THE BEST OF ITALY

MAY 8-17, 2009

The stunningly beautiful Amalfi Coast

                               
 St Peters Basilica            The Coliseum        Trevi Fountain

JOIN US FOR A TOUR OF THE MOST SCENIC, DRAMATIC AND HISTORIC SIGHTS OF ITALY.

WE WILL ENJOY 3 NIGHTS 1ST CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS ON THE AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL AMALFI COAST.  WE WILL TOUR THE RUINS OF HISTORIC POMPEI, EXPLORE THE GORGEOUS ISLAND OF CAPRI, AND VISIT THE INCOMPARABLE CLIFFSIDE VILLAGE OF POSITANO.  A FULL FREE DAY TO EXPLORE THE AMALFI COAST, WITH OPTIONAL TOURS TO CHARMING RAVELLO AND TO EXPLORE THE SCENIC LATTERI MOUNTAINS COMPLETE OUR AMALFI EXPERIENCE.

NEXT IT’S ON TO ROME, WHERE WE WILL ENJOY 2 DAYS AND NIGHTS.  WE WILL TOUR THE COLOSSEUM, THE ROMAN FORUM AND THE ARCH OF CONSTANTINE.  A FULL FREE DAY GIVES ALL THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ST. PETER’S BASILLICA, THE SISTENE CHAPEL, TREVI FOUNTAIN AND MORE AT THEIR LEISURE.

WE CONTINUE TO FLORENCE FOR A 2 NIGHT STAY, WITH TOURING OF THIS MAGNIFICENT CITY.  A FULL FREE DAY TO EXPLORE AT LEISURE OR CHOOSE A 2ND FULL DAY OF INCLUDED TOURING, VISITING THE SCENIC TOWNS OF THE TUSCANY COUNTRYSIDE INCLUDING LUCCA AND VINCI, HOME OF LEONARDO.  WE WILL ENJOY LUNCH UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN AT A CHARMING TUSCAN WINERY AND SAVOR THE FINE ITALIAN WINES AND OLIVE OILS.

FINALLY, WE WILL MAKE OUR WAY TO VENICE, WHERE WE WILL ENJOY A WALKING TOUR PLUS FREE TIME TO EXPLORE BY FOOT THIS MAGICAL CITY.  AN OPTIONAL GONDOLA RIDE THROUGH THE FABLED CANALS OF VENICE AND A FINAL OVERNIGHT IN VENICE COMPLETE OUR MEMORABLE TOUR.

D A Y  B Y  D A Y  I T I N E R A R Y  (B,L,D) - INCLUDED BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

DAY 01 MAY 8 (Fri.) USA

Overnight flight from New York – JFK to Naples Italy, on the doorstep to the amazing Amalfi Coast.(L,D)

Day 02/ MAY 9 (Sat) ROME OR NAPLES / SORRENTO / AMALFI COAST
Arrival at the airport in Naples, meeting with our English-speaking Italian Tour Escort who will assist us to our private deluxe coach for the short transfer to neighboring Sorrento, the starting point of the famed Amalfi Coast, where we will spend the next 3 nights at the 4 star Grand Hotel Flora.  Relax this afternoon at the hotel pool offering gorgeous scenic views.  Later, we will gather for a late afternoon short boat ride to the incomparable Cliffside village of Positano.  The ride takes us past amazing waterfront towns, each perched in the cliffs along the stunningly scenic Amalfi Coast.  Enjoy free time to stroll the quaint streets of Positano, with its chic shops, gorgeous beaches and charming seaside restaurants. Dine at your leisure at one of these and then we will board our chartered boat for the scenic sail back to Sorrento, while we enjoy a mesmerizing sunset at sea.

houses built on cliffs hugging the Amalfi Coast           Positano at sunset          Cliffside beaches – Positano

Click the following link to read more about our hotel -  The 4 star Grand Hotel Flora                  www.grandhotelflora.com

 The Grand hotel Flora is a modern hotel, located in an ideally central position where, from heights of the terraces, you can enjoy the splendid and unforgettable views of Vesuvius and the whole Bay of Naples on the spectacular Amalfi coast.

Day 03 MAY 10 (Sun) AMALFI COAST / POMPEII / CAPRI / AMALFI COAST
After the first of our daily included buffet breakfasts, we depart on our chartered air conditioned coach to Pompeii for an half day city tour visiting the Ancient Excavations of the city that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption.  This afternoon, we will enjoy a scenic ferry to the island of Capri for a guided tour of this most unique and very scenic  isle and then ferry back to Sorrento for the evening at leisure to explore the many trendy restaurants along the waterfront of Sorrento. (B)

                                                                scenes on the isle of Capri                           ruins of Pompeii

Day 04/ MAY 11 (Mon)  AMALFI COAST
Today enjoy a full Free day at leisure to relax on the beach, or enjoy our optional morning visit to the charming seaside village of Ravello and optional afternoon hike in the breathtaking Lattari Mountains (B)

    The Mediterranean sea along the coast of Ravello                   The Latteri mountains along the Amalfi Coast

Day 05/ MAY 12 (Tue) AMALFI COAST / ROME
Departure this morning by our private chartered air conditioned coach to Rome, where we will enjoy on arrival a half day guided city tour of Imperial Rome, including the: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine and Trevi Fountain(B)

                 
         The Coliseum, aglow at night                    The Roman Forum           

             
 The Arch of Constantine            A tourist tosses a coin in the Trevi Fountain

At the end of our tour we will check into our hotel for the next 2 nights, the 4 star Grand Hotel Palatino

The Grand Hotel Palatino is located in the heart of ancient Rome, only a short walk from the Coliseum and from the Imperial Forums.  It is also very near to the most fashionable Roman shopping area, and the underground metro station. It is

click the following link to read more about our hotel n www.hotelpalatino.com ear to the most fashionable Roman shopping area, and not far from the Termini railway station and the underground station. The hotel position is idea (Imperial Forums). It is also very near to the most fashionable Roman shopping area, and not far from the Termini railway station and the underground station. The hotel position is ideal

Day 06/ MAY 13 (Wed)  ROME
Today enjoy a full free day in Rome to visit the city at your own pace.  Must see attractions are St. Peter’s Basillica and Michaelangelo’s famed ceiling masterpieces inside the Sistene Chapel.  Don’t forget to save time for some shopping of fabulous Italian leathers or other goods. (B)

                           
           Exterior of St. Peter’s      Tourists on observation deck of St. Peter’s      

  Michelangelo’s ceiling  inside the Sistine Chapel         Sistine Chapel walls

Day 07/ MAY 14 (Thu)  ROME / FLORENCE
Today we depart by coach to magnificent Florence where we will spend our next 2 nights. We will enjoy a city tour with local guide to visit the city the city nicknamed " The Cradle of Renaissance". Following our tour enjoy free time to explore at your leisure.  Visit Michaelangelo’s towering statue of David, walk along the quaint shore of the River Arno and of course, enjoy many shopping opportunities for fine Italian goods. (B)

We will check in to our hotel for the next two nights, the 4 star Palazzo Ricasoli Hotel -Firenze

This hotel is based around a building dating back to the 16th century and is located in the centre of Florence, just 800 meters from its world-famous cathedral and less then half a mile from the famed Uffizi art gallery museum.

The sun terrace situated on the top floor is furnished with tables, lounge chairs and umbrellas; the hotel has its own coffee shop, bar and business centre.

Air-conditioned apartments have light decor, with stylish white oak contemporary furnishings; all have satellite television, desks and direct-dial telephones, as well as separate sitting area, complimentary bottled water, large full bathroom with complimentary toiletries, shower/bathtub, hair dryer, and bidet.

The Santa Maria Novella church makes up one of the corners of an ideal triangle of works of art linking Piazza Santa Maria Novella, the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza Duomo, all of which only a few minutes’ walk away. From our hotel, you are just a short walk from the major sites and shopping of Florence.

click the following link to read more about our hotel www.polihotels.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187895-d233495-r16326573-Polihotels_Palazzo_Ricasoli_Firenze-Florence_Tuscany.html  

Images of The River Arno and Ponte Vechio Foot Bridge in Florence                                          The Bapistry over Florence

Day 08/ MAY 15 (Fri) FLORENCE / VINCI / LUCCA / FLORENCE
Today choose between a full free day to explore Florence further at your leisure or our included guided coach tour of Tuscany featuring the charming villages of Lucca and Vinci (the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci) with a stop for lunch and wine tasting at a Tuscan winery. Overnight in Florence  (B,L)

 
Vinci Italy, birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci

Day 09/ MAY 16 (Sat) FLORENCE / VENICE / MESTRE
This morning we depart by our private coach to Venice. On arrival we will take a short boat ride to famed     

St. Mark's Square and enjoy a guided city tour by foot, including St. Mark's Square and Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and more.  The balance of the day is at leisure to explore this magical city.  Make sure to visit one of the Murano glass demonstrations and galleries offering shopping deals for exquisite Italian glass  Take an elevator to the top of the Campanile for a panoramic view of Venice. Later this afternoon, try our optional gondola ride through the Grand Canal. Enjoy lunch and dinner at your leisure at one of many charming eateries, some along the canal, where you can watch a scenic sunset over the water. We will be transferred by our coach to our 4 star hotel, with the balance of the evening at leisure in Venice (B)

                                                                 IMAGES OF VENICE

Our hotel – the 4 star  Anthony Hotel           All the elegance and efficiency of a modern hotel with spacious and elegant rooms and magnificent lagoon views. The property is in a strategic position both for leisure and business guests just three minutes from Marco Polo airport and ten minutes from the centre of Venice. 

click the following link to read more about our hotel         www.sogedinhotel.com

Day 10/ MAY 17 (Sun)  VENICE-MESTRE / DEPARTURE 

 This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to New York.   (B)

OR

 ENJOY AN OPTIONAL 2ND WEEK FEATURING a 2nd night in Venice followed by our 7 night cruise from Venice visiting Bari Italy, then sailing to the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini and finally to the scenic coast of Croatia., before sailing back to Venice 

Our Tour of The Best of Italy May 8-17, 2009  includes:

ROUND TRIP AIR FROM NEW YORK NONSTOP TO NAPLES ITALY AND RETURNING FROM VENICE BACK TO NEW YORK

• ·        3 nights 4 star accommodations in Sorrento Italy on the Amazing Amalfi Coast
• ·        2 nights 4 star accommodations in Rome Italy
• ·        2 nights 4 star accommodations in Florence Italy
• ·        1 night 4 star accommodations in Venice Italy
• ·        Included tours:

Pompeii

The island of Capri

Rome

Florence

Tuscany including Lucca, Vinci and lunch with Italian wine at a Tuscan winery

            Venice

SCENIC BOAT RIDE ALONG THE AMALFI COAST FROM SORRENTO TO POSITANO AND BACK TO SORRENTO

All AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN ITALY

BREAKFAST DAILY IN ALL HOTELS

ALL FOR ONLY:  $2899 + taxes (taxes are $395 and are subject to change by the airline)

OPTIONAL 7 NIGHT EXTENSION CRUISE OF ITALY GREECE AND CROATIA : May 18-25, 2009  - 7 nights for only $969 Including all taxes and all meals

Passengers wishing to provide their own air may deduct $650 from the $2889 package price and will not be responsible for the the approx. $400 in air taxes.

Sailing on Costa Cruise Line’s  Fortuna, enjoy the beauty of Italy, the Greek islands and the scenic coast of Croatia.  Visit Bari Italy, for unique architecture and great shopping for Italian leathers.  Visit Santorini Greece, the most dramatic of the Greek islands for its geography perched high atop a volcanic cliff.  Visit Mykonos, famous for its scintilling beaches and hopping nightlife; visit Rhodes, the walled island fortress and visit Olympia Greece, birthplace of the Olympic games.  Plus, spend your final day in Dubrovnik, the scenic gem along the Adriatic Sea. 

The Costa Fortuna offers 3 pools, 2 outdoors and 1 indoors, plus 12 lounges for your evening enjoyment.  Lavish nightly shows, a hopping dance club, casino and more, make the shop a lively floating resort.

Passengers booking the 9 day land tour and the 7 night cruise extension may book a 2nd night hotel stay in Venice (May 17th) for a discounted rate and if booking by Dec. 10th, will receive $100 off both the land tour and off the cruise for total $200 savings.

A $200 deposit reserves your space.  Deposits are refundable until Dec. 15th, 2008 and non refundable thereafter.  Balance payments are due January 22nd.