Unbelievable Italy (Air inclusive): Escorted vacation to Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice.

ROME, FLORENCE, SIENA, VENICE

10 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS

Day 1 - Depart the U. S. for Italy.

Day 2 - Rome: Upon arrival, proceed to baggage claim and after clearing customs you will be met by your Tour Escort. Transfer to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Romans say the "Rome wasn't built in a day", nor can Rome be seen in a day. One could live in the Eternal City for years and still not see everything. It's hard to say what you'll find most breathtaking: Etruscan tombs, Republican meeting rooms, imperial temples, early Christian churches, medieval bell towers, baroque basilicas or Renaissance palaces.

Day 3 - Rome: After breakfast start your full day tour of Rome. In the morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museums and their immense wealth of art, resulting from centuries of papal collections, offer an extraordinary experience. Amongst others, see the great masterpieces of Renaissance art with the frescoes of the Raphael Rooms and one of Michelangelo's greatest achievements, "The Last Judgement" in the Sistine Chapel. After lunch in a local trattoria, continue the tour of Imperial Rome. Visit the Roman Forum, the most important archaeological area in the city and once the center of the public life, see the Colosseum, the most famous monument of ancient Rome and an impressive testament to her past greatness. End the tour with a visit of St. Peter's in Chains to see Michelangelo's Moses.(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4 - Rome: Enjoy this full day at leisure to take an optional tour or to discover the ancient and modern aspects of this cosmopolitan city. Stop at a "trattoria" in Trastevere to try the local cuisine, sit outside of a caffé on elegant Via Veneto or maybe shop in fashionable Via Condotti or, for a wonderful range of art, antiques and antiquities shops, or visit Via Margutta. (Breakfast)

Day 5 - Rome/Florence: After breakfast depart for Florence the Cradle of Renaissance. Its striking buildings, formidable galleries and treasure-crammed churches attest to the Florentine love of display. Its elegant appearance and the skyline, with its russet rooftops and lofty domes, contributed to give this city its role of important center for culture and arts. Lunch is at the hotel and rest of the afternoon at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 - Florence: Today enjoy a guided half-day walking tour of Florence. See the Duomo, the city's geographical and focus point, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery. Stop in Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city and known for its Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. Visit the Academy to see Michelangelo's masterpiece "David". Today lunch is at a local restaurant. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon to explore the city on your own or to stop at one of the many quaint shops atop the oldest bridge, Ponte Vecchio. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7 - Florence/Siena/Florence: After breakfast depart for a half-day excursion to Siena, a beautiful example of well-preserved medieval town. Siena, the city of the Palio, is situated in the center of the Tuscany region, between the Chianti area famous for its wines, and the Maremma area, rich in history, art and popular traditions. Return to the hotel and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Tonight dinner is at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 - Florence/Venice: After breakfast travel to Venice, the powerful city state that once ruled the trade route of Europe and Asia for centuries, and one of Europe's most romantic cities. Transfer by boat to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore "La Serenissima". Venice is a magical tapestry of Renaissance buildings perched on narrow canals with sleek gondolas gliding silently beneath ornate bridges that will leave you breathless. (Breakfast)

Day 9 - Venice: After breakfast meet your local guide for a walking tour starting from Piazza San Marco. See the majestic Doge's Palace and Giotto's Bell Tower. Visit St. Mark's Basilica, a marble and golden fantasy and one of the most gorgeous containers ever built to display the relics of a saint. End the tour at a nearby glass blowing studio. Tonight, a farewell dinner is at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10 - Venice/U.S.: After breakfast depart for the Venice Airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark. Fuel surcharges of $300 per traveler from NYC JFK included (valid at time of printing). Other selected gateway departures are available for an additional cost. Air Taxes are approximately $100 per traveler

Hotel accommodations for eight nights including hotel tax and service charges.
Daily breakfast, three lunches and two dinners. Wine and bottled water are included with meals.
Services of a professional tour director throughout.
Full day guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's and Imperial Tour of Rome with entrance to Coliseum.
Three half day excursions, including a walking tour of Florence with a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts, a guided walking tour of Venice, and an excursion to Siena.
Round-trip airport to hotel transfers (JFK passengers only).

OUR HOTELS :

Quirinale Hotel, Rome First Class. The Hotel Quirinale is centrally located on Rome’s popular Via Nazionale, between the Piazza Republica, the Piazza Venezia and the Trevi Fountain, with a private entrance to the Rome Opera House. Many famous composers and musicians, including Puccini and Verdi, have stayed at this Imperial style hotel, as well as European aristocracies. Amenities: restaurant, bar, business center, garden.

Grand Hotel Baglioni, Florence Superior First Class. Grand Hotel Baglioni is located in the heart of Florence, right next to rail station and a short walk to the museums and Duomo. A highlight of this converted 19th century Renaissance-style, stone-arched palazzo is the rooftop restaurant, with its spectacular postcard vistas of the Duomo and Florence rooftops. Amenities: restaurant, bars, summer roof garden, room service, laundry/dry cleaning, concierge.

Bauer, Venice Deluxe. Bauer Hotel is located in a terrific location on the Grand Canal near St. Mark's Square above a romantic stretch off the Grand Canal. A popular meeting place because of its history, ambiance, and style that combines traditional, ornate and modern elements. Hotel divided between Bauer and Il Palazzo sections. Amenities: restaurant, bar, 24-hour room service, AC, concierge, golf, health club, tennis, meeting facilities, laundry, massage, boutique, salon, non-smoking rooms. A Member of the Leading Hotels of the World.

Ambasciatori Palace Hotel, Rome This historic hotel was built in the early 1900's and stands midway along the Via Veneto, with 150 rooms full of old fashioned charm. Facilities: "La Terraza" restaurant and the intimate lobby bar "The Embassy" with live music.

Please note: Though rare, it may be necessary to substitute hotels and adjust itineraries due to local conditions. Included features may not be available on all departures.

*Not included: Hotel Taxes, and September 11 taxes are not included.

Prices per person based on double occupancy.