Best of Italy

Tour #17

Rome/Florence/Venice

March 4-14,2010
Price Reduced $200

For several years, this has been one of our most popular tours as it includes traveling to the most famous and romantic cities in Italy. Besides 2,000 years of history and Italy's beautiful countryside, there will be time to shop and taste some great Italian cuisine. You will be amazed how our tour escort, who has been to Italy many times, will help you see the maximum of everything in a minimum amount of time. One of the highlights will be visiting the Bethel Home in Rome and a Kingdom Hall in Florence. Best of all, we are able to obtain a special group rate for this date. Since each year this tour is sold out months in advance with a waiting list, we suggest making your reservations early to avoid disappointment.

Mar. 4 Depending on your departure city, everyone will fly overnight on various flights to Rome. Enjoy dinner and a movie as you cross the Atlantic Ocean to one of the most exciting countries in Europe.

Mar. 5 This morning you will be met by our tour escort at the airport and then transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure with information on all the things that have been planned for you on this special tour.

Mar. 6 After breakfast, there will be a tour of the Rome Bethel Home, where you can also stroll outside the Model of Jerusalem in their beautiful gardens. Next, you'll see Rome's magnificent sculptures and ruins including the Roman Forum, the magnificent Colosseum, site of gladiator fights and the Circus Maximus, where "Ben Hur" style chariot races were once held. Michelangelo spent 11 years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and this morning we will admire it inside the Vatican Museum. You will also see St. Peter's Square and Basilica, the largest church in Christendom, where the "Divine Name" is displayed three times. (Awake 7/8/01, p. 14) This evening everyone will enjoy a great Italian dinner at the hotel.

Mar. 7 A full day to enjoy the many attractions of Rome. There will be an optional trip to visit the catacombs and the Appian Way. (See WT, 10/15/06, p. 14) You may also want to visit Trevi Fountain and the famous Spanish Steps in the center of Rome. (Awake 8/07, p. 15)

Mar. 8 Depart Rome, the City of Seven Hills, and travel north on your motorcoach through the Apennine Hills into the Tuscany area. Later, arrive in the historical city of Florence, your home for the next three nights. Be sure to cross the walking bridge over the river that's filled with shops. Tonight a special meal of local specialties is included.

Mar. 9 Today you will enjoy a guided walking tour of this medieval renaissance city. See the Piazza Signoria, the political center of the 15th Century with its impressive sculptures and imposing palazzos. Finally you will enjoy a guided visit of the Academy of Fine Arts including Michelangelo's statue of "David". Tonight and tomorrow evening you will have an opportunity to enjoy some delicious Tuscan cuisine in one of the many restaurants located near your hotel. This evening you may want to attend a meeting at the Kingdom Hall with your tour escort.

Mar. 10 Enjoy a short drive along the Arno Valley to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later, return to Florence where you will have time to shop as your tour escort knows where to find bargains on leather goods, jewelry or anything else in the market of San Lorenzo. You may also visit one of the famous museums with artists like Botticelli and Donatello. Tonight there will be an optional Italian dinner feast with singers and dancers.

Mar. 11 Depart Florence and cross the Apennine Mountains and enter the gastronomic heart of the country in the provincial capital of Bologna. This is a charming city known for its leaning towers-two of which are called the "Kissing Towers" as they lean towards each other as if in an embrace! Bologna is famous for its sausages and salamis and is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Next, cross the river Po to Venice - a city built on wooden piles in the Venetian lagoon. This evening you can take an optional gondola ride in what is known as the most romantic city in the world. While being serenaded, you'll glide through tiny canals past century old buildings. It's an experience you will long remember as there is no other city in the world like Venice.Tonight dinner is included at your hotel. (Awake 5/07, p. 23)

Mar. 12 Imagine a city built on 114 islands surrounded by canals and gondolas, the only place in the world without roads or cars. Instead, there are more than 150 canals used as streets. Gondolas and motor boats are used as taxis, making everyone fall in love with Venice. Begin the morning by taking a ferry from the mainland to the island of Venice. A stroll across St. Mark's Square will bring you to a glass-blowing workshop to see how this ancient craft is performed. Balance of the day and evening is free to visit the Fine Arts Academy, or to spend time at one of the cafés on St. Mark's Square listening to live outdoor orchestras surrounded by stores and souvenir shops.

Mar. 13 This morning you'll cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge to visit the colorful fish market that's existed for centuries. Next, enjoy a walking tour along the "Calle" seeing sites such as the house of Marco Polo and other unusual as well as beautiful architectural works of art. Balance of the day free as this will be your last fun day in Italy. Tonight there will be a special "Farewell Dinner" with all the friends on this tour.

Mar. 14 Arrivederci Roma as you are transferred to the Venice Airport for your return flight to the U.S.A. As you can see, a lot of extras are included plus some surprises, making this a great trip that you won't want to miss!