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| VANTAGE DELUXE WORLD TRAVEL |
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| Detailed Day by Day Itinerary |
| Italy: Venice, Florence and Rome |
| View Days: [1-5] [6-10] [11-11] |
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| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
1-2
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Depart Home / Flight to Venice, Italy
Although Italy is one of the most popular destinations in the world, by far the vast majority of tourists arrive in the summer. Join us on this new Vantage tour and you’ll avoid the high-season crowds, as you enjoy unprecedented access to Italy’s great masterpieces of art and architecture.
Your trip begins with your included overnight international flight from the U.S. to Venice, the magical city of canals. After you clear customs at the airport, you’ll be met by a Vantage representative who will arrange transport by private boat from the airport right to your hotel’s jetty. Your brand-new hotel enjoys a superb location in the Venetian Lagoon on Giudecca Island, just minutes from the city proper via the hotel’s convenient water shuttle. You’ll have the rest of the day free to relax and do some sightseeing on your own. That evening, join your fellow Vantage travellers for a Welcome Drink and Welcome Dinner at your hotel with an informational trip briefing with your Program Manager.
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice  |
3
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Venice
This morning after an included buffet breakfast at your hotel, board the hotel’s water shuttle for the 10-minute trip to St. Mark’s Square, one of the finest public squares in the world. As you’ll discover on your included walking tour, the square is framed by the Basilica of St. Mark, a masterpiece of the curving, exotic Venetian architectural style, the Doge’s Palace, from which the powerful Venetian dukes once ruled, and colonnaded palaces and administration buildings. Although the square can get quite crowded in the height of the summer season, you’ll enjoy a much more relaxed atmosphere. Your guided tour includes entrance to the Basilica, which has an interior of fine marbles and dazzling mosaics, and the Doge’s Palace, where you’ll see the magnificent Golden Staircase and artworks by Tintoretto and Veronese. You’ll also view the Bridge of Sighs, which was built to connect the upper story of the palace with the duke’s prisons. The name originated with the idea of condemned prisoners trudging through the passageway to meet their fates. After your tour, you’ll have the balance of the afternoon fee to wander on your own — the perfect way to explore Venice! You can return to the hotel any time you like via the hotel’s complimentary water shuttle.
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice (B,D) |
4
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Venice
You have several choices today. If you simply must spend more time exploring Venice on your own, then hop the water shuttle and away you go — the day is at leisure. To explore the Venetian Lagoon, the shallow, island-dotted bay upon which this city of islands floats, join our optional morning tour by boat, with stops at the islands of Murano, famous for its glassworks, and Burano, where intricate lace is made. You’ll still have the afternoon free for exploring!
Later, you can enjoy a perfect Venetian evening by joining our optional gondola ride through Venice’s most picturesque canals, followed by a delicious dinner. It’s sure to be a highlight of your trip!
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice (B) |
5
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Venice / Padua / Florence, Italy
Bid goodbye to Venice, today, with more treasures of Italy awaiting just over the horizon. Your first stop is Padua, a lively university town with a medieval center just inland from Venice. You’ll visit 14th-century Scovegni Chapel to view the remarkable frescoes by the painter Giotto. A pizza lunch is included at a local restaurant in Padua, then you’ll continue through the countryside to Florence, the city where the Renaissance took root. You’ll spend three nights here near the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, in the city’s historic center just a few blocks from the Piazza del Duomo. Dinner is included at your hotel this evening.
Grand Hotel Minerva  (B,L,D) |
6
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Florence
Following breakfast this morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of the heart of Renaissance Florence. You’ll view such masterpieces as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo for it’s soaring red-tiled dome, the bell tower designed by Giotto, the sculptures that dot Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio, the ancient bridge lined with shops. And, because you’ll avoid the busy season, you’ll have time to admire the detail on such works as the sculpted panels by Ghiberti on the doors of the Baptistry. You may choose to visit the Galleria del’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s statue of David, on your own. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore this walkable city at your own pace. Your Program Manager can provide directions and tips for exploring.
Grand Hotel Minerva (B) |
7
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Florence
Enjoy the day at leisure in Florence, or continue your discoveries of the art and architecture of Italy by joining our optional Tuscany tour to visit Vinci, Luca, and Pisa.
Grand Hotel Minerva (B) |
8
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Florence / Orvieto / Rome, Italy
Leaving Florence today, you’ll visit Orvieto, one of the most striking of Italy’s hill towns, with time to stroll around the lovely main square — be sure to view the stunning facade of the cathedral. You’ll then gather at a local restaurant for a tasting of three noble wines from this celebrated wine region, accompanied by samples of local cold meats, cheeses, and appetizers. It’s all followed by a delicious lunch. After lunch, continue to Rome, where you’ll check into your hotel, located just a few blocks from the Vatican.
Hotel Cicerone  (B,L) |
9
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Rome, Italy
The glories of Rome unfold before you today as you set out on an included morning panoramic tour. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Fontana di Trevi, and the Spanish Steps are just a few of the landmarks of the Eternal City that you’ll see. The balance of the day is free, providing time for you to enjoy the quintessential Roman experience of strolling through squares with fountains, stopping in cafés, and simply soaking up the ambiance of this endlessly enchanting city. This evening, for a treat, join our optional "Rome by Night & Dinner" tour, where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel Cicerone (B) |
10
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Rome
Spend more time sightseeing on your own today, or join our optional morning excursion to Vatican City, with included visits to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. This is where you’ll really appreciate visiting when the summer vacationers are away, as you appreciate the majesty of St. Peter’s and contemplate Michelangelo’s magnificent Sistine Chapel ceiling without being hurried along. Tonight, your visit to Italy draws to a close with a Farewell Dinner at your hotel.
Hotel Cicerone (B,D) |
11
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Rome / Return Home (or begin optional 5-night Sicily Extension)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or join our optional 5-night Sicily extension to Palermo and Taormina.
(B) |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: The above
day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change.
If any major changes occur in advance of your departure, you will be
notified in writing by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If changes occur
while on tour, you will be notified by your Vantage Program Manager.
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