Art Cities

Independent Tour 2010

10 Days/9 Nights

No one does art quite like Italy! Listen to the bells in San Marco Square or watch the daily life of Venetians unfold on the Grand Canal as you take in the magical city of Venice (Venezia). Travel by train to Florence (Firenze), the Renaissance city. View the breathtaking art of the Uffizi or Michelangelo's larger than life statue of 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 hues of marble while the roof tops of the surrounding buildings are all red- unique to Florence.

Last on our journey is Rome (Roma), the Eternal City. Take a journey down the Spanish Steps, marvel at the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon then take in the Piazza Navona. Enjoy the journey back through time as you walk into the Coliseum. The Vatican is another wondrous place to visit while in Rome.

Accommodations

3 Nights in Venice near San Marco Square
3 Nights in Central Florence
3 Nights in Central Rome
Daily Breakfast Included at all Accommodations

Inclusions

9 Nights Accommodation at Unique hotels
Private Transfers with Assistance in each City
1st Class ES Train Passes
4 Hour Private Tours of Venice,
Florence and Rome
Reservations at Uffizi, Galleria dell' Accademia and Villa Borghese Museums
35 Minute Gondola Ride in Venice
Private Vatican Tour
Includes All Taxes
Assistance from a Ciao Tours Italian Representative

2010 Price

2,519 € - 3 Star Accommodation
3,119 € - 4 Star Accommodation

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 Private Transfer from Airport, Train Station or Pier
ACTIVITIES Explore Venice at Leisure

day 2/night 2

LOCATION Venice (Venezia), Italy
TRAVEL On foot, local water busses
ACTIVITIES 3 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Venice including San Marco Cathedal

HIGHLIGHTS
Piazza San Marco featuring two of the oldest cafes along with the majestic Ducale Palace, the Ponte dei Sospiri- the Bridge of Sighs and San Marco Cathedal
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, local water busses, gondola
ACTIVITIES 35 min. Private Gondola Ride
Enjoy 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 1st Class Train Tickets with Private Transfer to Florence Hotel
ACTIVITIES Explore Florence at Leisure

day 5/night 5

LOCATION Florence, Italy
TRAVEL On foot
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 famous Statue of David)
San Lorenzo Market
Birthplace of the Renaissance or Rinascimento
Red roofed Buildings and marble facades

day 6/night 6

LOCATION Florence, Italy
TRAVEL On foot
ACTIVITIES Morning Reservations at the Galleria dell’Accademia
Afternoon Reservations at the Uffizi Museum

HIGHLIGHTS
Galleria dell’Accademia houses Michelangelo’s infamous Statue of David
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 16th c Palace by Vasari also exhibits ancient Roman and 16thc sculptures.

day 7/night 7

LOCATION Rome (Roma), Italy
TRAVEL 1st Class Train Tickets with Private Transfer to Rome Hotel
ACTIVITIES Afternoon reservations at the Villa Borghese Museum

day 8/night 8

LOCATION Rome (Roma), Italy
TRAVEL On foot
ACTIVITIES 4 Hour Private Tour of Rome – 9am (Admissions and transportation not included since Rome is a walking town and each tour is based on clients' interests)

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 9/night 9

LOCATION Rome (Roma), Italy
TRAVEL Private Transfer to the Vatican, Explore Rome On foot
ACTIVITIES 3 Hour Private Tour of the Vatican – Entrance Included

HIGHLIGHTS
St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican Museums 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 10

LOCATION Rome (Roma), Italy
TRAVEL Private Transfer to Rome Airport

Conclusion of Tour