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 2009 Italian & Sicilian Classic
Highlights
Palermo Cathedral & Paletine ChapelSegesta's Fifth Century Greek RuinsMarsala Wine TastingAgrigento's Valley of the TemplesEurope's Largest Active Volcano - Mount EtnaNeapolis Archaeological Park in SyracuseFarewell Sicilian Dinner with Wine
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| Call 888.908.8022 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7544504 | | CIE Tours | | Offer valid through 4/30/2009 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Depart U.S. for Italy | Depart U.S. for Italy: Depart your hometown and fly through the night to start your Italian vacation in Venice. | | Day 2 | Venice | Arrival in Venice: Land in Venice where your tour escort will be at the exit from Customs to meet you from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon and accompany you to a motor launch to transfer to your hotel. This is a wonderful introduction to a city built on water! Check in to your hotel, located on the Grand Canal, and enjoy free time. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink with your group, followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant. (D) | | Day 3 | Venice | Saint Mark's Square & Doges' Palace: This morning start your walking tour of Venice at the Piazza San Marco. Visit the elaborate Doges' Palace where the impressive state rooms contain Renaissance paintings by Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto. Cross the Bridge of Sighs, linking the Palace with the Piombi Prisons. Then visit the Basilica San Marco, consecrated in 1094, to see its famous golden mosaics on the interior domes and archways. Head to a glassblowing factory to watch craftsmen create the popular glass. The balance of the day is free to explore Venice on your own. (BB) | | Day 4 | Florence | Verona's Roman Amphitheater & Tuscany: Travel to the charming town of Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's love story of Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet's Balcony at her family's, which dates from the 13th century. Also see the Arena, a 1st century Roman amphitheater, one of the best preserved such buildings. Drive through the Emilia Romagna region and the Tuscan countryside where rolling hills are covered in olive groves, vineyards and fields of sunflowers. Arrive in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, an imposing city of old stone located on the River Arno. After checking into your hotel, you will have some free time before dining with your fellow travelers. (BB, D) | | Day 5 | Florence | Florence Cathedral & "David": Take a half-day sightseeing walking tour of Florence, beginning at the majestic Piazza Del Duomo to see the delicately patterned green, white and pink cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi's dome. See the Campanile, Giotto's Bell Tower dating from 1359. See the famous bronze doors by Ghiberti on the 11th century Baptistery. Then visit the Academy of Fine Arts, which was founded in 1563 to teach fine arts. Here see Michelangelo's superb "David" and many of the master's unfinished works. The afternoon and evening are free for independent sightseeing, shopping and dining. (BB) | | Day 6 | Rome | Umbria & Torgiano Wine Tasting: Today, drive through the beautiful countryside of Tuscany and Umbria to Torgiano, a hilltop town with vineyard-filled valleys all around. Visit the Wine Museum to learn all about wine and tour the Cantine del Vino to see production methods and enjoy a sample. Take some time to stroll around the attractive town and stop for photos in the medieval city of Todi. Continue your journey south into the metropolitan region of Rome. Take a short orientation drive around the major monuments in the city center, stopping for photos at the Colosseum before checking in to your hotel. Dine with your group in the hotel or in a local restaurant. (BB, D) | | Day 7 | Rome | Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's: This morning experience a guided tour around the Vatican, starting at the Corte della Pigna with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. See the Hall of Tapestries and the Maps Gallery but the highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's famous paintings of the "Creation" and "Last Judgment." Walk across St. Peter's Square to enter St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom, to see the famed "Pieta" by Michelangelo and many other treasures. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (BB) | | Day 8 | Palermo | Fly to Sicily: Take a group transfer to Rome Airport for your flight to Palermo. Your Sicilian tour escort will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The afternoon is free so you may rest or explore Palermo on your own. Sicily has been influenced by Greek, Roman and Ottoman cultures as well as by medieval traders and Crusaders en route to the Holy Land and the island contains a wealth of archaeological remains. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (BB, D) | | Day 9 | Palermo | Palermo Cathedral & Palace of the Normans: Your tour starts at the Palace of the Normans, seat of the rulers of the island for centuries. Visit its richly-decorated 12th century Palatine Chapel. Palermo Cathedral has a long history also, dating back to the 9th century when it was a mosque. See the Quattro Canti (Four Corners) in the city center where the four most important streets intersect. Visit the Benedictine Abbey of Monreale to see the 12th century cathedral with mosaics and the cloisters and in Monte Pellegrino you may visit the sanctuary of Santa Rosalia. End your tour in Mondello, a pretty resort area with a long, sandy beach. The afternoon and evening are free. (BB) | | Day 10 | Agrigento | Marsala Wines & Agrigento: Head west to Segesta to view the 5th century ruins of the Greek Doric temple. Then drive along the Via del Sale (Salt Road) to Marsala, an attractive town that is famous for its dessert wines. Visit one of the wineries to sample some vintage wines and then savor lunch in a local restaurant. Enjoy the pleasant scenery as you drive to Agrigento. This town flourished under the Greek civilization but today is a collection of medieval streets and shady squares. Check into your hotel where dinner is served this evening. (BB, L, D) | | Day 11 | Giardini Naxos | Piazza Armerina & Taormina: This morning tour the Valley of the Temples, where some of the greatest Greek ruins are found. See the Temple of Zeus, with huge Doric pillars; the elegant and well-preserved Temple of Concord; the Temple of Hercules, showing traces of fire; and the Temple of Castor & Pollux. Continue your journey to Piazza Armerina to view the extraordinary mosaics of the Roman Villa del Casale. End your day in Taormina at Giardini Naxos, a charming coastal town with views of Mount Etna, that is popular with international travelers. (BB, D) | | Day 12 | Giardini Naxos | Explore Mount Etna: Today visit the slopes of the largest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. See how lava flows have carved out craters and shaped the landscape with lush forests and citrus groves. Return to your hotel in Giardini Naxos where you have the afternoon and evening free to relax, explore the beautiful surroundings or visit nearby Taormina. (BB) | | Day 13 | Giardini Naxos | Syracuse Excursion: Travel to Syracuse for a guided tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park, where you will see the Latomie (stone quarries) used in the construction of the many temples and public buildings. Also see the Ear of Dionysius, a naturally-formed S-shaped cavern and visit the Greek Theatre, which dates back over two millennia. Return to your hotel and enjoy some free time before joining your traveling companions to savor a special Sicilian farewell dinner with wine in a popular local restaurant. (BB, D) | | Day 14 | Depart Catania for the US | Depart Catania for the US: Transfer to Catania Airport for your return flight to the United States, which will arrive the same day. (BB) |
| | | Grand Hotel Carlton - Venice - 2 night(s) | | Hotel Raffaello - Florence - 2 night(s) | | Hotel Mantegna Rome - Rome - 2 night(s) | | Hotel Politeama - Palermo - 2 night(s) | | Jolly Della Valle Hotel - Agrigento - 1 night(s) | | Naxos Beach Hotel - Giardini Naxos - 3 night(s) |
| | Coach Tour and River Cruise prices are based on two people sharing rooms.Taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges are not included. This list indicates brochure rates and dates. If your date of choice is marked "On Request" or appears in the brochure but not on this page please contact your travel agent .Air price is based on departures from New York. Additional add-on airfares from other cities will be available after clicking on Book Now! The air inclusive prices below are for general information only and not a reflection of current seat availability.Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies.We highly recommend that you review our general conditions page for full details on terms, conditions, and penalties. |
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