Italian Antipasto
May 7 - 22, 2012 (15 nights, 16 days in Italy)
A perfect introduction to Italy for the first-time visitor, this tour touches on the must-sees, including Venice, Florence and Rome. In between we'll also mix in some smaller villages, where life goes on much as it has for centuries. This guided, small group tour will have a maximum of eight tour participants.
Highlights:
Highlights:
- The Roman Forum and Colosseum
- Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Pompeii
- Amalfi Coast
- Wine tasting in Tuscany
- Michelangelo’s David
- Lake Como
- Venice
Italian Antipasto
May 7 - 22, 2012 (15 nights, 16 days in Italy)
Mo, May 7: Arrival in Venice.
Meet your guide at the airport, where you will be transported to our hotel in the heart of Venice. After a chance to settle in and freshen up, we'll head out for an orientation walk and learn a bit about the city's history (D).
Tu, May 8: Venice.
Today we'll tour St. Mark's Basilica, and the Doge's palace. Afternoon to get out and explore, and get as lost as you can (B).
We, May 9: Lake Como.
From Venice we'll head across the broad, flat expanse of the Po River valley. We'll stop in Verona for a short orientation walk, and then some free time. Have lunch, visit the Roman Arena, see "Juliette's house", or just explore and shop in the charming historic core. In the afternoon we'll continue on to Lake Como, and our village of Bellagio (B, D).
Th, May 10: Lake Como.
Today we'll visit the gardens and interior of one of the regions most beautiful villas, then the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the village (B).
Fr, May 11: Florence.
We leave the lakes region behind today and head across the rugged Apennines to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. After arrival we'll take a walk through the history of the city, including a look at the cathedral, the baptistery and the Ponte Vecchio (B, D).
Sa, May 12: Florence.
This morning we'll see Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, then visit the Uffizi Gallery, the greatest Renaissance art gallery in Europe. The rest of the day is yours to wander and shop (B).
Su, May 13: Montalcino.
We're heading for the most picturesque part of Italy, the Tuscan countryside. First we'll visit San Gimignano, known as the medieval Manhattan because of all of its towers. From there we'll continue on to our home village of Montalcino, high on a hill with amazing views of the surrounding fields and vineyards (B, D).
Hotel: Vecchia Oliviera
Mo, May 14: Montalcino.
Today we'll tour a winery to learn about Brunello wine, the region's liquid gold. Afterwards we'll hear Gregorian chant in a 1200-year old monastery, and then leave some free time to explore our village (B).
Tu, May 15: Montalcino.
We'll visit the Chianti region today, including a visit to a castle, a taste of some of the region's best wine, and a visit to the Gotthic city of Siena. Late afternoon return to our village of Montalcino (B).
We, May 16: Sorrento.
Our longest drive of the trip takes us from the green heart of Italy to the sun-splashed coast. Along the way we'll stop in the village of Orvieto for some free time wandering and lunch, then continue about four hours to our hotel on the Bay of Naples, with views of Mount Vesuvius (B, D).
Th, May 17: Sorrento.
It's Italy in the extreme today, as we ride the train into Naples. Here we'll tour the National Archaeology Museum, where most of the finds from Pompeii are housed, then we'll take an eye opening walk through the heart of the city and feast on the best pizza in Italy (B, L).
Fr, May 18: Sorrento.
Dramatic views are in store today, as we drive along the stunning Amalfi coast, with stops in Positano and Amalfi (B).
Sa, May 19: Rome.
Our final leg of the trips takes us where all roads lead, to Rome. First we'll spend a few hours touring the excavations at Pompeii, stopped in its tracks nearly 2000 years ago. Afterwards we continue on to the Eternal City, where we'll take an orientation walk and dive into the history (B, D).
Su, May 20: Rome.
We'll concentrate on ancient Rome today, including tours of the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum (B).
Mo, May 21: Rome.
We end our tour with a visit to Vatican City, where we'll tour the Papal Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and visit St. Peter's Basilica (B, D).
Tu, May 22: Depart Rome for the US.
Transportation to the airport for those departing from Rome this morning.
Meet your guide at the airport, where you will be transported to our hotel in the heart of Venice. After a chance to settle in and freshen up, we'll head out for an orientation walk and learn a bit about the city's history (D).
Tu, May 8: Venice.
Today we'll tour St. Mark's Basilica, and the Doge's palace. Afternoon to get out and explore, and get as lost as you can (B).
We, May 9: Lake Como.
From Venice we'll head across the broad, flat expanse of the Po River valley. We'll stop in Verona for a short orientation walk, and then some free time. Have lunch, visit the Roman Arena, see "Juliette's house", or just explore and shop in the charming historic core. In the afternoon we'll continue on to Lake Como, and our village of Bellagio (B, D).
Th, May 10: Lake Como.
Today we'll visit the gardens and interior of one of the regions most beautiful villas, then the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the village (B).
Fr, May 11: Florence.
We leave the lakes region behind today and head across the rugged Apennines to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. After arrival we'll take a walk through the history of the city, including a look at the cathedral, the baptistery and the Ponte Vecchio (B, D).
Sa, May 12: Florence.
This morning we'll see Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, then visit the Uffizi Gallery, the greatest Renaissance art gallery in Europe. The rest of the day is yours to wander and shop (B).
Su, May 13: Montalcino.
We're heading for the most picturesque part of Italy, the Tuscan countryside. First we'll visit San Gimignano, known as the medieval Manhattan because of all of its towers. From there we'll continue on to our home village of Montalcino, high on a hill with amazing views of the surrounding fields and vineyards (B, D).
Hotel: Vecchia Oliviera
Mo, May 14: Montalcino.
Today we'll tour a winery to learn about Brunello wine, the region's liquid gold. Afterwards we'll hear Gregorian chant in a 1200-year old monastery, and then leave some free time to explore our village (B).
Tu, May 15: Montalcino.
We'll visit the Chianti region today, including a visit to a castle, a taste of some of the region's best wine, and a visit to the Gotthic city of Siena. Late afternoon return to our village of Montalcino (B).
We, May 16: Sorrento.
Our longest drive of the trip takes us from the green heart of Italy to the sun-splashed coast. Along the way we'll stop in the village of Orvieto for some free time wandering and lunch, then continue about four hours to our hotel on the Bay of Naples, with views of Mount Vesuvius (B, D).
Th, May 17: Sorrento.
It's Italy in the extreme today, as we ride the train into Naples. Here we'll tour the National Archaeology Museum, where most of the finds from Pompeii are housed, then we'll take an eye opening walk through the heart of the city and feast on the best pizza in Italy (B, L).
Fr, May 18: Sorrento.
Dramatic views are in store today, as we drive along the stunning Amalfi coast, with stops in Positano and Amalfi (B).
Sa, May 19: Rome.
Our final leg of the trips takes us where all roads lead, to Rome. First we'll spend a few hours touring the excavations at Pompeii, stopped in its tracks nearly 2000 years ago. Afterwards we continue on to the Eternal City, where we'll take an orientation walk and dive into the history (B, D).
Su, May 20: Rome.
We'll concentrate on ancient Rome today, including tours of the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum (B).
Mo, May 21: Rome.
We end our tour with a visit to Vatican City, where we'll tour the Papal Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and visit St. Peter's Basilica (B, D).
Tu, May 22: Depart Rome for the US.
Transportation to the airport for those departing from Rome this morning.
The tour includes:
The tour does not include:
- Accommodations in comfortable, characteristic hotels, all in central locations and with private bathrooms
- All ground transportation from arrival in Venice to departure from Rome
- Breakfast each morning
- Other meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- Entry and tour of all sights mentioned in the itinerary
- The services of your Hand Crafted guide, who also acts as driver, guide, interpreter, and window on European culture and history
The tour does not include:
- Airfare to and from Europe
- Meals other than those indicated in the itinerary
- Beverages during included meals
- Free time transportation or sightseeing
- Personal expenses for shopping, etc.
Italian Antipasto
May 7 - 22, 2012 (15 nights, 16 days in Italy)
The tour begins May 7, 2012 at Marco Polo Airport in Venice, Italy. You would need to fly out of the US on May 6 to arrive in Venice on May 7. The tour ends May 22, 2012 at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy. You can depart Rome anytime on May 14, and would arrive back in the US later the same day.The cost of the tour is $5100 per person, double occupancy.
Call Bryan at 559-447-8441 or e-mail to reserve space on this small group, guided tour.