Italy Experience Itinerary Days 1‐2 Venice Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 18:00 on Day 1. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Learn more about the exciting trip to come, and your travelling companions at the included welcome dinner. A grand city of canals, Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. Still rich with artistic masterpieces, modern Venice combines history with contemporary life through food, performance, art and architecture. There are only two ways to explore Venice ‐ by boat or on foot. Some of the more popular sights include the Grand Canal, the shops of the Rialto Bridge, the Palace of the Doge (ruler of Venice), the Piazza and Basilica di San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. Take the time to wander the narrow, cobblestone streets and spacious piazzas and cross the hundreds of tiny bridges, where shops, markets, galleries, churches and stunning buildings lie around every corner. Take the vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for the best view of Venice. You can't leave Venice without going on a classic Venetian gondola. It's a common way for visitors to see the major canal routes from a fascinating perspective. Be sure not to miss trying the popular dessert tiramisu ‐ sponge cakes soaked in coffee and arranged in layers with mascarpone cheese ‐ which is the specialty of this region. Included Activities • San Giorgio Bell Tower • Traghetto across the Grand Canal Optional Activities •
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Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, Venice ‐ EUR16.00 St Mark's Basilica Treasury, Venice ‐ EUR3.00 Accademia Gallery, Venice ‐ EUR11.00 Venezia Ca' d'Oro, Venice ‐ EUR8.00 Concerto, Venice ‐ EUR30.00 Gondola ride, Venice ‐ EUR16.00 St Mark's Campanile, Venice ‐ EUR8.00 Guggenheim Museum, Venice ‐ EUR12.00 Museum of St Mark's Basilica, Venice ‐ EUR2.00 Glass Museum Murano, Venice ‐ EUR8.00 Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art, Venice ‐ EUR8.00 Confraternity of St. Roch, Venice ‐ EUR7.00 Accommodation: Guesthouse (2 nights) Days 3‐4 Cinque Terre Cinque Terre ('Five Lands') is an area famed for the beauty of its coastline and its picturesque villages. Before the advent of the railway, its ancient systems of hillside footpaths were the villages' only link to the outside world. Walk along the famous path of the Cinque Terre. Olive groves and vineyards cover the mountains that plunge into the sea ‐ the vistas here are breathtaking. If you're feeling energetic, walking the entire path (12 km, approx 5 hrs) will give you the best taste of the villages and countryside. However, you can jump on a train between any of the villages or to get back to our base whenever you want. Please note that some sections of the Cinque Terre path can be quite difficult with challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges. Appropriate footwear (trainers or light hiking shoes) are required for this day. Cinque Terre path sections: ‐ Riomaggiore to Manarola is easy and takes 25 minutes on a paved path. ‐ Manarola to Corniglia is easy and takes about 50 minutes on a partly paved and partly rocky path. ‐ Corniglia to Vernazza is medium level difficulty and takes about 1.5 hours on a rocky path. ‐ Vernazza to Monterosso is more challenging and takes about 2 hours on a rocky path. Important note for 2013 departures: During October 2011 this region was hit by record flooding and serious mudslides, particularly Monterosso and Vernazza which were evacuated and closed for access. In addition, in the summer of 2012 a number of coastal walking paths were closed due to rockslides. Local authorities have since indicated that the restoration and repair work should be complete by summer 2013 and many walking routes will be re‐opened, however, please be aware that there may be delays. After working up an appetite, you'll appreciate indulging in the foods of the Liguria region, which take advantage of the products of the Mediterranean. Pesto is a speciality, and is often served with pasta, green beans and potato, or dolloped into a classic minestrone soup. Focaccia is also a specialty, and makes a great start to lunch ‐ team it up with some cheese and ham and you have a simple yet delicious picnic. Included Activities • Cinque Terre day pass • Pesto class Optional Activities • Church of St Andrea, Cinque Terre ‐ Free • Day Cruise, Cinque Terre ‐ EUR20.00 • Sea kayak hire, Cinque Terre ‐ EUR5.00 Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights) Days 5‐6 Pisa/Florence Travel to the city of Pisa (approx 2 hrs). There's ample time for you to visit the world‐famous Leaning Tower, as well as the Duomo and baptistry. Please note that it's not always possible to climb the Tower, though you will have ample opportunity to marvel at and photograph the Tower from the ground. Return to the station and take the train to Florence (approx 2 hrs). Florence, the cultural heart of Tuscany, bursts with religious treasures and Renaissance masterpieces. It's been said that during the second millennium, a third of Europe's most important artists lived in Florence. The minds and talents of the Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all flourished here. Visit the Uffizi, one of the world's oldest art galleries and a work of art itself. See Michelangelo's famous statue of David in the Galleria dell'Accademia. Florentine State Museums (Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti Palace, Medici Chapels, Bargello, Archaeological Museum, Davanzati) can all be booked in advance. Reserve tickets by phone on (+39) 055 294883 from Monday to Friday 08:30 – 18:30, Saturday 08:30 – 00:30. You can also book online at www.weekendafirenze.com. We suggest that you book at least two months in advance especially for the Uffizi as this museum experiences enormous queues (up to 5 hours) all year round. The individual museums have slightly different opening times and closing days between them but the website ‐ www.firenzemusei.it ‐ has everything you need to know about all of them. Make your reservations for these museums for any time on Day 6 of this itinerary. Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, just east of Florence, and offers a magnificent view of the city. There's plenty of opportunity to explore the romance of Florence and then enjoy a variety of excellent restaurants, pavement cafes, bars and other nightlife. While in Florence you'll be able to sample foods from the much‐loved Tuscany region. Regional specialties are noted for their simplicity and fine flavor, and the use of high‐quality olive oil, cannellini beans and fresh herbs. Meat lovers should try the bistecca alla fiorentina, a huge T‐bone steak that is usually shared between two people, or ribollita, a thick delicious vegetable soup with bread, beans and greens. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy panforte, a rich fruitcake. Optional Activities • Entrance Leaning Tower, Pisa ‐ EUR15.00 • Uffizi Gallery, Florence ‐ EUR6.50 • Accademia, Florence ‐ EUR6.50 • Duomo & Campanile climb, Florence ‐ EUR6.00 • Baptistry, Florence ‐ EUR5.00 • Pitti Palace, Florence ‐ EUR8.50 • Medici Chapels, Florence ‐ EUR6.00 • Museo dell'Opera di S.Maria del Fiore, Florence ‐ EUR6.00 • Museum Bargello, Florence ‐ EUR4.00 • Palazzo Vecchio, Florence ‐ EUR6.50 • Siena bus ticket, Florence ‐ EUR13.60 Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights) Days 7‐8 Perugia/Spello Travel by train to Perugia (approx 2.5 hrs). Perugia sits atop a rocky hill with views over the Umbria region. It was a Roman settlement in ancient times and a thriving trade centre in the Middle Ages, but now it's a university town with one of Italy's largest schools. The student population ensures a lively nightlife. During free time perhaps visit the National Gallery of Umbria? Maybe visit the Palazzo dei Priori, built during the middle ages and a renowned civic structure. One of the prettiest medieval towns in Italy, Spello is perched on the side of Subasio Mountain and has many ancient Roman monuments such as the town walls and city gates. In Umbria, fresh mushrooms ‐ especially porcini and tartufo ‐ are the base for many dishes, including pasta and risotto. In keeping with the medieval feel of many of its towns, whole roast pig stuffed with rosemary is found on many menus. Cakes and pastries are worth indulging in here, and the wine is superb. We will take the train to charming Spello (approx 20 mins) to sample exclusive local wine and regional food specialties at an enoteca in this medieval town, before returning to Perugia later on in the afternoon. Optional Activities • National Archaeological Museum of Umbria, Perugia ‐ EUR7.00 • National Gallery of Umbria, Perugia ‐ EUR7.00 • Palazzo dei Priori, Perugia ‐ EUR7.00 Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights) Days 9‐10 Rome Crowded with ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome still pulses to the beat of modern life and is packed with designer shops, restaurants, cafes and exciting nightlife. Join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, where you see some of the iconic sights such as the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine, the Forum (centre of ancient Rome), the Victor Emmanuel Monument, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Via Dei Condotti and Piazza Venezia. Visit an espresso bar if you need a hit of energy or try some of the excellent gelati on offer throughout the city. No visit would be complete without a trip to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Entry to the Basilica is free, and there's a small charge to climb the dome for the ultimate breathtaking panorama over bella Roma. Also make the time to visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museum is closed on some days, including most Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month, it's open and free (but expect large crowds). Check the Vatican website for these dates: www.vatican.va Tickets for the Vatican Museum can be booked online at http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do. Alternatively, the Galleria Borghese can be booked online at http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/einfo.htm Rome is a gastronomer's delight, with many restaurants and trattorias catering to any taste and budget. Local specialities tend to be quite heavy, and include pastas carbonara (egg, cheese and bacon) and amatriciana (tomato, bacon and chilli). Antipasto dishes are also very popular in Rome. Eating in trattorias will give you a chance to sample some Italian wines ‐ house wines are usually very good and affordable. After dinner, a grappa, amaretto or sambucca is a great digestif. A farewell dinner together brings us to the end of our trip. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. Optional Activities • Vatican museums, Rome ‐ EUR15.00 • St Peter's dome climb, Rome ‐ EUR6.00 • Venezia Palace, Rome ‐ EUR4.00 • Galleria Borghese, Rome ‐ EUR11.00 • St Peter's dome elevator, Rome ‐ EUR7.00 • Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Rome ‐ EUR12.00 • Pantheon, Rome ‐ Free • Imperial Fora, Rome ‐ EUR9.00 • Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome ‐ EUR8.50 • Christian catacombs, Rome ‐ EUR8.00 • Keats‐Shelley Memorial House, Rome ‐ EUR4.50 Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)