charming walled city of Lucca, home to the opera composer Puccini.   Or perhaps a tour of Florence's various markets is of interest.  Just let us know what you have in mind.   (B)

DAY 7:
Venice Walking Tour, including St. Mark's Square, the Duomo, Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs; Overnight in Venice
Note: Modest dress to enter the cathedral as in all churches in Italy.  Shoulders and knees must be covered.  No shorts please.

We'll leave Florence early this morning and make our way to Venice via train, catching a private water taxi to our hotel.  We expect to arrive mid-day. After check-in, you're free to have lunch on your own at one of our many local favorites. Let us know if you want company.

After lunch, our fabulous Venice tour guide will show you the most important sites of Venice, starting with a tour of St. Mark's Square. We will also tour the Doge's Palace, the ancient political and administrative center of the Republic of Venice; the famous Bridge of Sighs, so-called as it was the last view convicts saw before their imprisonment; St. Mark's Church with its gold mosaics; the eclectic Rialto Market, which houses Venice’s oldest pub; and more.

You're free after the guided tour of Venice for the rest of the evening. We’d be happy to suggest a dinner spot from the endless number of restaurants in town.  Have the hotel call a restaurant ahead of time before you head out to dinner.  (B)

DAY 8: 
Leisure Day, Farewell Dinner, Overnight in Venice
Having seen the key sites yesterday, you're free to explore Venice on your own today. Today is the last day of your Italy tour so enjoy Venice thoroughly.  Your tour manager is available to help you plan your day.  We suggest you simply wander the different neighborhoods.  You may want to view the brilliant contemporary art collection housed in the Peggy Guggenheim museum, which will show you another side of Venice. The Guggenheim mansion, which faces the Grand Canal, has a lovely garden and cafe.  You may also choose to tour one of the other nearby islands, like Murano, famous for its glass blowing.  It's a short ride away on a public water bus.  Speak to us for more details.

Today is the last day of our tour of Venice, Florence and Rome. A fabulous farewell dinner is planned for tonight, our last night together. (B, D)

DAY 9: 
Departure Day
Explore Venice one last time before you catch your flight today.  (B)

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