ITALY 

Your host and guide is MIKE ROSS, travel professional since 1982.

Includes flights from Detroit, superior class hotel with private bath, breakfast and dinner daily, airport transfers in Europe and travel documents.  Featuring St. Peter´s Basilica, Michelangelo´s Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the ancient Roman Forum, the glories of Renaissance Florence including the Uffizi Museum and Michelangelo´s DAVID, the charm of the canals in Venice, St. Mark´s Cathedral, the Ducal Palace and the Venetian Gallerie.

Participants should enjoy walking, as many sights are available only to pedestrians.

Itinerary

Day 1.  Board our jet for the overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2.  After arrival, we visit one of Rome´s greatest treasures, Santa Maria Maggiore, famous for the “Snow in June” legend.  Next are The Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. 

Day 3. We start the day at the 2500 year old Roman Forum, from which Western Civilization spread.  Later we go inside the magnificent Colosseum.  A walk to the Palatine Hill, site of the homes of the most famous Roman Caesars, is in the afternoon.

Day 4:  Today we begin with the 2000 year old Pantheon.  Close by is the Piazza Navona and Rome´s most well-known fountain, the  Trevi Fountain.  This afternoon we’ll visit  OSTIA, the ancient Roman port city on the Mediterranean.  The ruins are rivaled only by Pompeii.

Day 5:  The day begins in St. Peter´s Square.  We visit Vatican City, St. Peter´s Basilica, the incomparable Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. The ceiling, perhaps the greatest art treasure in the world, has enchanted visitors for nearly 500 years.

Day 6: This morning we take the bullet-train to FLORENCE.   After arrival we visit the Renaissance masterpieces at the UFFIZI MUSEUM.  Later, spend some time in the leather markets or visit the Accadamia to see Michelangelo´s DAVID.

Day 7: We’ll spend the early morning at the Florence markets and visit the Ponte Vecchio, the ancient covered bridge over the Arno River.  Later we take the train to VENICE and enjoy a cruise along the Grand Canal.  This afternoon we will visit the Byzantine masterpiece of St. Mark´s Cathedral and St. Mark´s Square, what Napoleon called Europe´s grandest living room.

Day 8: This morning we visit the Doges Palace, residence of the king of the Venetian Empire.  This afternoon you may choose to enjoy a gondola ride along the canals or take the ferry to Burano, with its collection of brightly painted houses and glass-blowers.

Day 9: Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the USA.

PRICE from Detroit from $4199 per person in a double room.  Only $3849 with early deposit.  FOR RETURNING MIKE ROSS TRAVELERS only $3699. Single supplement $475.  Price may vary with airfare at time of booking.  Security charges and airport taxes assessed 98 days before departure.  Other departure cities available.    

PAYMENTS:  $1500 p/p deposit with RESERVATION FORM. Balance due 98 days prior to departure.   See TERMS & CONDITIONS.