Trafalgar - Best of Italy (ITBON17)

13 Days From Rome to Rome
Tour Style: Country Explorer
Trafalgar Brochure Price from $3,735.00
Brochures: Europe & Britain 2021, Europe & Britain 2022, Europe & Britain 2023
Visits: Italy, Vatican City

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Discover the Best of Italy, from the ancient treasures of Rome to Renaissance Florence and everything in between. Imagine staying overnight in a renovated Franciscan monastery in Assisi and lapping up chic Capri, as well as a private guided visit to Pompeii to see a Roman city frozen in time.
Sightseeing Highlights

• VIP Admission to the Vatican Museums
• Explore Rome, Pompeii, Capri, Assisi and Florence with a Local Specialist
• Discover Venice, Milan and San Gimignano
• Visit St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum in Rome, the excavations at Pompeii, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, a glassblowing factory in Venice, Lake Como and the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial
• View Juliet's Balcony in Verona, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Cathedral and La Scala Opera House in Milan, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo in Florence
• See the ancient sites of Rome and the Abbey in Monte Cassino
• Scenic Cruise to the Isle of Capri and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
• Connect With Locals Join Signor Telli for a Be My Guest dinner at his family run restaurant on the secluded Isola Madre island.
• Stays with Stories Built to welcome pilgrims visiting Assisi, Hotel Cenacolo is a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery in nearby Santa Maria degli Angeli.
• Dive into Culture Witness the exquisite craft of glassblowing, a delicate tradition that generations of Venetian craftsmen have perfected over the centuries.
• Dive into Culture Be inspired by the magnificence of Michelangelo and da Vinci at the Vatican Museums and enjoy an exclusive visit up the spiral staircase designed by the famous architect Donato Bramante in a part of the Vatican not open to the public.
• MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.

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Trafalgar Tour Itinerary

Day 1	Welcome to Rome
	Ciao Roma! Explore this imperial city of emperors and senators, gods and goddesses, before joining your companions and Travel Director later for a Welcome Reception. Our introduction to the 'Eternal City' is an evening orientation drive to view some of the sights which await tomorrow.
	Visits: Rome
	Meals: Welcome Reception
	Accommodation: Cicerone/Una
Day 2	Discover Ancient Rome and the Vatican City
	The Holy See takes centre stage today as we join a Local Specialist for an included sightseeing tour in the Vatican Museums. Dive Into Culture and admire the Bramante Staircase, created for Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, and Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. See the marble masterpiece of the Pietà, housed in St. Peter's Basilica before crossing the Tiber into Ancient Rome. Visit the famous Colosseum and see Circus Maximus, once the site of celebrated chariot races. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Rome. Indulge in an espresso in the Piazza Navona or clamber up the Spanish Steps.
	Visits: Rome, Vatican City
	Meals: Breakfast
Day 3	Explore the Ruins of Pompeii and Sorrento
	We journey south to the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii. Here we join a Local Specialist who will share details of the devastation caused by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius as we wander through the ancient paved roads of a city that was frozen in time. Later, we arrive at our hotel in the clifftop town of Sorrento where we’ll dine tonight.
	Visits: Pompeii, Sorrento
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Johanna Park/Grand Parco del Sole
Day 4	A Day on the Isle of Capri
	We cross the Bay of Naples today by ferry to the glamorous Isle of Capri to visit some of its landmark sights. Wander past the chic boutiques and pavement cafés in Capri town in the company of a Local Specialist before taking your time to soak up the sophistication of this lovely island. Later, we return to the mainland.
	Visits: Capri
	Meals: Breakfast
Day 5	Onwards to Assisi
	See the Benedictine Abbey of Cassino, which featured as the site of the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944, before heading north to the slopes of Mount Subasio. We arrive in the mystical town of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, under whose protection this medieval city is said to remain. We join our Local Specialist for a visit of Basilica of St. Francis, before some free time to explore this fascinating hilltop town. Tonight, we'll stay at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories �� a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery.
	Visits: Assisi
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Cenacolo
Day 6	Discover Verona and Venice
	We journey through the glorious countryside of the Emilia Romagna region. This area is also renowned for its gastronomy and is credited with being the origin of tortellini, mortadella and parmesan cheese. Travel to Verona, the home of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, to admire the Roman arena and Juliet's Balcony. Arrive later in Venice, the 'Queen of the Adriatic', where we'll enjoy a Regional Dinner.
	Visits: Verona, Venice
	Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner
	Accommodation: Biasutti Lido/Viktoria Palace Lido
Day 7	St. Mark's and More in Venice
	Cruise your way through Venice by private launch to soak up the sights and sounds of what was once one of the world's greatest ports. Your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with the master craftsmen of Venice follows and you’ll Dive Into Culture watching them share their centuries-old glassmaking traditions. Your visit helps to preserve this delicate craft for which Venice is justifiably famous and you’ll want to remember your visit by purchasing a souvenir or two to display at home. From there, continue past the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace to St. Mark's Square where we will view the impressive square and Basilica. Consider an Optional Experience to see the colourful fishermen's houses on the Island of Burano or search for a cosy bacaro and indulge in some tasty Venetian treats, starting with that refreshing Venetian Spritz which is the local drink of choice.
	Visits: Venice
	Meals: Breakfast
Day 8	On to Milan and Scenic Lake Maggiore
	Today we cross the lush green plains of Lombardy to sophisticated Milan, Italy’s capital of design and fashion. An orientation tour takes us past the intricate Gothic Duomo, La Scala Opera House and the famous Galleria. Later arrive at Lake Maggiore where we'll enjoy dinner served tonight at our hotel.
	Visits: Milan, Lake Maggiore
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Simplon/Grand Dino
Day 9	Stroll around Lake Como
	The glistening blue waters of Lake Como welcome us today. We’ll enjoy some free time to explore the lakeside lifestyle and beautiful scenery which has enchanted visitors for centuries. Spend this morning exploring Como's historical quarter, indulge in the area’s delicious gelato, take the funicular for spectacular views of the lake or consider a cruise on the lake. This evening we venture by private boat to a secluded island on Lake Maggiore where we’ll Connect With Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience. Join Signor Telli for colourful stories of pirates and princes and a delicious local fare in this family-run restaurant.
	Visits: Italian Lakes, Como
	Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 10	Admire Pisa and on to Florence
	Tuscany lures us across the forested Apennine Mountains, past the marble quarries of Carrara to the famous city of Pisa and its Square of Miracles where we will enjoy an opportunity to view the Leaning Tower. Our next stop is Florence, the 'Cradle of the Renaissance'.
	Visits: Pisa, Florence
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Grand Mediterraneo
Day 11	Experience Art and Architecture in Florence
	Delve into the extravagant history of the Medici family, whose legacy of art and architecture are explored in the company of a Local Specialist. We visit Piazza della Signoria with its exquisite statues and palazzi and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the beautiful skyline of Florence, dominated by the elegant Duomo and the almost 700-year-old Ponte Vecchio, from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold.
	Visits: Florence
	Meals: Breakfast
Day 12	Treasures of San Gimignano and Return to Rome
	This morning we stop at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial. Continuing south, we visit the charming Tuscan hill-town of San Gimignano, where one finds extraordinary examples of medieval architecture and history. Venture to the centre of town to view its Piazza del Duomo, surrounded by medieval towers and the town's 13th-century city walls. This evening in Rome we enjoy a Farewell Dinner spent in the company of newfound friends and our Travel Director.
	Visits: San Gimignano, Rome
	Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
	Accommodation: Shangri-La
Day 13	Farewell Rome
	Our discovery of the best of Italy has come to an end. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
	Meals: Breakfast

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Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17