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Day 1 – Departure from the United States

Board your overnight flight bound for Italia! Your R&J Tour Director is there to assist you throughout your trip.

 

Day 2 –Arrive in Venice

Arrive this morning at Venice’s Marco Polo Airport and transfer by boat to your hotel to freshen up before your sightseeing tour on foot begins. Venice is listed as a World Heritage Site along with its lagoon, the city sits on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. The city is famous for its setting, architecture, and artworks. Enjoy a full day sightseeing with expert guide, including St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. St. Mark’s Basilica is the most famous of the city’s churches and the best example of the Byzantine architecture. It lies at the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco and connects to the Doge’s Palace. The Palace is built in a Venetian Gothic style and is one of the main landmarks of the city. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice, and is full of beautiful Italian Renaissance artwork. Next you’ll explore the other sites at St Mark’s Square, like the Clock Tower, Marco Polo’s house, Malibran Theatre, the Column of San Marco, and Saint Theodore. Return to the hotel and relax a bit before our Welcome-to-Italy dinner tonight with local wine.

Included Meals: Dinner 

Hotel: Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal or similar 

 

Day 3 – Murano – Burano – Torcello

After breakfast our full day excursion to Murano, Burano and Torcello with expert guide and private boat begins. After sailing past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the public Gardens, the tip of Sant’Elena and the Lido (the famous beach resort), the boat arrives at Murano, the most famous and most visited Venetian island because of the exquisite glasswork produced here. You will take a tour of the Murano glass factory. Proceed to the island of Burano, which is famous for its lace industry. This pretty fishing village has many streets and canals lined with bright, pastel-colored houses. Then visit the delightful island of Torcello, home to Venice’s first cathedral. The cathedral, Santa Fosca, is a masterpiece with its mosaics and Byzantine structure. Upon returning to Venice, the remainder of the evening is on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

 

Day 4 – Florence

After breakfast we depart for Florence, where Renaissance spirit and genius flourished resulting in more artistic masterpieces per square kilometer than anyplace else in the world. Walk in the footsteps of Leonard da Vinci, Dante, Giotto, and Raphael. Florence was designed for walking, with all major sights within a compact area; our local guide will orient us to old Florence on a walking tour. Then this rich city is yours to explore for the remainder of the day. Other top sights include the Duomo with its Campanile and Baptistry (which has the famous bronze doors,) the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, Michelangelo’s tomb in the Church of Santa Croce, and the Accademia. Perhaps have lunch in a trattoria on the Piazza della Signoria. Shop for leather goods around the Piazza Santa Croce and sample gelato at Gelateria Vovoli. Browse the gold and silversmith shops on the famous Ponte Vecchio, a bridge built in 1220 over the Arno River. What a remarkable day!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: AC Firenze or similar 

 

Day 5 – Florence

After breakfast continue the sightseeing in Florence with entrance to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the finest art museums in the world, founded by the Medici family in the 16th century. After visiting in the gallery, the day is yours to explore.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

 

Day 6 – Pisa

After breakfast depart on a splendid excursion through the fertile and picturesque Tuscan countryside to the historic university city of Pisa, famous for its architectural beauty. After a panoramic drive along the banks of the Arno, your tour continues on foot to the Piazza dei Miracoli, where you’ll discover the celebrated Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, and more! Next, you’ll visit the interior of the Cathedral, an unrivaled masterpiece of Romanesque art constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries. Last but not least, visit Piazza dei Cavalieri to admire the historic Scuola Normale, one of the most famous universities in the world. Return back to Florence for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

 

Day 7 – Rome

After breakfast travel to the Eternal City of Rome for a half day sightseeing tour. Rome has been a center of Christianity since St. Peter arrived in the 1st century. The magnificent Basilica of St. Peter’s, masterpiece of Michelangelo and Bernini, is built on the site of St. Peter’s tomb. Admire the moving Pièta, Sistine Chapel, and the grand, column-lined St. Peter’s Square where the Pope greets the people from his balcony. Visit the collection of treasures at the Vatican Museums, climb the steps to St. Peter’s dome for amazing views, and enjoy dinner near the Pantheon.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Hotel Imperiale or similar

 

Day 8 – Rome

After breakfast explore more of ancient Rome including visiting the impressive Colosseum, capable of seating 50,000 spectators; plus the Arch of Constantine, the Forum, and Capitoline Hill. The remarkable Pantheon – the only Roman building to remain intact – inspired Michelanglo’s design of St. Peter’s. This afternoon is free for exploring the Spanish Steps area. Throw a coin (or three) in the magical Trevi Fountain in hopes of returning to Rome. Tonight soak up the evening ambiance as you choose among the many terrace restaurants in the beautiful Piazza Navona for dinner on your own; then reboard the motorcoach for a tour of the monuments and fountains of Rome illumined by night – truly breathtaking!

Included Meals: Breakfast 

 

Day 9 – Rome

After breakfast in the hotel, the day is yours to explore the city and the surroundings in more depth. Perhaps you’ll find a few special Christmas presents. Our group enjoys a farewell dinner in a local restaurant tonight.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

 

Day 10 – Rome to Home

As you board your flight back to the United States, it won’t be hard to recall wonderful memories of your Classic Italy tour!

Included Meals: Breakfast

Flyaway Per Person Pricing Information

Double: $4,999
Single: $5,699

Flyaway Travel Protection Per Person

Double: $340
Single: $445

Travel Bucks

$60 Travel Bucks per person earned with this tour

Deposit Due

$200 deposit per person due at time of reservation. Full payment due 60 days prior to depart.

Passport Needed

Yes

Tour Pace

Moderate to Extensive Walking (Uneven Terrain)

Price Includes

Roundtrip airfare from MSP including all taxes & surcharges (appox. $300 per person) 12 meals plus inflight meals, all activities as stated in brochure, Expert Local Guide



Flyaway Departure Date:
11/03/2014
Flyaway Return Date:
11/12/2014

Make a Reservation Online

Tour Map


Tour Highlights

Venice sightseeing including private boat ride along the Giudecca Canal and guided sightseeing including St Mark’s Square and Basilica
Pisa sights including the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Tuscany countryside
Rome sightseeing including St Peter’s Square
and the Colosseum


Dedicated to presenting the greatness of God through the beauty of His Creation.