Italy 14-Day First Class Tour

Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Naples.
 
Day 2: Arrive Naples, Amalfi Drive, Positano, Sorrento
Then it's time for a relaxing ride down one of the most beautiful coast-hugging, cliff-hanging roads in the world, along with visits to a colorful town, Positano, along the way. We will overnight in Sorrento, the town of inlaid wood crafts. (Sorrento 2 nights)

Day 2: Capri
Another relaxing day awaits as we sail for the island of the Blue Grotto. We will take a boat ride into the famous cavern, then ride the funicular to the top of the island for a spectacular view. Return to our hotel in Sorrento.

Day 4: Pompeii, Rome
The fantastic and ancient ruins uncovered from beneath volcanic ash, stone and mud evoke thoughts about life and death and how tenuous it all is. Buried just 6 years after the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, you can see cement casts of people as they were when they were buried, sometimes shielding themselves from the horror. Following lunch we travel on to Rome with the remainder of the day free.  (Rome 3 nights)

Day 5 • Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter Basilica
After breakfast you will begin a full day of site seeing. First visit Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn. After some free time for lunch, you will visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the traditional site of Paul’s tomb, and the Scala Santa, Luther’s Holy Steps. Dinner will be at another local restaurant. The spiritual and historical insight gained from this tour will be invaluable to you, not only in your understanding and application of truths, but also in your daily walk with the Lord.
 
Day 6 • Catacombs & Coliseum
In the morning there will be a guided walking tour in the Antic Rome where you will see many marvels of this ancient city including a tour of the Roman Coliseum, the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries, and the Caracalla Baths dating back to the early AD 220s. Free time will be allowed this afternoon before dinner at the hotel. 

Day 7 • Frescoes, Assisi & Montecatini
After breakfast you will say “Arrivederci Roma” and board your coach and travel to the ancient walled hillside village of Assisi. After lunch on your own, you will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful, medieval town, which will include the Basilica San Francesco, decorated with some of the most renowned frescoes in the world. Then, we travel on to the charming spa village of Montecatini.  ( 2 nights)

Day 8 • Beautiful Florence, Michelangelo’s David & Pisa
After breakfast, you will spend the morning enjoying a guided tour of Florence, one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals, which will include the Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistry and a visit to the Accademia Galley, home of Michelangelo’s David. A stop will also be made on the overlook across the river from Florence where we will take a panoramic group photo with the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape in the background. After lunch on your own, board your coach to Pisa where you will visit the Baptistry, Duomo and the famous leaning tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Return to Montecatini, for a dinner in a local restaurant. 

Day 9 • Free Time & Venice
This morning is at your leisure to enjoy shopping, visiting more galleries or strolling on the famous Pont Vecchio, the old bridge which spans the Arno River. Remember that Florence leather shops are the best in the world and bargains on excellent quality goods are abundant. It may be the time to purchase those special Christmas gifts. Following lunch we travel northward to romantic Venice where we overnight just outside the city for two nights. 

Day 10 • Venice
After breakfast, we'll begin sightseeing on a leisurely walking tour of Venice. We'll visit the city's most famous landmarks such as the Basilica of San Marco, St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace. The remainder of the day is on our own. For those who wish, your tour host may arrange a private glassblowing presentation at the famous Murano Venetian glass makers. Shoppers will enjoy the vast array of beautiful pieces of glass available in the city's many fine stores. Before we return to the hotel we will board gondolas for a relaxing tour of criss-cross canals, arched bridges, palaces, charming waterside restaurants and little quiet piazzas. Dinner is at the hotel.

Day 11 • Milan Last Supper & Beautiful Lake Stresa 
After breakfast you will once again board your coach to travel to Milan for a guided tour of the city, which will include the famous Duomo, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world and Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous fresco – The Last Supper. Then on to the beautiful internationally renown resort town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore for check in and dinner at the hotel.  From the hotel we have a wonderful view of the surrounding areas, rich with gardens, islands and the lovely town. You may choose to stroll along the waterfront or shop along the promenade during your free time. (Stresa 3 nights)

Day 12 • Alpine Train & Lake Cruise 
A special alpine mountain excursion is planned today beginning in the charming little town of Domodossoa where you will board your mountain train ride to the panoramic village of Locarno, Switzerland. You will enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the way, taking the vineyards and chestnut forests and have free time in Locarno. To top off our experience today, we will board a Hydrofoil for a relaxing cruise along Lake Maggiore to our hotel. 

Day 13 • Borromean Islands, Palace
The excursion to the Borromean Islands with a visit to Borromean Palace, will lead through a 17th-century palace with opulent displays of baroque architecture to fragrant-filled gardens, where the scent of jasmine lingers in the air. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy lunch, strolling along the lake promenade overlooking the Italian Alps or visiting some of the quaint shops. Your farewell dinner will be at the hotel. 

Day 14 • Home
After breakfast in your hotel you will travel back to Milan to board your plane and return to the USA.