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  ITALIAN LAKES, VENICE, FLORENCE & ROME

ITALIAN LAKES, VENICE, FLORENCE & ROME ITINERARY:

Day 1: Welcome to the pleasures of the Italian Lakes
Depart 10:00 AM from Milan's Malpensa Airport. Travel Italy Tauck style – you'll see the best of Italy, from great cities to countryside villages and towns that are off-the-beaten track! Begin by heading through the beautiful northern Italy countryside from Milan to Lugano, Switzerland, set on the edge of a bejeweled lake with views of the city and the not-too-distant Alps. Enjoy free time to explore the waterfront promenade, then meet fellow traveling companions at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.  Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2: Villa delights and a cruise on Lake Como
Travel to Tremezzo to visit Villa Carlotta, built in the 18th century, and noted for garden landscaping and sculpture. Admire the dramatic views of the Alps silhouetting the famous villas along the shores of Lake Como on a private boat cruise. Arrive in picturesque Bellagio, and enjoy free time to explore the town as you please. Another private boat cruise takes you past elegant villas to Como, followed by a return to Lugano where the evening is free.  Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Travel Italy from the fabulous lakes to Venice
Journey to Venice, designed along an intricate system of canals within a lagoon. After lunch, head to St. Mark’s Square, the heart of Venice, with a local guide. Visit Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) and St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the greatest buildings in Europe with its exquisite mosaics and detailed carvings. See the Doges’ Palace, a pink marble Gothic masterpiece containing a precious art collection. A serenade aboard a gondola cruise through the canals, and dinner at a popular Venetian restaurant, are the perfect endings to a perfect day.  Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Explore Venice as you please
Spend the day exploring the museums and sites that interest you most in Venice, a highlight as you travel Italy with Tauck. Perhaps tour the Galleria dell'Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, or take a boat ride to islands in the lagoon.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Statue of David in Florence
Travel Italy by rail today to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Get an introduction to the city’s architectural landmarks and great artists from a local art historian prior to a walking tour of the city – a special touch when you travel Italy with Tauck. You'll be totally prepared for your visit to Galleria dell’Accademia, where you're certain to marvel at Michelangelo’s marble statue of David standing nearly 17 feet tall. View Lorenzo Ghiberti’s bronze doors with detailed panels at the Baptistry, part of the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiori complex. The historical center of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Masterpieces of the Uffizi
Gaze at some of the world’s greatest art masterpieces at the extraordinary Uffizi Gallery, Italy’s largest art museum, on a guided tour with a local expert. Admire works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, and more. Following your tour, you can spend as much time as you like looking at the art. During your free afternoon you can explore as you please; perhaps you may want to visit the Pitti Palace, the Medici Chapels or stroll across the Ponte Vecchio to the lovely Boboli Gardens. Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Vineyards and Rome – highlights when you travel Italy
Travel Italy through landscapes featuring olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards, including the region that produces Chianti wine. Stop in the medieval hill town of Siena, and wander through the narrow streets. See the Piazza del Campo where the Palio bareback horse race is held. Visit the Duomo, one of Italy’s great cathedrals, with scenes inlaid in the marble floors and sculpture by Michelangelo. Continue through scenic Tuscany to Rome, the Eternal City that was the center of the once-powerful Roman Empire.   Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 8: Visit the Vatican
Explore the rich treasures of the Vatican, starting at the Vatican Museums. In the Sistine Chapel, view Michelangelo’s masterpieces, and admire the art and architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica. Pursue your own special interests in Rome during the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: A day in Imperial Rome
Get an insider’s view of Rome from a local guide. You'll avoid long lines with pre-arranged reservations at the Colosseum, opened in AD 80 for gladiator combat. Choose among many historic sights and museums for your free afternoon. Share your favorite experiences at the farewell cocktail party and dinner, a special finale when you travel Italy with Tauck.  Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Arrivederci Rome
Your journey comes to an end at 7:30 AM at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino. If you are departing at other times, you must secure your own transportation to the airport.  Meals: Breakfast

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