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GENERAL ITINERARY Day 1 Depart U.S. for Rome Day 2 Arrive Rome Once you settle in and freshen up at your hotel, begin your exploration of this fascinating city, but first give yourselves some energy with an espresso or espresso doppio (double espresso) and some gelato for the kids. Walk to Piazza Barberini, located at the southern end of Via Veneto. The Via Veneto epitomizes the glamorous Rome of “La Dolce Vita”. Walk north to the church of Santa Maria della Concezione and see the Capuchin Crypt. (Closed between 12 and 3. If it’s closed, be sure to stop here later.) Then head up the Via Sistina, also off Piazza Barberini, to the top of the Spanish Steps. This is Rome’s living room. See the church of Santa Maria del Popolo and take in the view from the Pincio hill. You can stroll through the Villa Borghese, Rome’s equivalent of Central Park—you can rent bikes, pedal boats, relax. Explore the Tridente area, which includes the Ara Pacis, with its new building designed by Richard Meier; the famous artisan street, Via Margutta; and many of Rome’s high-end retailers, cafes, and scenic streets. Enjoy dinner at --, where you have a 7:30 reservation. Vatican VIP Tour--4 hours This is the way it works: After your visit to the Vatican and some lunch at an off the beaten path trattoria, you may enjoy a visit to Castel Sant’Angelo. This structure started out as a tomb for the Emperor Hadrian. In the Middle Ages, it became a fortress, a stronghold of the popes. During the Renaissance, beautifully decorated apartments for the popes were added. It was also a prison, complete with dungeons. At the top of the castle, the Terrace of the Angel is a wide-open space, with panoramic views of Rome in all directions (this is our favorite view of Rome). Rome looks like a city in miniature, thousands of red roofs, hundreds of domed churches, the milky green Tiber River winding through the city. And the crowning glory is a spectacular 18th century bronze angel (namesake of the castle) that represents the Archangel Michael. You can also hike up the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica (no need to visit the Basilica as you will do so later today with your expert guide) or shop for religious items along Via della Conciliazione. After a little nap, cab to Trastevere tonight to enjoy dinner in one of the great restaurants in this typically Roman neighborhood. After dinner, (perhaps while enjoying a gelato, stroll many of the winding and narrow streets so characteristic of the area. Take a cab back to your hotel, and ask your driver to take you to the Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo). At the top, get out at the lookout and enjoy a spectacular and romantic view of Rome at night and reflect on your wonderful adventure. Day 4 Rome The Capitoline hill, a.k.a., the Campidoglio – the most sacred of Rome’s seven hills, which is the political, religious and social center of ancient Rome. The terrace overlooking the Palatine and Roman Forum from here offers one of the most magnificent views in Rome. In the Roman Forum, see the ancient Roman temples and basilicas, the Curia, the Via Sacra, Caesar’s cremation site and the imposing Roman arches. Visit Rome’s most outstanding landmark, the Coliseum – site of spectacular gladiator combats and executions. Then take a short stroll along the Avenue of Imperial Fora with remains of the Augustus, Caesar and Trajan fora. Pass Piazza Venezia, the transportation center of Rome, while heading to Largo Argentina – the location of Caesar’s assassination. Finally, walk to the Pantheon. This structure is the most impressive and best –preserved Roman building. Continue to explore the centro storico (the historical center), and visit important sights such as Piazza Navona with Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, and various artists. Perhaps you can stop at the famed Tre Scalini for a ‘tartufo’, a terrific ice cream concoction created with flair. There are also the lovely churches of Gesú, San Ignacio with its illusionistic ceiling, San Luigi dei Francesi with its Caravaggios, and Sant’Ivo Alla Sapienza with its unique architecture. Stop at the market in Piazza Campo dei Fiori to see Romans shopping for their lunch and dinner staples for the day. This evening after dinner (perhaps at -- ), stroll to the Forum and view it from the Capitoline Hill. The memory of this gorgeous view will stay with you for a very long time. Day 5 Rome to Florence Depending on your arrival time, visit the San Lorenzo complex for a taste of the power and astounding wealth of the Medici family. In particular, visit the Medici Chapels, where some of the most important family members are entombed. Michelangelo is responsible for both the architecture and the tombs themselves. At 5:00, visit Michelangelo’s “David”—Florence’s most treasured work of art and symbol of the city—with pre-reserved admission. Either before or following that that, you can see some other highlights in the area, such as the often-overlooked Convento di San Marco to see the gorgeous frescos by The Blessed One, Fra Angelico. Piazza Annunziata, also in the area, is where you will find the Ospedale degli Innocenti, which still functions as an orphanage. The outside of the building is decorated with della Robbia pieces. You can even see the rota (wheel—no longer in use) that mothers used to give their babies over to the Ospedale. Dinner reservations at -- at 7:30. Day 6 Florence When you arrive at Il Campo, the big piazza in the center of town, first climb up the Torre del Mangia, the tall bell tower of the Palazzo Pubblico. You might be there when they ring the bells, a marvelous experience. Visit the inside of the Palazzo Pubblico to glimpse what life what in 14th century Siena. Seek out the Lorenzetti frescoes in the Sala della Pace here. The frescoes are one big long picture showing the streets of Siena, town folk riding on horses into the countryside, people working in the fields, shops and city life, the medieval school room. The Duomo (cathedral) stands out with its black and white marble exterior. Outside, there is the striped bell tower, plus ornate gothic carving all over the façade, a rose window and some mosaics, tacked on later for good measure. Inside, take a close look at the Pisano stone pulpit, jammed with beautifully carved scenes of the Madonna and Child, and Last Judgment held up by columns positioned on the backs of lions. You may also wish to visit the church of St. Dominic; it is here that some remains of St. Catherine of Siena are housed—her head and a finger. (You can visit the rest of her remains in Rome at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, which is close to the Pantheon.) And to see where St. Catherine lived, you can visit her family home, the Sanctuary of St. Catherine. Siena is also known for its excellent shopping, so take some time to wander around the streets. Then on to San Gimingnano, one of Italy’s most picturesque hilltowns. Day 7 Florence After your visit to the museum, walk through the ancient streets and charming piazzas of Florence and enjoy the beauty of Brunelleschi’s Dome and Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, which are located in the religious and historical center of the city. Stroll through the glorious Piazza Signoria and view the imposing Palazzo Vecchio on the square. Walk over the astounding Ponte Vecchio – the oldest surviving bridge crossing the famous Arno River and find the Vasari Corridor – the Corridor was built for the Grand Duke to link his private home with his offices (the Uffizi). Although this is a bit of a walk, try to have lunch inside the Mercato Centrale, which is housed inside a large two-story building designed in the 19th century. On the ground floor, vendors sell meats, fish and a variety of cheeses. If you are in the area at lunchtime, you can try one of the already prepared Tuscan take-out foods. On the first floor of the market you can purchase fresh fruit, vegetables as well as dried fruit, nuts, honey, homemade pasta, wine, herbs, and other produce. Try Pana da Lory for breads and cookies and Nerbone for porchetta sandwiches. Yum. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure, strolling, shopping, and eating gelato. Or visit some of the many other special places in this magnificent city, such as Santa Croce, Orsanmichele, or Santa Maria Novella. Day 8 Florence If you need to get away from the city, head out to the Piazzale Michelangelo (you could drive or take the bus, but it's most fun to do the walk). Start at the River Arno, pass through Porta San Niccolo, and stroll up to the Piazzale Michelangelo. Here you'll find a wide-open panorama of the city, ice cream and snacks are available at the restaurant and from vendors. The square also has copies of Michelangelo's David, and copies four statues from the Medici Chapels. Just beyond the Piazzale Michelangelo is the church of San Miniato al Monte. It's well worth a stop, this exquisite church is much older than the Renaissance, and there's a great story that goes with it. In the 3rd century AD, St. Minias was a hermit living on this hillside. He was beheaded, but picked up his head, crossed over the river and returned to this site, where a shrine, and later the church was built. Inside the church is an amazing 13th century mosaic of Christ and the Virgin Mary, embellished with fabulous winged creatures. Green and white geometric marble patterns adorn the church inside and out and in the crypt are supposed to be bones of St. Minias. This is one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. From San Miniato al Monte, it's a great walk back down toward the Arno on Via Monte alle Croci (you'll come back down at Porta San Miniato). Or, if you want to take a longer walk, follow south on Viale Galileo Galilei, then return on Via di Leonardo, which ends at Porta San Giorgio and Forte di Belvedere. This is a super walk, the whole area is hillsides covered with greenery and olive trees, dotted with villas, it's an open feeling of what Florence was like outside the city walls in centuries past. Day 9 Florence to Venice
Visit the Basilica di San Marco while you are here as well. St. Mark found a permanent resting place in the church on this site. In the shadows of the basilica, look for yards of exquisite mosaics adorned with gold and the Pala d'Oro altar panel of the Archangel Michael, decorated with thousands of garnets, rubies, pearls and sapphires. The floor of St. Mark's is also incredible, geometric patterns and exuberant mosaics of fantastic creatures, rippling up and down; it almost feels like you're on the water. A visit to the Rialto markets is always enjoyable. You’ll see all sorts of interesting things for sale.
So many things to see, so little time! The wonderful Dorsoduro sestiere is a terrific area to explore as well. The area has one of Venice’s liveliest squares, Campo Santa Margherita, where you will see Venetians living their everyday lives—kids kicking soccer balls, old men talking and playing cards, women shopping for daily staples. There is a wonderful quay area, Zattere, to stroll along the water. You can visit one or two of the several museums there. Ca’ Rezzonico is a standout, dedicated to exploring and explaining 18th century Venice. It is one of the lesser-known museums in the city, but also one of the most important and intriguing, offering a glimpse behind the scenes of life in Venice’s great days. The most famous, the Accademia Gallery, houses a superb collection of Venetian painting spanning over five centuries. Masterpieces by Venice's painters adorn its walls, the highlights of which include Giovanni Bellini's "Madonna Enthroned" and Carpaccio's "The Presentation". We’d advise you to visit Ca’ Rezzonico, depending on your preferences. Dinner reservation at --, located near the hotel, at 8:00 p.m. Day 10 Depart Venice for Chicago Depart your hotel either by private water taxi in order to make your 1:05 flight. The hotel can assist you in making a taxi reservation if that is what you choose to do. |
