Tripology

Commercial Flight

Open-jaw flight in economy class, non-stop or with the minimum possible stops and with the shortest travel time. Your destination will be Rome, but the return flight will depart from Venice.

Private Car Service

After you will collect your luggage the driver will be waiting for you in the arrival's hall. The driver will be holding the sheet with the lead passenger’s name. Driving time will be from 45-60 minutes.

Hotel

Hotel Forum is located in the rooms of a historic and elegant 18th century building, once home to a Dominican monastery, in the heart of the ancient city. The harmonious 18th century refinement of the exterior is also found inside, in the well-distributed spaces which greet guests in comfortable and magnificent rooms. Starting from the receptions there is a series of halls and rooms which contain bar, conversation and reading rooms and those dedicated to meetings which hold up to 80 people. Wainscoting, superior quality wood furnishings, velvets and Persian rugs, make the place absolutely elegant.

Features
- Wi-Fi connection for Internet (additional costs)
- Telephone
- Satellite TV
- Safe
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Private bathroom with bathtub or shower
- Hairdryer along with a smart beauty kit and fine linens.

Standard Double, Twin or Triple room will be selected. Breakfast is included.

Please note: in occasion of a full hotel, the other equal level hotel will be suggested.

Sightseeing

Explore Rome at your own pace on an extensive hop-on hop-off itinerary through the heart of Rome. The buses are open top which allows you to enjoy full 360 degree panoramic views as you travel along your route. The buses are equipped with a personalized throwaway audio system which functions in 6 different languages, providing recorded commentary throughout the tour. There is also English and Italian speaking host on board each bus to assist with any queries. You will be provided with a set of earphones which you keep and use for the duration of your ticket.

The double decker green bus departs Termini Station every 15 to 20 minutes giving you plenty of opportunities to explore each stop in detail. If you were to stay on the bus for the entire loop, it would take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

In the package, I included 48-hour tickets, which also will give you 24 hours Hop-On and Hop-off Tiber River Cruise in the Rome.

Historical and Educational Tours

Any visit to the Rome must include a trip to the ancient part of the city, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

The Colosseum

The elliptical building is immense, measuring 188m by 156m and reaching a height of more than 48 meter (159 ft). The Colosseum could accommodate some 55,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances.

The Roman Forum

Until 509 BC, when Rome became a republic, the city was reigned by an Etruscan dynasty of Tarquin Kings. They built a sewer, the 'Cloaca Maxima', to drain water from the marshlands of the valley between the Palatine, Capitol and Esquiline hills to the Tiber river. Ever since, the area was the center of activity in Rome. It was the site of the first forum. Here, triumphal processions took place, elections were held and the Senate assembled.

The Palatine Hill

According to Roman mythology, Palantine Hill is said to be the historical starting point of Rome in 753 BC. This, or the “Lupercal” cave, as it is known is where two baby children “Romulus and Remus” were cared for and protected by the she-wolf that fed them on her milk. As legend has it, the two boys were found and taken in by a local shepherd and his wife and they went on to kill their great-uncle who seized the throne from their father, and decided to build a city together on the banks of the River Tiber. Romulus and Remus had a violent argument and in a fit of anger, Romulus killed Remus, giving Rome its name.

Features
- Visit any time during selected dates
- Skip the admission lines
- Stay in the sites as long as you wish.

Historical and Educational Tours

Take a small group walking tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica, and jump the queue by booking ahead. Your knowledgeable guide will escort you into the Vatican Museums to explore the world's most extensive collection of art. Brilliantly decorated and lined with masterpieces, the museums are brimming with treasures and history. Your guide will lead you through the 2000 rooms that stretch over almost nine miles, and share the stories and secrets contained within the Vatican's walls.

Highlights of the museums are Michelangelo's famous Creation of Adam fresco in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Rooms. After taking in the Vatican Museums, you will encounter another of Michelangelo's masterpieces, La Pieta, in St Peter's Basilica. For a fascinating finish to your small group guided walking tour, stop to admire magnificent St Peter's Square, as your guide points out Bernini's ingenious use of optical illusion.

In order to have the more relaxed and more private tour, I recommend, and I also included it in the package, to take the tour which starts at 8:10am. These tours are arranged exclusively for groups, which never exceed 8 people.

Museums

Above the Roman Forum, the Capitoline Hill was Rome's symbolic center and held the Temple of Jupiter. Today there are two museums, the oldest public museums in the world, the Palazzo Nuovo, with Greek and Roman sculptures, and the Palazzo dei Conservatori, with art galleries, sculptures, and frescoes.

Palazzo Nuovo

Palazzo Nuovo, designed by Michelangelo in the 17th century to complement the Palazzo dei Conservatori, offers two floors of ancient Roman artifacts including statues, sarcophagi, busts, and intricate mosaics. Several notable sculptures can also be viewed in this section of the Capitoline Museums. Some of the most famous include the 'dying Gaul' and a statue of emperor Marcus Aurelius. A replica of the latter stands at the center of the Campidoglio square.

Palazzo dei Conservatori

Entry to the museums is at the Palazzo dei Conservatori, the building on the right hand side coming from the Cordonata stairs. The 16th century palace, three-stories high, houses a variety of different kinds of artistic treasures. Roman Capitoline Art Gallery sculpture is plentiful. Visitors can also view the Conservator’s Apartment on the 2nd floor, open to the public and full of interesting works of art and furniture. The third floor is home to the Capitoline Art Gallery, housing the museums' painting and applied art galleries. You’ll also find an excellent collection of coins, medals, and jewelry on this floor. Parts of a colossal 4th century statue of emperor Constantine II are displayed in the palazzo's courtyard.

Entrance fee to both museums are included in the package.

Train

Departure: Roma Termini, Italy, 9:50am Arrival: Firenze S M N, Italy, time 11:27am

Direct 1st Class Service,
Duration - 1hr37min

Hotel

Located in an outstanding location at the heart of the bustling- medieval neighborhood of San Frediano- a mere 5-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio and the cities finest shopping district- the Palazzo Magnani Feroni houses 12 luxury suites - and 12 suites only. Each suite reflects the refinement of the Renaissance style- with the subtle combination of comfort and modern technology and decorated with tasteful antique furnishings and materials originating from the owner's ancestors antique collection.

Spanning between 80- and 120-square meters 860- and 1300- square feet in size- the suites each comprises a large living room- bedrooms and master bathrooms. Each includes all amenities expected of a five-star luxury hotel- including stereo- satellite television in both the living room and bedroom- internet port and self-regulating air conditioning units. Architectural Beauty in a Setting of Privacy and Discretion An architectural jewel of the 16th century- the Palazzo Magnani Feroni belongs to the National Register of Historical Monuments of the State of Italy.

In the package, you will have a suite based on your group. Breakfast is included.

Sightseeing

There is no better way to see Florence than on this hop-on and hop-off double-decker bus. Stops along the tour route include the Cathedral, Santa Croce, San Marco, Piazzale Michelangelo and much, much more! Hop-on and off as many times as you like for a full day of sightseeing!
In the romantic region of Tuscany lies the jewel city of the Renaissance, Florence. Surrounded by the Appenine mountain chain it lies in a fertile valley surrounded by the charming Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.

Museums

Your Uffizi Gallery ticket will be pre-booked and pre-paid, for fast, hassle-free entry. After skipping the line, you can explore the Uffizi Gallery, at your leisure. Located on the top floor of an impressive building erected by Giorgio Vasari between 1560 and 1580, you're free to admire some of the world's most famous artworks by the likes of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue and Masaccio.
This Uffizi Gallery ticket you will avoid the long lines (which can take over two hours!) to enter the Gallery. The ticket includes standard entrance price plus the fast-track access fees.

Historical and Educational Tours

The Palazzo Vecchio is one of Florence's most famous buildings. While its clock tower silhouettes stands out in the city's skyline, the true magic is inside the palace where the Medici once lived in their heyday of governmental domination. You'll see the Salone dei Cinquecento, travel through a secret passage way and visit the secret chamber of Duchess Bianca Cappello.

Tour information

Time: 10:30am (you have to be there at least 15 minutes before)
Duration: approximately 60 -75 minutes
Tour will be provided by an official Palazzo Vecchio guide in English.

National Parks

The Garden that extends from the hill behind the Pitti Palace as far as Porta Romana, reached its current extension and appearance, becoming one of the largest and most elegant Italian style gardens, through several stages of enlargement and restructuring work carried out at different times.

Opening Times:
8:15am until 5:30pm

Semi-Private Tour

Ponte Vecchio, the oldest of Florence's six bridges, is one of the city's best known images. Probably going back to Roman times with its stone pillars and wooden planks; it was built in stone but then newly destroyed by a flood in 1333. It was built again twelve years later, perhaps by Neri da Fioravante (or Taddeo Gaddi, according to Giorgio Vasari).

Group Tour

Famous for a wealth of art, history, striking landscapes and outstanding produce, Tuscany really does have the best of all worlds! With only a day to spare, see the best Tuscany has to offer on this full-day guided coach trip from Florence.

Meet your local guide before heading for the hills on a scenic drive through Monteriggioni. Your first stop for the day is gothic Siena, famous for its medieval streets. Choose to join a guided tour through the city (free entry inside the Cathedral is included). Or, alternatively, you're free to marvel the sights of Siena at your own pace enjoy a drink in an open air cafe and meet the locals.

Enjoy an escorted stroll among Chianti vineyards, olive groves and wine cellars before indulging in a traditional Tuscan lunch amongst the Sienese hills where Chianti wine is produced. Surrounded by grapes vines you'll have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers while feasting on local foods including cold meats, salads, pasta and bread. A wine-tasting class will be held during lunch including free samples of wine, honey and olive oil (which are also available for purchase).

After lunch you will visit San Gimignano where you can roam the maze of cobbled streets and small squares, grab a gelato and walk between San Gimignano's famous 14 towers. Your final stop is Pisa, where you can take an up-close inspection of The Leaning Tower, view the Cathedral, the Baptistery and monumental Cemetery in Pisa before venturing back to Florence where your full-day tour concludes.

Tour highlights
- Free time to explore Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa at your own pace
- Free entry plus guided tour through Siena's gothic Cathedral
- Hearty lunch served at a Chianti wine estate
- Complimentary wine, honey and olive oil tastings
- Get up-close to The Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Transportation by luxury air-conditioned coach

The tour starts at 8:30am and will take around 12 hours.

Train

Departure: Firenze S M N, Italy, 1:36pm
Arrival: Venezia S Lucia, Italy, time 4:37pm

Direct 1st Class Service
Duration 3hr13min.

Hotel

Locanda Sant Agostin was lovingly and tastefully restored in 2001. Its bedrooms are elegantly furnished with period furniture and objects d art and fitted with the most modern facilities for the most discerning of guests. The Locanda is easily reachable by vaporetto or on foot, from both rail and road terminal. It is so well situated that it gives the guests the chance of quick movement to any part of Venice.

Standard room with air conditioning, satellite TV, minibar, storage box, internet connections and breakfast included.

Sightseeing

Share a gondola with other travelers along the canals of Venice and be serenaded as your group of gondolas glide along the Grand Canal. One of the gondoliers will play music and sing songs throughout the 35-minute ride. Great value for money! Only a gondola ride can capture the magic of Venice.

You'll be captivated by the glamor and elegance of Venice and its magnificent palaces and churches lining the Grand Canal as you glide along in an authentic gondola.

Tour details
Each gondola holds maximum 6 passengers. There are approx. 10 gondolas per tour. The musician will board one of the gondolas to perform throughout the trip.

Time: 7:30pm

Historical and Educational Tours

Your comprehensive introduction to Venice begins with a two-hour walking tour highlighting all the important monuments, from San Marco Square to the Rialto Bridge. You'll learn the history behind the famous landmarks, including the basilica's Byzantine heritage and the adjoining prisons of the Doge's Palace. Plus, you'll visit the famed basilica of St. Mark's without having to stand in long queues!

Leaving the crowds behind, you'll enter a labyrinth of narrow passageways, alleys, canals and delicate bridges. Highlights include Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Marco Polo's House, an old merchant's warehouse and the most beautiful well-head in Venice, before finishing the tour near the Rialto Bridge.

Next, enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Grand Canal of Venice. Along the way you will learn the history of the stunning palaces and churches that line the famous canal, as well as anecdotes about the famous people who have resided on Venice's most important 'street'. Savoring a glass of sparkling prosecco wine, you'll also enjoy a fascinating tour of the minor canals of Venice.

St. Mark's Basilica is free of charge to enter and we guarantee that you'll skip any long lines as part of this tour.

Tour highlights
- Three-hour combined walking and boat tour of Venice
- Two-hour walking tour highlighting San Marco, Santa Maria Formosa, Marco Polo and the Rialto Bridge
- Skip the Line entry to St. Mark's Basilica
- Relaxing cruise along the Grand Canal
- Sip a glass of prosecco wine while you cruise
- English-speaking guide.

Start time: 11:10am
Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy the unrepeatable Venice!

This will be shared boat service to the airport 2 or 3 hours before your flight (depends on your flight).

In addition, I also included the following insurance package.

Trip Cancellation (100% of Trip Cost)
Trip Interruption (150% of Trip Cost)
Trip Delay ($150 per Day)
Missed Connection
Baggage and Personal Effects
Baggage Delay
Accident & Sickness Medical Expense ($750 dental expense limit applies)
Emergency Assistance (Emergency Medical Transportation)
Air Flight Accident (AD&D - Flight Only) - $200,000.00
24-Hour Emergency Assistance Services - Included
Identity Theft Resolution Services - Included
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage - Included
No Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses - Under $1,000 within provider network

The covered amounts will depend on the costs of your trip.