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Independent Tour – 2008
15 Nights/16 Days

At Ciao Tours, we pride ourselves on our exceptional Italian staff and this tour highlights several who are such wonderful assets to our company. Anne Marie, our local guide in Rome, is passionate about the city she loves so dearly and will help you discover the treasures of Rome that many travelers miss. She will introduce you to the fine restaurants where locals eat, the fabulous churches where they worship, and the art, culture and architecture they appreciate. Every second of your journey through Rome will contain moments to remember. Niccolo, in Florence, has a flare for the Renaissance and a great sense of humor that endears him to all our clients. He introduces them to a Florence that only a local can share. Even if you have visited Michelangelo’s city many times, this will seem like the first!

San Gimignano, the town of the medieval towers, is home to Maria Luisa, our special gem. Maria Luisa is our charming Italian Mamma, a master at preparing exceptional Italian dishes. In her home, in the heart of San Gimignano, she passes on the secrets learned from her mother who learned them from her own mother and so it has been through the ages. This warm submersion into Italian cooking will be a lasting memory. Maria Luisa's husband, Eddo, grows the grapes, makes the wine and then - for Ciao - pours it as the perfect accompaniment to Maria Luisa's recipes.

The history of Tuscany is mesmerizing and as you visit Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano, Lucca, Siena, Pisa and many more unique places included in this tour, along with an understanding of how the ancient civilizations and cultures of the Etruscans, Greeks and Romans influenced this fascinating region.

Liguria and its awe inspiring Cinque Terre is a delight for both mountain and sea lovers. Whether you are hiking the famous trails or taking a train from village to village, the days will be enhanced by warm sea breezes, beautiful foliage, azure water, craggy cliffs, picnics that have you gazing at villages in the distance or eating foccacia in a cute little local bar.

Accommodation

• 3 Nights Lodging in Rome near the Trevi Fountain - 3 star hotel
• 2 Nights Lodging in Florence - 3 star hotel
• 4 Nights Lodging in an Agritourism near San Gimignano
• 2 Nights Lodging in Lucca - 3 star hotel
• 3 Nights Lodging in Monterosso al Mare – 3 star hotel
• 1 Night Lodging in Milan - 3 star hotel
• Daily Breakfast Included at all Accommodations

Day 1

Arrive in Rome

Transfer to Hotel

Day 2

4 Hour Private Tour of Rome

Day 3

Private Transfer to the Vatican – 7:30am

3 Hour Private Tour of the Vatican – 8am (including entrance)

Day 4

Transfer to the Rome Train Station

1st Class ES Train to Florence - 1-½ hours

Transfer to Florence Hotel

Tour Florence at Leisure

Day 5

3 Hour Private Tour of Florence

Late Afternoon Reservations at the Uffizi Museum

Day 6

7 Day Car Rental Compact with Standard Transmission (Pick up in Florence and Drop off in Pisa)

Tour of Verrazzano Castle with Wine Tasting & Light Lunch

Tour Italy's famous Chianti Wine Region at Leisure (Greve, Panzano & Castellina in the Chianti)

Day 7

Tour Volterra & San Gimignano at Leisure

5 Hour Authentic Italian Cooking Lesson in a Private Home in San Gimignano

Includes Wine Tasting

Day 8

Wine & Olive Oil Tasting with a Ciao Tour Representative

3 Hour Private Tour of Siena

Day 9

Tour Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Pienza and Montepulciano at Leisure

Day 10

Tour Lucca at Leisure

Check in at the Hotel

Day 11

Tour the Barga and Garfagnana Mountain Region at Leisure

Day 12

Tour Pisa at Leisure

Return Car Rental

Italian Train Pass Not Include (Pisa - Monterosso al Mare)

Arrive in the Cinque Terre

Day 13 & 14

Hiking the Cinque Terre (Local Hiking Paths Costs Not Included)

Day 15

1st Class ES Italian Train Pass to Milan - 3 hours

Transfer to Milan Hotel Not Included

Day 16

Shuttle Bus to the Malpensa Airport Not Included

Tour Conclusion

Cost:

2593.00 Euro per person based on double occupancy

Please note: Ciao Tours will Guarantee the Exchange Rate at the Time of Full Payment or 45 days prior to departure

Alternate Choices are Allowed on an Independent Tour at a Cost of $50 Per Change.

The staff at Ciao Tours hopes your experiences in Italy were fun, interesting and unique. We are looking forward to seeing you again some day soon!

Let us customize your vacation in Italy!

Ciao Tours prides itself on exceeding your expectations of a dream vacation in Italy. To help us organize your tour, please complete our Information Request Form.

For more information on Italy

Please call our Toll Free number at 1-877-444-CIAO (2426) or email us at info@ciaotours.com

Copyright 2008 | Ciao Tours