Pre-Departure Itinerary Florence & Rome Friday, March 18 Friday, March 25, 2016 Visit two of the world s most extraordinary cities on this classic Italian vacation. One of the cultural capitals of the world, Florence is magnetic and romantic and, in many ways, hardly changed since the Renaissance magnificent art and stunning architecture surround you. But, the magic of Florence doesn t stop there. Wander its narrow streets and discover amazing markets (San Lorenzo), distinctive neighborhoods (the Oltrarno) and green spaces (Boboli Gardens) that are every bit as glorious as the David and the Duomo. We ll enjoy an included guided walking tour of the historic center as well as a visit to the Uffizi Gallery. After three nights in Florence, we ll head south to Rome, stopping en route for a walking tour of beautiful Siena, whose medieval piazza is shaped like a scallop shell. A city that counted, Lonely Planet says of Rome during its long history as the capital of the Roman empire and then as the seat of papal power, Rome has always been center stage. Enjoy three nights in this indescribable city, get acquainted on a panoramic coach tour and a skip-the-line Vatican tour. Rome today is a thrilling place to visit: antiquity is everywhere (Colosseum and Forum), as are take-yourbreath-away sights like St. Peter s Square and Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. And, yet, you may discover that the chief allure of Rome is the lifestyle, the dolce vita you experience at an outdoor café table in an ancient piazza, tossing a coin into a likely fountain (there are dozens) or watching the spectacular sunset from the Pincio Gardens. Includes Round-trip regularly scheduled Alitalia Airlines flights from Boston to Florence via Rome, and Rome to Boston Six nights three-star accommodations: Hotel Cellai Florence 3n, Hotel Medici Rome 3n Breakfast daily Welcome and farewell dinners at local restaurants Escorted, round-trip, private airport/hotel transfers Rates $2,499 per person double occupancy $2,769 single reservations Includes round-trip airfare, fuel surcharge and all air taxes and fees. Triple accommodations may be available upon request. Fuel surcharge, air taxes and fees subject to change. Passport required. Per person deposit is $300. Features Half-day guided walking tour of Florence historic center, half-day guided visit to Uffizi Gallery. Guided walking tour in Siena. Half-day guided panoramic Rome tour. Half-day guided Vatican tour.
DAILY ITINERARY Day 1: Overnight Flight Early evening departure from Boston to Rome, via Alitalia Airlines. Dinner will be served on board. Relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment. Day 2: Arrive Rome flight to Florence-transfer to hotel Continental breakfast will be served before landing in Rome. Upon arrival transfer to your connecting flight to Florence. Upon arrival in Florence retrieve luggage and clear customs before meeting your local representative who will assist you with the transfer to the Hotel Cellai. Check in and receive room assignments. Tonight you ll enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D) Hotel Cellai Day 3: Florence Buffet breakfast at the hotel and soon after depart on a guided walking tour of Florence. You'll visit the Piazza del Duomo: the Cathedral with Brunelleschi s Dome, the Belltower by Giotto and the Baptistry with the Gate of Paradise, by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Although they were erected in different periods they look similar because they were built with white and green marble. Continue along the elegant Via dei Calzaioli lined with many exclusive boutiques that lure to their window and we land in Piazza della Signoria. The square is dominated by the austere beauty of the Palazzo Vecchio which represents the might of the Florentine Republic. In front of the Palazzo Vecchio stands a copy of statue of David in the place where the original masterpiece by Michelangelo once stood. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 4: Florence Enjoy breakfast and you have a full day at leisure to continue exploring Florence on your own. (B) Boboli Gardens San Lorenzo Market Day 5: Depart Florence Siena Rome Enjoy breakfast then check out of the hotel before departing by motorcoach for Rome. En route your will stop in the medieval town of Siena and have a guided walking tour. Upon arrival in Rome check into the centrally-located Hotel Medici. (B) Siena Day 6: Rome After enjoying breakfast at the hotel you will depart with your local guide on a half-day panoramic motorcoach city tour of the Eternal City. You will view Piazza della Repubblica, with the Najad Fountain, and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels designed by Michelangelo. Continue on to Via Veneto, Piazza Barberini with the Triton Fountaine. You will see the Quirinale Palce, once the residence of the Pope and today the home of Italian Presidents. Continue past the Imperial Forum, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus and Palatine Hill. Later you ll head to the smallest country in
the world Vatican City to see the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure (B) Hotel Medici St. Peter s Square Sistine Chapel Day 7: Rome Today the entire day is yours to explore Rome on your own. This evening you ll be treated to a farewell dinner with wine at a restaurant nearby the hotel. (B,D) Pincio Gardens
Trevi Fountain Day 8: Return to Boston Depart this morning by private motor for your transfer to the Rome airport for your non-stop Alitalia flight back to Boston. (B) Proof of Citizenship is required for all trips outside the United States. U.S. citizens require a valid passport to travel; with at least 6 months' validity. All non-us citizens should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for additional entry requirements. Passports are the responsibility of each traveler. PLEASE NOTE: This pre-departure itinerary is designed to give you an idea of how this itinerary is structured. We reserve the right to make any changes to your final itinerary if deemed necessary, at any time prior to departure. PLEASE NOTE: This is not your final itinerary. You will receive final documents (itinerary, tickets (if applicable), etc.) approximately 2 3 weeks prior to departure. Although we try our best to ensure that information is accurate at the time of publication, we are not responsible for any error, omission, misprint or liability that results from the use (or misuse) of this information.