Rome, Florence & Venice – Italian Holiday

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from $2.499*

Departures:  Saturdays from April 2016 – Nov. 2016

Cruise/Independent Tour: 16 Days/ 14 Nights

Spend one week cruising the Mediterranean Sea on the MSC Preziosa with “ports of call” in Italy, Malta, Spain, and France. PLUS — enjoy a post-cruise second week in Rome, Florence and Venice.  Buon Viaggio!

Palermo, Valletta, Valencia, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Rome, Siena, Chianti wine tasting, Florence and Venice

MSCCruises

 

 

                                                     

Departures: April 30, May 07, 14, 21, 28 and June 04                                        Departures: June 11, 18, 25, July 02, 09, 16, 24, 31,
Aug. 06, 13, 20, 27, Sept. 03, 10, 17, 24
Oct. 01, 08, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 05

 

YOUR  ITINERARY:

Note: First day of tour is your departure date from the USA. Actual cruise/tour in Italy begins the next day.

Day 1: Saturday — Departure from USA/Canada to Rome
Departure from USA to Italy – with your own purchased airline tickets.
Day 2: Sunday – Arrival in Rome
Welcome to Italy!
Upon arrival in Rome’s Fiumicino airport please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Meet your driver and transfer to Civitavecchia to embark aboard MSC Preziosa.
Day 3: Monday – Port-of-Call Palermo, Sicily
10AM – 5PM Optional tours available on board.
Day 4: Tuesday – Port-of-Call – Valletta, Malta
10AM – 6PM Optional tours available on board.
Day 5: Wednesday – At Sea
Relax and enjoy the ship’s activities.
Day 6: Thursday – Port-of-Call –Valencia, Spain
10AM – 6PM Optional tours available on board.
Day 7: Friday – Port-of-Call – Marseille, France
10AM – 4PM Optional tours available on board.
Day 8: Saturday – Port-of-Call – Genoa, Italy
8AM – 6PM Optional tours available on board.
Day 9: Sunday – Port-of-Call – Civitavecchia, Italy
Arrival at 8AM. Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Rome. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the Eternal City.
Day 10: Monday – Rome
After breakfast, meet your guide in Piazza Navona and visit the heart of Rome: Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza del Popolo and the Baroque quarter. Local sightseeing is done with a small group. In the afternoon meet your guide at S.Peter’s square and visit the Museums.
Vatican art and history have always left a profound impression on visitors to Rome: discover the masterpieces of Greek and Roman ancient art, works of Raphael, Michelangelo and Caravaggio, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and more.
Overnight in Rome.
(Breakfast)
Day 11: Tuesday – Rome
This day is at leisure to discover Rome on your own. You can visit Coliseum with the Forum, the most important archeological area in the city and once the center of public life during Roman times. Or you can choose to visit Villa Borghese and its splendid museum or spend the day in Campania and visit Pompeii, Capri and Naples. Optional tours are available.
Overnight in Rome.
(Breakfast)
Day 12: Wednesday – Siena and Florence
After breakfast depart for Florence with your private driver guide. En route a stop in Siena is a must. The drive itself is a magnificent path along the roads of Tuscany. Enjoy the view of the hills covered by vineyards, olive trees, small villages and original bell towers. Lunch will be served in a typical farmhouse, where some of the world’s best wines are produced. Continue on to Siena, and enjoy a guided walking tour of the town, probably the loveliest medieval place in Italy. In the heart of Siena is the Piazza del Campo, where the famous horse race Il Palio takes place twice a year. Time permitting, a stop in Monteriggioni, a medieval walled town, is scheduled. Later a stop in the Chianti area for a wine tasting awaits you.
Overnight in Florence.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 13: Thursday – Florence
In the morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of the city with a small group. Lorenzo de Medici, in the 15th century, transformed Florence into the cradle of the Renaissance by attracting the best artists, architects and writers of the time the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli to name a few. Visit Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Giotto’s bell tower, Ponte Vecchio, and Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring Florence on your own, maybe taking the opportunity to visit the Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia to admire Michelangelo’s “David”. Later in the day, join us for an optional evening walk in the sunset followed by a dinner to taste the local Tuscan delights.
Overnight in Florence.
(Breakfast)
Day 14: Friday – Venice
Today catch your high-speed train to Venice. Upon arrival, meet your assistant and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, meet your guide and join a small group for a walking tour of this beautiful city. Visit San Marco’s Square , the majestic Doge’s Palace, St. Marl’s Basilica and other land marks.
Overnight in Venice
(Breakfast)
Day 15: Saturday – Venice
Today is free at leisure.
Overnight in Venice
(Breakfast)
Day 16: Sunday – Departure
After breakfast transfer on your own to the airport or rail station for your return trip home or your continuation to another destination.
(Breakfast)

Includes:

  • Round-trip transfer between Rome Airport/hotel and ship in Civitavecchia.
  • MSC Preziosa Mediterranean cruise for 7 nights, including meals and entertainment on board.
  • Hotel accommodations in 4* hotels for seven nights (3 nights in Rome, 2 nights in Florence, 2 nights in Venice) based on 2 persons sharing a room.
  • Breakfast daily.
  • Welcome briefing with our local assistant.
  • Small Group Tour: Visit of Vatican with entrance fee included. Transfers to/from St. Peters not included.
  • Small Group Tour: Walking tour of Classic Rome (Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, Pantheon and the heart of the city). Transfers not included.
  • Signature “Tuscany Countryside” transfer by private car from Rome to Florence with a professional driver/guide.
  • Stops in Siena & Monteriggioni.
  • 1 Traditional lunch In Siena.
  • 1 Wine tasting in the Chianti area.
  • Private walking tour of Florence.
  • High-speed train From Florence To Venice in 1st class.
  • Meet & Greet transfer From Venice railway station to your hotel In Venice.
  • Small Group Tour: Walking tour of Venice.
  • Hotel taxes and service charges.
  • Cruise Government taxes and fees.

Does not include:

  • Round-trip air transportation from USA or Canada to Italy.
  • Porterage at airports.
  • Transfers to walking tours.
  • Porterage from Venice dock to hotel (supplement € 36 per 2 bags).
  • Beverages and meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Tips and optional excursions both on board your cruise and while touring Italy.
  • Transit tax to be paid locally.
  • Travel Insurance.

 

Note — We urge you to purchase travel insurance to cover the cost of your entire vacation including any services you purchased from another agency.

Hotels:
Rome:
Hotel Ponte Sisto (4*) or similar
Via dei Pettinari, 64
00186 Rome
http://www.HotelPonteSisto.it/
Florence:
Hotel Pierre (4 *) or similar
Via De’ Lamberti, 5
50123 Florence
http://www.Hotel-Pierre-Florence.com/
Venice:
Hotel Ca’ dei Conti (4 *) or similar
Castello, 4429,
30122 Venice
http://www.CaDeiConti.com/
2016 Rates
Saturday Departures
  Cruise & Land Price**
April 30  $2,999
May 07  $3,099
May 14, 21, 28  $3,299
June 04, 11, 18,  $3,399
June 25/July 02, 09  $3,299
July 16  $3,399
July 23, 30/Aug. 06, 13, 20, 27/Sept. 03  $3,499
Sept. 10, 17, 24  $3,399
Oct. 01, 08, 15, 22  $2,999
Oct. 29/Nov. 05  $2,499
All prices are guaranteed once cabins have been confirmed and final payment is received.
**Price is based on 2 persons sharing an Interior Cabin on Bella Deck and a Double room in deluxe hotels throughout Italy. Subject to availability. Prices are subject to change as a result of fuel surcharge increases or currency fluctuations. No changes will be made once final payment is received. Rates may be higher during holidays, fairs and special events.
Single Supplement: upon request.  Upgrades for cruise portion are available at a supplement for Ocean view and Deluxe Staterooms.
*Air Fare is not included but discounted rates are available upon request.
Click here to view information on travel insurance.
For information on air fare, transfers or optional tours, please contact us: info@EuropeByChoice.com 212-400-7347

Please note that for operational reasons it may be necessary to substitute hotels and adjust itineraries due to local conditions.

To submit a reservation request BOOK NOW! Or call for more info 212-400-7347.


DEPOSITS/PAYMENTS:
We accept American Express, Visa, Master Card and Discover credit cards as well as checks as forms of payment. A deposit of 25% of the total price of the land services, inclusive of taxes and fees or full payment (depending on departure date) is required to confirm a reservation. Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure. Airline tickets must be paid in full prior to issuance regardless of departure date. Ticket prices cannot be guaranteed until paid in full and ticketed. For full Terms and Conditions please click here.

Cancellation Policy
61 days or more prior to departure: 5% of package price
60-46 days prior to departure: 10% of package price
45-31 days prior to departure: 20% of package price
30-15 days prior to departure: 40% of package price
14-8 days prior to departure: 50% of package price
7-0 days and no-shows: 100% of package price

Operated by Visit Italy Tours
TRAVEL TIPS:

Gratuities:
Tips to waiters, chambermaids, and to the Tour Directors, local guides, and drivers are not included. The following is a suggested guideline on tipping:
(a.) Euro 1.00 per person/per day for waiters and chambermaids
(b.) Euro 2.00 per person/per day for drivers and local guides
(c.) Euro 3.00 per person/per day for your Tour Director
Transfers:
Add transfers to your tour so you don’t have to worry about how to get to your hotel and back. Prices available upon request.
Transit Tax:
As of July 1, 2011 all visitors to Italy are required to pay an additional tourist tax for their hotel stay. The new tax has been created mainly to help re-build the ancient cities and is based on how many stars a hotel has. This tax may vary by city and can range from 1 to 6 Euro per person, per night, for a maximum of 10 consecutive nights. This must be paid by the visitor, in Euro, directly to the hotel at time of check-out. It will be presented as a separate charge from any other charges accrued at the hotel. (Children under the age of 10 are exempt from this tax.
Baggage:
Different airlines may have different policies. For information on specific airline policies, please check your carriers web site.
Air Transportation:
Air fares change often and vary by gateway city, season, day of week and seat availability. Our air fares will be quoted to you within two business days of your tour reservation and will include the air fare, fuel surcharges and government taxes as quoted by the airlines. You are under no obligation to accept our airfare quote and may elect to use your reward miles or your preferred airline. Typical airfares from New York to Rome varies from $1200 in March – May and September – October to $1500 in June – August but can change without prior notice. We highly recommend to reserve your seats early in order to obtain the best air fare.

 

 

 
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