Conoscere L'Italia!
"Conoscere" means to know intimately. There is the Italy of the casual tourist ("been there; done that"), and there is the Italy for the inquisitive visitor who wishes to return home with more than just a bag full of souvenirs; who finds excitement in knowing the land, its people and its culture.

Day 1: Overnight Flight to Milan

Day 2: Milano Bis (encore)
We fly into Malpensa airport, and enjoy an afternoon tour of Milan.  We begin with a visit to the Duomo (main cathedral) with its 1500+ statues and spectacular panorama from atop (for those who wish to climb). We will also visit the excavations underneath, with the baptistery where St. Augustine was baptized. A quick side visit to the old marketplace with its little-known ancient "intercom" system will leave you with something to talk about. After a stop for a cappuccino in the Galleria (a covered shopping promenade), our walking tour continues through the Galleria to La Scala opera house, then back through the Galleria and we take the tram to see the Last Supper by Da Vinci (pending availability).   We will continue on to Verona where we will enjoy a nice welcome dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Verona, Wherefore Art Thou?
Often overlooked as tourists make a beeline for Venice, Verona has not only the lure of Shakespearean legend, featuring "Juliet's" house (Romeo's is doubtful), but also a beautiful Roman amphitheater (still in use for performances) and quaint bridges. A visit to the open market makes you feel even more acquainted with the life of the town.  Next we visit Padua for a quick bit to eat and time to visit the Duomo before we travel to Venice.  Upon our arrival in Venice Mestre we will enjoy our dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 4: Venice, The Peaceful
"Streets" of water, peaceful and calm. Narrow alleyways filled with the works of artisans; St. Mark's square; the Rialto bridge; the Bridge of Sighs; the gondolas; (the pigeons!). After a ride on the Grand Canal, we can take a leisurely walk thorough La Serenissima and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells (and shopping) of this magical floating city. Beginning at Piazza San Marco, you will see the famous St. Mark's Cathedral, and, if you wish, climb the bell tower for a dizzying but beautiful panorama of the city and the Grand Canal. Look down (or up, if you are not a tower climber) and enjoy the show on the hour as two bronze statues swing their hammers at a bell above an ornate portal. Then it's on to the indescribably ornate Doge's Palace. After lunch on our own we will enjoy an afternoon Lagoon Island cruise by private boat to include a visit to the Glass Museum in Murano and the Lace School on Burano.  We enjoy a special dinner at a local Venice restaurant.

Day 5: Venice, The Beautiful
Today our itinerary takes us to San Giorgio Maggiore, a cathedral on an island of its own, across the Grand Canal. Continuing on our water excursion on the Grand Canal we pass the beautiful palaces and other "floating" buildings, and on to the Rialto Bridge, where we will disembark and see the shops and open markets in the area. The afternoon is free time to do what you wish and we will be free to enjoy dinner on our own.

Day 6: Ravenna/Parma
Byzantine mosaics and an unusual 5th century depiction of Christ's baptism by immersion grace this town where the poet Dante took refuge and is buried. Theodoric's tomb is a marvel of engineering, with a 300-ton capstone whose placement still defies understanding. Unusual also are the round belltowers of some of the church buildings. The church of San Vitale will be the centerpiece of the day, as it is important for its spectacular mosaics.
In Parma we will see the church which is said to be the original model for St. Peter's in Rome; the 11th century Duomo; Toscannini's birthplace; and the Parco Ducale. Parma is the home of the famous Parmigiano cheese, and we will visit one of its cheesemakers in the surrounding country.   We will enjoy dinner at our Ravenna hotel this evening.

Day 7: Florence, Andiamo! (Let's go!)
Few are they who are not enchanted by this city. You can not take a step in Florence without walking on history. From the Etruscans, to the Renaissance, through World War II to the flood of 1966, you will be treated to a learning experience--a feast for the eyes, mind, and soul, that no book or video or pictures could ever tell. The Duomo (cathedral) and Giotto's Belltower will be our point of departure, and are world-renowned for their beauty and as architectural marvels. See the famous doors of Ghiberti on the baptistery, and the frightening depiction of the Last Judgement inside, with a half body coming out of the mouth of Satan.
A more serene sight awaits us at the Accademia, wherein the statue of David by Michelangelo defines the limits of human artistic ability. Let your mind dwell also on the artists "Prisoners"--unfinished statues looking like they want to be released from their stone casings. Nearby we stop at St. Mark's church--a rival of the Franciscan Santa Croce church on the other side of town (we'll visit that tomorrow).  From St. Marks we take the bus to the hill town of Fiesole, to climb to the monastery of San Francesco and take in a panoramic view of Florence and an evening meal.  Then back to our hotel for a restful evening.

Day 8: Florence Bis
Our morning begins at the Medici Chapels, with its statues by Michelangelo and ornate marble interior. Outside and surrounding the area is the San Lorenzo open market. Here one can find the leather goods for which Florence is famous, along with Florentine paper, inlaid wood music boxes, and even statues of Pinocchio with two noses. One is larger than the other; in case your kid (or you!) tell a lie, you can exchange it! The church of Santa Maria Novella, a short walk away, is famous for its pulpit from which Galileo was denounced. Onward, and we arrive at the Straw Market, well-known for its alabaster creations, and the wild boar whose nose you can rub to assure your return to the city of flowers (Florentia), but not so well-known as a place where criminals were once strung up and bounced up and down on their bottoms.  We will then visit the Pitti palace, full of art and architectural treasures, with its surrounding Boboli Gardens (including the strange Grotta del Buontalenti), then stroll down to the famous Ponte Vecchio, and on to the Uffizzi art museum and Piazza della Signoria with its open-air cafes. Afternoon we go to the church of Santa Croce, where famous people such as Galileo, Michelangelo and Macchiavelli are buried in ornate sarcophaguses. If you have not had enough, you can hike up to the Forte di Belvedere for a soft early evening panorama of the city, awash in golden sunset.  Early this evening we will have dinner at a local Florence restaurant.  After dinner enjoy the nightlife and have a gelato near the Ponte Vecchio before we return back to our hotel for the night.

Day 9: Pisa
Just a short ride and we arrive at one of the wonders of the world--the leaning tower of Pisa. But there is more. The architecture of the cathedral is whimsical; and the baptistery is musical! Yes, there is a little-known acoustic phenomenon inside, and you will hear it! Pisa also has other leaning towers and buildings. See if you can find them! Our day will center mainly on the architectural marvel and its environs, including the Camposanto museum, housing frescoes made with a red earth pigment from the Black Sea.  This afternoon we will travel into the Tuscan Hills and enjoy lunch at a local winery along with time to enjoy wine tasting.  We will return to Florence and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 10: Assisi
We depart Florence this morning and travel to Asissi.  Upon our arrival in Assisi we will enjoy a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and a visit to the lower and upper Basilica.  The remainder of our day will be free to explore Assisi on our own.

Day 11: Tivoli and Rome
If we have not already seen and done enough, we will wrap up our tour with a grand finale.  Rome is so full of history and sights that we can only touch the highlights.  We depart Assisi and travel the road to Roma with a stop in Tivoli with time to enjoy a ½ day tour of the Tivoli Gardens and Villa de Estes.  We will continue to Rome arriving early this afternoon with an orientation tour of Rome and the remainder of our afternoon and evening at leisure.  We will enjoy dinner together at our hotel this evening.

Day 12: Rome
Our first appointment is at the Coliseum, whose arches were once filled with statuary and many of whose stones were pilfered to build other edifices of the city. Nearby is the famous Arch of Constantine, whose conversion to Christianity revolutionized the Empire and ended persecution. From here the Palatine Hill is easily reached, and you will walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, marveling at the Rome that once was. We will treat you to little-known facts, such as the melted coins you can see in the stones of an ancient temple, from the time when the Goths burned it down to the ground. We will stop at the Mammertine Prison, where it is said the Apostle Peter was held.  To continue with the theme of sacred history, we will then visit the Circus Maximus, where it is said the majority of Christian persecutions took place, and then on to the Baths of Caracalla (where the famous 3 tenors sang).  We will again enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening.

Day 13: Rome Free Day or Optional Pompeii Tour
Today we can take a breather and rest or explore Rome on our own or take an optional tour to Pompeii.  Optional sights time permitting include the Scala Santa, where it is said Luther was converted, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona with its beautiful fountains and the Pantheon.  Dinner will be on our own this evening.

Day 14: The Vatican
Most of today will be spent taking in the wealth of riches and history in this city within a city. You will visit the Basilica of St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican museum. You may climb the cupola for a vista of St. Peter's square, see the Swiss Guard, and visit the underground tombs. Finally we will stop at Castel Sant Angelo, the fortress guarding the Vatican.  We will have free time this afternoon for some last minute shopping or exploring on our own.  We will enjoy a nice farewell dinner at a local restaurant with time to share the highlights of our trip to Italy.

Day 15: Rome to Home
After a pleasant farewell breakfast, we head for the airport and our scheduled flight home. We are sure you will have had a learning experience, and not "just" a tour! Buon viaggio!!

20 Passengers: $4379.00 Land Only, 20 Passengers: $3150.00   (Price based on double occupancy) Price is subject to change based on the confirmation of all land and air arrangements.   Limited Space - Reserve Today: Lisa Chicchelly     cell:  515.577.1377 Larry Chicchelly     515.277.7994 lisachic8@msn.com Reservation Form        Pilgrim Policies      Insurance Info

Price Includes: Roundtrip air from Des Moines, 13 nights lodging at first class Italian hotels, breakfasts daily, 1 lunch and 9 dinners, Air Taxes: $275.00 currently - subject to change, services of long distance deluxe motor coach as appear on itinerary, full time Italian tour escort, all entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary. Not Included:   Tips to drivers, guides, and hotel staff- $90.00 recommended, 12 lunches and 3 dinners, Fed Ex final documents directly to passengers: $10 per person, Optional travel insurance, optional credit card payments (additional 3% of total bill). Single Supplement:  $425.00