Rome & Super Tuscany

  
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from $1,999

Departures from January 2014 – November 2014

Independent Tour: 9 Days/ 7 Nights

Visit San Gimignano, a splendid example of a Tuscan medieval town now declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.   

Rome, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Siena, Chianti, San Gimignano, Florence, Lucca, Pisa

Includes:

• Hotel accommodations in a 4* hotel for seven nights (Rome-2 nights, Siena-2 nights, Florence-3 nights) based on 2 persons sharing a room.
• Transfer from the airport to your hotel upon arrival.
• Transfer to Siena from Rome by private car.
• Breakfast daily.
• 1 lunch with wine and bottled water.
• 2 dinners with wine and bottled water.
• Visit to the Vatican*
• Walking tours of Siena and Florence.*
• Excursions to Chianti, San Gimignano, Lucca, and Pisa.*
• Private visit of Montepulciano with free time to explore on your own.
• 24/7 English concierge service available by phone.
• Hotel taxes and service charges.
  **Tours are run by local city tour operators with certified, professional local tour guides.

Does not include:

• Round-trip air transportation from USA or Canada to Italy.
• Porterage at airports.
• Departure transfer.
• Beverages and meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Tips and optional excursions.
• Transit tax to be paid locally.
• Travel Insurance.

ITINERARY:

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

Day 1: Thursday
Departure from USA to Italy – with your own purchased airline tickets.
Day 2: Friday — Rome
Welcome to Italy!
Upon arrival at Rome airport please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the Eternal City.  In the evening, meet at the hotel with the tour host who will provide you with information regarding the program and destinations. Overnight in Rome.
(Breakfast)
Day 3: Saturday — Rome
After breakfast, transfer to the Vatican for a guided visit of the Museum.  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 and St. Peter’s Basilica.  After the tour ends, return to the hotel by private coach.  The afternoon is yours to explore the town. Dinner will be in a local trattoria. Overnight in Rome.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: Sunday — Rome/Montepulciano/Montalcino/Siena
Today we have an early morning departure for the Siena.  The drive itself is a magnificent path along the roads of Tuscany, where you will marvel at the view of the hills covered by vineyards, olive trees, small villages and original bell towers.  En route a stop in the wine country is a must.  You will enjoy Montepulciano and Montalcino, two small gems of the magnificent wine country: visit the small medieval village, famous for its extraordinary wines and the postcard landscapes. Lunch in a local trattoria. Continue to Siena where you will arrive in late afternoon. Check in at hotel and overnight in Siena.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 5: Monday — Siena
Today enjoy a walking tour of Siena, probably Italy’s loveliest medieval city.  Set in the most beautiful Tuscan countryside of rolling hills, lush vines and gray-green olive trees, Sienna offers much to see; from the fine palaces that line the narrow cobbled streets, the superb Duomo, to the celebrated Piazza del Campo, where the famous horse race Il Palio takes place twice each summer. The afternoon is at leisure for shopping and exploring the town on your own to enjoy its magnificent masterpieces and incredible views.  The afternoon is free at leisure. Overnight in Siena.
(Breakfast)
Day 6: Tuesday– Chianti/San Gimignano
Today enjoy a visit to Chianti. Here you will savour wines at one of the best wine cellars of the area. Accompanying your wine you will enjoy a selection of bruschettas, typical cheeses, and Tuscan salamis.  Visit ancient churches, medieval castles and little hamlets where the pace of life has remained unchanged over the course of time.  Our tour then continues to San Gimignano,  a town of Etruscan origin. Built by noble families, the fourteen remaining towers that lined the ramparts look like medieval skyscrapers.  A splendid example of a Tuscan medieval town now declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.  Overnight in Siena.
(Breakfast)
Day 7: Wednesday — Florence
In the morning, transfer to Florence by private car.  Arrive in the afternoon and meet your guide for a walking tour of the town.  Lorenzo de Medici transformed Florence into the cradle of the Renaissance by attracting the best artists, architects and writers of the time such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli to whom he commissioned various works. Visit Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, the Dome with Giotto’s bell tower, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce.  If time permits, make sure to visit the Accademia to see Michelengelo’s David.  Overnight in Florence.(Breakfast)
Day 8: Thursday — Lucca/Pisa
Lucca and Pisa are undoubtedly among the richest cities in the world for their architecture and history: they are the foremost destinations for those who want to go deep inside Tuscany and its artistic background. Once in Pisa, you will be met by your personal guide and the tour will start in the incredible Piazza dei Miracoli.  Here you can admire the baptistery and the famous Leaning Tower and a guided visit of the majestic Cathedral.  After your visit you will have some free time to shop or have a cappuccino before continuing on to Lucca.  In Lucca, famous for its still-intact walls with huge gates and ramparts, our tour guide will lead you to the enchanting old town center by walking along a section of the walls and enjoying an impressive view over the rooftops. Then you are free to admire the main attractions of the city.  We recommend:  Anfiteatro Square, Guinigi Tower, San Martino Cathedral and a stroll along the picturesque streets of antique shops.  The tour ends with a pleasant stop in a Farmhouse in the countryside of Lucca, to taste some regional wines and olive oils. Dinner will be served in a local restaurant. Overnight in Florence.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Friday — Florence/US
After breakfast transfer on your own to the airport in Florence for your return trip home, or you may extend your stay in any other city in Italy.

*****Please note that for operational reasons it may be necessary to substitute hotels and adjust itineraries due to local conditions.  Some tours may not be available at time of booking and alternates will be offered.  Black out dates apply during trade shows, holidays and events.*****

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.

Tour operated by Ciao Italy & Carrani 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. Price per one-way transfer is $159 per car if purchased with your tour. Car can accommodate 1 to 3 passengers depending on the number of suitcases you will have.
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 3 to 5 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: First piece of baggage (up to 23 kilos and 158-203cm) is free. Second piece has an airline imposed fee of $55. Third piece $200. Baggage allowance is per passenger, each way. Different airlines may have other 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.