Northern Italy 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Depart Dallas via Lufthansa Airlines departing 5:30 pm for Frankfurt. Meals, beverages and entertainment aboard.
Friday, March 16, 2012 - Arrive in Milan
Arrive in Frankfurt at 9:30 am and connect to a Lufthansa flight departing 12:45 pm. Arrive in Milan at 2:00 pm. Be met by your Tour Manager. Transfer to your hotel in Lake Como. This evening you will enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Overnight: Como, Italy
Meals: Dinner
Saturday, March 17, 2012 - Milan and Lake Como Sightseeing
This morning you will board a coach to Milan for a sightseeing tour of this fashionable city, famous for its La Scala Theater which you will visit. Your tour also includes a visit to Sforza Castle, and then on to Santa Maria delle Grazie to view Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. Proceed to Duomo Cathedral Square and walk the Victor Emmanuel Galleria, a pedestrian mall, built in the 1800s, with a large arched glass ceiling. Then you will return to Lake Como to cruise the scenic waters to the quiet village of Bellagio. With the Italian Alps in view to the north, enjoy time at leisure to saunter the slender streets and alleyways, lined with craft shops, villas, boutiques and cafés. Then you will sail back to Como.
Overnight: Como, Italy
Meals: Breakfast
Sunday, March 18, 2012 - Cinque Terre - Motecatini
This morning you will depart Lake Como for Cinque Terre, one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. Five towns are linked by bridges and walkways. "Olive groves and vineyards clinging to hillsides, proud villages perched above the sea, hidden coves nestled at the foot of dramatic cliffs -- the Cinque Terre is about as beautiful a coastline as you're likely to find in Europe", exclaims Frommers Guide. You will arrive here by coach and experience this coastal gem by train and, for those interested, hiking along the trail. You will also enjoy lunch in Monterosso, one of the towns that comprises Cinque Terre. Following your visit, you will continue to Montecatini, where you will check into your hotel.
Montecatini, Italy
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Monday, March 19, 2012 - Pisa and Lucca
This morning you will depart for Pisa for a guided visit. You will witness the Leaning Tower. You will also visit the Duomo. Then you will visit a winery for a wine tasting along with a generous sampling of local specialties. Next, you will visit Lucca for a guided tour. Lucca is the most civilized of Tuscany's cities, a stately grid of Roman roads snug behind a mammoth belt of tree-topped battlements. It's home to Puccini and soft pastel plasters, an elegant landscape of churches and palaces, delicate facades, and Art Nouveau shop fronts on wide promenades. Following your visit, you will return to Montecatini.
Overnight: Montecatini, Italy
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks at the winery
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - Florence Tour
This morning you will depart for Florence. Before entering central Florence, you will be taken to Piazzale Michelangelo for a breathtaking view of Florence below you. Then you will continue on into the city where you will exit your coach and enjoy a walking tour of this glorious Renaissance city. Your tour begins with a visit to the Accademia of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo's David is housed. Walk to the Duomo, celebrated for its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery's renowned Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio. Then you will have the balance of the day free in Florence before returning to Montecatini.
Overnight: Montecatini, Italy
Meals: Breakfast
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - Free Day
Today is a free day to enjoy on your own. Perhpas you might like to take an optional return tour to Florence or an optional tour to Rome. [Note: The price of an optional tour to Rome would be based upon the number of travelers in the group, but should cost under $100. It is a full day tour that would visit sites such as the Colosseum (including entrance), the Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and St. Peter's Basilica.]
Overnight: Montecatini, Italy
Meals: Breakfast
Thursday, March 22, 2012 - Verona - Venice
This morning you will depart Montecatini for Verona. Upon arrival you will enjoy a walking tour of this charming city and view Juliet's Balcony. You will have some free time for lunch and sightseeing before proceeding to Venice. You will check into your hotel in Venice. The balance of the day is free.
Overnight: Venice, Italy
Meals: Breakfast
Friday, March 23, 2012 - Venice Sightseeing Tour
This morning you will enjoy a walking tour of this most romantic of cities. You will visit St. Mark's Square and view the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and visit Doge's Palace, whose facade features a massive late-Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. Following your tour, you will have free time to explore Venice on your own. Your Tour Manager can arrange gondola rides for a cost of about $60 per person. This evening you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant in Venice.
Overnight: Venice, Italy
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Saturday, March 24, 2012 - Depart for U.S.
This morning you will transfer to the airport to board your flight via Lufthansa departing at 9:20 am and arriving in Munich at 10:25 am. Depart Munich at 11:30 am and arrive in Dulles Airport at 4:04 pm. Depart Dulles on United Airlines at 5:30 pm and arrive in Dallas at 7:49 pm.
