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.......Then Join
TERC's Explore Tuscan & Umbrian Hill towns Tour.
Travellers will appreciate
the pacing of this tour as they "jet lag" in the sleepy vineyard laden village
in the Cinque Terre on the Italian Mediterranean. We will ease you
into the art and culture of Italy as we travel to romantic Venice. In Art
laden Florence, you will sight see with the "taste buds" as we learn some
Italian cooking . Of course you will visit the significant Art and
Architecture of this famous city. Before going to Rome, we will give the
"art eyes" a break as we stop in some of our favorite hilltowns of Pisa,
Siena, Orvieto and best of all--a night in Civita di Bagnaregio! Now
we are ready for wonderful, intense Roma--saving the best for last.
(max group size
is 8 persons)
Explore The Best of Italy with TERC:
Here is a daily schedule to help you plan for each day. It lists your
daily sightseeing plan, where you'll sleep each night, the amount of
free time you'll likely have, and an estimation of time needed to accomplish
the basic sightseeing plan.
Photo Description of Tour
Day
1: Arrive in the Cinque Terre
— Our Mediterranean village home base, is an easy train
ride from Nice, Milan or Rome (we'll send you complete details later
re.your specific arrival). Check in (usually around noon). If you like
take a "get to know your village" stroll with your guide.You'll officially
re-meet your guide and fellow tour members at 7 PM to get to know each
other over a Sunset Dinner . Sleep in Cinque Terre (2 nights)
Day
2: Explore the 5 Cinque Terre
Villages— You can do this by foot if you like to hike,
but most of us will village hop by train or boat. And if you prefer, you
can hang out on the beach all day. Each village is unique and will call to
you to linger.You won't find any significant art to absorb, but you will
find a lot of atmosphere and magnificent scenery to let you easily know you
are in ITALY!
Day
3: Off to Venice by
Train— After breakfast, we will tear ourselves away and
turn our heads East to Romantic Venice. When you aren't enjoying the Italian
scenery from your first class train window, you will have time to learn a
bit more about Venice or start writing those post cards you promised to send.
You will have your first Italian picnic for Lunch and arrive in Venice in
time for an orientation stroll before Dinner. (2 nights)
Day
4: Ahhh, this is
Venice!— Today you will visit St. Marks Basilica, the
Dodge's Palace, the bell tower--Campanile di San Marco, observe glass blowing,
and have time to just wander. We will peek into some out of the way nooks
when the crowds get thick, and do a Pub Crawl in the evening. There will
be time to do a Gondola ride for those who want to do this on their own.
Day
5: Island Venice
anyone?!— Several Islands hide in the lagoon and if you
are interested--you can visit one of them this morning. Choices today are
sleepy Burano--famous for its lace or Murano--famous for its glass factories
and the Museo Vetrario with its 700 yr. old glass. Or if you prefer,
have a free morning to check out an art museum or the Venice Biennale
International Art Exhibition-- or to just shop (and ship). You depart by
train to Florence after a fast lunch.You will arrive in time to take an
orientation Renaissance Walk and visit with "David" before dinner. (3 nights)
Day
6: Food, Wine & Olive Oil:— A
Tuscan winery as well as a 1400 year old villa is your destination today.
You will experience grapes on the vine, olive oil stone pressing, and a thousand
different herbs in a private property setting. After the wine tasting, we
head to a century old parish where we start a hands-on lesson and prepare
homemade ravioli and tagliatelle, right from scratch. (Yes, this is a Cooking
Lesson) Our guide-chef will set the table and serve antipasti and other
local treats, so you can sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour.After
lunch, you can relax on the lawn, chat at the table while having espresso
the italian way, and sampling dessert wines and various grappas and liquors
before return to Florence for the evening.
Day 7:
Florence Museum Morning then to Leaning Tower of Pisa or
Siena — This is your morning to visit the greatest
museum of Renaissance paintings --the Uffizi Gallery. After lunch
you will either hop a train to Pisa and her famous Leaning Tower and beautiful
Cathedral or catch a bus which will whisk you through lush olive groves
into the heart of Tuscany and it's most beautiful medieval city, Siena. It
houses some of Italy's finest Gothic art which you will savor as you explore
her Cathedral and Hospital turned museum. You'll be free to meander her winding
pedestrian-only back streets and perhaps have dinner here before returning
to Florence late evening
Day
8: Off to Orvieto & Civita--the plum of
Hilltowns!— This morning we'll head south to Orvieto
perched on a magnificent volcanic pedestal--a 1066 ft, sheer-cliffed mesa,
straight out of the American Southwest. Orvieto is one of the 12 cities of
the Etruscan confederation. You will lunch in the shadow of her dazzling
13th century Cathedral before admiring her spectacular interior. We may even
catch her Market Day.Then its off through the pines and olive groves to Civita
di Bagnaregio where we will have dinner together and sleep soundly with its
population of 15. (1 night)
Day 9:
Civita to Roma! — We'll spend the morning exploring
our sleepy Etruscan hill town. Then it is off to Rome an hour
and a half away .Our Roman comfortable three* hotel, is an
easy 3 blocks from Termani train station-- so if you "packed light"
you should have no trouble getting it on foot. Before dinner you will start
your sight seeing with an Orientation Walk --savoring her art and gilato
along the way.(3 nights)
Day
10: Heart of Rome + Museums and Markets
— You will start your day exploring the Heart of
Historical Rome -- with your first stop at the best preserved ancient
building in Rome-- the eloquent Pantheon. Next we will move on to
ancient Rome's birthplace and civic center -- Foro Romano- the Roman Forum
then on to Capital Hill. There is a lot to explore in these
areas! The afternoon is yours to explore these areas further,
or to hop over to a market or Museum. Your guide will make sure you
get to your hearts desire.
Day
11: Vatican City — Today you
will metro to the Vatican City whoes symbolic significane, both past and
present, as a religious and diplomatic force, have elevated this tiny city-state
to a position of equality with nations many millions of times its size! You
will start with the immense Vatican Museum, focusing on the Sistine Chapel
and Raphael Rooms. Afterwards, it off to Bernini's spectacular, colonated
Piazza S. Pietro before entering Saint Peter's Basilica--the richest and
most impressive church on earth. We can spend most of the day here!
Day
12: Tour Over — Your tour is officially
over at noon -- giving you time to do some last minute sight seeing
or shopping.
 Your Rome Museum Pass is good for 2 more days if you want to
hang in a little longer on your own.
Rome's airport is less than an hour away by train and Milan's airports are
aproximately 6 train + bus hours away. Your guide will help you with any
post-tour planning, leaving you well prepared for the road ahead.
Itinerary specifics are subject to change.
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Add On Special:
Start your vacation
with this Tour or add another TERC Tour and
make them your special holiday. If you sign up for another TERC Tour just
before or after this one--TERC WILL THROW IN TRAIN TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN
the two destinations--(a $215-264 value).
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See what's included in this tour--
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