Cosmos Tours : The Best Of Italy 2009

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The Best Of Italy 2009

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Tour Code:63909
Length: 14 Days
Tour Quality: Budget
Tour Type: Escorted Tour
Single Supp.: $600

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Dates & Prices

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Start Date	End Date	Brochure Land & Air	Brochure Land Only	Our Price (Land & Air)	Our Price (Land Only)	Quote
Mon, Nov 23, 2009	Sun, Dec 06, 2009	Call Us	$1,899	Call Us	$1,709	Quote
Wed, Dec 23, 2009	Tue, Jan 05, 2010	Call Us	$1,939	Call Us	$1,745	Quote

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Itinerary

Tour Highlights

Countries Visited: Italy

City Highlights: Capri, Florence, Milan, Perugia, Pisa, Ravenna, Rome, Sorrento, Venice, Verona

Tour Itinerary

Italy is home to a wealth of “magnificents,” and this vacation features them all. Experience Rome with its famed archaeological sites; Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance;” Pisa’s infamous Leaning Tower; the unique floating city of Venice; and Pompeii’s remarkable archaeological site. You also visit Milan, the capital of fashion; enchanting Lake Maggiore; Italian-speaking Lugano, Switzerland; lively Sirmione on Lake Garda; Ravenna with its precious Byzantine mosaics; Assisi with the frescoed St. Francis Basilica; Perugia, capital of Umbria; the lively resort of Sorrento; and the Isle of Capri, where the rich and famous meet. Sightseeing tours in many of the cities introduces you to Italy’s famous landmarks. Enjoy all of this, along with the warmth of the Italian people and the beauty of the diverse landscapes, as you discover the best of this captivating country. You’ll cherish the memories and stories you’ll get from this amazing Italy vacation.

Day 1: BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2: ARRIVAL IN ROME, ITALY
. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 3: ROME
. The ”Eternal City”—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

Day 4: ROME-FLORENCE AREA
. This morning, vistas of undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Reach Florence in time to enjoy the included walking tour with a Local Guide, featuring most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the “Gate of Paradise.” (B,D)

Day 5: FLORENCE. EXCURSION TO PISA
. An easy drive this morning to see more of the Tuscan countryside on the way to Pisa. Stop for a visit and see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower. Return to Florence for the afternoon. End the day by joining the optional Tuscan dinner in a typical restaurant. (B)

Day 6: FLORENCE AREA-MILAN-LAKE MAGGIORE
. This morning, leave hilly Tuscany to travel north into the plains of Lombardy, crossing the great River Po with new and quite different scenery as you approach Milan for a stop to see its great Duomo. Overnight in Baveno in the Lake Maggiore area. (B)

Day 7: LAKE MAGGIORE
. Time to relax and get to know the area. Lake Maggiore is one of Italy’s largest lakes and is located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. In fact, on clear days you can see the peaks of the Swiss Alps. Take advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano and its lake in Switzerland. (B)

Day 8: LAKE MAGGIORE-VERONA-VENICE AREA
. Travel across the Po river plain and stop in the romantic city of Verona to see Romeo and Juliet's balcony, and enjoy some time at leisure, before reaching the Venice Area. (B)

Day 9: VENICE
. Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by time at leisure and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 10: VENICE AREA-RAVENNA-ASSISI-PERUGIA
. An interesting drive southwards right across the Po Delta to Ravenna. In the afternoon, journey to Assisi, enclosed by ramparts and little changed since the Middle Ages. This is the town of the deeply mystical and poetic St. Francis—see the Church of St. Clare, founder of the Order of Poor Clares, the medieval castle, and cathedral. Overnight in beautiful nearby Perugia, capital of Umbria. (B,D)

Day 11: PERUGIA-SORRENTO
. Drive south on the autostrada to Pompeii. Time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town of Pompeii with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. On the included visit you can see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Next, Sorrento, set on a plateau above the waters of the Bay of Naples. Wander the winding streets lined with shops and stalls, and sit with a glass of wine absorbing the easygoing life of this charming resort. (B)

Day 12: SORRENTO. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI
. This legendary island is surrounded by rocky coastline where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a mecca for the jet set. An optional island tour is available. (B,D)

Day 13: SORRENTO-ROME
. A comfortable drive northwards this morning for arrival in Rome, well in time to enjoy most of the afternoon and evening. (B)

Day 14: YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
. (B)

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What's Included

Visits to Pisa, Milan, Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Verona, Venice, Ravenna, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri

Special Departure:
December 23 - Christmas in Rome

MEALS
12 buffet breakfast (B); 4 dinners (D)

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Accommodations

Rome Pineta Palace (F), Florence Area Europa (ST) at Signa or Meridiana (ST) at Florence, Lake Maggiore Simplon (F) at Baveno or Splendid (F) at Baveno, Venice Area Poppi (ST) at Mira, Perugia Holiday Inn (F) or Ilgo (ST), Sorrento Central Park (ST) at Massalubrense or Rivage (ST)

Single room supplement:
$600

No triple room reduction.

2010 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in Oct. 2009.

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Note: All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please call us toll free at 1-800-935-2620 to confirm availability and current pricing on all our discounted specials. The prices on this website are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Some land prices may include an internal air component and discounts will not be offered on the internal air component. Discounts will not be offered on packages with a land price of less than $500.

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