Beautiful Venice including St. Mark Square and Basilica, Padova the town of Gallileo, the Duomo and Santa Croce in Florence, the Tuscan towns of San Gimignano and Volterra, the Roman Forum and Coliseum, St. Peter's and St. Paul's in the Vatican.
Depart on your overnight flight to Venice via a European gateway.
Arrival in Venice and transfer to your hotel, located in Padova (approximately 45 minutes from Venice).
After breakfast, depart for Venice. Your 2-hour guided tour will include St. Mark's Square and Basilica, Doges' Palace (from outside only) and the Bridge of Sighs. In the afternoon enjoy a walking tour of Padova in the company of your Tour Escort. See the famous Saint's Basilica, Prato della Valle and the university where Galileo taught for many years.
Depart for Florence. On arrival, enjoy a half day guided tour to include such sights as Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo, and Santa Croce. The church of Santa Croce is paved with 276 tombstones of the most famous Italians (Michaelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli, etc.). The city's power dated from the 11th and 12th C, which saw the rise of the trades organized in powerful guilds, and the appearance of a currency based on the Florin. The Cathedral or Duomo, was built and paid for by the powerful cloth-makers' guild.
Enjoy a walking tour of Florence with your Tour Escort. We recommend a visit to the Uffizi, one of the most beautiful museums in the world containing the works of Boticelli, Michaelangelo and more (entrance fee not included). You may also wish to visit the Academy for a view of Michaelangelo's famous "David" (entrance fee not included). A copy of "David" can also be seen in the piazza della Signoria. The many statues in this piazza make it virtually an open-air museum of sculpture.
Enjoy a full day excursion with your Tour Escort, which will take you to the beautiful Tuscan towns of San Gimignano and Volterrra. San Gimignano has kept its mediaeval appearance unchanged, and is till enclosed by its ramparts bristling with 14 tall Towers of Nobility. Volterra is an Etruscan, Roman and Mediaeval town famous for its alabaster ornaments.
Depart for Rome. In the afternoon, enjoy a half day guided tour of Rome to include the Roman Forum, the Coliseum (from outside), Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and more. The Coliseum was inaugurated in AD 80, and was also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, after its initiator. The name Colosseo came from the colossal statue of Nero, which stood nearby. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and the night.
Half day guided sightseeing tour of religious Rome to include St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christianity, covering an area of 23,000 square meters and with a capacity of over 60,000 people. In front of the Basilica is St Peter's Square, designed so that the greatest number of people could see the Pope give his blessing. You will also see the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, the Basilica di San Paolo is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle. It features a fascinating array of historical, religious and artistic sights to explore. The afternoon is free to explore Rome with your Tour Escort and/or do your last-minute souvenir shopping.
Return to Toronto or Montreal.
Our Tour Escorts are personable and knowledgeable. Contact us for more information on any of the travel experiences we offer.
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