Best of Italy

Independent Tour, 2010

12 Nights/13 Days

Welcome to a taste of Italy. This trip is meant to whet your appetite - and satisfy your curiosity - for all things Italian! Landing in Venice, you will find yourself taking in the magical city in all its glory. Listen to the bells in San Marco square or watch the daily life of Venetians unfold on the Grand Canal. Travel by train to Florence, the Renaissance city and view the breathtaking artwork of the Uffizi or Michaelangelo's amazing David. Florence is truly an exquisite walking town. Enjoy the earthy scents of porcini mushrooms and handmade leather while wandering the San Lorenzo market. The Duomo is an architectural masterpiece covered in three tones of marble.

Your adventure into the Tuscan countryside begins with tours through Italy's famous Chianti wine region. The family welcomes you with their warm hospitality when you arrive at the agritourism (family-run renovated farmhouse) where you'll be staying. Your days will be spent discovering small towns rich in Italian history. A warm meal is on the menu - and you are the chef! Enjoy the robust flavors of Nonna's recipes. Remember you eat what you cook!
Last on our journey is Rome, the Eternal City. Take a journey down the Spanish Steps, marvel at the Trevi fountain and the Pantheon and take in the Piazza Navona. Take a journey back through time as you walk into the Coliseum. The Vatican is another wondrous place to visit while in Rome.

Accommodations

• 3 Nights Lodging Central Venice
• 2 Nights Lodging in Central Florence
• 4 Nights Lodging at an Agritourism near Cortona
• 3 Nights Lodging in Central Rome
• Daily Breakfast Included at All Accommodation

Inclusions

• 12 Nights Lodging in Boutique Hotels & Agritourism
• Daily Breakfast at all Accommodation
• 5 Day Car Rental with Standard Transmission
• Private Walking Tours of Venice, Florence & Rome
• Wine Tastings
• Authentic Italian Cooking Lessons
• Private Transfers
• 3 Hour Private Tour of the Vatican with Entrance
• 35 Minute Private Gondola Ride in Venice
• Self Guided Tours
• General driving Instructions Including Maps
• Includes All Taxes
• Assistance from a Ciao Italian Representative

2010 Price

2, 865 € - 3 Star Accommodation includes Economy Car with Standard Transmission
3, 588 € - 4 Star Accommodation includes Intermediate Car with Standard Transmission

Above Prices are per person and are based on double occupancy. To check exchange rates click here

Please note Ciao Tours will Guarantee the Exchange Rate at the Time of Full Payment or 45 days Prior to Departure.
Alternate Choices are permitted on an Independent Tour at a Cost of $50Cdn Per Person Per Change. 

For a Customized Tour Option based on your needs and requests, please contact us with your ideas.

Daily Itinerary

day 1/night 1

LOCATION Venice (Venezia), Italy
TRAVEL Arrive at “Marco Polo" Airport– Venezia
Transfer to Central Venice Hotel on Own

day 2/night 2

LOCATION Venice, Italy
TRAVEL On Foot, Water Bus
ACTIVITIES 3 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Venice
35 Min. Private Gondola Ride

HIGHLIGHTS
Piazza San Marco featuring two of the oldest cafes along with the majestic Ducale Palace and the Ponte dei Sospiri- the Bridge of Sighs
No cars; but a network of canals and bridges with people moving around by boat, gondola or on foot
Rialto Bridge and market area and the Grand Canal

day 3/night 3

LOCATION Venice, Italy
TRAVEL On Foot, Water Bus
ACTIVITIES Explore Venice at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Murano Island famous for hand crafted works of art made from glass
Numerous Bridges, squares (in Venice called Campi) and museums

Day 4/Night 4

LOCATION Florence (Firenze), Italy
TRAVEL Transfer to Train Station on own
1st Class ES train to Florence – 3 hours
Transfer to Hotel on Own
ACTIVITIES 3 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Florence

HIGHLIGHTS
San Lorenzo market, in piazza San Lorenzo
Duomo or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and The Cupola (dome) of the Basilica (cathedral), by Brunelleschi
Palazzo Vecchio (Town Hall) and Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) and the Arno River
Galleria dell’Accademia (featuring the infamous Statue of David)
San Lorenzo Market
Birthplace of the Renaissance or Rinascimento
Red roofed Buildings and marble facades

day 5/night 5

LOCATION Florence, Italy
TRAVEL On foot or Local Bus or Taxi on Own
ACTIVITIES Afternoon Reservations at the Uffizi Museum

HIGHLIGHTS
The Uffizi houses one of the most important and oldest (16th c) art collections in the world, featuring the greatest masterpieces of Italian art and a good collection of paintings by those of foreign schools’ The 16thc Palace by Vasari, and also exhibits ancient Roman and 16thc sculptures.

day 6/night 6

LOCATION Chianti Region and Cortona in Tuscany, Italy
TRAVEL 5 Day Car Rental with Standard Transmission
(pick up in Downtown Florence and drop off at Rome Airport)
ACTIVITIES Tour Italy's Chianti region at Leisure
Arrive at Agritourism near Cortona

HIGHLIGHTS
Quaint Towns featuring rolling countryside dotted with vineyards and olive groves
Chianti Classico Region
Historical Italian Castles, Renaissance Villas, Romanesque Churches
Enjoy the small towns of Greve, Panzano, Castellina and Radda

day 7/night 7

LOCATION Cortona, Italy
TRAVEL By car, on foot
ACTIVITIES Enjoy the day exploring Cortona
Afternoon Cooking Lesson at the Villa – 4:30pm (Wine Included!)

HIGHLIGHTS
Backdrop for the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”
Quaint Historical Center with breathtaking views of the countryside

day 8/night 8

LOCATION Montepulciano, Italy
TRAVEL By car, on foot
ACTIVITIES Wine Tasting, Tour and Product Sampling in Montepulciano
Tour Pienza at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Montepulciano: (Piazza Grande, Renaissance Duomo ,Vino Nobile D.O.C.G. Wine with Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes, 14th c Palazzo Comunale in Florentine style)
Pienza: (Corso Rossellino, Pecorino - sheep cheese, Ancient home of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, Pope Pius II,)

day 9/night 9

LOCATION Assisi & Perugia, Italy
TRAVEL By car, on foot
ACTIVITIES Explore the Historical Centers of Assisi & Perugia at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (San Francesco)- The patron Saint of animals and ecology
Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Rufino home to the Baptismal Font where Francis and his disciples were baptized.
Basilica di Santa Chiara- houses the Byzantine Crucifix that revealed St. Francis’ life mission
Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria Museum in Perugia
Corso Vannucci, a great Italian “people-watching” street
Piazza IV Novembre is considered the heart of this sophisticated town dominated by a beautiful fountain- Fontana Maggiore, a 13th century masterpiece

day 10/night 10

LOCATION Orvieto & Rome, Italy
TRAVEL By car/on foot/Shuttle train from Rome Airport to Downtown Hotel on Own
ACTIVITIES Explore the Historical Center of Orvieto and then proceed to Rome Airport to
return rental vehicle

HIGHLIGHTS
Original Medieval City that developed Guilds and Trades
The ancient Etruscan remains of the Temple of Belvedere
Clock of Maurizio, the first automation of its kind to regulate working hours
Orvieto Underground guided tours

day 11/night 11

LOCATION Rome (Roma), Italy
TRAVEL on foot/public transportation/taxi on own
ACTIVITIES 4 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Rome – 9am

HIGHLIGHTS
Coliseum and Forum, Piazza Navona, Fontana di Trevi, Spanish Steps, Pantheon
See the Tiber river and Castel Sant’Angelo
Suggested visit to Villa Borghese Museum and Park

day 12/night 12

LOCATION Rome, Italy
TRAVEL Private Transfer to the Vatican – 7:30am
ACTIVITIES 3 Hour Private Tour of the Vatican – 8am (Including entrance)

HIGHLIGHTS
St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel
Large collection of art and treasures collected through it's 2,000 years of history
Large collection of paintings by the best of the Italian masters from the Renaissance

day 13

LOCATION Rome, Italy
TRAVEL Private Transfer to the Rome Airport
ACTIVITIES Departure 

Conclusion of Tour