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FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH
Italy 12/1 12 days tour Spring 2023/2024
From NEW YORK:
$3,299.00
From WASHINGTON DC:
$3,199.00
If booked by July 31st, 2022 for the trips in 2023 and by July 31st, 2023 for the trips in 2024.
The price is based on 35 paying travelers and 6 free chaperones. For smaller independent groups we will adjust the price. The ratio for free chaperones stays 1/6. The lowest number of paying participants for an independent group is 10.
PALERMO, SYRACUSE, TAORMINA, MESSINA, SALERNO, ROME, VATICAN, FLORENCE, VENICE
Day-1. DEPARTURE CITY – ROME: Overnight flight to Rome.
Day-2. ROME – FLIGHT TO PALERMO: Arrive in Rome and continue with a domestic flight to Palermo. Upon arrival transfer to your centrally located hotel. After a short refreshment break go for a walking tour to see this old town and its main sites such as the Cathedral, Piazza Bellini, Martorana Church, Praetorial Fountain Sabatelli’s Palace. Overnight in Palermo.
Day-3. MONREALE – AGRIGENTO: Start your guided tour by your bus to Monreale to visit the Cathedral. Continue to Selinunte to visit the Dorian Temples and the Acropolis. Continue to Agrigento established in 6th century BC. Visit the main sites such as the City Hall, Cathedral, Church of the Holy Spirit, and Corvaja and Torre del Orologio. Then go to Messina to see the Cathedral and Bell Tower before boarding the overnight ferry to Salerno (accommodation in quad cabins.) No breakfast and dinner on the ferry.
Day-4. SYRACUSE – TAORMINA: Travel along the coast to Syracuse. Visit the main sites like The Dome, the Castle of Eurialo, Greek Theater, and Roman Amphitheater. Then to Taormina to follow the path of the “Godfather” featuring the authentic villages chosen by Francis Ford Coppola for most of the scenes in the Godfather movies. This is the best way to explore the real untouched Sicilian countryside, local lifestyle, and culture. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Taormina.
Day-5. TAORMINA – MESSINA – NIGHT FERRY TO SALERNO: In the morning, tour Taormina, one of the most prosperous towns from the early Greek period, established in the 7th century BC. Visit the amazing Greco- Roman Theater, Palazzo Corvaja, and Torre del Orologio. Then go to Messina to see the Cathedral and Bell Tower. In the evening board the overnight ferry to Salerno (accommodation in quad cabins.) No breakfast and dinner on the ferry.
Day-6. SALERNO – ROME: Arrive in Rome and transfer to your centrally located hotel. After a short break join your Tour Director on a walking tour of Renaissance and Baroque Rome. See Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Pinzio Hill, the Spanish Steps, and more. Have some free time for exploring and shopping.
Day-7. ROME: Start your day with a guided walking tour of Ancient Rome. Visit/See the Colosseum, Titus Arch, Constantine’s Arch, Forum Romanum, Foro Traiano, Campidoglio, Victor Emanuel Monument. In the afternoon optional visit to the Capitoline museums, housing ancient Roman artifacts, such as the statue of the bronze “She-wolf” which, according to legend nursed Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, as well as the famous statue of “The Dying Gaul.” Enjoy some free time.
Day-8. ROME – VATICAN – FLORENCE: Take the metro to visit the Vatican Museum, one of the best museums in the world. End the visit in the Sistine Chapel, the seat of the Conclave for electing Popes, and view the magnificent ceilings by Michelangelo. Continue on to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest Catholic church in the world with another Michelangelo masterpiece La Pieta, Glory by Bernini, and more. Then visit the Catacombs of St. Peter’s Church with tombs of several late Popes. Late in the afternoon transfer to Florence to your centrally located hotel for overnight.
Day-9. FLORENCE: Have a guided city tour of the birthplace of the Renaissance. Visit / see Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s bronze doors, Piazza Della Signoria with Neptune’s fountain, the Cathedral with its famous cupola built by Brunelleschi, Church of Santa Croce, and the famous Duomo. Then walk to Ponte Vecchio a unique bridge over the Arno river. Later visit Uffizi Gallery, housing masterpieces of exceptional value. Starting as a portrait gallery it grew into one of the best galleries in the world, with a tradition that artists, like Chagall, would go to Florence themselves to hand over their portrait to the gallery. Have a guided tour. Our local tour guide will give a short course in the history of art and show you the masterpieces following a historical timeline
Day-10. VENICE: Ride through Tuscany and the Veneto Region. Upon arrival, leave the luggage in your located hotel and after a short break join your tour director on a walking tour along Lista d’ Espagna and Venetian Canals to St. Mark’s Square. Later in the afternoon board Vaporetto, a Venetian water bus for an exciting ride along Canal Grande. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day-11. VENICE: Visit again this unique city built on 120 islands and connected with over 240 stone bridges. Your guided tour will reveal the masterpieces of Italian Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. See Ponte dei Sospiri, Campanile, Ponte Rialto, and Basilica San Marco. Have a visit to the Basilica, built in the Byzantine style with gilded ceilings. Also visit the Doge’s Palace, to see paintings by Titian and more. Then explore one of the small glass-blowing outlets producing famous Venetian glass for over 400 years. See a demonstration of a fascinating traditional technique of making art pieces from liquid glass. Go for a gondola ride. Return to your hotel.
Day-12. DEPARTURE: Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Roundtrip airfare
9 nights in centrally located hotels (rooms with private bathrooms)
9 European buffet breakfasts
9 dinners (3 courses)
Bus per program
1 night on the ferry Messina – Salerno
Vaporetto ride
Gondola ride
GUIDED TOURS OF: Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Syracuse, Rome, Vatican, Florenc, Venice
ENTRANCES TO: In Monreale: Cathedral and Monastery, In Selunite: Dorian Temple and Acropolis, In Syracuse: Greco Roman Amphitheater and Castle of Euralio, In Taormina: Greco Roman Amphitheater Colosseum, Forum Romanum Vatican Museum, Uffizi Gallery, Dodge’s Place
Expert local guides
E&L GROUP TOURS USA TOUR DIRECTOR 24/7
FROM NEW YORK:
PRICE: $3,499.00
Price per person in triple accommodation.
PRICE IS BASED ON 35 PAID PARTICIPANTS AND 6 FREE CHAPERONES
YOUR OWN BUS + YOUR OWN TOUR DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENT GROUP
E&L GROUP TOURS USA WILL CUSTOMIZE TOURS FOR NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE
EARLY BOOKING INCENTIVE:
If booked by July 31st, 2022 for the trips in 2023 and by July 31st, 2023 for the trips in 2024 take $200.00 off and travel for:
FROM NEW YORK:
PRICE: $3,299.00
For the down payments received after the above date, the regular price will apply.
FROM WASHINGTON DC:
REGULAR PRICE $3,399.00 EARLY BOOKING INCENTIVE $3,199.00
STUDENT SURCHARGE:
in double accommodation: $30.00 per person/night
in single accommodation: $90.00 per person/night
ADULT SURCHARGE:
in triple/quad accommodation: $50.00 /person/night
in double accommodation: $70.00 per person/night
in single accommodation: $110.00 per person/night
PAYMENT POLICY:
A down payment of $300.00 for the tours in 2023 is due before July 31st, 2022, and for the trips in 2024 before July 31st, 2023.
Up to 10 payments per request.
The number of participants, the ratio, and the price can be changed according to request.
INSURANCE – optional.
Includes trip cancellation, lost baggage, trip interruption, and medical insurance. It will be added to your first payment.
Price for students to be calculated
Adults based on age
If your group or any individuals from your group do not accept this insurance, the group leader must inform E&L GROUP TOURS USA in writing.
All individuals traveling with E&L GROUP TOURS USA must show proof of valid travel insurance.
NOT INCLUDED:
Gratuities optional – suggested $2.5 per day per person for the tour director and $5.00 per person per day for the local tour guide.
Lunches, drinks with dinner, bottled water everywhere, and local transportation
PROGRAM PRICE is a pre-Covid price and may be subject to change due to changes in airfare prices and exchange rates.
Yours,
