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Discover Italy Tour: Italy North from Milan to Rome

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Tour Features:

• 20 day Escorted Tour
• First Class Hotel/Resort
• 36 meals
• Most admissions included.

Stay and Visit ® Italy – Orofino Tours presents an unforgettable tour of North Italy from Milan to Rome. Let us whisk you away on this luxury tour with excursions to the Lake Region, Milan, Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, and many more! You will live the "dolce vita" while in our beautiful, hospitable and centrally located four-star hotels. Your dinners (D) are included as described in the itinerary. Breakfasts (B) will be continental style buffets.

Day 1 - Depart from your city to Milano.

Day 2 – Milan & Cernobbio - We are met at Milan's Malpensa Airport and taken to beautiful lake Como to our hotel in Cernobbio located about 40km North of Milan. The afternoon is at leisure to relax. (D)

Day 3 – Como & Bellagio - A cruise on the legendary Lake of Como, a sparkling jewel in the shadow of the Alps. As we criss-cross the calm waters, we'll see the stunning hotels and villas that dot the shore where Byron and Shelley stayed and many contemporary celebrities have magnificent mansions. This afternoon we will have a guided tour of Bellagio situated on a promontory in the middle of the lake. (B & D)

Day 4 – Milan - A full day visit to Milan one of the most highly-developed cities of fashion and Italian commerce. In the morning we will visit the unique spired Duomo, famous throughout the world for its' significance in the promulgation of the Christian faith, the Last Supper a 15th century mural painted by Leonardo da Vinci, La Scala, one of the world's most famous opera houses that hosted the first production of many famous operas. In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to shop in Milan's famous and elegant Via Montenapoleone before returning to Cernobbio. (B & D)

Day 5 – Sirmione & Abano Terme - Today we will visit the picturesque town of Sirmione, noted for its turreted castle and its splendid position on the lake. Spend an enjoyable afternoon in Sirmione and then we will continue to our hotel in Abano Terme, a famous town since the Roman Empire for its well known spas and located a short distance from Venice. (B & D)

Day 6 – Venice - An early morning departure for a full day in Venice (La Serenissima), world-famous for its canals, built on an archipelago of 122 islands with about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon and all connected by 400 bridges. A professional guide will escort us to San Marco Square (the heart of Venice); Doge's Palace, a gothic palace and residence of the Doge; Rialto Market and many other attractions. The rest of the day is free to explore the magic and flavor of Venice either by gondola, water taxis or by venturing yourselves on foot through the back alleys and canals. (B & D)

Day 7 – Italian Riviera - Transfer from Abano Terme to the Italian Riviera. The rest of the day is at leisure before continuing our long trip down the Italian peninsula. We are going to discover a land that, apart from the world renowned beaches, offers a lot more! Villages where time has stopped for centuries, woods filled with chestnuts, typical dishes prepared with regional products. Liguria is a land that will reawaken your feelings and emotions, a land to love! (B & D)

Day 8 – Cinque Terre - To the Cinque Terre… the five picturesque fishing villages are connected by cliff side paths through olive groves and vineyards. This unique area has been recognized as a National Park in 1999 and UNESCO protected territory since 1997. In the morning we will visit Riomaggiore, Manarola and Monterosso, capital of Cinque Terre, with a sandy beach and quaint alleys to explore. In the afternoon, weather and time permitting, we will tour the charming village of Vernazza, with its rocky harbor dominated by its Castello (castle). (B & D)

Day 9 – Portofino - This morning we will visit the playground of rich and famous, the beautiful village of Portofino. A small Italian fishing village located in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. The crowded and small harbor is considered to be among the most beautiful Mediterranean ports. We will have time to relax along the harbor side and enjoy the view of anchored yachts and colorful fishing boats. There will be plenty of time for shopping in the many fashionable shops. (B & D)

Day 10 – Carrara & Montecatini - We leave the Italian Riviera and will visit the marble capital of Italy: Carrara. It was here that Michelangelo selected the marble block for his masterpiece: David. We will arrive in Montecatini Terme and check into our hotel. This afternoon we will take the funicular to Montecatini Alto. (B & D)

Day 11 – Florence - A full day in Florence including a guided tour of the Uffizi Art Gallery. Florence is an open-air exhibition of art and culture. It is famous worldwide, the heart of the Renaissance period and home of fine arts and literature. Florence has powerful symbols of Italian and European culture in every nook and cranny, to the extent that it is hard to identify this city with just one symbol. It may be the sculpture of David or, perhaps, the romantic Ponte Vecchio, or Giotto's bell tower. Florence could also be represented by famous people such as Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo or Dante Alighieri, to name but a few. (B & D)

Day 12 – Pisa & Lucca - Today we will see Italy's most photographed attraction, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is one of many works of art and architecture in the city's Campo dei Miracoli or "Field of Miracles'' north of the old town center. The Campo dei Miracoli also houses the Duomo (the Cathedral), the Baptistery and the Camposanto (the monumental cemetery). We will also visit the lovely city of Lucca. Its walls retained intact even as the city expanded and modernized. The wide walls lost their military importance, they became a pedestrian promenade ringing the old town; although they were used for a number of years in the 20th century for racing cars. The walls are still intact today. The four principal sides are each lined with a different type of tree. (B & D)

Day 13 – San Gimignano & Volterra - Today we will see first hand why the scenery of Tuscan countryside is so famous. We will visit the multi-towered town of San Gimignano that rises on a hilltop and Volterra, one of the finest and lesser known hilltop towns in the heart of Tuscany.
A haven of Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, Volterra is a perfect choice for a peaceful relaxing holiday. (B & D)

Day 14 – Siena, Cortona & Gubbio - This morning we will visit Cortona (Under the Tuscan Sun) and Siena, a flamboyant medieval mélange of palaces and towers, olive groves and orchards. The history of Siena has been made on the Piazza del Campo where they organized the Palio. We then continue to Gubbio. The remainder of the evening is free to enjoy the picturesque views of Gubbio. (B & D)

Day 15 – Gubbio - Guided tour of Gubbio. We will explore the tiny streets, squares, churches, museums, boutiques, cathedrals and learn about legendary mysteries of this medieval old town. The historical center of Gubbio is of decidedly medieval aspect; the town is austere in appearance because of the dark grey stone, narrow streets and Gothic architecture. The main monuments of the city include: The Roman Theater, the massive Palazzo dei Consoli, Duomo, Palazzo Ducale, Church of S. Francesco. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B & D)

Day 16 – Assisi & Spello - The day begins with a visit to the mystical town of Assisi. You will see one of the two churches of St. Francis Basilica, a massive structure containing magnificent frescoes attributed to Giotto, crypt where St. Francis (founder of the Franciscan order) ashes are buried. The town is dominated by two medieval castles. UNESCO collectively designated the major monuments and urban fabric of Assisi as a World Heritage Site. From Assisi we will journey to Spello, considered one of the best areas for Italy's wines. (B & D)

Day 17 – Orvieto & Rome - En route to Rome, we will visit Orvieto. Here is one of the loveliest cathedrals of Italy with a facade encrusted with brilliantly colored mosaics. Flanking the Duomo are wine shops offering the famous wines of the area. Sit at a cafe table sipping Orvieto Classico while watching the ever-changing tableau of the evocative square. Stop for a gelato at one of the finest ice cream parlors of this region. After this brief stop we will continue on to Rome (the Eternal) capital city of Italy. Legend has it that Rome was founded by the twins Romulus and Remus. The Grand Hotel **** Olympic (in the city center) will be our home for the next three days. (B & D)

Day 18 – Rome - Morning at leisure. This afternoon we will have a tour of Imperial Rome. One of the symbols of Rome is the Coliseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire and used for gladiatorial combat. The Roman Forum was the central area around which ancient Rome developed. The Spanish Steps is a set of steps climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. It is named after the nearby Embassy of Spain (1653). The famous Scalinata is without a doubt the longest and widest staircase in Europe. The Trevi Fountain is the largest and most ambitious of the Baroque fountains in Rome. This fountain was immortalized by films such as “Three coins in the Fountain, Roman Vacation, La Dolce Vita“. (B & D)

Day 19 – Rome - Morning tour of Vatican City with a professional guide. The story of the “Vatican” started about two thousand years ago when the Apostle Peter was buried across the Tiber river in 67 A.D. The Basilica of Saint Peter is one of the four major basilicas of Rome. It is the most prominent building inside the Vatican City and built on the ruins of Old Saint Peter's Basilica. As you enter, to your right, Michelangelo’s “Pieta’” is displayed. The “Colonnade” was built by Bernini (1656 - 1666). The Vatican Museums display works from the extensive collection of the Roman Catholic Church. The Sistine Chapel is in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope. Its fame rests in its decoration, frescoed throughout by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo. The ceiling is legendary and it is in the Sistine Chapel that every new Pope is selected.

Other places of interest worth visiting on your own are: Piazza del Popolo with the church of Santa Maria where masterpieces of Pinturicchio, Raphael, Caravaggio and Bernini can be admired; Piazza Navona it is considered the most beautiful baroque square in Rome; The Pantheon is still the biggest concrete dome in the world (27 B.C.); Borghese Museum and Gallery with Bernini’s masterpieces “Apollo and Daphne”, “The Rape of Persephone“; Piazza Venezia with the monument to Italy‘s king Vittorio Emanuele (The Wedding Cake); Trastevere where the locals enjoy their favorite dishes of “abbacchio and spaghetti a’ matriciana”. (B & D)

Day 20 – Rome - Transfer to Fiumicino Airport, have a safe return home, treasure the memories and … Grazie and arrivederci a presto! (B)

We reserve the right to change the itinerary and schedule times for logistic reasons. 
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Departures from North America

Price
All departures $5,699 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: $1,000 for a single room or $ 2,000 for a double room, single occupant.

Airfares are not included.

For more information and for reservations contact:
Stay and Visit ® Italy – Orofino Tours

North America Office
7256 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota - Florida - 34231 - USA
Tel: 941-870-2498
Toll Free: 1.877-222-4857
Fax: 941-870-3497
E-Mail: info@stayandvisit.com

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