Art is the focus of your Florence tour, including Michelangelo's statue of David and the masterpieces at the Uffizi. See Cinque Terre villages clinging to coastal mountains, and the Amalfi Coast traversing the top of high sea cliffs. Historic sights in Pompeii, canal-laced Venice, and the hill towns of Orvieto, Assisi, and San Gimignano all host unique charms.
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Day 1: Sorrento sojourn
Tauck's comprehensive Italy travel experience begins at Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino one hour after the arrival of Tauck-selected flights. Travel through the Campania countryside to the southern resort town of Sorrento. Get to know fellow travelers at the evening welcome dinner. Meals: Lunch, dinner
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Day 2: Amalfi Coast drive
Drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe's most dramatic shorelines. Stop for visits in Amalfi with some houses dating to the 10th century, and Ravello, perched on towering cliffs above the sea. Explore Sorrento's piazzas as you please upon your afternoon return. Meals: Breakfast, lunch
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Day 3: Explore Pompeii, then on to the Eternal City of Rome
Your next Tauck Italy travel experience explores the excavated ruins of Pompeii, buried in volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Walk through city streets with a local expert to discover the way of life in ancient Italy. Visit the temple, the forum, and a home adorned with frescoes. The next three nights are spent at The Westin Excelsior, Rome, with one of the most prestigious addresses on the famed Via Venato. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
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Day 4: Visit the Vatican
Visit Vatican City early to avoid long lines found later in the day. Explore the rich treasures in the Vatican Museums - and in the Sistine Chapel, gaze in amazement at Michelangelo's masterpiece. Tour St. Peter's Basilica to view the art and architecture, and explore St. Peter's Square. Choose to see more in Vatican City in the afternoon, or visit other attractions in the city. Dine at a traditional trattoria in the evening. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.
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Day 5: A day in Rome
In Rome, tour the Colosseum; Circus Maximus, the 4th-century BC stadium where chariot races were held; and the ruins of the Imperial Palace. Check out the Roman Forum with temples, monuments, and the Senate House, and pursue your own passions in Rome during the afternoon. Meals: Breakfast.
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Day 6: Discover Orvieto
Journey to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot plateau overlooking vineyards below. Visit the Duomo of Orvieto, a notable Romanesque-Gothic cathedral built over a span of 300 years. After a lunch in a trattoria lunch near the Piazza del Duomo, continue through the wine-producing regions of Umbria. Arrive in Torgiano, a small village in the Tiber Valley. Hotel Le Tre Vaselle, your home for the next two nights, is a noted hotel set in a private vineyard - a wonderful opportunity to experience Italy's privileged country life, and a Tauck Italy travel highlight. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
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Day 7: Revered Assisi
Drive to Assisi, a well-preserved medieval town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture. Visit the Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis, the beloved patron saint of animals. This evening, join us for a wine tasting from the private vineyards of your hotel and a cooking demonstration - another Tauck Italy travel highlight! Meals: Breakfast, dinner.
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Day 8: Towers of San Gimignano
In the hilltop town of San Gimignano, see the 13 medieval towers built in the 12th century by nobility as both private fortresses and symbols of wealth. Stroll along the narrow streets and visit Piazza della Cisterna, one of Italy's most picturesque town squares. Overnight in the seaside resort town of Viareggio. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.
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Day 9: Cinque Terre villages
Visit Cinque Terre, accessible only by sea for hundreds of years. Aboard a private boat, cruise along the Mediterranean shores of Cinque Terre for an extraordinary look at centuries-old villages set on rocky bluffs, hemmed in by steep cliffs. Journey on to the Renaissance city of Florence. Meals: Breakfast, dinner. Lodging: Grand Hotel, Florence / Hotel Helvetia & Bristol, Florence, Italy
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Day 10: Become an art aficionado in Florence
Experience Florence, where the arts flourished between the 13th and 16th centuries. Learn about art history from a local expert, then take a walking tour of the Galleria dell'Accademia, home Michelangelo's marble statue of David. Choose among many museums and historic sites to explore on your own in the afternoon. Meals: Breakfast. Lodging: Grand Hotel, Florence / Hotel Helvetia & Bristol, Florence, Italy
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Day 11: Masterpieces of the Uffizi
Join a local expert for a guided tour of the extraordinary Uffizi Gallery, Italy's extraordinary art museum. Admire some of the world's greatest art masterpieces, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and more. Meals: Breakfast. Lodging: Grand Hotel, Florence / Hotel Helvetia & Bristol, Florence, Italy
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Day 12: Rail trip to Venice
Italy travel by rail is fast; arrive in Venice, built on 118 small islands traversed by a canal network. Head to St. Mark's Square, the heart of Venice, with a local guide. Visit St. Mark's Basilica, one of the greatest buildings in Europe, featuring exquisite mosaics and detailed carvings; and the Doges' Palace, a pink marble Gothic masterpiece. Take a canal cruise by gondola, complete with serenade, to round out a busy day. Meals: Breakfast, lunch. Lodging: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, Italy
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Day 13: The romance of Venice
The day is open so you can take in the sites you choose. Perhaps tour the Galleria dell'Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, or take a boat ride to islands in the lagoon. Share favorite Italy travel highlights with travel companions at the farewell reception and dinner. Meals: Breakfast, dinner. Lodging: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, Italy
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Day 14: Ciao Italy
Tauck's two-week Italy travel experience ends at Venice Marco Polo Airport 2 1/2 hours prior to the departure of Tauck-selected flights. If you are departing at other times, you must secure your own transportation to the airport. Meals: Breakfast.