14 Days Culture, Food and Fun Tour Package

Duration: 14 Days / 13 Night
Priced From: $3,738 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses)
Dates: Aug, Mar, Jul, Aug

Day 1   Arrive in Rome
 
Today we arrive in Rome and transfer to our hotel. Few cities in the world are as beautiful as Rome, and few are as glamorous. The Eternal City's ancient monuments and spectacular galleries -- over the centuries a major draw on the international tourism map -- are looking more magnificent than ever after an extensive restoration programme. Overnight in Rome. Dinner if required. 
  
Day 2   Rome: Colosseum & Spanish Steps
 
This morning we visit the famous Colosseum, the biggest and best attraction in Rome, and its gory history is part of its charm. Kids will love the idea of gladiators slugging it out, spectacles of hungry lions ready to pounce, mock sea battles. If your kids have gotten into ancient Italian architecture, the Colosseum has it all--Doric, Ionian and Corinthian columns and plenty of room to run around. In the afternoon we continue to the famous Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732. Its water was supplied by one of Rome's earliest aqueducts. Throwing a coin into the fountain is supposed to ensure your safe return to Rome! We walk from the Spanish Steps to the Borghese Gardens. We start at the Piazza di Spagna, and head up the steps to the square in front of the Trinita dei Monti church. We'll be in good company with lots of Roman families. You can rent roller blades and bikes, or ride the bumper cars. The Cinema dei Piccoli is a charming little theater in the gardens that shows children's movies in the afternoon. NOTE: As much of our Rome sightseeing can be accomplished on foot, and because we want to reduce our carbon output, we will not have a private bus today. Where necessary, we will make use of Rome's excellent and efficient metro system. When in Rome... Overnight in Rome. Breafast and dinner. 
  
Day 3   Rome: St Peter's Basilica
 
This morning we visit St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica--it's BIG! The size of this cathedral is impressive, and to get a good idea of just how big it is, we walk down the Piazza San Pietro to get the full effect of a grand entrance. Inside the basilica, we can climb up the dome (or take the elevator). Looking down on the city of Rome is just breathtaking. Michelangelo took over the St Peter's project in 1547 and was responsible for the design of the dome. The cavernous interior, which can hold up to 60,000 people, contains many treasures including Michelangelo's Pieta. Those with the energy can climb waaaay up to the top for a stupendous view of Rome. Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 4   Rome - Siena: Walking Tour
 
In keeping with our "green" objectives, today we travel by train to Siena, queen of Tuscany's hill towns. On arrival we enjoy Siena on foot. Indeed, the Siena city council was Europe's first to ban motor traffic from the city centre. Siena today seems frozen in time. The town has traditionally been Florence's rival as the centre of art and architecture in Tuscany. While Florence is known for its Renaissance art and buildings, Siena takes us straight back to the Middle Ages. Perhaps by preserving its original character more than any other city in Italy, Siena is a showcase of the Italian Gothic style. The walled city of Siena occupies three hill tops and contains a rich artistic heritage. Included on our guided walking tour of Siena's charming medieval streets and squares is a visit to the Duomo. This huge cathedral, built in bands of black and white marble, dates from the 12th century. Built in the Romanesque and Italian Gothic styles, it has a dramatically painted facade-- partly designed by Giovanni Pisano--and a soaring black and white bell tower. The inlaid marble floor depicts different Biblical scenes and the cathedral contains a glass-enclosed box with an arm. Tradition maintains that the arm is that of John the Baptist and was used to baptise Christ. Overnight in Siena. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 5   Siena & San Gimignano
 
Siena is best seen on foot. In fact, the city council was Europe's first to ban motor traffic from the city centre. Siena today seems frozen in time. The town has traditionally been Florence's rival as the centre of art and architecture in Tuscany. While Florence is known for its Renaissance art and buildings, Siena takes us straight back to the Middle Ages. Perhaps preserving its original character more than any other city in Italy, Siena is a showcase of the Italian Gothic style. The walled city of Siena occupies three hill tops and contains a rich artistic heritage. Included on our guided walking tour of Siena's charming medieval streets and squares is a visit to the Duomo. This huge cathedral, built in bands of black and white marble, dates from the 12th century. Built in the Romanesque and Italian Gothic styles, it has a dramatically painted facade-- partly designed by Giovanni Pisano--and a soaring black and white bell tower. The inlaid marble floor depicts different Biblical scenes and the cathedral contains a glass-enclosed box with an arm. Tradition maintains that the arm is that of John the Baptist and was used to baptise Christ. This afternoon we drive to San Gimignano, called the Manhattan of Tuscany. The medieval town preserves 13 of its noble brick towers, which give it a skyscraper skyline. Today its fortresslike severity is softened by the subtlety of its quiet, harmonious squares, and many of its places and churches are enhanced by Renaissance frescoes. Our drive this afternoon back to Siena takes us through the wine growing region of Chianti. Overnight in Siena. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 6   Siena - Pisa - Monterosso
 
Today we depart Siena by private bus for Pisa where we will spend most of our time concentrating on the town's principal monuments -- the Duomo and the Baptistery, and, of course, the most famous structure in Pisa, the gravity-defying "Leaning Tower" where Galileo carried out his experiments into the speeds of falling objects. We will take ample time to view and photograph the tower; advance reservations allow us to avoid long lines for entry into the tower itself. We continue to Monterosso, the first of the famous "Cinque Terre," five villages famous for the beautiful walks overlooking the deep blue sea. We have the balance of the day free to enjoy the village and spend time on the beautiful beach, located next to a huge statue carved into the cliffs. Overnight in Monterosso. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 7   Cinque Terre Hike
 
Today we leave behind us the harbour of La Spezia, as we drive up the Ligurian coast to the village of Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terre. Here we begin an easy-paced walk between the rugged coastal villages. From Riomaggiore we take an easy half-hour walk on the Via dell'Amore (Lovers' Walk) to Manarola. The next easy section of our walk takes us to Corniglia, a delightful town with wonderful panoramic views. It is also possible to take a local train to the nearby town of Vernazza to enjoy this jewel of a village. A picnic lunch on the trail overlooking the turquoise sea is a nice break on a fun-filled day. We return to Monterosso. Overnight in Monterosso. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 8   Monterosso - Florence
 
This morning we depart by train for Florence. After checking in to our hotel, we head to the the biggest "must see": the Duomo.* We can climb up to the top of the dome of the Duomo for a panoramic view of this bella citta. The cupola is an architectural tour de force. In the 15th century nobody had put such a big dome onto a cathedral, and skeptics hought it would fall down. Hundreds of years later, the dome of the Duomo is one of the cherished landmarks in Florence. Overnight in Florence. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 9   Florence: Santa Maria del Fiore
 
Today we tackle the inside of the cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore. Look for the fresco by Michelino, that has Dante in his stocking feet, showing off an open book, the Divine Comedy. Behind Dante on the left is a wedding cake topped by Adam and Eve and other poor people in purgatory, and on the right, a surrealistic scene of the Duomo itself. If the kids still need to run off a little energy, climb up to the top of the Giotto Campanile (bell tower) next door. Bring your binoculars to look at the incredible mosaics in the ceiling of the Baptistry. The scenes of Hell show the devil with horns and snakes coming out of his ears, purple demons and green newts. We also visit the Accademia to see Michelangelo's statue, David. The famous food of Florence is gelato (ice cream). Florence lays claim to the invention of gelato by Bernardo Buontalenti, who made it for, who else, the Medicis. Stop at gelaterias often and sample the selection. Overnight in Florence. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 10   Florence: Leonardo da Vinci Museum
 
During our time in Florence we will also visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum which hosts reproductions of the largest and most intriguing machines taken from Leonardo da Vinci's designs. They were built through careful study of Leonardo's drawings and work to a perfection that has never before been achieved. This is a hands-on museum where visitors can actually play with the models and see up close how they work. The afternoon is free. Parents and kids with a keen interest in art can visit the famous Uffizi Gallery. The galleries here contain the greatest collection of Italian artworks, including hundreds of paintings by such great artists as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphl, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio. The galleries also contain one of the most famous paintings in the world--Botticelli's Birth of Venus. For those not interested in the gallery, your Tour Leader can help you find the perfect gelati. Overnight in Florence. Breakfast and dinner.
 
 
Day 11   Florence - Venice
 
This morning we travel by train to Venice (4-5 hours). From the 13th - 15th centuries, Venice was one of the most luxurious cities in Europe, and a great trading empire with the Middle East--Marco Polo was 17 years old when he left Venice to sail to Asia. Today Venice is still a city like no other. Overnight in Venice. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 12   Venice: St Mark's & Campo San Polo
 
This morning we embark on a walking programme. Before we enter St Mark's Basilica, you might want to climb up the Bell Tower (Campanile) in the Piazza. From the bell tower you'll get a bird's eye view of Venice, and the pigeons in the square down below. Inside the murky shadows of the basilica, look for yards of exquisite mosaics adorned with gold and the Pala d'Oro altar panel, decorated with thousands of garnets, rubies, pearls and sapphires. We can climb up onto the porch of the church to see replicas of the four life-size bronze horses, brought from Constantinople in the 13th century. (The original horses are in the museum in the bascilica). These horses really got around--in 1797 the French carried off the horses, but returned them to Venice a few years later. Break time takes us to Campo San Polo--this is the biggest square in Venice where kids will be in good company with all the other Italian kids who come to play. Overnight in Venice. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 13   Venice: Murano
 
This morning we take a boat to see Venetian glass-blowers at work on the island of Murano. We tour glass blowing workshops and watch these master glassblowers take a glowing lump and turn it into glassware. We stop into the Museo Vetrario (Glass-making Museum) to see wild and colourful glass creations over the centuries (don't miss the marriage cup with portraits of the bride and groom in glass). This afternoon is yours to enjoy Venice. Overnight in Venice. Breakfast and dinner. 
  
Day 14   Departure
 
Departure from Venice. Breakfast. BUON VIAGGIO!

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