• 12 day Escorted Tour
• First Class Hotel/Resort
• 20 meals
Stay and Visit ® Italy – Orofino Tours presents an unforgettable Discover Italy tour of Tuscany, Umbria, and Rome. Let us whisk you away on this luxury tour with excursions of Florence, Gubbio, The Vatican City and much 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 Florence
Day 2 - Florence - Arrive at the Florence Airport, transfer to Montecatini and check into our hotel. This afternoon we will take the funicular to Montecatini Alto, a medieval town with lovely views of the countryside. (D)
Day 3 – Florence - We will enjoy a full day in Florence with a professionally 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 the 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 by Michelangelo, or perhaps the romantic Ponte Vecchio, or Giotto's bell tower, but Florence could also be represented by famous people such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo or Dante Alighieri, to name but a few. (B & D)
Day 4 - 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'', to the 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. Unusual for cities in the region, the walls around the old town were retained intact as the city expanded and modernized. As 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. They are still fully intact today; each of the four principal sides is lined with a different type of tree. (B & D)
Day 5 - 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 hill 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 6 – Cortona, Siena & Gubbio - This morning we will visit Cortona (Under the Tuscan Sun) & Siena, a flamboyant medieval mélange of palaces and towers, olive groves and orchards. The history of Siena lies 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 views of Gubbio. (B & D)
Day 7 – Gubbio - A guided visit of Gubbio. We will explore the tiny streets, squares, churches, museums, boutiques and cathedrals of the medieval town learning about its legendary mysteries. 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, The Duomo, The Palazzo Ducale, and The Church of S. Francesco. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B & D)
Day 8 – 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 9 – Orvieto & Rome - En route to Rome, we will visit Orvieto. Here is one of the loveliest cathedrals in 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 and sip Orvieto Classico while you watch the ever-changing tableau of his evocative square. Or stop for a gelato, at one of the finest ice cream shops in the land. After free time we will continue on to Rome the capital city of Italy, founded by the twins Romulus and Remus. The Grand Hotel**** Olympic will be our home for the next three days. (B & D)
Day 10 – 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 11 – Vatican City - Morning tour of Vatican City with a professional guide. The story of the “Vatican” started about two thousand years ago when the ApostlePeter 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 themost 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. (B & D)
Day 12 - 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
03/15/08
04/12/08
05/10/08
06/14/08
07/12/08
09/13/08
10/11/08
11/15/08
Price
All departures $ 3,199 per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement: $500 for a single room or $999 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
Stay and Visit Inc.
DBA: STAY AND VISIT ® ITALY is a registered trade mark.
Day 1 - Depart from your city to Florence
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 
Day 9 – Orvieto & Rome - En route to Rome, we will visit 
Day 11 – Vatican City - Morning tour of 
