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Itinerary
Wednesday 9th. May 2012:
5:40pm Fly
from Adelaide to Melbourne. 10:10pm Melbourne - Abu Dhabi -
Athens.
Thursday 10th. May 2012:
Arrive Athens 1:15pm. 5:50pm Fly to Santorini. Arrive
Santorini 6:40pm
Accommodation: Santorini Reflexions Volcano Hotel, Fira,
Santorini
Friday
11th. May 2012 Free day
Accommodation:
Santorini Reflexions Volcano Hotel,
Fira, Santorini
Saturday 12th.
May 2012: (Day 1) Free day until 6:00pm - Santorini
Accommodation: Pension Petros, Fira, Santorini
Your adventure begins
with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. You can arrive at any
time as there are no activities planned until this important
meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take
place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time,
you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend.
We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject
to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the
hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and
next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you
have all these details t o provide to your leader. Renowned for
its spectacular natural beauty, Santorini is one of Europe's top
tourist hotspots. Discover the ruins of ancient Thira and
Akrotiri. Make like the Greeks and hire a scooter to explore
this captivating island. We recommend you consider booking one
or more extra nights of accommodation before this trip to see
all the sights of Santorini.
Optional Activities
Hop-on-hop off bus day pass, Santorini - EUR11.OO
Museum of Prehistoric Thira, Santorini - EUR3.00
Scooter rental, Santorini - EUR20.00
Volcano and hot springs (half-day trip), Santorini - EUR18.00
Accommodation Hotel (1 nt)
Sunday
13th May
(Day
2) &
Monday
14th May 2012
(Day 3) - Ios
Travel by ferry to Ios
(approx 1 hr). Ancient tradition says that Homer's mother was
from Ios and that he was buried there although, despite a rocky
entrance to a tomb at the northernmost end of the island,
there's no proof of this. The island is said to have 365
churches and chapels, one for each day of the year.
It's a 15-minute walk up a steep donkey path to the picturesque
village known as Chora. Perched on the slope overlooking the
port, Chora is full of stairs and narrow paths making it
blissfully inaccessible for cars. Golden beaches and
characteristic Aegean architecture of whitewashed cube-shaped
houses makes it appealing to everyone. In the evening, the
streets and squares are filled with people enjoying the
restaurants, shops, bars and nightclubs. The most popular and
longest beach on Ios is Mylopotas (only 3 km from Chora). Get
there before midday to beat the crowds. Take a walk following
paths to small and remote sandy beaches. Trek further to the
church of Panagia Gremiotissa, perched high with sweeping views,
recognised by its palm tree and windmills. During our time here
we enjoy a meal in family owned restaurant with great food and a
chance to learn more about local life.
Included Activities
Traditional Greek meal Walk to Panagia Gremiotissa
Optional Activities
Scooter Rental, Ios - EUR15.00
Archaeological sites, Ios - EUR5.00
Bicycle rental, Ios - EUR2.00
Watersports Activities, Ios - EUR1O.OO
Accommodation Hotel (2 nts)
Tuesday
15th May (Day 4),
Wednesday 16th May (Day 5), Thursday
17th May 2012
(Day 6)
- Naxos
Travel on by ferry to Naxos (approx 1 hr). The largest and most
fertile of the Cycladic islands, Naxos has a variety of great
beaches and Byzantine churches and medieval towers dot the
landscape. The famous Naxos Eye is a stone that was created by
the combination of sea, sun and other climatic conditions and is
now a symbol of the island. You can find it on jewellery sold at
shops on the island. Visit the temple of Apollo known as Portara
or Palatia. Along the way, you can also see two of the original
seven towers of the Venetian Castle, which is one of very few
preserved castles in Greece from that era. The old-style houses
and shops, small tavernas and traditional bakeries make this an
interesting part of the island. Take a walk from the mining town
of Apiranthos up to the island's second highest peak before
following old mule paths down to the picturesque villages of
Moni and further to Halki. Visit the local distillery which
produces kitron, a liqueur made from local citrus trees. Join
the islanders for a night of Greek music and dancing - a unique
opportunity to experience Greek culture and traditions and make
friends with the locals.
Included Activities
Walk and distillery tour Cultural show
Optional Activities
Scuba diving, Naxos - EUR55.00
Wind surfing, Naxos - EUR30.00
Accommodation Hotel (3 nts)
Friday 18th
May 2012
(Day 7):
Athens
It's a long
ferry trip to Athens (approx 6 hrs). There's much to be seen in
the ancient capital of Greece, vibrant and refreshed following
the 2004 Olympics, yet still retaining so much visible history.
As there's not much time to explore Athens on this trip we
recommend you spend a few extra days here to see the sights.
Highlights include the renowned changing of the guard at Syntagma (Parliament) Square, the National Gardens, the Temple
of Olympian Zeus, the original Olympic Stadium and of course the
Acropolis where YOU can enter the Parthenon and enjoy the view
of the city from this unique vantage point. Many other options
are available if you extend your time here, including day trips
to the Peloponnese peninsula, taking in ancient Epidavros and
the ancient Corinthian canal.
Saturday 19th May 2012 (Day 8)
is
departure day
There are no
activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart
our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point
Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage
possibilities.
Optional Activities
Acropolis Pass for 5 sites, Athens - EUR12.00
National Archaeological Museum, Athens - EUR4.00
Day trip to the Saronic Islands, Athens - EUR20.00
Day trip to Delphi, Athens - EUR25.00
Dora Stratou /Optional Activity, Athens - EUR15.00
Lycabettus Hill /Optional Activity, Athens - Free
Numismatic Museum, Athens - EUR3.00
Sightseeing Bus No. 400, Athens - EUR5.00
Accommodation:
Athinaikon Hotel, 40
Evripidou St, Athens (1 nt)
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Saturday: Start 2 day tour of Delphi, Kalambaka & Meteora with
Viator (CHAT Tours)
Spend night in Kalambaka. Arrive back in Athens on
Sunday at around 7:00pm |
Sunday 20th May 2012 Kalambaka
- Meteora - Athens .... Airotel
Parthenon, 6 Makri Street,
Athens
Monday 21st May 2012
Free day in Athens .... Airotel Parthenon,
6 Makri Street,
Athens
Tuesday 22nd May 2012 Airotel Parthenon, 6 Makri Street,
Athens.
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Tuesday: Day Trip to Mycenae & Epidauras with Viator
(CHAT Tours) pickup at Airotel Parthenon at ?? |
Wednesday 23rd
May 2012
Free day in
Athens .... Airotel Parthenon, 6
Makri Street,
Athens
Thursday 24th May 2012
Fly to Rome .... Hotel Prati, Via
Crescenzio 89, Rome
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Thursday: Rome By
Night Walking Tour departs Piazza Navona at
6:30pm. Meet between the Fountain of Four Rivers.
The big fountain in the MIDDLE of the square
(with the high obelisk) and the church of St Agnes.
The evening
walking tour visits Rome's best known sights,
including the Colosseum (exterior visit only),
Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza
Navona. It also includes an overview of the Forum
area, including the Imperial Forums. Several major
sites are covered in a short period of time, and
you'll receive enlightening insights into the city's
millennia of history as you stroll.
You'll
experience the romance and beauty of Rome as the sun
sets and the city lights are illuminated on this
special walking tour. All tour guides are native
English-speakers or Roman archaeologist, hold
university degrees in teaching and the humanities,
and adhere to the highest standards of education. |
Friday 25th May 2012
Free day in Rome .... Hotel Prati, Via
Crescenzio 89, Rome
Saturday 26th May 2012
Free day in Rome .... Hotel Prati, Via
Crescenzio 89, Rome
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Saturday: Skip the Line:
Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine
Chapel, Raphael's Rooms and St Peter's.
Tour departs near the Vatican Museums
entrance. Meet the Dark Rome hostess at the BOTTOM
of the steps across the street from the entrance to
the Vatican Museums. The steps are located next to
Caffe Vaticano,on the corner of Via Tunisi and Viale
Vaticano. Upgrade to the 8:10am tour (arrive
strictly at 7:55am) to skip the long lines
and gain access before the general public.
Guaranteed small group tour that never exceeds 10
people. Duration is about 3 hours. |
Sunday 27th May 2012
Free day in Rome .... Hotel Prati, Via
Crescenzio 89, Rome
Monday 28th May 2012 (Day 1):
Free day in Rome until 6:00pm beginning of
"Classic Italy" tour
when there is a welcome
meeting at 6pm. .... Hotel Bolognese, Via Palestro
15, Rome (1 nt)
.You can arrive at any
time as there are no activities planned until this important
meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take
place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time,
you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend.
We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject
to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the
hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and
next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you
have all these details to provide to your leader. Crowded with
ancient ruins and religious monuments, Rome still pulses to the
beat of modern life and is packed with designer shops,
restaurants, cafes and exciting nightlife.
Optional
Activities
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Rome - EUR11.00
Vatican museums, Rome - EUR14.00
St Peter's dome elevator, Rome - EUR7.00
St Peter's dome climb, Rome - EUR6.00
Tuesday
29th May (Day 2) & Wednesday 30th May 2012
(Day 3):
- Florence
Enjoy
some free time in Rome or, if you wish, your group leader will
be available for an orientation walk taking in some of the
best-known sights of Rome.
No visit would be
complete without a trip to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica.
Entry to the Basilica is free, and there's a small charge to
climb the dome for the ultimate breathtaking panorama over bella
Roma. Also make the time to visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine
Chapel. The Vatican Museum is closed on some days, including
most Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month, it's open and
free (but expect large crowds). Check the Vatican website for
these dates: www.vatican.va
Tickets for the Vatican
Museum or alternatively the Galleria Borghese can be booked
online at
www.en.roma.waf.it
Board a train to
Florence (approx 2 hrs).
Florence, the cultural
heart of Tuscany, bursts with religious treasures and
Renaissance masterpieces. It's been said that during the second
millennium, a third of Europe's most important artists lived in
Florence. The minds and talents of the Medicis, Leonardo da
Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and
Michelangelo all flourished here.
The principal sights of
this beautiful 'outdoor museum' are easily discovered on foot -
the Pitti Palace, the Ponte Vecchio, the Arno River front, the
many statues and monuments of the Piazza della Signoria, the
Palazzo Vecchio, the 13th-century Duomo, Baptistry and Belltower
and the Santa Croce Church.
Visit the Uffizi, one
of the world's oldest art galleries and a work of art itself.
See Michelangelo's
famous statue of David in the Galleria dell'Accademia.
In the evening, you can
climb uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo for that most photographed
of all sunset views across the rooftops of Florence.
Florentine State
Museums (Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti Palace, Medici Chapels,
Bargello, Archaeological Museum, Davanzati) can all be booked
in advance. Reserve tickets by phone on (+39) 055 294883 from
Monday to Friday 8.30am-6.30pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm. You can
also book online at www.weekendafirenze.com. We suggest that you
book at least two months in advance especially for the Uffizi as
this museum experiences enormous queues (up to 5 hours) all year
round. The individual museums have slightly different opening
times and closing days between them but the website -
www.firenzemusei.it - has everything you need to know about all
of them.
Make your reservations
for these museums for any time on Day 3 (Wednesday) or the morning of Day 4
(Thursday)
of this itinerary.
Included Activities
Piazzale Michelangelo
Optional Activities
Accademia, Florence - Wed. May 30th. - 11:30am - Viator Tour
Uffizi Gallery, Florence - Wed. May 30th. - 4:30pm - Viator
Tour
Wednesday:
Skip the Line: Florence Accademia (11:30am) and Uffizi Gallery
(4:30pm) Tour
In the morning, meet at the entrance to Accademia Gallery
(11:15am). You'll skip the line and immerse yourself in the
fascinating world of Michelangelo in no time at all! Prepare
to be amazed when you see Michelangelo's world-famous statue
of David! Also see other important works by Michelangelo
including Prigioni and San Matteo too.
The duration is 1 hour 15 minutes.
In the afternoon, let your expert guide lead you through the
special skip the line entrance at the Uffizi Gallery
(4:30pm). The museum occupies the top floor of an impressive
building erected by Giorgio Vasari between 1560 and 1580.
Admire the superb paintings of Botticelli, Michelangelo,
Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue and Masaccio.
The duration is 1 hour 30 minutes.
All entrance fees to the museums are included in the tour
price.
Uffizi Gallery and Accademia
Gallery are located very close to each other. You will have
free time between the tours for lunch or choose to spend
longer inside the museums (after the guided tours).
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Duomo & Campanile climb, Florence - EUR6.00
Accommodation: (2 nts) - Albergo Firenze, Piazza Donati
4, (via del Corso), 50122 Firenze
Thursday 31st May (Day 4), Friday 1st
June (Day 5) & Saturday 2nd June 2012: (Day 6) - Lucca/Pisa
Take a train to Lucca (approx 2 hrs).
Lucca is one of
Tuscany''s real hidden gems, with centuries-old buildings,
beautiful churches, charming piazzas and narrow streets within
the city ramparts.
Set off on a cycling
tour following the scenic Serchio River through the Tuscan
countryside (4 km round the walls and 14 km by the river, approx
3 hrs).
Our base in Lucca
provides us with the perfect opportunity for an outing to the
nearby city of Pisa (approx 30 mins by local train), where
you'll have the chance to visit the world-famous Duomo,
Baptistry and of course, the gravity defying Leaning Tower.
In Lucca, we stay in
some unique accommodation - our own private apartments. We have
several separate apartments located near the city centre so you
may be a short walk away from your other group members and your
leader. The apartments are a real treat. Staying in the city
centre allows easy access to all the sights, restaurants and
bars - all an easy stroll from your front door. Each apartment
has 2-3 rooms with a shared bathroom. The kitchen is fully
equipped and you can choose to buy your own groceries and
supplies for meals. Some of our groups make Italian feasts with
local ingredients during their stay. Our apartments are not
hotels, there's no reception, room service or cleaning service
every day, no televisions or washing machines, but plenty of
charm and you just cannot beat the location.
Included Activities
Bicycle tour
Pisa visit
Optional Activities
Puccini concert, Lucca - EUR15.00
Palazzo Pfanner house, Lucca - EUR3.00
Guinigi Tower Climb, Lucca - EUR4.00
Lucca bike hire, Lucca - EUR3.50
National Gallery Villa Guinigi, Lucca - EUR4.00
Palazzo Pfanner Gardens, Lucca - EUR3.0
Barga bus day trip, Lucca - EUR8.00
Palazzo Pfanner House and Garden combo, Lucca - EUR4.50
Cathedral Museum, Lucca - EUR3.50
Tomb of Ilaria Carretto, Lucca - EUR2.00
Accommodation: Private
apartment (3 nts)
Sunday 3rd June (Day 7) & Monday 4th June 2012
(Day 8) - Cinque Terre
Travel by train to
Levanto (approx 3 hrs).
The small but lovely
coastal town of Levanto offers streetside cafes, parks and a
seafront promenade. Walk along the famous path of the Cinque
Terre. Olive groves and vineyards cover the mountains that
plunge into the sea - the vistas here are breathtaking. If
you're feeling energetic, walking the entire path (12 km, approx
5 hrs) will give you the best taste of the villages and
countryside. However, you can jump on a train between any of the
villages or to get back to our base whenever you want. Please note
that some sections of the Cinque Terre path can be quite
difficult with challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep
cliffs and foot bridges. Appropriate footwear (trainers or light
hiking shoes) are required for this day.
Cinque Terre path
sections:
- Riomaggiore to Manarola is easy and takes 25 minutes on a
paved path.
- Manarola to Corniglia is easy and takes about 50 minutes on a
partly paved and partly rocky path.
- Corniglia to Vernazza is medium level difficulty and takes
about 1.5 hours on a rocky path.
- Vernazza to Monterosso is more challenging and takes about 2
hours on a rocky path.
Included Activities
Cinque Terre day pass and walk
Accommodation: Hotel (2
nts)
Tuesday 5th June (Day 9) & Wednesday 6th June
2012: (Day 10) - Portofino/Piedmont
Travel by train to Santa Margherita on the Peninsula of
Portofino (approx 1 hr).
Store your luggage and
set off on a 5-7km walk, finishing at the glamorous resort of
Portofino. Walk up to the marvellous viewpoints surrounding the
town, or join the rich and famous for coffee on the harbourside
and enjoy the people-watching. Then enjoy the fabulous coastal
scenery with a boat ride back to Santa Margherita (weather
permitting).
Continue on by train to
Asti (approx 2.5 hrs).
The town of Asti is
located in the Piedmont region, home to some of the finest and
most sought after wines in Europe. It's also the best place to
find 'tartufo' (truffles), a distinctive regional delicacy. Take
a bus to the rural village of Castagnole Monferrato and visit
the home of a local winemaking family to sample their vintages.
The Ruche grape variety is unique to this region of Italy - it's
grown in just seven small villages in the province of Asti and
produces a ruby-red, intense and aromatic wine.
Included Activities
Walk to Portofino and return boat ride
Winery visit
Accommodation: Hotel (2
nts)
Thursday 7th June (Day 11) & Friday 8th June 2012:
(Day 12) - Milan/Italian Lakes
Travel by train to
Milan (approx 2 hrs), where we stop for a few hours.
Italy's most prosperous
and fashionable city, Milan is the place for stylish shopping
and cafes - Milanese specialities!
Explore the city's
historic centre and visit the magnificent Duomo (cathedral) with
its stunning Gothic terrace.
Many visitors whilst in
Milan will want to take a visit to Leonardo Da Vinci's
masterpiece, The Last Supper. Please note that your leader can't
assist with tickets to see the Last Supper. These tickets are
limited and generally sell out extremely quickly and up to six
months in advance. If you expressly want to see the Last Supper
you need to make arrangements in advance. Day 11 of this trip
between 1pm and 3pm are suitable times. Note that the viewing is
15 minutes and in order not to lose the reservation, visitors
must arrive 15 minutes before the time allocated for the visit.
For information and reservations call + 39 02 89 42 11 46.
Online bookings may be available at these sites:
Thursday, June 7th.
1:45am - Select Italy.com - Tickets for Entrance to
"The Last Supper."
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http://en.milano.waf.it/museo.html or
www.cenacolovinciano.org.
Some websites will only sell a ticket in conjunction with an
additional product such as a guide book or another museum entry.
Late in the afternoon, continue on to Lake Como by train and bus
(approx 3 hrs). Board a ferry to travel across the blue waters
to Bellagio. The rest of the day is free to explore Varenna,
Cadenabbia, Villa Carlotta or the beautiful Villa Balbianello,
which you may recognise from films such as Casino Royale or Star
Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
Included Activities
Duomo roof visit
Lake Como ferry pass
Milan half-day trip
Optional Activities
La Scala Museum, Milan - EUR5.00
The Last Supper from, Milan - EUR29.00
Accommodation: Hotel (2
nts)
Saturday 9th June (Day 13) Sunday 10th
June (Day 14) & Monday 11th June 2011 (Day 15) - Venice
Journey by train to
Venice (approx 6 hrs).
A grand city of canals,
Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400
bridges. Still rich with artistic masterpieces, modern
Venice combines history with contemporary life through food,
performance, art and architecture.
There are only two ways
to explore Venice - by boat or on foot. Some of the more popular
sights include the Grand Canal, the shops of the Rialto Bridge,
the Palace of the Doge (ruler of Venice), the Piazza and
Basilica di San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. Take the time to
wander the narrow, cobblestone streets and spacious piazzas and
cross the hundreds of tiny bridges, where shops, markets,
galleries, churches and stunning buildings lie around every
corner. You can't leave Venice without going on a classic
Venetian gondola. It's a common way for visitors to see the
major canal routes from a fascinating perspective. As this is a
combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your
group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting
to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you're welcome
to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow
travellers.
Optional Activities
Sunday, June 10th.
9:30am - Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day
Sightseeing Tour - Tour departs from the Alilaguna
Pier in front of the Royal Gardens at San Marco
4 hour tour
of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Boarding a
comfortable motor boat, you'll speed along the
Venetian lagoon to Murano, famous for its glassware.
During the visit you'll explore shops, factories and
watch the skilled glass-blowers as they create works
of art. You'll also have time to visit a museum
showcasing the world-famous Murano glass.
Re-board your motor boat you'll journey to the
island of Burano to admire picturesque fishermen's
houses painted in bright pastel colors, and, of
course, the famous lace. You can visit a museum
dedicated to the craft of lace, and purchase the
beautiful lace at local shops.
The last island stop is Torcello, the earliest
center of civilization in the Venetian lagoon.
You'll see the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta,
founded in the 7th century, and the excavated
remains of the circular baptistery in the church of
Santa Fosca. |
Monday, June 11th.
9:45am - Venetoinside.com - Entrance to San Marco
Purchase online at a cost of 1€ per person your
privileged access to St Mark’s Cathedral and avoid
the long queue (with an average queuing time of 45
minutes). You can book the access to the Cathedral
on the day and at a time that you prefer. |
Monday, June 11th.
11:35am - tickitaly.com -
The Doge's Palace
Secret Itineraries tour, Venice, Italy
The tour starts from the offices of the Notaio
Ducale (Doge’s secretary), the assistant to many of
Venice’s ministers, and moves on to the rooms of the
Deputato alla Segreta del Consiglio dei Diceci
(literally ‘the Deputy of the secret works of the
Council of Ten’) the keeper of the secret archives.
The Council of Ten was the revolving council that
ruled Venice. Now we move on to the office of the
Grand Chancellor, the only official of Venice
directly elected by the Grand Council. He was in
charge of the main archives.
From here, we take the stairs to the room of the
Cancelleria Segreta (Secret Chancellery). This is a
superb room. Its walls were once covered with
cupboards, stuffed with documents charting the
public acts (and secret deals) made by the
magistrates of the Republic. The upper doors are
clad with mirrors, and bear the names and the coats
of arms of the chancellors of the city from 1268
onward.
We move through the salon of the Reggente alla
Cancelleria (Regent to the Chancellery) and to some
of Venice’s darker secrets. Here we find the Torture
Room, which joins directly to the gaol. On from here
and we are in the Piombi (literally ‘the leads’).
This area gets its name as it is sited under the
lead roof of the palace. This was the original
prison (before the new prison across the Bridge of
Sighs) and continued to be used for certain
offenders, typically political prisoners, those
awaiting trial, or those on short sentences for
lesser crimes. There were half a dozen cells here
(stalls really) separated by wood partitions: it
doesn’t sound too luxurious, but Casanova for one
attested that the Piombi were far preferable to the
Pozzi (‘the wells’): the dreaded cells in the
basement of the Palazzo Ducale.
We head on to the Sottotetto (attic) at Ponte della
Paglia. These occupy a corner site between the Rio
di Palazzo and the Bacino di San Marco. This was
once the location of a tower occupied by the Doge of
the day. The walls bear coats of arms, mainly from
the 1300s. We then descend the stairs from the
Sottotetto to the Sala degli Inquisitori (the
‘Inquisitors’ Room’). The beautiful ceiling of the
room, decorated by painter Tintoretto during
1566-67, belied its terrible function. The Sala
housed the Inquisitori alla Propagazione dei Segreti
dello Stato, a shadowy body of three men, founded in
1539, to protect state secrets … and to winkle out
any transgressors. These ‘inquisitors for the
maintenance of state secrets’ (secret policemen in
fact) took ‘objectiveness, competence and
efficiency’ as their watchwords. But their
activities and their findings (uncovered by any
means, including torture) remained hidden from the
Venetian public.
And so we move to the Sala dei Tre Capi (literally
the ‘room of the three heads’), a trio of
magistrates chosen each month from the 10 men on the
Consiglio dei Dieci. This is a further example of
the periodic revolving of power within the Republic
as a guard against any one man assuming too much
sway. The superb ceiling was painted in 1553 and
1554 by Giambattista Zelotti, with the ante-rooms by
Veronese and Giambattista Ponchino.
You are then free to explore the remainder of the
palace. Your tour is likely to end at the Ponte dei
Sospiri or Bridge of Sighs … the final walk of
prisoners across the water to the ‘new prison’.
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Gondola ride, Venice - EUR16.00
Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, Venice - EUR13.00
Guggenheim Museum, Venice - EUR12.00
St Mark's Campanile, Venice - EUR7.00
St Mark's Basilica Treasury, Venice - EUR2.00
Accademia Gallery, Venice - EUR7.00
Venezia Ca' d'Oro, Venice - EUR3.00
Concerto, Venice - EUR30.00
Glass Museum Murano, Venice - EUR6.00
Museum of St Mark's Basilica, Venice - EUR2.00
Confraternity of St. Roch, Venice - EUR6.00
Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art, Venice - EUR7.00
Accommodation:
(3 nts)
Hotel Villa Rosa
Lista Di Spagna, Calle Misericordia 389
Venice
Tuesday 12th June (Day 16} & Wednesday 13th June
2011: (Day 17) - Gubbio
This is a long travel
day as we take several trains followed by a short bus ride
inland into Umbria and the medieval hill town of Gubbio (approx
8 hrs). The streets of Gubbio are filled with stone houses and
orange-tiled roofs, set against a mountain backdrop.
Take a short
orientation walk up to Gubbio's unique cable car - a 15 minute
and 1,000 metre high ride to the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo, which
contains the mummified body of the town's patron saint. From up
here you can marvel at the amazing vistas of the Umbrian valleys
and mountains plus get a great rooftop view of the town itself.
Take a short hike from
the top of Mt Ingino to admire the Umbrian countryside and
stunning view down to Gubbio (approx. 2-3hrs).
You'll have some free
time to explore the delights of Gubbio at leisure. You can take
in the Civic Museum, the Duomo or the Palazzo Ducale, or just
relax into the Umbrian pace of life. Enjoy a variety of local
cuisine and try one of the dishes that Umbria is famous for -
pecorino cheese, game meat and mushrooms all feature on
restaurant menus.
Included Activities
Hike and cable car ride
Optional Activities
Museum of Majolica, Gubbio - EUR3.00
Civic Museum, Gubbio - EUR5.00
Ducal Palace, Gubbio - EUR2.00
Museum Diocesian, Gubbio - EUR4.50
Accommodation: Hotel (2
nts)
Thursday 14th June (Day 18) & Friday 15th June 2011:
(Day 19) - Assisi/Spello
Take a bus south to
Assisi (approx 2.5 hrs).
Assisi was the home of
one of the world's most famous saints and founder of the
Franciscan order - St Francis. Whatever your feelings about
religion, it's a place which inspires reverence. Join your
group leader on an orientation walk past all the wonderful
sights of Assisi, including Piazza Matteotti, the Basilica of St
Clare and the Roman temple remains. Take a short guided tour of
the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco (St Francis
Cathedral). We'll be led by a member of the Franciscan
community, who will explain the life and times of St Francis and
the beautiful art inside the church. Take the train to charming
Spello (approx 20 mins) to sample exclusive local wine and
regional food specialties at an enoteca in this medieval town.
Return to Assisi in the late afternoon.
Included Activities
Guided tour of Basilica di San Francesco
Orientation Walk Assisi
Enoteca wine tasting
Spello visit
Optional Activities
Ermeo delle Carceri and Mount Subasia, Assisi - Free
Museo e Foro Romano, Assisi - EUR2.50
Museum of San Rufino Cathedral, Assisi - EUR3.00
Basilica of St Clare, Assisi - Free
Accommodation:
Hotel (2 nts)
Saturday 16th June 2011 (Day
20) - Rome
Travel
by train to Rome (approx 4 hrs).
Crowded with ancient
ruins and religious monuments, Rome still pulses to the beat of
modern life and is packed with designer shops, restaurants,
cafes and exciting nightlife. See some of the world-famous
sights such as the Colosseum, Arch of Constantine and the Forum
(the centre of ancient Rome). No visit would be complete without
a trip to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilica. Entry to the
Basilica is free, and there's a small charge to climb the dome
for the ultimate breathtaking panorama over bella Roma. Also
make the time to visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.
The Vatican Museum is closed on some days, including most
Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month, it's open and free
(but expect large crowds). Check the Vatican website for these
dates:
www.vatican.va
Tickets for the Vatican Museum or alternatively the
Galleria Borghese can be booked online at
www.en.roma.waf.it
Optional Activities
Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome - EUR5.00
Christian catacombs, Rome - EUR5.00
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Rome - EUR11.00
Imperial Fora, Rome - EUR9.00
Keats-Shelley Memorial House, Rome - EUR4.00
Vatican museums, Rome - EUR14.00
Pantheon, Rome - Free
St Peter's dome climb, Rome - EUR6.00
St Peter's dome elevator, Rome - EUR7.00
Galleria Borghese, Rome - EUR13.50
Venezia Palace, Rome - EUR4.00
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Rome - EUR11.00
Accommodation:Hotel (1
nt)
Sunday 17th
June 2011
(Day 21) is departure day.
There are no activities
planned for the final day and you are able to depart our
accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point
Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage
possibilities.
Catch plane in Rome (8:40am) to
Athens - Abu Dhabi - Melbourne.
Monday 18th June 2011:
Arrive home via Melbourne at 9:pm
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