July
18, Mon. Settle back in the plane for our overnight
flight to Rome!
July 19,
Tues. Explore the Eternal City with a Red
Double-Decker Bus Tour to get your bearings: Coliseum,
Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Spanish Steps, St Peter's
Cathedral, and the Circus Maximus. Walk in
the steps of early martyrs with a guided tour of the Coliseum.
Marvel at the center of the ancient world as you walk
the Roman Forum.
July 20,
Wed. Saint Peter's Cathedral is the
largest in the world, & we climb to the roof for the wide-angle
view! After our appointment to see the Vatican Museums
& Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, we head
for the Cappuccin Crypts to see bones of the Christians.
This evening take a guided walking tour from
Campo Dei Fiori to Piazza Navona
(former Roman chariot raceway,) to the Pantheon
and on to the Trevi Fountain. Bring
a coin to toss!
July 21,
Thurs. Today is completely free to do whatever
you wish in Rome! Suggestions: visit the Baroque
masterpieces of sculpture at the little gem of a museum, the
Borghese Gallery, set in the former Borghese Palace
and gardens (reservations required; I will help you if you
choose this option); take a bus excursion to Pompeii
to see the city destroyed by ash froom Mount Vesuvius; ride
a cheap train out to the beach and also see the ancient
Roman ruins of Ostia.
July 22,
Fri. Train to Florence, birthplace of the
Renaissance! Our walking tour will take us to l'Accademia,
Europe 's first painting school, to see Michelangelo's David
and the unfinished Prisioners, never fully freed
from the marble from which they are hewn. Climb to the
top of the Duomo, (first large dome since Roman times)
and shop for jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio, ancient
bridge over the Arno River.
July 23, Sat. Completely
free day in Florence! Suggestions: See the world's
best collection of Renaissance art at the Uffizzi Museum
(reservations required 3 months in advance; I will help you
if you choose this option); take a bus trip to the Tuscan
hill towns of Sienna and see San Gigimigano
with it's medival towers; tour the Medici's Pitti Palace
& Boboli Gardens or the Hospital of the Innocents
(world's first Renaissance building); See Santa Croce
where Michelangelo is buried and the Medici Chapels;
or you could just shop for leather and relax. . .
July 23,
Sun. Take the short ride to Piazzale Michelangelo
for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Florence.
Then ride an Italian train to Venice, city built
on hundreds of islands, queen of the seas. Vaporetto ride
on the Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square
to see the 11th century Byzantine St. Marks' Cathedral
and St. Mark's Square, called "the finest living room
in Europe." In the evening, take the elevator up
the Bell Tower for views of the square and lagoon.
July 24,
Mon. In the morning, tour the Doge's Palace,
from where Venice ruled the seas. Cross through the Bridge
of Sighs. Afternoon is free to spend as you like.
Choose between the Lido beach, the Guggenheim
Modern Art Museum, the Ca' Rezzonico, and many
others. Take a boat ride out to the islands of Burano
and Murano to see glass and lace made.
Ride a Traghetto gondola across
the canal for 1 euro, watch a glass blowing demonstration.
Wander the twisting walkways, crossing curved bridges around
ever corner, getting deliciously lost in the magical jewel
that is Venice! You might even take in a musical performance
in a fabulously painted old Baroque building.
July 25,
Tues. Leave Venice by train, and spend the afternoon
seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Campo
Dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles). Early evening
train to the enchanting Cinque Terre, 5
little villages hidden away by the sea.
July 26,
Wed. Morning boat ride on the Mediterranean
Sea from Vernazza to colorful little Riomaggiore.
After a walking tour of this enchanting village,
we "hike" (45 minutes, level paved path) above the
Mediterranean on the Via Del' Amore to Manarola,
where we also have a short walking tour. Then
we ride the train just 5 minutes to Corniglia, the
town on the hilltop. After the short train ride
back to our town of Vernazza, it's on to Monterosso
for the evening. I guarantee you will fall in love with
the Cinque Terre like I did!
July 27,
Thurs. Morning train ride to Milan,
where we take an elevator to the Rooftop of the Milan
Cathedral, where we climb among the gothic spires, eye
to eye with the gargoyles! Last night
in Italy!
July 28, Fri. Fly home, arriving in SLC in late evening
of the same day with memories for a lifetime!
Optional:
Stay with us for a 5-Day Extension to Switzerland and the
Alps!
Click here
for more info.
Notes:
This is a high voltage,
experience-rich, budget tour for adults and culturally-minded
teens.
Lots of walking,
start walking now!
Intinerary subject
to change.
Accommodations centrally
located, so you can walk at night.
You may have whatever
amount of freedom you like. You may either stay with
me every minute, or as soon as I get you oiriented, you may
go off on you own.
*Dates and price not yet final!*
Come,
go with us!
We are going to
have SO MUCH FUN!
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