ITINERARY
May 15 - 27, 2017
Monday, May 15
Charlotte, North Carolina - Genoa, Italy
Those wishing to fly with the tour staff will gather in the early afternoon at the Charlotte International Airport and check in for our flights to Genoa. After departure we will enjoy dinner, an in-flight movie, some sleep, and breakfast before our arrival in Italy.
Those arriving from other U.S. cities should plan on meeting the staff at the Genoa airport on the morning or afternoon of Tuesday, May 16.
Those arriving from other U.S. cities should plan on meeting the staff at the Genoa airport on the morning or afternoon of Tuesday, May 16.
Tuesday, May 16
Genoa - San Remo
Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy! After clearing customs we will board our deluxe motorcoach and meet our professional tour director, Francesca Giangrasso, for the short drive to the city center. Here we will meet our local English-speaking guide for a walking tour of the Old Town. In the afternoon, after visiting the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, we will travel south (1:38) to San Remo, the City of Flowers, on the Italian Riveria.
After checking into our hotel, there will be time to freshen up before dinner. The evening is free to shop in the city or to relax at the hotel.
|
(Pictured: Casino of San Remo)
|
Wednesday, May 17
San Remo - Monaco/Monte Carlo
After a hearty breakfast buffet at the hotel, we will embark on a full day excursion to Monaco/Monte Carlo. The short drive to the Principality of Monaco via the high coastal highway provides us a fantastic view over the Riviera.
Monaco is a sovereign city-state, the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world. Monte Carlo, at the base of the Maritime Alps, is known for its world-famous Place du Casino which, according to Wikipedia, is the gambling center which has made Monte Carlo “an international byword for the extravagant display and reckless dispersal of wealth.” Upon arrival we will meet our local guide who will show us the highlights of the city.
After free time for shopping, sight-seeing, and dinner on your own, we will return to our hotel in San Remo.
Monaco is a sovereign city-state, the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world. Monte Carlo, at the base of the Maritime Alps, is known for its world-famous Place du Casino which, according to Wikipedia, is the gambling center which has made Monte Carlo “an international byword for the extravagant display and reckless dispersal of wealth.” Upon arrival we will meet our local guide who will show us the highlights of the city.
After free time for shopping, sight-seeing, and dinner on your own, we will return to our hotel in San Remo.
- Dinner on your own. Overnight in the hotel.
Thursday, May 18
San Remo - Saint Margherita Ligure - Cinque Terre
(Pictured: San Remo)
|
Saying good-bye to France, we will follow the coastal highway to Saint Margherita Ligure near Portofino (1:58) where we will have some time to enjoy this renowned tourist resort. After time for lunch, shopping, and sight-seeing, we will continue on to the Cinque Terre area in the Liguria region of Italy. (0:48) Cinque Terre is a rugged coastal area with five villages (The Five Lands) which, with the steep hillsides, make up the Cinque Terre National Park.
These charming villages built over the centuries on steep slopes overlooking the ocean are accessible only by train, boat, or on foot, not by automobiles.
|
Friday, May 19
Cinque Terre
We have the whole day at leisure to discover the spectacular beauty of this rugged area. You will be given a full-day train ticket to explore the villages of this beautiful territory. You may want take a boat to one or more of the villages or walk on the Sentiero Azzurro, “The Light Blue Trail,” which connects the five villages.
For a special dinner with your friends, you may want to find a charming restaurant in one of the villages before we return to our hotel.
For a special dinner with your friends, you may want to find a charming restaurant in one of the villages before we return to our hotel.
- Dinner on your own. Overnight in the hotel.
Saturday, May 20
Cinque Terre - Pisa - Lucca
This morning we continue our drive along the coast to Pisa (1:26) where we will visit the Piazza del Duomo (the Cathedral Square). We’ll start with a visit to the famous Leaning Tower, the bell tower of the city’s cathedral. There will be time for individual sight-seeing, where you can visit the magnificent Cathedral, the Baptistry, the Piazza dei Miracoli, and the Campo Santo.
After our visit to Pisa, we will board our deluxe motor coach for the short drive to Lucca (:31), an ancient, old walled city that became a Roman colony in the year 180 BC. The encircling wall was first built as a defensive rampart, but eventually became a pedestrian promenade. The late afternoon and evening are free for exploring this ancient city. An optional evening of jazz is planned for tonight (Details to be announced).
|
(Pictured: Piza)
Photographed by Todd Wright |
Sunday, May 21
Florence - Lucca
Our morning train ride will take us to Florence, the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany. Florence is widely considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. The National Geographic says: A city-sized shrine to the Renaissance, Florence offers frescoes, sculptures, churches, palaces and other monuments from the richest cultural flowering the world has known.
Upon arrival we will meet our local, English-speaking guide who will show us the highlights of the city. As a part of our city tour we will visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to see the most famous statue in the world, Michelangelo’s David, and have time for individual sight-seeing before we take the train back to Lucca for a free evening.
Upon arrival we will meet our local, English-speaking guide who will show us the highlights of the city. As a part of our city tour we will visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to see the most famous statue in the world, Michelangelo’s David, and have time for individual sight-seeing before we take the train back to Lucca for a free evening.
- Dinner on your own. Overnight in the hotel.
Monday, May 22
Lucca - Siena - Rome
(Pictured: Ribollita from Siena)
Photographed by Todd Wright |
A relaxing morning drive brings us to the delightful city of Siena, which has the first European square to become fully pedestrian. (1:37) Siena, with beautiful, flower-covered courtyards, churches, and a 300-foot bell tower, welcomes us as we make our way to the famous Piazza del Campo in the Old Town. This is the square where they have the Il Palio, the horse race which is held twice per year.
After free time for sight-seeing, shopping, and lunch, we will continue to Rome, the capital of Italy and the Province of the Lazio Region. (2:48) Dubbed “The Eternal City” by ancient Roman writers and poets, Rome, one of the birthplaces of western civilization, is the only city with its own sovereign state contained within its walls – the enclave of Vatican City. Upon arrival we will meet our English-speaking guide who will take us on a guided tour of this great city. Included in our tour will be a special visit to the Vatican Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral. An optional evening of jazz is planned for tonight (Details to be announced).
|
Tuesday, May 23
Rome
Today is free to enjoy this historic city. There is so much to see and to do.
In addition to the museums you may want to visit the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and perhaps return for an extended visit to St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican. You may choose to visit the Roman Forum and the Pantheon or Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers in the Piazza Novona.
An optional evening of jazz is planned for tonight (Details to be announced).
In addition to the museums you may want to visit the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and perhaps return for an extended visit to St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican. You may choose to visit the Roman Forum and the Pantheon or Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers in the Piazza Novona.
An optional evening of jazz is planned for tonight (Details to be announced).
- Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Wednesday, May 24
Rome - Pompeii - Sorrento
Continuing south this morning we will drive to the Bay of Naples and its ancient city of Pompeii where we will be met by our local guide. Pompeii, along with Herculaneum and many villas in the surrounding area, were mostly destroyed and buried under 13 to 20 feet of ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
Departing Pompeii we will follow the coastal highway to Sorrento, a resort town beautifully situated between the mountains and the Mediterranean. An optional evening of jazz is planned for tonight (Details to be announced).
|
(Pictured: Gelato!)
Photographed by Todd Wright |
Thursday, May 25
Sorrento - Amalfi - Sorrento
During our excursion today we will take a drive on the Amalfi Coast highway. This is said to be one of the world’s most scenic drives. Don’t forget your camera! We will stop in Amalfi (1:12) which is the heart of this magnificent Italian coastline and a must-see city.
Upon our return to Sorrento we will have a free evening.
Upon our return to Sorrento we will have a free evening.
- Dinner on your own. Overnight in the hotel.
Friday, May 26
Sorrento - Capri - Sorrento
(Pictured: Sorrento)
Photographed by Todd Wright |
This morning we will go by hydrofoil to the Island of Capri, which has been a resort since Roman times. Its rugged beauty and breathtaking landscapes have inspired poets and travelers for hundreds of years. The sea surrounding the island is quite deep with jagged caves like the Grotta Azzurra (the Blue Grotto) which was an ancient Roman bathing area. Our English-speaking guide will show us this jewel in the Mediterranean Sea.
There will time for leisure as we take the hydrofoil to Naples, where our motorcoach will await us for the transfer to our hotel. After checking-in we will have our final dinner together.
|
Saturday, May 27
Naples - USA
An early morning departure is planned for our transfer to the Naples International Airport for our flights back to the United States.
Happy Memories
End of Arrangements
End of Arrangements