JUNE 25 – JULY 1, 2023
TAKE A JOURNEY THROUGH ITALY!
Make the most of every moment of your Italy vacation—you’ll discover all the can’t-miss Italian scenery and history on this fast-paced tour that will truly give you a ‘Taste of Italy’
Escorted tours let you relax and enjoy your trip. CIE Tours brings nearly a century of experience to every tour and their trips feature the key highlights of every destination, along with authentic experiences you can’t book on your own. Every activity and breakfast (along with many lunches and dinners) is included—so there’s no hidden extras. You will hear personal stories and insider information to enhance every stop along the way. And you’ll enjoy the camaraderie that comes with making friends with your travel mates.
AUTHENTIC LOCAL EXPERIENCES
- Enjoy admission to the famed Accademia Gallery, and marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece of sculpture, the David statue.
- Visit charming Orvieto on the way to Rome and indulge in a tasting of local wines.
- Step into the grandeur of the Vatican Museums on our privately guided tour with entrance to the Sistine Chapel.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Venice Gondola Ride
- Doge’s Palace, Venice
- Bologna
- Michelangelo’s David Sculpture
- Orvieto Wine Tasting
- Colosseum and Forum
- Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica*
*Visits subject to availability
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Sightseeing by luxury coach
- Professional tour director
- Entrance fees to attractions
- 6 nights in hotels listed
- 6 hot breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
- Welcome get-together drink with the group
- Free Wi-Fi on coaches so you can stay connected along the way
- Documents wallet and backpack to keep you organized
- Comprehensive travel itinerary and documents
- All local taxes, hotel service charges & handling of one suitcase per person
Hotels – 6 Nights (or alternate hotels of similar quality):
Hotel Bonvecchiati | Venice (2)
Starhotels Tuscany | Florence (2)
The Tribune Hotel | Rome (2)
ITINERARY
Day 1: Venice Arrival | Welcome Dinner
Meet your tour director at 4:00 PM for a welcome reception and take an orientation walk around the city known as the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’. Spend time exploring on your own before gathering again for a welcome drink and dinner with your fellow travelers (D)
Day 2: Venice Tour | Doge’s Palace | Gondola Ride
Take a walking tour of Venice, the most serene of cities, with a local guide. See its glorious architecture, and charming bridges and canals. Visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace and the acclaimed
Piazza and Basilica of San Marco. Journey along the canals for a view of the city from a gondola. Delight in an evening of independent dining and exploration.(B)
Day 3: Bologna | Florence Dinner
Take a private group water taxi from your hotel to your coach and travel on to Florence. During your journey, stop for free time and lunch on your own in the lively, historic foodie city of Bologna. Arrive at your hotel outside Florence’s city center. Take a break, then depart for an orientation walk with your tour director and enjoy some free time in this beautiful city, the capital of Tuscany, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner with your group at a local Florence restaurant. (B, D)
Day 4: Florence Walking Tour | Accademia Gallery
Take a walking tour of Florence with a local guide and marvel at the sights of the city center such as the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria. Visit the Accademia Gallery to see
Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture of David. Savor a local lunch in the heart of Florence. After lunch you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this magnificent city at your leisure. (B, L)
Day 5: Orvieto | Roman Colosseum
You’re off to the Eternal City – Rome. Along the way, stop in the scenic hill town of Orvieto for a delicious tasting of its renowned local wine. Visit the Colosseum, imperial Rome’s iconic structure, built between 72 and 80 AD. This engineering marvel could hold up to 80,000 spectators for gladiator battles and dramatic productions. (Please note that on some departures, the Colosseum visit may be moved to day 6.) Imagine the ghosts of the Caesars in the ruins of the Forum, the ancient heart of the
Roman Empire. Your hotel tonight is in Rome’s historic center. (B)
Day 6: Independent Exploration | Vatican Tour
Discover Rome independently this morning, as you enjoy free time to explore. In the afternoon visit the Vatican for a guided tour of the Museums, with entrance to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s
Basilica. (Please note that the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica are sometimes closed by the Vatican, so visits are subject to availability.) Then it’s off to dinner in a local restaurant. This evening enjoy a farewell meal at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 7: Tour Ends in Rome
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)
