Classical and Renaissance ITALY

This is a tour for travelers who wish to experience the culture of Italy: Ancient, Renaissance, and modern. We will see the museums, monuments, and the churches, and also the Italians in their daily life as we travel, eat, and drink with the natives. We will gain a familiarity with the country and will immerse ourselves in their culture. 

Day 1 - Depart New York for our flight to Rome. Dinner on-board. 

Day 2 - Our hosts will meet us at the airport and drive us to our first class hotel. This afternoon we can have a leisurely stroll around the Campidoglio, Piazza Venezia, St. Paul's Prison, and the Via dei Fori Imperiali. This evening we will have our first opportunity to sample excellent cuisine at one of Rome's excellent trattorie. 

Day 3 - This morning we will enjoy a city tour of Rome including Piazza Della Republica; Via Veneto; Aurelian's Walls; Janiculo Hill; Villa Borghese Park; Piazza Barberini; Castel St. Angelo; Trevi Fountain; Pantheon; and St. Peter's Basilica. The afternoon is free, but for those interested, our leader will conduct a walking tour to the Piazza Navonna; Campo di Fiore Rome's open air market); and Santa Maria Sopre Minerva church. 

Day 4 - This morning is free for a walk to the Capitoline Museum, a beautiful structure on the square created by Michelangelo. Next door is one of the oldest churches in Rome, Santa Maria in Aracoeli. After lunch in a local trattoria, we will enjoy a walk in Piazza de Spagna to see the Spanish Steps; then on to Via Veneto and Piazza Barberini. 

Day 5 - Today we travel to Florence, the city of Dante, Da Vinci, Botticelli, Michiavelli, and Michelangelo. It was the birthplace of the Renaissance. Sightseeing will include the Duomo with Giotto's bell-tower and baptistery; the Uffizi Gallery; the Academia; and Santa Croce church. Overnight Florence. 

Day 6 - Today is free for walking around this amazing cultural capital. We may visit the Ponte Vecchio, Basilica San Lorenzo and Medici Chapels, or return to the museums. This afternoon we will be driven back to our hotel in Rome. 

Day 7 - Today we visit the heart of ancient Rupublican and Imperial Rome, the Roman Forum; Colosseum; Palatine Hill (home of the Roman emperors); and Circus Maximus. 

Day 8 - Today has been left free for an optional tour to Pompeii, the famous resort of wealthy romans that was covered and completely preserved by the ash of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. 

Day 9 - This morning our Roman guide will take us through the amazing Vatican Museum and the beautiful Sistine Chapel. This afternoon is free for relaxing or for a return visit to the museum. 

Day 10 - Our hosts will drive us to the airport and assist us with check-in for our flight home from The Eternal City. We will return with many memories of Bella Italia. 

Included as part of the tour :

• Roundtrip air from JFK 
• First Class hotels 
• Guiding in Vatican Museum, bus tour of Rome, Forum, Florence 
• Admissions to Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Forum 
• Breakfasts 
• Transfers 

Not included with the tour :

• Items of a personal nature 
• Public bus and metro tickets
• Lunches and dinners have been left free so that we may enjoy the excellent local restaurants
• Admissions on the optional walking tours 
• Tips to guides and drivers