ITALIAN SOJOURN May 2017 revised May 3 Arrival from USA at Venice International Airport Private transport from airport to your hotel (combination shuttle / private boat) Upon arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport, our Representative will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name on it. You will be transferred to the Piazzale Roma area of Venice Island by private vehicle and then from here, to your accommodation in Venice Island by private boat. The supplier may also decide to depart from Venice Airport Pier directly by boat. This Transfer is suitable for clients booked at hotels with a water door in an internal canal, as your boat driver will take you up to your hotel. If due to adverse tide conditions the canal is not reachable, Porterage Service will be arranged to ensure you an easy journey to your hotel. HOTEL: Liassidi Palace 4- stars note: walking distance of St Mark s Square Take the rest of the day at leisure to explore, nap, wander. May 4
Take a journey into the history and culture of Venice on our Best of Venice Tour with Gondola Ride highlighting the city's most acclaimed and lesser known sights. Explore Venice's most important attractions: Saint Mark's square and Skip the line entrance to St. Mark Basilica and its terrace, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Bridge of Sighs and much more! Duration of tour: 2 hours 45 mins Nowhere else on the planet is quite like Venice. Our two- and- a- half- hour Best of Venice Tour with Gondola Ride shows off the grandeur and mystique of this once- powerful maritime republic from two entirely different perspectives. First, we'll seek out the Floating City's most sought after sights on foot, enjoying skip- the- line entry to spectacular St. Mark's Basilica, as well as special access to the Basilica's terrace. We'll also explore some lesser- known corners of the city where the essence of Venetian living is writ large, before hitting the canals for that most quintessential of Venetian experiences, an unforgettable gondola ride to explore the city's beauty from the water. After the guided tour, you will have the afternoon at leisure to shop, keep exploring, visit some museums if desired (there is a Guggenheim there!) or take a boat ride to Murano Island to see the glass blowing. Venice is a city to get lost in so I don t advise booking an additional formal activity for this afternoon your hotel can arrange a small afternoon tour if you wish or you may find something spontaneously, and I encourage you to leave this afternoon/evening free in order to allow time for this spontaneity! May 5 Today you ll take the train to Florence and begin to explore the beautiful Tuscan region. Included: an escorted transfer by boat from your hotel to the Venice train station. The escort guide will help you find your train platform and explain how to find your seats. 05/05/2017: 9981 VCE-FLR 09:00 11:05 Class: 1st Class Adults: 2 Train# From To Depart Arrive 9981 VENEZIA S LUCIA FIRENZE S M N 09:00 11:05 Upon arrival at Florence station, our local representative will be waiting for you holding a signboard with your name on it. You will then be escorted to your private vehicle and transferred directly to your accommodation in Florence. Our local representative will remain with you throughout to provide any local information you may require and will help you check- in at your accommodation. You do not need to worry if your train is delayed, as we will check arrival information in advance and adjust your pick up time accordingly if required. Hotel: Bernini Palace (5 stars)
You should reach your hotel well before 12 noon possibly by 11:30, as the train station isn t much more than 15 minutes away. After settling in, take a privately guided walking tour of Florence, ending at the Uffizi Galleries to see some of Italy s most famous artwork. The total time with your guide will be about 3 hours. You must meet your guide outside the hotel but it is only 5 minutes walk away. Walking tour including Skip the Line Uffizi Gallery Entrance with expert guide. During this walk we will see the heart of the city, where you can admire the imposing and singular Orsanmichele Church a masterpiece of Florentine gothic art. Then we reach the Mercato della Paglia, the picturesque Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, with its renowned jewelry shops. Finally we arrive in Piazza Signoria. We will visit one of the most famous art galleries in the world: Uffizi Gallery. Here you can admire numerous works of art by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue, and many others May 6 You ll continue your stay in Florence (additional suggestions for activities will be provided such as climbing Giotto s Belltower), and this time lunch will be part of the activities! Today you ll take a cooking lesson! I ve chosen a pizza and gelato making class to accommodate a more vegetarian option. The pizza class is at 3pm, which leaves a lovely morning for exploring the city (it s very walkable) as well as some shopping! Florence is well known for its leather! Go learn to make Pizza and Gelato just like the Italians do! Join our late afternoon class! Our chef will be happy to introduce you to the history of these Italian glorious creations! Make pizza in oven with our professional pizza chef, called pizzaiolo. You will learn how to make tender, flexible yeast dough that stretches to almost paper- thinness, even the trick for a flavorful yet light tomato sauce. Even if you bake pizza in your own oven, these techniques are universal and using them really makes a difference. With the pizzaiolo, you'll make your very own pizza, you'll stretch it, sauce it, bake it, slice it. It will be the best pizza you ever tasted, and you made it yourself! Come to make pizza in Florence! After Pizza It's time for
Gelato, chef will tell participants why gelato remains Italy's favorite dessert while giving an insight to the 'gelato culture' that continues grow, then we continue describing the principle raw ingredients used for base sand selecting the best products available according to specific principles followed by a presentation and tasting of many of the flavors used in gelato making. Participants will learn development and application of natural colors, the heating and freezing techniques and how they have different effects on ingredients. It is always a great day to discover the recipe of the world most loved dessert! May 7 Today you ll take a group tour to the stunning Tuscan countryside! Best of Tuscany tour includes Pisa AND Chianti Famous for its wealth of art, history, striking landscapes, delicious food and superb wines, Tuscany really does have it all! See the Best of Tuscany on this full- day guided coach trip from Florence!View Siena through the eyes of a local as you join a guided walking tour through the medieval city made up of yellow- ochre buildings, terracotta rooftops and green shutters. Learn about the world's oldest bank, see Piazza del Campo, the site of the 600 year old Palio horserace, and admire the interior of the Duomo, a treasure chest of artworks. Afterwards, enjoy Siena at your own pace with free time for relaxing.next visit an organic family run wine estate, the highlight of the day! Visit the farm, enjoy an informal wine tasting lesson and a traditional Tuscan lunch with plenty of wine, in the most gorgeous location overlooking stunning views of the surrounding countryside. After lunch we visit the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano where you have free time to roam the picturesque streets and squares, browse the local shops, try an award- winning gelato and walk among the town's famous medieval towers.a scenic drive through classic Tuscan countryside will take you to your final stop, Pisa. Here, take a close inspection of the iconic Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery (outside view). A brief tour of the historic heart of Pisa will show you another side of the city.
MAY 8 A local representative will pick you up at your hotel and accompany you to the train station and help you locate your train platform. 05/08/2017: 9509 FLR- RMA 09:08 10:28 Class: 1st Class Adults: 2 Train# From To Depart Arrive 9509 FIRENZE S M N ROMA TIBURTINA 09:08 10:28 You will be met at the train station and driven to your hotel. Upon arrival at Rome station, our local representative will be waiting for you holding a signboard with your name on it. You will then be escorted to your private vehicle and transferred directly to your accommodation in Rome. Our local representative will remain with you throughout to provide any local information you may require and will help you check- in at your accommodation. You do not need to worry if your train is delayed, as we will check arrival information in advance and adjust your pick up time accordingly if required. Hotel: Palazzo Navona (4 stars able to walk to many sites, so it will make it easy to stroll in the evenings and to soak up the culture). It also has a beautiful rooftop terrace where they serve breakfast in nice weather! The innovative Palazzo Navona Hotel fully deserved of its role as being amongst one of the most qualified 4 star Hotels within the city "centro", capable of fulfilling its own lifestyle qualities to satisfy even the most demanding guest. The intimate and charming ambience emits a feeling of almost magic by creating a special atmosphere which pervades this residence surrounded by its historical- art and ancient Roman treasures. The hotel is unique for its strategically favorable location, Palazzo Navona Hotel that boasts an exclusive rooftop terrace with views over the rooftops of buildings and historic churches, monuments and treasures of the Eternal City. The stylish rooftop bar, with its mesmerizing view, is the perfect place to enjoy a moment of relaxation, to enjoy a glass of wine or enjoy a light meal intoxicated by the millennial glories of the myth of Rome. You ll have time for a rest, lunch, or some exploring before your private guide meets you at 2pm in your hotel lobby. Today you ll focus on Religious Rome by visiting Vatican City, the Vatican Museums, and St Peter s Basilica. After your private tour with a guide, you ll be free to spend the rest of the day exploring the area or other parts of Rome. (Suggestions will be provided.) Don t forget to stop and get a gelato ice cream? 3- Hour Tour of the Vatican Museums including Skip the Line Entrance & St.Peter's Basilica with a Local Guide Your local guide will collect you from your Accommodation in Rome for tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. You and your guide will be transferred to the Vatican City to start your visit. Tour includes Skip the Line Reservation to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. During the visit to the
Museum, you will be able to see the spectacular masterpiece of Michelangelo, the Sistine Chapel and the world- famous Raphael's Rooms. The tour ends at the Vatican City, transfer back to the hotel is not included. Note from Anna: this may be a good time to head to Trastevere, the Jewish Quarter, for some dinner- I ll send you some recommendations! May 9 You ll take a full day trip towards the South, to visit the ruins of Pompeii and the beautiful town of Sorrento. This will be a long day but you will love the opportunity to see the countryside. This full day allows you to see the city of Pompeii without the bother of moving to a new hotel. Your hotel can help call a taxi to send you to the dropoff point. Pompeii- Sorrento Small Group Tour by High speed train Experience a Full day tour visiting one of the most fascinating archeological site of the world: Pompeii and taste Limoncello liqueur in Sorrento, a beautiful town overlooking the Bay of Naples. The tour will commence at Termini Station where your dedicated City Wonders representative will provide you with train tickets and take care of all seating arrangements. Once in Naples, you will be welcomed by your local guide who will stay with you for the rest of the day. After a short private coach transfer you will reach the world- famous ruins where you will be introduced your official English- speaking Pompeii guide. A Unesco World Heritage Site, Pompeii is considered one of the most fascinating archeological sites in the world, unparalleled to anything else. A haunting yet magical place where time has been captured for eternity. Through interactive, entertaining and educational commentary, your guide will help you to understand how the Romans lived during those fruitful times while exploring the well- preserved fossils and ruins that have been buried beneath volcanic ash for centuries. Thanks to our exclusive Pompeii partnership, you will have the unique opportunity of exploring recently- opened Domus till decorated with frescoes of animals, powerful gods and lush landscapes. After a short coffee break or local souvenir shopping, you will continue on to Sorrento, our next destination overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the Bay of Naples. Once in Sorrento, you will have free time for lunch or shopping. Then rejoin the group as your guide escorts you to one of Sorrento's oldest shops for a delectable taste of Southern Italy's most renowned Limoncello liqueur. Includes Entrance ticket and reservation fees to Pompeii excavation site, Guided tour of Pompeii in groups no larger than 15 pax, English speaking local guide, Limoncello tasting in Sorrento, Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide, High speed return train tickets.
May 10 Today you ll focus on Ancient Rome, with visits to the Colosseum and the Forum. You will have a private guide, but transportation to the meeting spot is not included. However, transportation will be easily arranged by your hotel (taxi or walking). I d like to leave the rest of the day free. In my experience, your final day will suddenly be full of I wanted to get these souvenirs, or let s go on a walking tour in this area, or the hotel offered to arrange something for us. So I deleted the bike tour of the Appian Way, but I can reinsert it if desired! 3 Hour Walking Tour of the Ancient Rome including visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum or Palatine Hill (entrance fees included) MEETING POINT in front of the SOUVENIR SHOP outside the Colosseum Underground Stop Your local guide will meet you in front of the Souvenir Shop just outside the Colosseum Underground Stop for your 3 hour walking tour of the Ancient Rome. Your professional Guide will take you inside the Colosseum for a visit to the symbol of Rome. The ticket allows you to enter the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Though not possible to visit all 3 sites during a 3 hour guided tour, you can request your Guide to handle you your ticket in case you would like to continue the visit of the sites on your own after the end of the guided tour (ticket is valid 2days after the first use).should the Colosseum not be available for the visit for reasons outside our control (strkes, events), you'll enjoy an outside view and receive the tickets which you can use on a different date.
May 11 Pickup from your hotel for a private transport to the airport. Good bye Rome!