SMR PRESENTS ITALIAN TREASURES When you think of the ideal vacation to Italy, what comes to mind? Savoring the regional cuisine and sampling the local wine? Visiting the historical sites from the Roman Empire? Maybe it’s seeing the architectural treasures, splendid artwork, and ornate churches with their religious artifacts. If so, all this and more are offered on this amazing Italy tour—with overnights in Rome, Lucca, Florence, Venice Island, and Assisi.
Food and wine connoisseurs will enjoy the visit to Verrazzano Castle. Located on a hilltop in the Chianti region, learn how the famous Chianti wine is made and sample some! History buffs will delight in visiting some of Italy’s ancient sites, including the Colosseum, completed in the 1st century AD. Art fans will enjoy seeing Michelangelo’s famous works, including the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling paintings in Rome and his celebrated David in Florence. If you’re interested in magnificent churches, you’ll enjoy St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome as well as St. Francis’ Basilica in Assisi, where St. Francis is buried Visit Orvieto Cathedral, a great example of gothic architecture in Italy, and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, one of the best examples of byzantine architecture.
A special adventure has arranged to Cinque Terre, five small medieval villages on the Italian Riviera and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are just a few of the many highlights on this remarkable tour to Italy’s treasures. Food, wine, history, churches, art, an expert Tour Director and knowledgeable Local Guides—what more could you ask for in an Italy tour?
Fall 2020- based on availability
Day 1 ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, then leave the hotel for a welcome dinner at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)
Day 2 ROME Guided sightseeing of the ��Eternal City�� starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, followed by a visit to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà. Then, enjoy views of other major sites as you drive to the Roman Forum and visit the ancient COLOSSEUM, where gladiators once fought. An optional walking tour with a Local Guide is available to further explore Rome's famous landmarks.(B)
Day 3 ROME–LUCCA Head north and arrive in historic Lucca, completely surrounded by the original medieval walls. Enjoy a walk through the quaint town center to the famous amphitheater square. A suggestion for tonight: join an optional dinner at a local agriturismo. (B)
Day 4 LUCCA. EXCURSION TO CINQUE TERRE & PISA La Spezia on the Mediterranean Coast is the town where your exciting excursion starts to CINQUE TERRE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including a BOAT RIDE (weather permitting) with a Local Guide. The name dates back to the 15th century and is derived from five little medieval villages standing on stony spurs along five miles of the rocky coastline: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Then, a TRAIN RIDE returns you to La Spezia. On the way back to Lucca stop in Pisa and take pictures of the legendary Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and at least 12 feet out of the perpendicular. (B,D)
Day 5 LUCCA–SIENA–SAN GIMIGNANO–VERRAZZANO CASTLE–FLORENCE A scenic day in Tuscany. This morning, visit Siena and walk through ancient narrow lanes to beautiful PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, site of the biannual Palio, Siena’s spectacular medieval-style horse race. Your next visit is to San Gimignano, the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns. Browse through the little shops and admire the tower houses before leaving for the splendid VERRAZZANO CASTLE. Hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti and enjoy a WINE TASTING with local specialties. Next, drive to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” (B)
Day 6 FLORENCE Meet your Local Guide, and visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David. Continue your walking tour through the historic center and stand in awe in front of the magnificent cathedral, admire Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gates of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Afterward, you may wish to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry, sold by the ounce. To make the most of your stay, an optional excursion to the magnificent Uffizi Gallery is available. Tonight is your chance to try out the culinary delights of a fine Tuscan restaurant. (B)
Day 7 FLORENCE–VERONA–VENICE ISLAND Verona is world-famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. See PIAZZA DELLE ERBE and PIAZZA BRA, and admire the Arena, an incredibly well-preserved pink marble Roman amphitheater. Built in the 1st century AD, it was the place where gladiators once fought. Today, it is the magical venue for world-famous opera performances. Arrive in Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe, and enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. (B)
Day 8 VENICE ISLAND Join your Local Guide for a walking tour and visit ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the Byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE, and the world-famous BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER fashion delicate objects in an age-old tradition. Time to wander through the narrow streets with the numerous shops. An optional boat ride is available to the picturesque island of Burano. (B)
Day 9 VENICE ISLAND–ASSISI Leave the Adriatic coast and enter Umbria to peaceful Assisi. During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit ST. CLARE’S CHURCH and ST. FRANCIS’ BASILICA, the hub of a religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God’s creatures. Hear about monastic life and admire the priceless frescoes adorning the walls of the church. (B,D)
Day 10 ASSISI–ORVIETO–ROME Following the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto, perched high atop a volcanic rock. Here, taste local pastries at renowned Caffè Montanucci, an historic pasticceria for more than 100 years. Time to browse through tempting shops in the lanes off Piazza del Duomo, and to visit the fabulous gothic cathedral with its San Brizio Chapel. In the afternoon, return to Rome. This evening, a farewell dinner with operatic entertainment awaits at Tanagra restaurant. (B,D)
Day 11 ROME Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
For reservations and information: Travel Leaders/ Action Travel Tours Contact: Leigh Ann Keller, President [email protected] or 301.645.1770 or 301.843.0887 3290 Old Washington Road, Waldorf MD 20602