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Italian Intermezzo 2010-2011

9 days with Insight

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800-680-2858	Tour Itinerary	800-680-2858
Discounts are offered on dates in red. Click FastDeal # for Complete Pricing  FastDeal #   Departs US  Starting   Price * Inc Air Starting  Price * No Air #T37141 Nov 5, '10 Call $1,625 #T30228 Nov 12, '10 Call $1,625 #T35114 Nov 19, '10 Call $1,625 #T36509 Nov 26, '10 Call $1,625 #T38911 Dec 3, '10 Call $1,600 #T18311 Dec 10, '10 Call $1,600 #T17644 Dec 19, '10 Call $1,685 #T14244 Dec 26, '10 Call $1,700 #T14806 Jan 2, '11 Call $1,600 #T34541 Jan 14, '11 Call $1,600 #T25314 Jan 28, '11 Call $1,600 #T12512 Feb 11, '11 Call $1,600 #T26669 Feb 25, '11 Call $1,600 #T37656 Mar 4, '11 Call $1,625 #T13822 Mar 11, '11 Call $1,625 #T32165 Mar 18, '11 Call $1,625 #T28367 Mar 25, '11 Call $1,625 Discounts are offered on dates in red. Click FastDeal # for Complete Pricing DAY 1 – DEPART USA.  Board your overnight flight.  DAY 2 – ROME AT LEISURE.  Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Then this historic city is yours to discover. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink and dinner. (D)  DAY 3 – ROME SIGHTSEEING.  A local guide introduces the grandeur of the city! Drive to the independent Vatican State, the richest community in the world, to visit the vast St Peter’s Basilica where you admire one of Michelangelo’s early works, the Pieta, as well as the splendid dome completed after his death. Now relive the glory of ancient Rome as you cross the River Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum. You also look out over the site of the Roman Forum, once the bustling centre of commerce, law and religion.The afternoon is free to enjoy Rome at your own pace. (BB)  DAY 4 – ROME – VENICE.  Depart the ‘Eternal City’ and follow the course of the River Tiber north. Traverse the wild Apennine Mountains and descend to the fertile Po Valley. Now drive across the causeway to the glorious city of Venice. Stay on the Grand Canal tonight, amid the narrow bridges, ornate palaces and romantic songs of the gondoliers. (BB,D)  DAY 5 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING.  Appreciate the splendor of Venice as you cruise by Palladio’s San Giorgio Maggiore to St Mark’s Square. Your Tour Director will explain the glorious history of ‘La Serenissima’, once one of the greatest trading centres of the world – its wealth and power is echoed by the riches of St Mark’s Basilica. See the Doges’ Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs, then visit one of the glass showrooms for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere as you cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. There is time to explore or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge in the afternoon. Don’t miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon. (BB)  DAY 6 – VENICE – FLORENCE.  Begin your day with a scenic drive along the Brenta Riviera, lined with magnificent classical villas of the Venetian nobility. Continue south, past Bologna, and follow the river Reno high into the Apennines. As you drive through the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany, there is an informative tutorial about the Chianti wines that make this region so famous. On arrival in the Renaissance city of Florence, visit the Academy Museum to see Michelangelo’s original ‘Statue of David’. Afterwards, walk with your guide to the marble clad Cathedral and Baptistery, where Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. Next stop is Signoria Square, political heart of the city and still an open air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Finally, visit the church of Santa Croce to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. Later, learn the secrets of traditional Florentine leatherwork. Tonight, enjoy a selection of local restaurants to choose from on your Dine-around evening. (BB,DA)  DAY 7 – FLORENCE AT LEISURE.  A whole day at leisure to shop, explore or continue sightseeing at your own pace. Consider taking an optional excursion into the undulating hills of Tuscany and medieval San Gimignano before sampling some fine Florentine cuisine and Chianti wine. (BB)  DAY 8 – FLORENCE – ROME.  Take the smooth autostrada back to Rome. Your Intermezzo reaches its crescendo at the Vatican Museums. Wonder at the collection of ancient and Renaissance art gathered by Popes over the ages, before entering the Sistine Chapel, where the Popes are elected. This is where your audio headset comes into its own, providing clear, expert commentary from your local guide. Gaze up now and truly appreciate the significance of Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling. (BB)  DAY 9 - RETURN TO USA.  Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (BB)

800-680-2858	All This Included	800-680-2858
Italy’s three most famous and best loved cities reveal a treasure-trove of riches on this concise yet surprisingly diverse and delightful itinerary. Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Florence (DA) 7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 2 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D) Departures on tour for Christmas & New Year’s Eve, enjoy a festive celebration dinner Escorted by a professional Tour Director Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and onboard restroom Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 9

800-680-2858	Tour Highlights	800-680-2858
Discover the wonders of ancient Rome as you overlook the Forum and visit the Colosseum Cruise the romantic canals of Venice in a traditional gondola Admire Michelangelo’s ‘Statue of David’ at the Academy Museum in Florence Tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece of Michelangelo’s fresco skills Enjoy a short tutorial about the world famous Chianti wines of Tuscany Tour St Peter’s Basilica, mother church of the Catholic faith Cruise to St Mark’s Square by private launch past San Giorgio Maggiore See St Mark’s Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice Enjoy a scenic drive along the Brenta Riviera to see the Venetian summer palaces See the Cathedral, ‘Gates of Paradise’ on the Baptistery and Signoria Square in Florence Visit Santa Croce Church to see the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo Demonstrations of traditional Florence leatherwork and Venetian glass-blowing

800-680-2858	Accommodations on this Tour	800-680-2858
Rome: Romanico Palace Venice: Carlton on the Grand Canal Florence: NH Anglo American

800-680-2858	Notes	800-680-2858
Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

800-680-2858	Terms and Conditions	800-680-2858
For terms and conditions of this Insight tour, please click here. * The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive tour prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the tour origination city, we are able to offer the land portion of the package or tour, at the price quoted.