Italia Bella: Rome to Venice

•   Special after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel – fewer crowds & unhurried viewing

Day 1: Arrive Rome, capital of the Ancient World
A transfer is included from Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino to The Westin Excelsior, Rome, ideally located in the heart of the city within walking distance to many historic sights. Your adventures in Italia Bella begin with a guided visit to St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. This vast marble landmark draws pilgrims and visitors from around the world and dates back to the 2nd century. The Basilica you will see today took over a century to complete. All the great architects of the Roman Renaissance and Baroque period had a hand in its design, giving you the perfect introduction to all the spectacular sites you will see during your family vacation. Tonight get a taste of “real” Italian food at our welcome reception and dinner.
Overnight: The Westin Excelsior, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Go inside Rome & tour the Vatican after hours
Drive back on perfectly engineered roads through the history of Imperial Rome today, relics of which are visible virtually everywhere you look. While many of the ruins you’ll see just hint at their former grandeur, the Colosseum roars with memories of gladiators, lions and the deafening cheers – or jeers – of the some 55,000 spectators who watched the emperor’s games here. Walk through one of its 80 entrances on a guided tour, learning more about this huge amphitheater from your knowledgeable guide. See the temples, arches and basilicas of the Roman Forum, the epicenter for political, commercial and judicial life in ancient Rome. Nearby, the Vatican has been the heart of papal life since the popes returned to Rome from Avignon at the end of the 14th century. Get set for a special treat when our local expert takes you inside on a guided after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums, without crowds (subject to availability and day of the tour may vary). It is an extraordinary experience, one that creates a lasting lifetime bond for families who experience its treasures together. Look around and up at the palace walls and ceilings to view its colorful frescoes, then look down at the amazing floors you’ll walk on. The Sistine Chapel is adorned with a dozen of these detailed murals, with the most famous of all painted on the ceiling by one of the most famous artists of all time, Michelangelo.
Overnight: The Westin Excelsior, Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3: Explore Orvieto’s medieval tunnels
Italy astounds with wonders of another time and place, as you will discover as we drive through the Umbrian and Tuscan countryside to Florence. First stop is Orvieto, looming over vine-covered hills from its walled perch atop a volcanic plateau. This medieval gem is filled with Gothic discoveries, even below ground! Explore its honeycombed tunnels and Etruscan caves on a guided tour that takes you under the town’s cobblestone streets, then continue on your way to Florence. See Michelangelo’s statue of David on a guided visit to the Galleria dell’Accademia before settling into your charming 18th-century palace hotel. A historical landmark, it is ideally located near a Renaissance square overlooking the Arno River. Dine at the hotel tonight, ordering what you want from its à la carte menu
Overnight: Grand Hotel Florence, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4: See the Leaning Tower in Pisa's Field of Miracles
In the Middle Ages, Pisa was a powerful maritime nation whose riverfront location on the Ligurian Sea gave its naval fleet a distinct advantage over other seafaring ships. You’ll find many beautiful buildings here that reflect its legacy and wealth, including the Duomo with its intricate medley of cream-colored colonnades and the graceful Baptistry, but it is its famous Leaning Tower on the “Field of Miracles” that has kept the town famous today. Begun in sandy soil in 1173, it was completed in 1350. Its lopsided tilt has attracted many visitors over the centuries – Galileo himself even came here to conduct experiments on falling objects! Learn about the history of the “Field of Miracles” and have lunch in a local restaurant. Dinner is on your own tonight back in Florence, perhaps sampling seasonal Tuscan cuisine in an authentic neighborhood trattoria.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Florence, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Discover the useful arts of painting and pizza making
Today is all about the making of masterpieces, from learning about paintings by great artists to discovering the best way to make a great tasting pizza. Your day starts after breakfast when you meet an art historian who shares insights about the masterpieces of the Renaissance, many of which you will see today. Join our local guide for a visit inside the Uffizi, one the world’s top museums, to see Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Michelangelo’s famed painting of The Holy Family, both very important works by two very important artists. Spend the afternoon exploring Florence as you wish, then join us for dinner and a pizza-making demonstration – a lesson in the culinary arts that is sure to please the entire family!
Overnight: Grand Hotel Florence, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Take the Eurostar train to Venice, city of canals
Leave the Renaissance behind when you board the sleek Eurostar train for a first-class, high-speed rail trip to Venice. A private boat will be waiting to take you to your hotel along the Grand Canal in time for lunch. The Grand Canal winds its way through the city past lavish palaces that were built over a span of five centuries before it widens out as it approaches San Marco. You’ll see more of the city this afternoon when you join us on a guided visit to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, regarded by many as the most beautiful Renaissance palace in Italy. Your tour of this pink marble palace leads through richly decorated rooms and halls to the Bridge of Sighs and the prison. With canals in place of roads, Venice is truly unique in the world. Enjoy a serenade aboard a gondola as you glide along the canals of the city, sure to be a highlight of your two-night stay. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy as you wish.
Overnight: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Get a glimpse of daily life in Venice
Mask-making is a centuries-old tradition here in Venice and to see them being made in person is a memorable experience. Meet skilled local artists who turn papier-mâché into colorful characters, human and animal, right before your eyes in a fascinating demonstration, creating new facial identities for the wearer! The afternoon is yours to explore the sights of the city and sample daily life on your own – be sure to indulge in some creamy gelato – before joining us tonight for a farewell party as we say arrivederci to Italia Bella and the new friends you have made.
Overnight: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 8: Journey Home
Tour ends: Venice. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Special Offer Whether you choose to explore Europe on a Tauck "Yellow Roads of Europe" land journey, sail away on our award-winning European river cruises, find yourself someplace new on a Tauck Culturious trip or share the joy of European travel with your family on a Tauck Bridges adventure, your Tauck travel experience is built around these "cornerstones": Personalized Service We take care of every detail on your Tauck European vacation so you connect with the destination and experience the genuine emotion, the camaraderie, the little things that comprise day-to-day European life.   Quality Experience Tauck's expertise and local access provide guests with the best possible travel experience in Europe, including exclusive cultural events, fine hotels in the best locations and dining featuring authentic regional cuisine. Inclusive Value One up-front price with virtually everything included – no hidden costs, no surprises, no options sold on tour.   Peace of Mind Purchasing clarity – you know the quality of Tauck's travel experiences and full cost before you leave home. TAKE OFF WITH TAUCK makes flying to Europe easy with one flat up-front air price of $1,290 per person economy or $3,290 per person business and other benefits!* Call us today for more information!
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
3/11/2012 - 3/19/2012	$4,190
3/18/2012 - 3/26/2012	$4,190
4/1/2012 - 4/9/2012	$4,190
4/8/2012 - 4/16/2012	$4,190
4/15/2012 - 4/23/2012	$4,190
4/22/2012 - 4/30/2012	$4,190
6/1/2012 - 6/9/2012	$4,190
6/8/2012 - 6/16/2012	$4,190
6/12/2012 - 6/20/2012	$4,190
6/15/2012 - 6/23/2012	$4,190
6/19/2012 - 6/27/2012	$4,190
6/22/2012 - 6/30/2012	$4,190
6/26/2012 - 7/4/2012	$4,190
6/29/2012 - 7/7/2012	$4,190
7/3/2012 - 7/11/2012	$4,190
7/6/2012 - 7/14/2012	$4,190
7/10/2012 - 7/18/2012	$4,190
7/13/2012 - 7/21/2012	$4,190
7/20/2012 - 7/28/2012	$4,190
7/27/2012 - 8/4/2012	$4,190
8/3/2012 - 8/11/2012	$4,190
8/10/2012 - 8/18/2012	$4,190
8/17/2012 - 8/25/2012	$4,190
8/24/2012 - 9/1/2012	$4,190
8/31/2012 - 9/8/2012	$4,190
12/21/2012 - 12/29/2012	$4,290
12/27/2012 - 1/4/2013	$4,290
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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