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Italy's Best Sep 23, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023 ITALY'S BEST - 14 DAYS September 23 - October 7, 2023 • From Rome to Rome Escorted by Lilah De La Cruz of Maritime Travel - Surrey! With its magnificent architecture, beautiful landscapes, sumptuous cuisine, ancient ruins, and brilliant art, Italy is a country like no other. On this affordable Italy’s Best tour, you’ll experience all of this and more. One of the tour’s highlights is the excursion to the Cinque Terre—five medieval seaside villages. On your journey through Tuscany, watch the undulating hills, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages. More stunning scenery awaits at Lake Maggiore, one of Italy’s largest lakes. Briefly cross the border into Switzerland to Lugano, a lakeside town with a Mediterranean flair. In southern Italy, witness the vibrant town of Sorrento, and enjoy a day trip to Capri where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. Visit Pompeii, buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. In Rome, see the main sights, as well as Vatican City with St Peter’s Basilica. In Genoa, boasting Europe’s largest medieval historical district, view the remains of the city’s 17th-century fortifications. Visit St Francis’ Basilica in Assisi, a medieval town set in the Umbrian hills. Guided city sightseeing tours are planned in Rome, Florence, Assisi, and Genoa. Your visit to Venice includes a boat trip to St Mark’s square to see the maze of canals forming this unique romantic city. These are just some of the many highlights of this affordable tour of Italy! $3632 CAD per person, Land Only INCLUDES: • Includes taxes • One pre tour night in Rome • Prepaid tips • Savings of $250 per couple SPACE IS LIMITED! For more information or to book, contact Maritime Travel - Surrey 110 - 15375 No.10 Hwy Phone: 604-908-6823 Email: ldelacruz@maritimetravel.ca Itinerary DAY BY DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. DAY 2 - ROME The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the treasures of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel on our optional excursion. DAY 3 - ROME–PISA–MONTECATINI Vistas of rolling hills, rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Stop in Pisa and take a mini-train ride to see the Square of Miracles with the amazing Leaning Tower. Arrive in Montecatini. DAY 4 - MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO FLORENCE Today, enjoy an included excursion to Florence. Your Local Guide will show you the city highlights on the walking tour. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard and Loggia dei Lanzi. To top it all, marvel at the Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Doors of the Baptistry, known as the “Gates of Paradise.” DAY 5 - MONTECATINI–LA SPEZIA–CINQUE TERRE–GENOA Travel towards La Spezia, where you’ll hop aboard the train to discover some of the five spectacular Cinque Terre villages. The beauty of the rugged cliffs and romantic fishing villages once inspired poet Lord Byron. From Levanto, re-join the coach and head towards Genoa, birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus. DAY 6 - GENOA–MILAN–LAKE MAGGIORE Today’s included guided tour is an excellent introduction to Genoa. A maze of squares and alleys, the city grew around the port, a natural inlet, and boasts the largest medieval historical district in Europe. Next, head north into the plains of Lombardy, and stop in Milan to marvel at its magnificent Gothic Duomo. Then, continue to Baveno on Lake Maggiore. DAY 7 - LAKE MAGGIORE. EXCURSION TO LUGANO, SWITZERLAND Time to relax and get to know Lake Maggiore, one of Italy’s largest lakes, located on the very edge of Alpine Switzerland. On clear days, you can see the peaks of the Alps. Take advantage of the included excursion to visit Lugano in Italian speaking Swiss Canton Ticino. DAY 8 - LAKE MAGGIORE–VERONA–VENICE AREA Travel across the fertile Po River plain. Stop in the romantic city of Verona for some time at leisure being awed by the Roman Arena, perfectly preserved and still hosting concerts and festivals during the summer, shopping, or tasting some of the excellent local wines. Continue to the Venice area. DAY 9 - VENICE Venice is more like a romantic film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square, 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. DAY 10 - VENICE AREA–RAVENNA–ASSISI–FOLIGNO Enjoy an interesting drive southward right across the Po Delta to Ravenna, renowned for its treasure of Byzantine mosaics, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Continue 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 Basilica of St. Francis with its famous frescoes by Giotto, with history brought to life by a Local Guide. Overnight in Foligno, a town in the green heart of the Umbria region. DAY 11 - ASSISI AREA–POMPEII–SORRENTO COAST Travel to Pompeii, where time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. On the included guided visit of the archaeological site, see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theatre, and forum. Carry on to 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 easy-going lifestyle of this charming resort. DAY 12- SORRENTO COAST. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI Enjoy a day trip to the legendary island, surrounded by a rocky coastline where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and inviting restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. Explore on your own or take an optional island tour. DAY 13 - SORRENTO COAST–ROME Today, enjoy time at leisure or visit Positano on our exciting optional excursion, before returning to Rome. DAY 14 - ROME Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. On a Cosmos tour we include the must see sights but allow for lots of free time to immerse yourself into the destination at your leisure. Includes 13 Breakfast & 4 Dinners. Must see inclusions and optional tour add-ons available. Price quoted is per person, based on double occupancy, land only and INCLUDES taxes, one pre tour night in Rome, prepaid tips, and a Savings of $250 per couple. Airfare, airport transfers and travel insurance are extra. Single Supplement: ADD $630. A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is due at time of booking. Final payment is due on July 21, 2023. A valid passport is required. SPACE IS LIMITED and is subject to availability at time of booking. BCCP #51189