Small Introduction Of Italy

Introduction Of Italy

Arguably the world's most celebrated tourist destination, Italy really does have it all. It boasts one of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes in Europe, the world's greatest hoard of art treasures (on display in fittingly spectacular cities and buildings), a climate that is on the whole benign and mild, and, most important of all for many, a delicious and authentic national cuisine, made all the more alluring by the depth and breadth of its regional variation. After visiting, it's possible that you may not ever want to travel anywhere else.

ITALY

 

Weather

Italy's climate is one of the most hospitable in the world, with a general pattern of warm, dry summers and mild winters. The nicest time to visit, in terms of the weather and lack of crowds, is April to late June, or September and October. If you're planning to swim, however, bear in mind that only the south of the country may be warm enough outside the May to September period. Avoid July and August, when the weather can be too hot and the crowds at their most congested.

Getting around

Roads are good in most of the country with excellent autostrada links between cities, although these often come with heavy traffic and tolls. Off the main routes, most roads are quiet and well maintained, making cycling a very pleasant – and very popular – means of getting around.

In terms of public transport, the easiest way of travelling around Italy is by train. The Italian train system is one of the least expensive in Europe, reasonably comprehensive, and, in the north of the country at least, pretty efficient. It's also far preferable over long distances to the fragmented, localized and sometimes grindingly slow bus service.
Internal flights are coming down in price and there are some good deals to be had on flights to the islands. Ferries go to all the Italian islands, and also ply routes to Greece, Albania, Croatia, Malta, Yugoslavia, Corsica and Tunisia.

ROME, ASSISI, SIENA, FLORENCE, PADUA, VENICE

GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
Price per person based on a double occupancy
Tour available from March to November - Friday departure.
INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation at 4 Star hotels with down-town location
- Buffet breakfast daily (no eggs)
- Four dinners
- Service charges and taxes included
- Ground transportation by deluxe motor coach
- Our guide will assist you during the tour
- Sightseeing tours as indicated in the itinerary
- Local guides and entrance fees
- 1 Airport Transfer in Rome

 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Rome: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Foutain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona
- Assisi: View of the Churches of St. Francis and St. Claire
- Florence: Visit of the Accademia, home of Michelangelo's "David"
- Padua: see Donatello's masterpiece, the Gattamelata
- Venice: Visit the famous Square of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs

SCENIC DRIVES ALONG THE WAY
- The beautiful Autostrada del Sole
- The Tuscan countryside through medieval towns
- The lovely Emilia Romagna region
- The Veneto region, world famous for its Villa of Palladio

ITINERARY:
Day 1: Friday ROME
Transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight

Day 2: Saturday ROME
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning complimentary pick up from the hotel for the half day tour Vatican Museums:
Experience the Vatican City, a state and a city all in one! See the Porta Pinciana, the Aurelian walls, the Villa Borghese. Visit the Vatican Museum with it's spiral staircase, the Candelabra gallery, the Tapestry gallery. See Michelangelo's masterpiece inside of the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. In and around the square are Swiss guards, young Roman Catholic citizens of Switzerland wearing Renaissance-style uniforms in the bright colors of the Medici Popes.
This sightseeing tour includes visits to The Vatican Museums (visit), Castel S. Angelo, The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms, The Sistine Chapel.

Afternoon at leisure. Overnight. (Rome)

Day 3: Sunday ROME
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning complimentary pick up from the hotel for the half day tour Eternal Rome:
See the Republic square - Spanish Steps (visit), The Trevi fountain (visit) which was built by the architect Salvi in 1735 and decorated by several artists of Bernini's school. It is the front of a large palace decorated with statues and bas-reliefs on heaps of rocks. The fountain is not only celebrated for its excellent water but for the legend that whoever throws a coin into the fountain, will return to Rome.

 Afternoon at leisure. Overnight. (Rome)

Day 4: Monday ROME
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight. (Rome)

Day 5: Tuesday ROME - ASSISI - SIENA - FLORENCE
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure for ASSISI, the mystic town of Saint Francis still surrounded by ancient walls. Visit the Basilica of Saint Francis with its early Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Proceed on to SIENA, the beautiful medieval city renown for the Palio. The on to FLORENCE. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Wednesday FLORENCE
Buffet breakfast. Guided sightseeing tour of the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John, the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery housing the "David" by Michelangelo, and Santa Croce, the 13th century Franciscan church with Cimabue's famous crucifix. Rest of the day at leisure for optional sightseeing or shopping. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Thursday FLORENCE – PADUA - VENICE
Buffet breakfast. Departure for Venice via Padua, where you will visit the famous Cathedral of St. Anthony, guarded by Donatello’s Gattamelata. Continue on to Venice and upon arrival enjoy a guided walking tour of this unique city. You will visit the Piazza and Basilica of St. Mark, the Doge's Palace, t the Bridge of Sighs and the Prisons. Then visit a glass factory to see the molding of glass. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Friday VENICE
Buffet breakfast. Day at leisure for optional tour to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello by motor launch or for shopping. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Saturday VENICE
Buffet breakfast. End of the tour in Venice.

ROME HOTELS
- Rome: Polo, Executive, Rivoli
- Florence: Adriatico or similar
- Venice: Principe or similar