SacTrips Classic Tour of Italy
Sept 2014 Trip Schedule Sept 4-18, 2014 (14 Nights-15 Days)
Sept 4- Travel Day- flight info tba
Sept 5- Arrive Milan. Meet at airport and transfer to Castello in Milan. Continue by foot to Duamo and Galleria area. Visit Teatro della Scala area. Afternoon to hotel by subway. Check in and evening free. Overnight Milan BEST WESTERN Hotel Galles
Sept 6- Depart hotel in the morning and visit to Bellagio via Mennagio, in the center of Lake Como, one of the most beautiful areas in all of Italy with it’s lake and mountain views. Afternoon cruise in Lake Como to Como. Transfer to Milan and evening free in Milan. (B) Overnight Milan
Sept 7- Morning departure from Milan to Verona. Free time to discover Verona at your own pace. Afternoon to Venice (Mestre). Hotel check in and evening free in Mestre. (B) Hotel TBA
Sept 8- Venice. A full day to explore all of the charms of Venice. Murano, St Mark’s Square, The Doge’s Palace and of course, The Canal’s. Pre-booking of tickets for St Mark’s and Doge’s Palace highly recommended.(B) Overnight Mestre
Sept 9- Depart Venice and travel to Barberino for Outlet Shopping Mall stop. Over 80 designer stores to explore and look for bargains.Continue to Florence with guided afternoon walking tour of the city. Florence is the perfect place to discover on foot. Overnight Florence. Dinner Family Style included at Osteria del Gatto e la Volpe. (B/D) Hotel TBA
Sept 10- Free Day in Florence. Explore the city that gave birth to The Renaissance. Visit The Duomo, The Uffizi and The Accademia Galleries. Relax on the Ponte Vecchio with a gelato or indulge in the great shopping and endless food option’s. Overnight Florence. (B)
Sept 11- Day trip San Gimignano and Pisa. San Gimignano is one of the most picturesque hilltop villages in Italy famous for it’s many Medieval Tower’s beatiful views. After a stop for a 4 course tasting lunch at a winery we will continue to Pisa to view it’s famous tower. Lunch at Tenuta Torciano included. Dinner at your leisure in Pisa. (B/L) Overnight Florence
Sept 12- Depart Florence and travel to Siena, with it’s famous square, Campo and Basilica. (B) Overnight Rome at Cardinal hotel.
Sept 13- Rome. Vatican Museum and Audio Guide included. 2 day Rome hop on-hop off Bus sightseeing ticket included. You will see The Trevi Fountain, Pantheon. There will also be ample time to visit The Colosseum and the ancient ruins of Imperial Rome in the city center. In the evening we will find a beautiful Piazza to have drinks in and watch the night unfold. (B) Overnight Rome
Sept 14- Rome. Free day to discover Rome on your own schedule via hop on-hop off bus. (B) Overnight Rome
Sept 15- Depart Rome for visit to beautiful Villa D'este at Tivoli before heading further south to the historic ruins of Pompeii. Guided tour of Pompeii ruins with a local guide. Overnight Sorrento at Hotel Flora. (B)
Sept 16- Capri Day Trip from Sorrento. Boat Trip around Capri with stop at famous Blue Grotto included. Lunch in Anacapri included. Overnight Sorrento at Hotel Flora. (B/L)
Sept 17- Morning departure from Sorrento to Castello Gandolfo (Pope’s Summer residence). Short stop before returning to Rome. Evening free. (B) Overnight Rome at Cardinal hotel
Sept 18- Depart Rome. Transfer from Hotel to Airport for departure. (B)
Included in the trip are the following
-air from SFO
- accommodation at 3 and 4 star hotels.
- all breakfasts.
- Lake Como Bellagio-Como ferry cruise.
- Lunch and wine tasting San Gimignano.
- Dinner in Florence.
- Venice Vaporetti Day Ticket.
- Florence Walking Tour.
- Vatican Museum entry and audio guide..
-Hop on hop off sightseeing bus in Rome 2 day pass
- Tivoli Garden entry.
- Entry and guided tour of Pompeii.
- Ferry to/from Capri.
- Boat Tour around Capri.
- Transport on Capri.
- Fulltime Tour Guide with your group.
The early bird rate of $3999.00 per person, which includes airfare ends on 11/7. (Deposit must be paid by 11/7 to qualify for early bird rate. Rate increases by $300 on Nov 8th.)
Passport & Visa Requirements
In order to enter Italy, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen you must contact the Italian consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Clothing & Packing Tips
Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that bare legs and shoulders are officially not allowed in churches or other religious sites. Entrance may be denied on this basis.
Health
There are no major health risks when traveling to Italy. It is always advisable to check with your healthcare provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.
Cuisine
While most of the staples of the Italian diet have already become favorites in America, be sure to try those less familiar pasta sauces and the vast range of cured hams, cheeses, rustic breads and desserts while on tour. In Italy, the cuisine varies by region. Venice and Northern Italy are known for their meats and pastries, Tuscany for its wine, oil and sauces, Rome and Southern Italy for their pizzas. For more authentic meals, try local trattorias—small restaurants set away from the main piazzas and squares. Italians tend to indulge in long, boisterous meals featuring wines and the occasional beer, followed by the requisite after-dinner drinks grappa or limoncello. American- or English-style bars and pubs are not as common, although they can be found in major cities and currently gaining in popularity, especially in Northern Italy and in Rome.
Arrival & Transportation Information
Round-trip flights arrive in Milan’s Malpensa Airport and depart from Rome.
Museums in Florence
The museums of Florence are popular attractions that you might consider visiting during your free time in the city. However, we recommend that you make reservations two months in advance, if you would like to visit any of the museums in Florence. For more information, go to www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/musei. The recommended date to schedule a visit is on September 11, 2014.
Italy uses the European standard 220 volts.
Currency
The euro is the currency you will use on tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Italy, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the Cirrus and Plus networks, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
