Day 1 Ciao bella Roma
Meals D Your one-week Rome, Umbria and Tuscany tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Hotel Majestic Roma. A transfer is included from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino to Hotel Majestic Roma. You'll understand why Rome is called the Eternal City from the first moment you arrive - past and present blend together effortlessly at every view. Get to know your fellow travelers this evening at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner. Lodging Hotel Majestic Roma Day 2 Locally guided Rome walking tour - and an after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Meals B, L Take a walking tour of Rome, accompanied by a local guide, through must-see sights to Piazza Navona, home to Bernini's famous fountain. Then spend some free time as you please before the Tour Operators exclusive after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums, including the Candelabra Gallery, the Map Gallery, and the Tapestries, as well as the Sistine Chapel (subject to availability and day of the tour may vary). This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the treasures of the Vatican without the crowds - where discoveries include the fact that the floor of the Sistine Chapel is almost as amazing as the ceiling! You'll view Michelangelo's frescoes of The Last Judgment on the altar, and of course Genesis on the ceiling. There's a good chance that today will be one of the most memorable days on this Florence, Rome, Umbria and Tuscany tour. Lodging Hotel Majestic Roma Day 3 Exploring Rome - the Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica Meals B First up is a view of the Roman Forum (from above), and a tour of the Colosseum, which opened in 80 AD for gladiatorial contests, mock sea battles and other entertainment for the Roman masses. You'll also view the art and architecture of amazing St. Peter's Basilica, and visit St. Peter's Square. The remainder of the day is clear to pursue whatever interests you most in glorious Rome. Lodging Hotel Majestic Roma Day 4 A taste of Umbrian country life in Orvieto en route to Perugia Meals B, D Travel north through Lazio and Umbria to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot plateau overlooking vineyards below; enjoy a guided visit to the town's 14th-century Duomo, one of Italy's most renowned Romanesque-Gothic cathedrals, built over a span of 300 years. After time to explore and have lunch on your own in Orvieto, hit Tauck's Yellow Roads once again for a journey to Perugia, capital of Umbria. Your home for the next two nights is a luxury hotel set atop a hill in the historic center of the city, overlooking the Umbrian valley below and boasting some of the most remarkable views in the region. Lodging Hotel Brufani Palace Day 5 Medieval sites in Assisi & a wine tasting in Torgiano Meals B, L Embark on an excursion to hilltop Assisi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture, and renowned as the hometown of St. Francis, the beloved patron saint of animals. A highlight is Basilica di San Francesco, built by St. Francis' followers and the saint's final resting place; a local expert shares insights on the Basilica's 13th- and 14th-century frescoes during your tour. Take some time to stroll the cobblestone lanes on your own, then head to Torgiano for a wine tasting and lunch at the osteria of a noted local winery before returning to Perugia, a city that has been ruled by the Etruscans and the Romans, and was once under direct control of the Papal State. Enjoy the pleasures of life in Umbria's capital, famed for its delectable chocolate, on your own this evening! Lodging Hotel Brufani Palace Day 6 A Tuscany tour from Siena to Florence and the Galleria dell'Accademia Meals B, D Traverse Tuscany's lush landscapes to Siena and visit its black-and-white Duomo, one of Italy's great cathedrals, with scenes inlaid in the marble floors and sculpture by Michelangelo. See the Piazza del Campo - where the famous Palio bareback horse race has been held twice every year for centuries - before continuing on to Florence. Your first stop in the "birthplace of the Renaissance" is the Galleria dell'Accademia, where you'll feast your eyes on acclaimed works of art including Michelangelo's marble statue of David. In the evening, a lecture by a local art historian helps you better appreciate the incredible artwork you'll see throughout the city during your stay, followed by dinner à la carte at your hotel - set within a historic 15th-century palace that once housed the Kingdom of Italy's Parliament. Lodging Bernini Palace Hotel Day 7 Renaissance art in Florence Meals B, D Stroll among some of Florence's architectural landmarks on an orientation walk with a local expert, prior to a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, the world's oldest art gallery and one of Europe's greatest art museums. Gaze in wonder at works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, and many more of Italy's most illustrious Renaissance artists. The rest of the day is free in Florence to explore this showpiece city of the Renaissance as you please. Join us this evening to share your favorite moments of your Rome, Umbria and Tuscany tour at our farewell cocktail reception and dinner. Lodging Bernini Palace Hotel Day 8 Arrivederci, Italy Meals B This Umbria and Tuscany tour ends in Florence ACCOMMODATIONS Nights 1 - 3 : Hotel Majestic Roma - Rome, Italy A jewel of neoclassic elegance built in 1889, Hotel Majestic Roma is set on the renowned Via Veneto within walking distance of the Spanish Steps and the Villa Borghese Gardens. This intriguing hotel was constructed in the shape of a piano to accommodate a bend in the Via Veneto; its distinctive antiques and fresco-adorned ceilings make it a special place to stay. Welcoming guest rooms, with their unique combinations of fabrics used for drapes and bedspreads, feature air conditioning, direct dial phone, satellite and cable TV channels, hair dryer, safe, mini-bar and Carrara marble bathroom. The Fitness Center, available to guests 24-hours a day, is equipped with the latest in exercise equipment. An on-site restaurant offering local Roman and Italian dishes and cocktails on the terrace in a cozy, informal atmosphere, is one of Rome's best-kept secrets. A part of the scenery in Fellini's La Dolce Vita, it has long been a favorite choice of royalty and celebrities. Nights 4 - 5 : Hotel Brufani Palace - Perugia, Italy The deluxe Hotel Brufani Palace occupies a unique location on a hilltop in the historic center of Perugia, close to all the principal sites of interest. Evoking the exclusiveness of which the city of Perugia is proud, guests during the hotel's 100-year history have included the Prince of Monaco and the Queen Mother of England, as well as many famous actors and noted politicians who have prized its beauty, refinement and superb views of Umbria. Within the Fitness Centre, there is an indoor swimming pool with a transparent bottom that reveals millennium-old Etruscan ruins, as well as a gym, sauna, steam bath and whirlpool. Guest rooms are traditionally furnished and offer all the modern amenities sought by today's sophisticated travelers. The Collins Restaurant is renowned for its excellent cuisine, while the American Bar offers an elegant setting for cocktails. The readers of Condé Nast Traveler have included the Hotel Brufani Palace on their Gold List. Nights 6 - 7 : Bernini Palace Hotel - Florence, Italy The hotel located in closest proximity to the Uffizi Gallery in the center of the city, the historic building that houses the Bernini Palace Hotel evokes the magic of Florence during the rule of the Medici family. The hotel occupies a 15th-century building that was the parliament of the Kingdom of Italy when Florence was the capital. The splendid ceiling fresco in the Parliament Room is intriguing, as are the portraits of the political leaders of the time who met within these walls. The Bernini Palace Hotel is a cozy hotel with a delightfully elegant yet warm and homey ambiance. Extend Your Trip Many travelers prefer arriving at their destination a day before their journey begins, or often extend a stay at the end of their trip. As a service, we will make hotel reservations before and after your journey. Arrive Early: Hotel Majestic Roma - Rome, Italy A jewel of neoclassic elegance built in 1889, Hotel Majestic Roma is set on the renowned Via Veneto within walking distance of the Spanish Steps and the Villa Borghese Gardens. This intriguing hotel was constructed in the shape of a piano to accommodate a bend in the Via Veneto; its distinctive antiques and fresco-adorned ceilings make it a special place to stay. Welcoming guest rooms, with their unique combinations of fabrics used for drapes and bedspreads, feature air conditioning, direct dial phone, satellite and cable TV channels, hair dryer, safe, mini-bar and Carrara marble bathroom. The Fitness Center, available to guests 24-hours a day, is equipped with the latest in exercise equipment. An on-site restaurant offering local Roman and Italian dishes and cocktails on the terrace in a cozy, informal atmosphere, is one of Rome's best-kept secrets. A part of the scenery in Fellini's La Dolce Vita, it has long been a favorite choice of royalty and celebrities. Stay Later: Bernini Palace Hotel - Florence, Italy The hotel located in closest proximity to the Uffizi Gallery in the center of the city, the historic building that houses the Bernini Palace Hotel evokes the magic of Florence during the rule of the Medici family. The hotel occupies a 15th-century building that was the parliament of the Kingdom of Italy when Florence was the capital. The splendid ceiling fresco in the Parliament Room is intriguing, as are the portraits of the political leaders of the time who met within these walls. The Bernini Palace Hotel is a cozy hotel with a delightfully elegant yet warm and homey ambiance. Notes: Prices are based on double occupancy land only and vary on departure dates. Also available September & October
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