Italy, a country that captures the imagination! For history there’s Rome, for art, there’s Florence and for wine, all of Tuscany; and for food, well, there’s simply Italy! Stylish, cultured, good humored and volatile – Italy, with its golden light, stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has inspired poets and painters for centuries. Join me and a small group of fabulous women as we explore central Italy. We’ll stay in the heart of Tuscany in the magical town of Cortona as we explore Rome, Umbria, Florence and many other quaint hill towns and sacred sites on day trips. Immerse yourself in the sights, tastes and scents of Italy, relax and renew your spirit under the Tuscan sun!

Tour land cost: $3,499.00 based on 10 travelers
Single supplement: $750.00

DAY 1 – Thursday Sept. 18, 2008 Depart USA for Rome

DAY 2 – Fri. Sept. 19 Rome / Ancient Rome Tour. Welcome Dinner tonight!
Morning arrival in The Eternal City, Rome. Transfer to your centrally located 4 star hotel. Time to rest and have a light lunch before our private bus tour of Rome highlights, the Forum & Coliseum, Pizza Venezia, Repubblica and Barberini. We end at the exquisite Trevi fountain, the most famous fountain in Rome, a masterpiece of both architecture and sculpture. Then what we've been waiting for, our first official dinner in Italy! Scrumptious authentic Italian cuisine and Ah yes, you will be enjoying fine local wines with all tour meals!

DAY 3 – Sat. Sept. 20 Rome B, L
This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museum including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica. You could spend years exploring the museum, but your guide will lead you to the most important highlights. You begin by taking the beautiful Spiral stairway and continuing through the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps before arriving at the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgement by Michelangelo. Then it’s time for more fabulous Italian food with lunch at a popular Rome restaurant. The afternoon is free to shop, experience and explore other important roman sites and monuments on your own.

DAY 4 – Sun. Sept. 21 Orvieto and Cortona B, L
Orvieto, perched on a plateau of tufa rock, with the outline of its world famous Duomo visible for miles around is not accessible by car. Access to the city is either via the funicular that runs from the railway station below or up the system of escalators dug into the cliffside. The exceptional views commanded by the city, as well as the beautiful skyline of Orvieto itself,can be fully appreciated by looking out from the top of the 13th century Torre del Moro, the highest vantage point in town. But the heart of Orvieto is undoubtedly Piazza del Duomo, a masterpiece of gothic architecture with its polychrome marble inlays and dazzling mosaics. The interior of the cathedral contains, among other important works of art, Luca Signorelli’s fresco cycles depicting the Antichrist, Armageddon, the Resurrection of the Flesh, the Chosen and the Reprobates, along with a spectacular Last Judgement in the San Brizio Chapel.

Another great artist, Beato Angelico, completed the angels in the vaults of the ceiling. At the corner of Via del Duomo there still survives the mechanical clock tower that chimed the moments of work and rest for the workmen in the building site over the centuries. Beneath Orvieto, there are underground passages which almost form another city in itself. The passages are open to the public. The city’s public art collections are also well worth a visit, and are divided between the Museo Claudio Faina, the Museo Archeologico and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.

Today we eat lunch at a casual Trattoria, wine tasting and plentiful food! After lunch enjoy the beautiful drive to Cortona inTuscany and your lovely Villa/Hotel, home for the next 5 nights.

DAY 5 – Mon. Sept. 22 Cortona B, D
Rich in art, Cortona is among the crown jewels of Tuscan hill towns and sits peacefully on a green mountainside above terraced olive groves. Home of the ancient Etruscans it is rich in archaelogical wonders of the Etruscan, medieval, and Renaissance eras.Traffic is restricted, which accentuates the sense of hilltop peacefullness and nighttime offers an amazing view of the villages of southern Tuscany glittering in the distance. Cortona has become more widely known as the delightful Italian town where the movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun” was filmed.

On our walking tour admire the many artistic and architectural treasures in the amazing hilltop city. Delight in its exceptional Etruscan features as you stroll past hirtoric palazi and through charming piazzas. Enter the stunning Romanesque cathedral, visit the renowed Diocesan Museum for its extraordinary collection of paintings from the medieval Sienese school, including The Annunciation by Beato Angelico. Lunch on your own and afternoon free to shop, hike up the mountain or explore the hidden treasures of Cortona as you weave your way through side streets to chat with the local olive farmers, wrinkled from sunny days in the vineyards. Take time to rest beside the beautiful fountain as you gaze upon the sculpted dolphins and water nymphs playing.

DAY 6 – Tues. Sept. 23 WINE TASTING AND LUNCH IN THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE B, L
This morning we will explore the Tuscan countryside and visit one of the local wine-making families. We will enjoy a delicious lunch at the vineyards and be able to sample their fine regional wines. This is a day to truly experience the local culture and get a glimpse into the life of a working vineyard and the family tradition of Italian wine making.

DAY 7 – Wed. Sept. 24 FULL DAY IN FLORENCE B, L
Embrace the heart of Tuscany and the Cradle of the Renaissance with a full day in fabulous Florence! Here we will see Michelangelo’s David and admire the cupola of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, a symbol of Tuscany. After we view the spectacular bronze doors of the Baptistry we’ll enjoy a special lunch at one of Florences charming restaurants. The afternoon is free to stoll over the fabled Arno River on the Ponte Vecchio packed with gold shops or sip espresso at a café on the Piazza della Signoria. Florence is a dynamic testimony to humanity’s creatie genius one that never fails to inspire awe!

DAY 8 – Thursday Sept. 25 SIENA and MONTERIGGIONI B, L
Like a crown atop 3 converging hills, the magical city of Siena has remainded unchanged throughout the centuries. Bathed in a rose-pink glow, Siena’s narrow streets wind through a spectacle of resplendent cathedrals, rich museums and finely preserved Gothic buildings. All roads lead to the renowned Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Italy and home to the famous summer horse race, the II Palio. See the imposing 14th century Torre del Mangia that rises in the distance. Visit the Basilica of San Domenico, now devoted to Saint Catherine but originally built on the site of an ancient temple to Minerva. At the Joyous Fountain hear about the forward thinking citizens who brought water to these hills with engineering even the Romans would admire and also visit the black and gold striped Gothic Duomo.

Lunch will be in the tiny “walled” Tuscan hill town, Monteriggioni, which offers a spectacular view of the Tuscan countryside. Here you can expeience and taste other Chianti and Tuscan wines where most of the local wineries still harvest their grapes by hand. Late afternoon we return to Cortona.

DAY 9 – Friday Sept. 26 ASSISI: Footsteps of St. Francis B, D
Today we visit the magnificent walled city of Assisi, a famous pilgrimage destination inextricably linked in legend with its native son, St. Francis who founded the Franciscan order and shares honours with St. Catherine of Sienna as the patron saint of Italy. He is known as a lover of nature and his preaching to an audience of birds is one of the legends of his life. The peace and serene nature of this gentle Saint is still felt as you walk the streets of Assisi, talking with local craftsmen and as you observe women embroidering the Franciscan cross stitch originated by the nuns years ago.

Experience Assisi’s time honored treasures including the glorious Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the serence Basilica of St. Francis which houses the body of St. Francis. An impressive sight as it stands against the towering backdrop of Mt. Subasio. The churches of the Basilica complex were decorated by the greatest painters of the 13 and 14 C: Cimabue, Giotto, the Lorenzetti brothers and Simone Martini. The stained glass windows are especially beautiful. The Upper Basilica is adorned by Giotto's frescoes illustrating the life of St. Francis. There are also works by Cimabue, Cavallini and Torriti. The monastery houses a remarkable "Treasury" composed of rare illuminated manuscripts and the Perkins collection.

After a delicious lunch in Assisi, we’ll go “off the beaten path” to visit The Hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri), an oasis of peace and tranquility in the midst of the woods of Mt. Subasio. Much of the main complex was here six hundred years before Francis was born. We will visit the tiny cave where Francis spent time meditating, praying and sleeping in a niche in the bare rock. Outside the cave, there is an old tree carefully propped up, reputed to be the very tree holding the birds St. Francis preached to. We’ll visit areas inside the hermitage that are usually not open to tourists and have the opportunity to talk with one of the Franciscian friers who will answer our questions and share a more intimate look at life in the hermitage. This will be a highlight of our time in Italy regardless of one’s spiritual beliefs, the aura of sacredness and peace here is a universal language of the heart.

Our afternoon drive back to Rome, gives you a last look at the beauty of the Italian countryside as we drive through the hills and southern part of Umbria. Check into your 4 star hotel and tonight enjoy a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Say Arrivederci to your travel companions and new Italian friends..

DAY 10 – Sat. Sept. 27 After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight home, late afternoon arrival in USA. ARRIVEDERCI ITALIA..

TOUR FEATURES:

• 8 nights accommodations at indicated first Class hotels or similar with private bath or shower
• Continental or buffet breakfast daily (depending upon hotel's service)
• 3 Dinners at hotels including wine (1/4 bottle pp), mineral water (1/2 bottle pp) and coffee:
• 5 lunches al local restaurants including wine (1/4 bottle pp), mineral water (1/2 bottle pp) and coffee
• Touring by private Deluxe minibus
• Professional English speaking tour director/driver.
• Tour of Rome Classical and Ancient Rome
• Half day guided tour Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s basilica
• Guided tour of Florence including Accademia Museum
• Tour of Siena, visit Monteriggioni
• Guided tour of Assisi
• Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person throughout
• Entrance fees included (Vatican Museums, Cortona, Accademia & MuseumFlorence)
• Hotel taxes and service charges

NOT INCLUDED

• International flight to Rome – group airfare will be arranged.
• Meals not specified in itinerary / drinks, laundry, personal items
• Gratuities:
  • Local guides suggested: 2 euro per person
  • Tour director/driver suggested: 6 euro per person per day