Autumn, Winter and Spring 11/12: Italian Discovery (Winter 2011/2012)
Tour Type: Regional Tours
Brochure Type: Autumn, Winter and Spring 11/12
Italy holds a special place in the hearts of all who travel there. Discover the beautiful, historic cities of Florence, Pavia and Bologna. See legendary sights such as Juliet's Balcony in Verona and the astonishing Leaning Tower of Pisa. Stand in awe at the mighty Colosseum and pay a respectful visit to the Vatican in Rome. You'll quickly understand what makes this land unique.
Sightseeing Highlights
Brochure Type: Autumn, Winter and Spring 11/12
Italy holds a special place in the hearts of all who travel there. Discover the beautiful, historic cities of Florence, Pavia and Bologna. See legendary sights such as Juliet's Balcony in Verona and the astonishing Leaning Tower of Pisa. Stand in awe at the mighty Colosseum and pay a respectful visit to the Vatican in Rome. You'll quickly understand what makes this land unique.
Sightseeing Highlights
- Rome Explore the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, and the mighty Colosseum.
- Florence See Signoria Square, the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio.
- Pisa See the Square of Miracles, including the Leaning Tower.
- Italian Lakes Admire beautiful Lake Maggiore.
- Pavia Visit the Cistercian Abbey.
- Verona See the Roman arena and Juliet's balcony.
- Venice Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square and visit a Murano glass-blowing workshop.
- Ferrara Discover this medieval city, formerly ruled over by the Este family.
- Bologna Marvel at Neptune's Fountain, the Kissing Towers and Piazza Maggiore.
- Assisi Visit St Francis' Basilica and see the Saint's tomb.
- Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Rome.
- 9 hot buffet breakfasts.
- 2 three-course dinners with local wine.
- Be My Guest Dinner in Florence.
- Farewell Dinner with wine in Rome.
- First Class hotel accommodation, which includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
- All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
- Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a restroom on board.
- Escorted by one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
- The expertise of a qualified Local Guide in Rome, Florence, Pavia, Bologna and Assisi.
- Orientation in Turin, Milan, Verona, Venice, Ferrara and Pisa.
- A stylish wallet, travel documents, keepsake booklet and map.
- Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers are provided on Days 2 and 11.
- Capture treasured memories of your trip with a complimentary group photo taken at a landmark location.
Call (302) 478-6512 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10564344
- Tour Operator
- Trafalgar Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 3/31/2012
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Depart USA | DEPART USA: Overnight flight to Rome. |
| Day 2 | Rome | ARRIVE ROME (2 nights): Welcome to the Eternal City! Relax or explore this wonderful ancient city. Tonight, meet your fellow travellers and your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink at your hotel. Ateneo Garden Palace (First Class) |
| Day 3 | Rome | ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME: Explore the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, featuring Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis, one of the most important artworks of the High Renaissance. Marvel at the Pieta in St Peter's Basilica, with a comprehensive audio history from your expert Local Guide. Cross the river Tiber to ancient Rome. Listen to tales of Julius Caesar and other great emperors as you look across the Forum, once the centre of daily life in Rome. Along the Via Sacra you arrive at the Colosseum, the largest Roman amphitheatre ever built. Your last stop is the Circus Maximus, the site of chariot racing, built in a valley overlooked by the Palatine and Aventine Hills. The afternoon is yours to do as you please. Perhaps visit the Catacombs, ancient burial chambers featuring early examples of Christian art and sculpture. Or simply celebrate 'la dolce vita' at a pavement cafe on the Via Veneto and watch the world go by. Tonight, you might like to try some delicious Roman cuisine. (Buffet Breakfast) |
| Day 4 | Florence | ROME - FLORENCE: A scenic drive through Latium and Umbria brings you into the heart of Tuscany and Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Enjoy incredible views across the city to Fiesole from Piazzale Michelangelo, a famous square with an equally famous observation point. Your expert Local Guide takes you on a walking tour of the city to see the Ponte Vecchio which spans the River Arno. Admire Piazza Signoria, with its impressive sculptures and stunning palazzo. Marvel at the multi marble Duomo, with its Bell Tower designed by Giotto and the famous Baptistery featuring bronze doors with relief sculptures. Spend the afternoon as you wish. You might continue sightseeing or shop for quality Italian leather goods and 18-carat gold jewellery. This evening, join your fellow for a delicious Be My Guest dinner of local specialities at a family-run restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner) Croce di Malta (First Class) |
| Day 5 | Turin | FLORENCE - PISA - TURIN: Visit Pisa, a former maritime city just a short drive along the Arno Valley. Discover the famous Leaning Tower and Cathedral in the Square of Miracles. Later, travel past the Carrara marble quarries. Many famous Renaissance statues were carved from this marble, including the Pantheon in Rome and London's Marble Arch. Passing Genoa, birthplace of Christopher Columbus, you head towards the Alps and the industrial city of Turin, home of Fiat, Martini and the Shroud. See the Antonelliana Building, which is now home to the National Cinema Museum, and Piazza San Carlo. Dine this evening at your hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Atahotel Concord (First Class) |
| Day 6 | Milan | TURIN - LAKE MAGGIORE - MILAN: See Lake Maggiore in the Alpine foothills on your way to Milan, a city with a rich cultural heritage, renowned for fashion and design. Admire the Galleria, a glass vaulted arcade, reputedly the oldest shopping arcade in the world. View La Scala Opera House, one of the world's leading opera and ballet theatres, and the magnificent Milan Cathedral. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Atahotel Quark (First Class) |
| Day 7 | Venice | MILAN - PAVIA - VERONA - VENICE (2 nights): With the Local Guide, discover the Cistercian Abbey of Pavia, a magnificent monument to the Visconti and Sforza Dukes of Milan. Visit Verona to see the ancient Roman amphitheatre, the third largest in Italy, and Juliet's Balcony. Arriving in the magical city of Venice - Queen of the Adriatic - walk across ornate bridges spanning the unique network of enchanting canals to your charming hotel. (Buffet Breakfast) Boscolo Bellini (First Class) |
| Day 8 | Venice | VENICE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME: Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square. Built on a collection of small islands in a shallow lagoon, Venice became a maritime power and also played an important role in the Renaissance. Your orientation tour brings the city's rich history to glorious life, showing you the Byzantine Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doges' Palace. Visit one of the oldest Murano glass-blowing workshops on the island to see a demonstration of this ancient craft. Your afternoon is yours to do as you choose. Consider an excursion to the fishermen's island of Burano for a fresh seafood lunch. Or visit one of Venice's many splendid art galleries and museums. (Buffet Breakfast) |
| Day 9 | Bologna | VENICE - FERRARA - BOLOGNA: Crossing the Po Valley you arrive in Ferrara, a medieval city ruled over by the Este family for three centuries. See Bologna, home of the oldest university in the Western world and famous for its wonderful salamis. If you like food, you'll love Bologna! Your Local Guide brings this historic city to life. Marvel at the Fountain of Neptune. Admire the 'Kissing Towers', which lean precariously towards each other, and Piazza Maggiore dating from the 13th century. (Buffet Breakfast) Mercure Bologna Centro (First Class) |
| Day 10 | Rome | BOLOGNA - ASSISI - ROME: Admire the glorious landscape as you cross the Apennine Mountains to the mystical town of Assisi on the slopes of Mount Subasio. Visit St. Francis' Basilica, featuring incredible frescos depicting scenes from the saint's life with your expert Local Guide. See the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Past the hilltop town of Orte, you arrive back in Rome, where tonight you celebrate the end of your holiday. Dine with your fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner) Villa Pamphili (First Class) |
| Day 11 | USA | ROME - USA: Say 'arrivederci' to Italy, your Tour Director and companions, as your Italian Discovery comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Buffet Breakfast) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Airfare Details: Trafalgar guarantees to quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day that you book. Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above.
Airport Transfers: Transfers on arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 9.30am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 7am and 9.30am.
Christmas Highlights: Tour departure 17 December will celebrate Christmas in Bologna where you will enjoy a typical Italian meal with drinks and all the traditional Festive trimmings. Tour departure 26 December will celebrate New Year's Eve in Milan in true Italian style. Enjoy a delicious meal and a glass of Italian Spumante to toast your travel companions and the New Year. Later experience the vibrant atmosphere in the city with a walk to admire the magnificent Cathedral.
Please Note: The city of Florence has introduced an accommodation tax to visitors staying in its hotels on 1 July 2011. The tax will be 1 Euro per person, per night, per category star of hotel you are accommodated in. For Italian Discovery, guests will be required to pay Gé¼4 per guest. Guests will pay directly to the individual Florence Hotel upon check-out.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class
