Jewels of Italy - Florence, Rome & the Vatican Friendship Force Pre-Conference Tour 5 Days / 4 Nights Sun, 20 Aug 17 - Thu, 24 Aug 17
Price : 605,- GBP per person (base 25 participants, sharing a double room)
DAY 1: Sunday, August 20, 2017 - Arrive Rome
Independent arrivals in Rome airport. All passengers to arrive no later than 11am to be greeted by your Tour Director in the arrivals hall at the airport. Departure from the airport and travel directly to Florence with convenience stop enroute
Check in to the Florence hotel, after which the Tour Director will lead an informal orientation walking tour of this epicenter of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany. Together as a group we visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, one of Europe’s best loved art museums and home to “The David”, Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture. The museum also houses other sculptures and Renaissance art. Overnight: Florence Meals: None
DAY 2: Tuesday, August 21 - Florence City Tour
Following breakfast we take a more formal tour of the city. Our three hour jaunt will introduce you to the architecture and history of Florence from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. See the iconic sights of Duomo with its famous dome, the Basilica of Santa Croce, Uffizi Square and the Ponte Vecchio which spans the Arno River. Afternoon at leisure to explore all that Florence has to offer – shopping for fashion, leather and curio shops, or just sipping a cappuccino while watching the world go by. Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Tuesday, August 22 - Rome City Tour
After breakfast, we transfer from Florence to Rome checking into the hotel upon arrival. This afternoon our specialist local guide will conduct a tour highlighting Ancient Rome. First, an in-depth visit to the Colosseum, the one-time centre of entertainment for 60,000 Roman citizens. Then we cross to the Roman Forum which was the focus of Rome’s daily life – a place where the powerful and influential would meet, socialize and trade. It was here that Julius Caesar was cremated, where Mark Anthony made his funeral oration as immortalized by Shakespeare, and where the Vestal Virgins kept the fire burning in the temple of the Goddess Vesta. We then climb Palatine Hill, the historical place where Rome was originally founded. Evening at leisure to continue your exploration of Rome and try some local specialties. Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Wednesday, August 23 - Vatican
This morning we visit the world’s smallest Sovereign State and home to the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican City. The Vatican Museum’s immense collection includes some of the world’s greatest art with 54 galleries in total. Perhaps its most famous is the Sistine Chapel with its ceiling decorated by Michelangelo. We also spend time in the Basilica of St. Peter, often described as the greatest of all churches in Christendom. Afternoon at leisure Overnight : Rome Meals : Breakfast
DAY 5: Thursday August 24 - Independant departure to Manchester
Check out after breakfast for your independent onward travel to Manchester for the Friendship Force World Conference. Meals: breakfast
TOUR INCLUDES : ● 4 nights hotel accommodation. All rooms double occupancy with private bathrooms. Suggested properties are: o Florence: Mediterraneo Hotel (2 nights) o Rome: Hotel Diana (2 nights) ● Breakfast daily ● Tour manager throughout ● Local specialist guide for all activities ● Private air conditioned luxury touring motorcoach for all transfers, touring and activities ● Local guides in Florence, Ancient Rome, Vatican City ● Admission costs or donations for visits where applicable ● Local taxes and service charges as currently levied ● Admission costs or donations for visits where applicable
NOT INCLUDED : • Flights - see note below • Airport Transfers • Health, trip cancellation/interruption or baggage insurance. All are strongly recommended. • Passport & visa costs. • Items of a personal nature (hotel extras, laundry, phone calls etc.). • Items not specifically mentioned above.
IMPORTANT NOTE : Generally FFI makes airport transfer arrangements for pre- and post-conference tours, however, we are leaving this open this year so you can be flexible to continue your travels throughout Europe or take advantage of all the great budget airline offers available in Europe (the earlier you book, the better the price!) The bus and train goes directly from the center of Rome to the airport throughout the day for approximately 5.00 - 8.00 EUR pp. You can buy your ticket directly in the bus or train station.
Flights from Rome to Manchester are not included - Ryanair flights can be booked here : https://www.ryanair.com/
Suggestion : ROME - MANCHESTER (24 August) : departure 11h25 - arrival 13h20
Alternative flights, times and prices can be found using any of the search engines below : https://www.skyscanner.com https://www.kayak.com http://www.opodo.com