Tripology

Commercial Flight

Board your over­night transatlantic flight.

On arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Relaxation

The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Food and Dining

This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director.

Hotel

Stay at Sheraton Golf (SF).

Sightseeing

The main highlight today is a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel followed by a tour of impressive St. Peter's Basilica. Then cross the River Tiber to ancient Rome to view the Forum and the Circus Maximus, where “Ben-Hur” style chariot races were held.

Sightseeing

Next, visit the mighty Colosseum, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Relaxation

The rest of the day is free to sightsee further on your own, shop or relax in a little café. (B)

Sightseeing

Leave the “Eternal City,” and travel to Pisa to view the famed Leaning Tower. Continue to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany. The balance of the day is free in this delightful city.

Sightseeing

You may want to take a walk along the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio and across to the Pitti Palace or mix with the locals in the shops, cafés, and restaurants. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F).

Sightseeing

A guided walking tour features Signoria Square, Santa Croce Basilica and the panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, drive to the marvelous floating city of Venice. This evening, why not experience this city from an elegant gondola? (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at NH Laguna Palace (SF) in Mestre.

River or Barge Cruise

Savor the sights and sounds of this serene city on a canal cruise by motor launch to St. Mark's Square.

Sightseeing

View the Bridge of Sighs and Doge's Palace before visiting a glassblowing factory. There is free time this afternoon to shop or sightsee on your own.

Food and Dining

Why not discover Burano in the Venetian Lagoon and enjoy a seafood lunch? (B)

Bus

Drive along the Adriatic coast and on to visit the Church of St. Apollinarius in Classe.

Sightseeing

Continue to the pink-stoned city of Assisi. Here, a walking tour highlights St. Francis' Basilica.

Sightseeing

There is also time to visit the Church of St. Clare, and explore this tranquil magical place. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Grand Hotel (F) or Fontebella (F).

Sightseeing

This morning drive through Umbria to Pompeii, the town both buried and preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. After a walking tour of the excavations, make the short journey to nearby Naples.

Sailing

Board the steamer for the overnight crossing to Palermo, Sicily's charming capital city. (B,D)

Sightseeing

Arrive in Palermo this morning and board your coach for a sightseeing tour with a local guide. Stop to admire the view of the Conca d''Oro from Monreale, and visit the 12th-century Norman Cathedral.

Sightseeing

Finally, visit the village of Mondello before returning to Palermo. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Astoria Palace (F).

Sightseeing

Leaving Palermo, your first stop is Selinunte to see the Dorian Temples and the Acropolis. Then travel to Agrigento and visit the nearby Valley of Temples with a local guide. Dating from the 6th century B.C., they rival those of Athens in their Grecian grandeur! (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Grand dei Templi (F).

Sightseeing

Journey through the vineyards of the Southern Hills to Piazza Armerina to see the colorful mosaics in the 4th-century Roman Villa of Casale. Then on to view the fortress town of Enna, high on a mountaintop.

All-Inclusive Resort

Continue to the inviting seaside resort of Taormina, your home for the next two nights. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Caesar Palace (F).

Relaxation

A full day to relax in this fun-loving Sicilian resort.

Sunbathing

You may want to go for a swim or sunbathe; perhaps stroll through the pedestrian area and shop for handmade lace on the Corso or visit the Church of San Pancrazio.

Food and Dining

An optional excursion to the crater of Sicily's active volcano, Mount Etna, is also available. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Today begins with a drive along the coast to board the ferry across the Straits of Messina to mainland Italy.

Sightseeing

Continue through the rustic simplicity of Calabria via Salerno, the landing place of the Allied Armies in 1943, to clifftop Sorrento.

Sightseeing

An orientation drive highlights the Piazza Tasso, with its many cafés, and the Corso Italia with its shops and boutiques. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at La Medusa (F) or Parco del Sole (F).

Arts, Crafts and Antiques

Stop for a visit to an inlaid wood workshop to see a demonstration of this beautiful local craft.

Then board a ferry for a short cruise to the charming Isle of Capri (weather permitting).

Sightseeing

Take a walking tour in Capri Town to enjoy views across the sea to the Faraglioni Rocks and Marina Piccola.

Then there is free time to explore further on your own or perhaps take a chairlift to Anacapri. Later, cruise back to Sorrento. (B,D)

Bus

This morning, a spectacular drive along the Bay of Naples, before heading north to view the Abbey of Monte Cassino.

Relaxation

Then back to Rome, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Food and Dining

This evening, savor a Farewell Dinner with your new friends. (B,D)

Your home­bound flight arrives the same day. (B)