Italian Interludes
Escorted Tour
October 13 – 22, 2023
~~~ TRIP IS FULL – WAITLIST ONLY ~~~
10 Days – 9 Nights
★ Rome ★ Orvieto ★ Assisi ★ Florence ★ Padua ★ Venice & Burano Island ★ Verona ★ Milan
Discover the legendary beauty if Italy — from the art of Michelangelo to the song-filled canals of Venice. Explore hidden cobblestone streets, watch the world go by from a sidewalk café, sail across beautiful blue waters and stroll the stylish avenues of Milan, sip wine below the Duomo in Florence. From the historic Colosseum of Rome to the quiet back alleys of Assisi to the the sweet views of Lake Como to the bittersweet Aperol liqueur of Padua. Warm locals welcome you in each ancient city, medieval village, and indulgent resort, sharing the stories behind the architecture, the tales behind the sculptures, the meaning behind the brushstrokes, and if you’re lucky, the secret ingredients on your plate!
Destinations & Sightseeing:
- Guided tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Roman Forum & Pantheon
- Travel to the hilltop town of Orvieto to see Piazza del Duomo
- In Assisi, visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
- Enjoy a guided sightseeing excursion to Spello with dinner
- Guided Walking Tour in Florence to include the cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, bronze doors of the Baptistry’s “Gates of paradise” and the Sculptures of Signoria Square;
- Orientation of Padua followed by an Itialian aperitivo (pre-dinner cocktail) at Cafe Pedrocchi
- In Venice, take a private boat ride and guided walking tour to include St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and a glassblower demonstration
- Enjoy a Lagoon Cruise to Burano Island for sightseeing and dinner
- Walk to Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Bra to admire the Arena in Verona
- Orientation walk in Milan including stops at La Scala Opera House, the Galleria, and the Duomo
- Private boat ride to Bellagio, Lake Como’s most beloved village.
$3,849.00 pp dbl occ.
$400 pp nonrefundable dep required
***Deadline for reservations is June 12, 2023 *** Don’t delay, space is filling fast!
***VALID PASSPORT REQUIRED***
Tour Includes:
*Motor coach transportation from Harrisburg to Newark Airport
*Round trip flights from Newark to Rome and from Milan to Newark
*8 nights accommodations in first class hotels
*12 meals (including 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners)
*Admissions, sightseeing and touring as mentioned in the itinerary above
*Services of a Trustworthy Travel Escort, Ardeth Bonner, with minimum of 15 guests
*All airline and hotel taxes, bagging handling at hotels.
**SERA Sponsored Tour, open to the public.
Contact Trustworthy Travel at 717-436-8978 or email trustworthytvl@yahoo.com or Ardeth Bonner at 717-440-2315
ITINERARY:
Day 1, October 13, 2023 OVERNIGHT FLIGHT TO ROME, ITALY – Depart on your Motorocoach Transportation to the Airport (TBA). Board your flight for Rome.
Day 2, October 14, 2023 ROME, ITALY
WELCOME TO ROME! Enjoy the day on your own to explore this beautiful city. Your Trustworthy Travel Hostess will be available to provide ideas on places to explore and the best restaurants in the area. This afternoon, check-in at your hotel. (Dinner)
Day 3, October 15, 2023 ROME
ROME – At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Rome Highlights Tour. (Dinner)
Day 4, October 16, 2023 ROME
ROME – Guided Sightseeing includes the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. Visit St. Peter’s Square and Basilica to see Michelangelo’s Pietà and visit the Colosseum. Free time this late afternoon and evening. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT – LEGENDARY LIVES Stand in awe and wonder amid one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements in the Sistine Chapel. Hear how in 1508, a young Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to decorate the chapel’s ceiling – a request not welcomed by the 33-year-old sculptor. Michelangelo’s 4-year project was indeed one of physical pain and psychological distress, while painting from scaffolds high above the sanctuary floor. Nevertheless, he created what is considered the most famous ceiling in the world, depicting the Creation of Adam in striking fresco style.
Day 5, October 17, 2023 ROME–ORVIETO–ASSISI
HISTORIC HALLS – ORVIETO Spend free time in Piazza del Duomo.
ASSISI Visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Free time this afternoon and evening.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT – ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi with a visit to the Basilica named after the deacon, friar, and mystic, who became one of the most venerated religious figures in Christianity. Revered for his love of the Eucharist and the Earth, Francis found communion with God through nature here in this Italian village where he lived and died. Marvel at the magnificent frescoes by Italian master Giotto that adorn the Basilica where the Saint is buried.
Day 6, October 18, 2023 ASSISI–FLORENCE–PADUA
LEGENDARY LANDMARKS – FLORENCE Guided walking tour includes sights of the cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the massive bronze doors of the Baptistry’s “Gates of Paradise,” and the sculptures of Signoria Square. PADUA Take an orientation drive, followed by an Italian aperitivo (pre-dinner cocktail) at Café Pedrocchi. (Breakfast)
LOCAL FAVORITE – LOCAL TASTES They say aperitivo is life. Indulge in the Italian specialties served at Café Pedrocchi with a traditional cocktail before dinner. From the Latin word for ‘open,’ aperitivi cocktails or wine are served between 6 and 9pm as an opener to the evening meal. Alla salute!
Day 7, October 19, 2023 PADUA. EXCURSION TO VENICE
BENVENUTI A VENEZIA – VENICE A private boat ride and guided walking tour, includes a visit to St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, a glassblower demonstration, and a Lagoon cruise and meal in Burano included excursion. (Breakfast, Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT – HISTORIC SPOT Locals simply call Piazza San Marco “la piazza.” As paired with the smaller Piazzetta, it forms the social, religious, and political hub of Venice, which Napoleon called “the drawing room of Europe.” St. Mark’s Basilica dominates the square, offering visitors a spectacular view of the great arches, marble embellishments, and the Romanesque carvings of its façade. Also gracing the square is Doge’s Palace – a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. The enclosed Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace with the prison, is named for the prisoners breathing in their last view of the Rio di Palazzo on their walk to the prison’s interrogation rooms.
Day 8, October 20, 2023 PADUA–VERONA–MILAN
LADIES & GENTLEMEN OF VERONA – Walk to Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Bra to admire the Arena. MILAN Orientation walk includes stops at La Scala Opera House, the Galleria, and the Duomo. Free time for dinner. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT – CULTURE & TRADITION Stroll through the grand piazzas of Verona, where the tradition of La Passeggiata (leisurely stroll) is alive and well near the site of the ancient forum. Where fruits, vegetables, and spices once filled the market squares, now eateries and shops share the space with the ancient arts of sumptuous fountains, monuments, architecture, and people-watching.
Day 9, October 21, 2023 MILAN. EXCURSION TO LAKE COMO
LIFE ON THE LAKE – Visit LAKE COMO and take private boat ride on the lake to Bellagio.
MILAN Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
photo: lakecomotravel.com/bellagio
Day 10, October 22, 2023 MILAN – Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Transfer to the airport for you flight home with fond memories of all your Italian Interludes. (Breakfast)
Accommodations:
ROME – (3-nights).
ASSISI – (1-night).
PADUA – (2-nights).
MILAN – (2-nights).
For Reservations and Information contact Trustworthy Travel at 717-436-8978 or email trustworthytvl@yahoo.com or phone Ardeth Bonner at 717-440-2315.