4036 Hidden Acre Rd. Middleburg, Florida USA Toll Free Mobile Tel Fax

Transcription

1 4036 Hidden Acre Rd. Middleburg, Florida USA Toll Free Mobile Tel Fax The ESSENCE OF ITALY See website for specific tour dates $550 Single Supplement I fell in love with Italy within the first hour of my arrival in Actually, I only landed at Rome s Fiumicino Airport for a layover in transit to Athens. In those days, before heightened security, you could simply walk out of the airport and experience the locale. On this layover, our tour organizer had arranged lunch at a trattoria in nearby Fiumicino. Although I had no idea where we were at the time, I knew it was my very first experience in a foreign country and therefore something special. I recall sitting at a table my friends crunching on grissini (thin-dried bread sticks), drinking San Pelligrino, and marveling at the beautiful beach and sea just outside our window. But it wasn t until they put the steaming bowl of pasta marinara in front of me that I realized something was totally different here than in my mom s kitchen at home. It was so fresh and fragrant and tasted liked fresh tomatoes from my grandfather s garden back home. After finishing the bowl of pasta, they brought us another plate loaded with lamb and chicken, smothered in a light cream sauce. I d never had lamb, so I was a bit reluctant, just for a moment then I dug in and cleaned my plate, sopping up the last bits of sauce with the bread. We finished off the meal with several flavors of gelato which was the best ice-cream I d ever tasted. Stuffed, we loaded on our bus and headed back to the airport for out flight to Athens. I ll never forget that taste bud-tingling lunch and my first introduction to Italian cooking! My Essence of Italy tour visits my all-time favorite destinations in Italy in nine days. Beginning in Rome, you'll visit the essential tourist sights and classic destinations. Then, travel to the delightful villages of the Cinque Terre to experience a seaside vacation where the mountains literally fall into the sea. Volterra, my favorite Tuscan hilltown, is sure to win you over to the "la dolce vita" lifestyle. Finally, you'll have two days in Florence walking in the footsteps of Michelangelo and exploring the roots of the Renaissance. Your Adventure Starts Here!

2 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1: BUON GIORNO A ROMA! Let s plan to meet in our hotel lobby at 2:00 p.m. for introductions and a welcome drink. Then, we will set off to explore the sites of ancient Rome. A local guide will show you through the Colosseum and Forum, giving an insider s perspective on daily life dating back more than 2,000 years. Later, we will enjoy a grand welcome to Italy dinner at a favorite restaurant. Sleep 2 nights in Rome. Walking: moderate. No bus. Dinner. DAY 2: THE VATICAN AND HEART OF ROME After breakfast, join our local guide at the Vatican Museum. We ll have an in-depth tour of this vast treasure trove of the world s finest works of art, capped off with an awe-inspiring look at Michelangelo s Sistine Chapel. Then, enjoy a visit to the massive St. Peter s Basilica, the world s largest Christian church. After lunch, we ll begin our walking tour of Rome's historic central core visiting the Pantheon and several other sights in the area. You ll have the remainder of the afternoon and evening to do a little exploring on your own. After an independent dinner, let s meet up and take a gelato-licking stroll ending at the famous Trevi fountain. Walking: strenuous. No bus. DAY 3: BULLET TRAIN TO THE CINQUE TERRE - We ll get an early start this morning on our way up to the Ligurian coast. Train travel in Italy is fun and mostly worry-free, so enjoy the ride. The Cinque Terre is a delightful collection of five little villages spilling from the mountains into the sea. After settling in, we ll get you oriented to the region and set up with walking and transportation passes. Then, head out on your own to explore! We ll meet later tonight for dinner featuring fresh food from the region. Sleep 2 nights in the Cinque Terre. Walking: light. Train: 4 hours. Dinner. DAY 4: THE CINQUE TERRE You ll have the entire day on your own to explore the Cinque Terre. Traveling to and from the "five villages" in the region is easy by train, boat, or by foot. The National Park is loaded with scenic trails providing endless opportunities to get out and explore the outdoors. You may wish to stake your claim on one of the many beaches to catch some sun. Each village has its own character, decor, and ambiance as well as plenty of shopping and dining options. Walking: your choice. DAY 5: VOLTERRA It will take about an hour by train to get away from the coast and meet up with our bus and driver. Then we'll travel the backroads of Tuscany enroute to my favorite little hilltown. Volterra has become famous in recent years for The Lair of the Vampires in the Twilight book series. However, it has long been known as a quaint and off-the-beaten-path destination for savvy travelers. After settling in, enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic town followed by a guided wine tasting tour at my favorite wine cave. By now, you'll be well on your way to knowing the town so enjoy dinner on your own and an event-free evening. Sleep 2 nights in Volterra. Train: 1 hour. Bus: 1.5 hours. Walking: moderate. DAY 6: SIENA AND VOLTERRA We will take a short ride to Siena to explore another facet of medieval history and grand scale art. After an informative walking tour of the historic town center you'll be cut loose on the world famous Il Campo square to enjoy lunch and a free afternoon. Returning to Volterra, prepare your taste buds for my favorite dining experience in all of Italy as we experience the cuisine of the Del Duca family ristorante. Walking: moderate. Bus 2.5 hours. Dinner. DAY 7: FLORENCE Back on our bus and in less than two hours, you ll be knee-deep in the Renaissance! After settling in at our hotel, join a walking tour linking together Florence's famous historical sights followed by a visit to the Galleria Accademia, home of Michelangelo s masterpiece, the statue of David. Then, enjoy more of Florence on your own and with the suggestions of your guide, consider your independent dining options. Sleep 2 nights in Florence. Walking: moderate. Bus: 1.5 hours. DAY 8: FLORENCE We ll begin the day with a local guide showing you the painting-packed Galleria Uffizzi, containing the best collection of Renaissance paintings in the world. You ll have the afternoon free to visit another museum, checkout the Pitti Palace, get in some shopping, visit the market, and simply, soak up the

3 local ambience. Tonight, join the rest of your group for a grand farewell dinner at a favorite ristorante. Walking: strenuous. No bus. Dinner. DAY 9: THE TOUR CONCLUDES AFTER BREAKFAST It is simple to reach Florence s airports by taxi or train. Your guide will be happy to assist with your post-tour travel needs, leaving you all set and prepared for the adventures ahead. Ciao e buon viaggio! Walking and Physical Activity: We have planned this trip to Italy to provide maximum tour experiences by foot, train, and vehicle. The basic nature of Italy does require some degree of physical activity to get out and see the sights, especially in the countryside. To help you plan, we ve included a daily projection of physical activity. Here is our key to walking activity ratings: Light Walking done on level surfaces with some small hills and elevation gains. In most cases, the bus will drop-off and pick-up at nearby locations. Two miles or less of required walking during the day. Moderate Walking done on paved and gravel surfaced paths. To enjoy the full tour experience, some up and down hill walking is to be expected. Four miles or less of walking per day. Strenuous Walking done on rugged and rocky paths with some steps and stairs. Up to six miles of walking per day. Your Choice No matter what your walking ability, we will help you find alternative ways to enjoy and experience all Greece has to offer. To get the most out of our tours you should be able to operate at the light level everyday with spurts of moderate and strenuous activity.

4 David McGuffin established David McGuffin's Exploring Europe, Inc. in 2001 to formally offer European tours. Since then, he has taken several thousand satisfied customers on memorable and educational tours to Europe. This Essence of Italy Tour is a product of David s meticulous planning and time-tested travel strategies which ultimately produce a well-planned, fun, educational, and worry-free tour experience. WHAT S INCLUDED Transportation provided by coach, minivan, and train from your Rome hotel to your Florence hotel. 8 nights accommodation in centrally located hotels, guesthouses, and B&B s. All rooms have private en-suite bathes. All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant and hotel staff. Guaranteed Small Group consisting of no more than 24 travelers. All breakfasts and four of your dinners or lunches. Traditional and gourmet dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority and you ll enjoy fine regional fare featuring the best the locale has to offer. Tours and admissions to the following attractions, experiences, and sights: o Guided walking tours in Rome, Volterra, Siena, and Florence o Entrance and local guided tour of the following sites in Rome: Colosseum and Forum, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter s Basilica o Cinque Terre orientation and a train and trail pass o Guided wine tasting in Tuscany o Entrance and artistic overview of the Galleria Accademia in Florence (Michelangelo s David) o Entrance and guided tour to the Galleria Uffizi in Florence o and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change). A fulltime Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations. David s printed tour handouts detailing each day s historical and cultural experiences. Free luggage tags and David s custom designed drawstring backpacks. Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that once locked in, will never change. Comprehensive Travel Insurance providing full coverage for emergency medical, baggage loss, and trip delay from the moment you depart for your tour. $50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you ve taken prior to $100 discount if making all payments by check, cash or bank draft. The $400 initial deposit may be made by credit card and still qualify for this discount. Single rooms for solo travelers are available for an additional cost of $550. SPECIAL FEATURES Small Group: Only 24 or fewer passengers. 9 Day Tour: Visiting major tourist destinations and some of David s choice villages. Two Seaside Vacation Days in the Cinque Terre. Gourmet Dining experiences that will leave a life-lasting impression on your tastebuds. Plenty of opportunities to slow down and experience Italy! Great Guides with a passion for teaching art, history, and culture experiences. Visit the major tourist sites and off-the-beaten-path destinations. All Tips and Gratuities included.

5 Airfare: This tour does not include airfare. Tour Price Guarantee: Because of unpredictable currency rates, the tour price is subject to change without notice. However, your price will be locked and guaranteed the moment we receive your deposit. Current tour prices may be found at davidmcguffin.com or by giving us a call at INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THIS TOUR: Sightseeing tours led by an Exploring Europe guide and local guides when appropriate; admissions to sights seen as a group; all breakfasts and many dinners and/or lunches as noted in the specific tour itinerary (drinks at lunch or dinner are on your own); many traditional and gourmet dining experiences at David s personal favorite restaurants; accommodations each night in clean and safe European-style hotels with en-suite bath facilities, centrally located in the city or village (twin or double bedded rooms); all transportation from the first hotel to the last hotel of the tour (this does not include optional activities or independent travel); all tips to guides and drivers; David McGuffin s tour handouts and daily travel information (distributed daily on tour); a reasonable all-inclusive price and payment plan; an insurance plan which covers tour interruptions, emergency medical, and baggage lost/delay expenses occurring while on tour. Anything not listed above is not included in the cost of your tour.