Highlights
of Italy
Tour #22
Rome/Venice/Florence/Sorrento
March
25 - April 4, 2011
For
several years, this has been one of our most popular tours as it includes
traveling to four of the most romantic cities in Italy. Besides the
2,000 years of history and Italy’s beautiful countryside, there will
be plenty of time to shop in elegant boutiques and taste some great
Italian cuisine and wines. 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. Best of all, we are able to obtain a special
group rate for this tour. Since each year this tour is sold out months
in advance, we suggest making your reservations early to avoid disappointment.
March
25
Depending on your departure city, everyone will fly overnight on various
flights to Rome. Dinner will be served and then you can get some sleep
so that you wake up rested in Rome.
March 26 This morning
you will meet our tour escort at the Rome Airport and transfer to your
hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure to begin exploring this ancient
city. You will also be informed of all the exciting things that
have been planned for you on this special tour.
March 27 Today you will
see the highlights of Rome including a visit of the Sistine Chapel inside
the Vatican Museum. You'll also walk through St. Peter's Square and
Basilica, the largest church in Christendom, where you will be shown
the “Divine Name” three times. (Awake 7/8/01, p. 14) Next,
see the Roman Forum, the magnificent Colosseum, site of gladiator fights
and Circus Maximus, where “Ben Hur” chariot style races
were once held. Tonight there will be a Welcome drink with your tour
director.
March 28 This morning's
highlight will be touring the Watchtower Branch Office and to stroll
around the gardens to see the unique model of Jerusalem. You will then
board our motorcoach and travel through the Italian farmlands with views
of the Apennine Hills passing several medieval hilltop towns before
reaching the region of Tuscany. Here you will see the Chianti vineyards
and
the olive groves as we begin to enter the romantic city
of Venice that’s built on 114 islands in the sea. This
city of canals and gondolas is the only city without
cars, since there are more than 150 canals used as
streets. Gondolas and motorboats are used for taxis,
making everyone simply fall in love with Venice. You
may want to take an optional gondola ride where
you’ll be serenaded as you pass the Palaces of the
Grand Canal. This is an experience you will long
remember. There is no other city like Venice which will
be your home for two nights including dinner at the
hotel each evening.
March 29 Begin your tour
on a ferry boat ride to St.
Mark’s Square to see the “Divine Name.” See the
magnificent Doges’ Palace with its famous Bridge of
Sighs. (Awake 5/07, P. 23) Next, visit a glass factory
to view a Venetian glass blowing demonstration. Balance of the day is
free to walk and shop through the narrow alleyways and water canals.
Dinner is again included or you may want to attend a classical concert.
Whatever you do, there is no other city in the world like Venice.
March
30
Depart Venice to Verona, Shakespeare’s city of “Romeo and Juliet.” Photograph
her balcony and also the largest Roman arena in the world.After driving
through the Apennine Mountains, you’ll arrive in Florence for a walking
tour of the “City of Flowers.” Tonight, a special Italian dinner is
included.
March
31
Another exciting and fun day in Florence for sightseeing and shopping.
Don’t miss Michelangelo’s sculpture of “David” or one of the many famous
museums with artists like Botticelliand Donatello. Your tour escort
will have suggestions on where to find beautiful handmade Florentine
leather goods, silk, 18-carat gold jewelry or anything else in the Santa
Croce district where fine craftsmen have worked for centuries. In the
afternoon you may want to take an optional excursion to Pisa, famous
for its Leaning Tower. Tonight you will have an opportunity to enjoy
the restaurant of your choice that features a variety of Italian specialties.
April
1
Today we will travel through the Chianti Hills passing the Bay of Naples
and Mt. Vesuvius. Finally you will take a breathtaking coastal drive
high above the cliffs to the resort town of Sorrento including dinner
at the hotel.
April
2
Another unforgettable day as you board a catamaran and sail across the
Bay of Naples to the Isle of Capri. After touring this world famous
island, you will return to Sorrento to visit a wood working factory
to see how inlaid wood tables and music boxes are made. Tonight there
will be a surprise dinner.
April
3
This morning you will tour Pompeii, a city buried beneath the volcanic
lava for 2,000 years. See the incredibly preserved temples, bathhouses,
and gardens buried by lava flows from Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. (Read
9/8/96 Awake, p. 22) You will then return to Rome for the last night
of your Italian Odyssey for a “Farewell Dinner” with all the friends
on this tour.
April
4
Arrivederci Roma as you depart to the airport. Enjoy lunch and a movie
on the return flight to your hometown. As you can see, a lot of extras
are included making this a great trip that you do not want to miss!
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