DAY 3 VENICE (LA SERENISSIMA)
Our day in
Venice begins with a Vaporetto Ride along the Grand Canal,
which has been described as the world’s finest street. We will
view the Rialto Bridge, the most elegant and
famous of the bridges that span the Grand Canal, as we make our way
to St. Mark’s Square. We will visit St. Mark’s Basilica,
featuring interior walls encrusted with spectacular gold mosaics.
Our visit will also include an ascent to the Galleries to see
the original bronze horses, which once adorned the façade, and a
stunning view of St. Mark’s Square.
- Your first concert performance will be today
DAY 4 VENICE AREA - RAVENNA - FLORENCE AREA (2 NIGHTS)
This morning we begin our journey to Tuscany, stopping en route for
a visit to Ravenna, one of the most unique towns in Emilia-Romagna.
Ravenna was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, the
Visigoth Empire, and the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian
and Empress Theodora. Our first visit will be the Mausoleum of
Galla Placidia, a 5th century chapel, which contains exceptional
mosaics dating from antiquity. Translucent panels bring the mosaics
alive in all their grace and harmony, vivid with peacock blue, moss
green, Roman gold, eggplant, and burnt orange. We continue with a
visit to the octagonal domed Museum and Basilica of San Vitale,
which dates from the mid-6th century. The mosaics inside, in
brilliant greens and golds, are among the most celebrated in the
Western world. This afternoon we continue to Florence, the “Cradle
of the Renaissance,” and one of the most beautiful cities in the
world. Time and hotel location permitting, we will stop just
outside the city to explore Piazzale Michelangelo, which
offers a splendid panoramic view of Florence’s domes and towers.
DAY
5 FLORENCE (CRADLE OF THE RENAISSANCE)
We begin with a
visit to the Piazza del Duomo, where the Cathedral, Tower and
Baptistery display the traditions of Florentine art from the Middle
Ages to the Renaissance. We will view the massive and detailed
façade of the Duomo, before viewing the Baptistery’s bronze doors by
Ghiberti, which Michelangelo commented were worthy to be the “Gates
of Paradise.” After a brief visit inside the Duomo, we will
have the opportunity to do one of the following: ascend the Bell
Tower, climb the narrow steps to the top of the red Dome,
or visit the spectacular interior of the Baptistery (One
admission included). Our afternoon begins in the
Piazza della Signoria, the political stage of Renaissance
Florence and virtually an open-air museum of sculpture. Our
afternoon concludes with a stroll along the Ponte Vecchio.
- Your second concert performance will be today
DAY 6 FLORENCE AREA - ROME (THE CITY OF THE CAESARS) (2
NIGHTS)
We will make an early
morning start as we leave Florence and begin our journey to
Rome. Upon our arrival we
will explore Rome’s most spectacular remains from the powerful
Roman Empire, commencing with a specialist-guided tour of the
Colosseum, considered the symbol of Rome's eternity.
Completed under Titus in 80 AD, over 55,000 spectators could
watch the gladiatorial games. We continue with a walk through
the ruins and excavations of the Roman Forum, featuring
the remains of magnificent temples, basilicas, and triumphal
arches which once formed the heart of the Empire
.
DAY 7 ROME (THE CITY OF THE POPES)
Today
we will explore the Vatican, the world’s smallest independent
nation, and the center of the Christian world. Our day begins with
a specialist-guided tour of the Vatican Museums, which house
one of the most impressive collections of art in the world. Our
tour will include the map rooms, the tapestry rooms, the magnificent
Raphael Rooms, as well as the spectacular
Sistine Chapel, highlighted by Michelangelo’s ceiling and
his Last Judgment. We continue with a visit to St.
Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the western world and
the most important point of pilgrimage in the Catholic world.
Highlights of our visit will include: The Pieta by
Michelangelo, the tomb of St. Peter and Bernini’s magnificent
Baldacchino. After time to explore St. Peter’s Square, we will
continue with a walk to the Spanish Steps, the stairway of
the Church of Trinita dei Monti, and “the sitting room” of the
city. Our day concludes at the spectacular Trevi Fountain,
where it is traditional to toss a coin into the fountain to ensure a
return to the Eternal City.
- Your third and final concert performance will be today
DAY 8 DEPARTURE FROM ROME
Our enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as our tour
manager/guide accompanies us to the airport for the return flight
home.
