RMC Travel proudly presents:
ITALY
Rome - Florence -Venice
April 16 - 23, 2011
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In Goethe's classic Italian Journey, he calls Italy the "garden of Europe." The beauty of the landscape is just the beginning of what Italy has to offer the visitor. From the cafés that line its elegant piazzas to its unrivaled architecture and historical sites, there are activities for every interest in Italy. And when you’re done sightseeing, Italy’s shopping is world class and its cuisine nothing short of legendary.
From artistic Florence to carefree Venice and the Eternal City of Rome, each Italian city has its own historic treasures, its own unique culture, its own particular flavor — and its own cuisine.
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:
• Round-trip transportation from Montauk to JFK
• Round-trip airfare from New York City
• Round-trip transfers between airport and hotels
• Baggage handling at airports & hotels
• Great hotels in Rome, Florence & Venice
• Hotel taxes & service charges
• Daily breakfast & dinners as per itinerary
• All guided sightseeing including entrance fees
• All tour-related transportation within Italy
ADDED FEATURES:
• Welcome to Italy dinner
• Visit to the Sistine Chapel
• Visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence to view Michelangelo's statue of David
• Free time in Rome, Florence and Venice for shopping & exploring
• Gondola ride & Special Farewell Dinner in Venice
Tour Itinerary:
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Day 1, Saturday, April 16: Depart USA for Rome
Late afternoon departure from Montauk for New York's JFK Airport.
Day 2,
Sunday, April 17 - In Rome (D)
Arrival in
Rome. After Immigration, Customs and baggage claim, our tour representatives
will meet us as we board our coach for the drive to our reserved accommodations.
Balance of the afternoon to relax and/or explore the city on our own before a
“Welcome to Italy” dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Rome.
Day 3, Monday, April 18 - In Rome (B)
After breakfast depart for our tour of Imperial Rome featuring the Forum, the statue of Moses by Michelangelo, and the Coliseum, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and the lions that was refereed by the Emperor himself. Then on to the Vatican to visit St. Peter's Basilica and the Pieta by Michelangelo. Our visit culminates in the Sistine Chapel, the room where the pope is elected. We enter in total silence, not wanting to disturb Michelangelo’s famed frescoes, depicting stories from the Bible and the “End of Times.” We’ll be fascinated by which of Michelangelo’s contemporaries he assigned to heaven and which to hell. The balance of the day is free for independent activities and shopping. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome.
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Day 4, Tuesday, April 19 - In Rome (B)
After
breakfast, the day is free for independent activities in the "eternal city".
Why not start with an espresso in Piazza Navona? Or toss a coin into the
Trevi Fountain to ensure your return, and then stroll across the
Tiber for another look at the Vatican. Rome is a great city for walking,
shopping and people watching. You can visit museums or take
a seat at a café and watch the numerous contrasts reflected in a
glorious past and prosperous present. This evening try one of the
wonderful local Italian restaurants on your own. Overnight in Rome.
Day 5, Wednesday, April 20 - To
Florence (B)
Early departure this morning to nearby
Florence. After checking into our hotel, we will have a sightseeing tour.
We start with a breathtaking panorama of the city atop Piazzale
Michelangelo. This is followed by visits to the majestic Duomo built
in 1296, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its renowned
“Gates of Paradise” doors. We continue along the medieval streets
to the most striking square in Florence, Piazza della Signoria and an
external view of Santa Croce Church, Michelangelo’s final resting
place. Dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Florence.
Day 6, Thursday, April 21 – Free
morning in Florence. To Venice (B)
A
morning in Florence - the fountainhead of the Renaissance; city of
Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli and da Vinci! But first, a visit to the
Galleria dell'Accademia and a must
viewing of Michelangelo’s statue of David. Then,
time to shop, explore, visiting the Uffizi
gallery, one of the oldest and most important art museums in the
world, that includes Botticelli’s famed Primavera and The Birth of Venus.
Just walking around this wonderful city is a treat. After an early lunch on
your own, we depart for the “City of
Canals”, Venice.
This afternoon we start our stay with a walking tour of
Venice will feature St. Mark's Square, the Doge’s Palace, the
Dungeons and the Bridge of Sighs.
Dinner on your own at one of the many quaint and delightful restaurants along
the canals. Overnight in Venice.
Day 7, Friday, April 22 - In
Venice (B/D)
After breakfast, we will
have a chance to “get lost” in the city’s labyrinth of canals, bridges and tiny
piazzas. Try to shop for some Venetian glass at the glass factory, or
take a water taxi around the city. Being a small island, it’s impossible
to stray very far. But it won’t hurt to master the phrase “Dov’e’ Piazza San
Marco? In the evening, we will have a gondola ride through the canals
of Venice followed by a “Farewell to Italy” dinner at a typical local
Venetian restaurant. Overnight in Venice.
Day 8, Saturday, April 23
- Italy/USA
Departure to the airport for our connecting
flights back to the States. Same day arrival and back to Montauk.
NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control.
Our First Class (4*) Hotels (or similar)
IN ROME: The Gambrinus Hotel
Located in the historic center of Rome, in a gracious and elegant quarter near many interesting places of history, the Gambrinus Hotel offers its guests a unique environment with its careful attention to detail. The hall is elegant and refined: the floors are in statuary marble, and the walls are covered with wooden decorations and white lacquered wainscoting illuminate everything in Murano glass. The luminous environment contrasts with the wood reception desk, creating an extremely pleasant effect on entering the hotel. The comfortable rooms are furnished with the same care as the beautiful breakfast room, where you can still admire the original stones of the 1800s in the vaulted ceiling. The floor in Roman travertine stone contrasts with the dark marble of the bar. In this fascinating room a plentiful and tasty buffet breakfast is served every morning. The hotel management offers exclusive, personalized services of higesth quality that is known in Rome.
IN FLORENCE: The NH Firenze Hotel
This modern hotel is ideally located in the heart of Florence, opposite Parco delle Cascine, and about 15 minutes walk from Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. The NH Firenze offers 152 comfortable air conditioned rooms, Enjoy its comfortable lobby, the restaurant and bar, all equipped with a Wi-Fi system. The hotel's restaurant serves Mediterranean and Tuscan cooking with a modern touch. And what better way to start your day with NH Firenze's wonderful buffet breakfast.
IN VENICE: Hotel Al Codega
Welcome
to the Hotel Al Codega, a family-run haven located in a tranquil
courtyard (or campiello) just off the hustle and bustle of the finest and
most spellbinding part of central Venice: San Marco. The elegance and
coziness is a highlight of one of the most charming 4-Star hotels in the
heart of this beautiful city.
The Dal Borgo family added a personal touch to the cordiality and fine service that guests come to expect from in such a famous and breathtaking city. Their hotel represents the apex of the family's personal history, and as such, guests are guaranteed the finest in service, state of the art convenience and warmth of atmosphere quite unique in today's competitive world of tourism.
Situated in Corto del Forno Vecchio, in the charming San Marco area, the Hotel Al Codega is walking (or swimming) distance from everything Venice has to offer: The fabulous Ponte Rialto, Piazza San Marco and the church of Santa Maria dei Frari, as well as all of the city's most famous theatres and museums. Should you wish to go further afield, water transport via the Grand Canal is also just moments away.
For a complete brochure and registration form,
please click here.
Need assistance or have questions? Call Raymond at (631) 668-5327
or e-mail at Rcortell@aol.com
