ROME & THE ART CAPITALS Rome-Assisi-Siena-Florence-Padua-Venice-Montepulciano-Rome   8 Days / 7 Nights - 3 Star Hotels April to October - Thursday Departure   Day 1 Thursday ROME Arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel. Overnight stay Day 2 Friday ROME After breakfast depart from the hotel for a walking tour. (NO TOUR LEADER DURING THE STAY IN ROME). Visit St. Peter's Basilica, Navona Square, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. In the afternoon esplore the rest of the city atyour own leisure or take an optional tour. Overnight stay.   Day 3 Saturday ROME - ASSISI - SIENA - FLORENCE Early morning, departure for ASSISI, the mystic town of Saint Francis still surrounded by ancient walls. Visit the Basilica of Saint Francis with its early Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Proceed on to SIENA, the beautiful medieval city renown for the Palio. Then on to FLORENCE. Dinner and overnight. Day 4 Sunday FLORENCE Buffet breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the cradle of the Renaissance. Panoramic visit of the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John, the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery housing the "David" by Michelangelo, and Santa Croce, the 13th century Franciscan church with Cimabue's famous crucifix. Rest of the day at leisure for optional sightseeing or shopping. Dinner and overnight. Day 5 Monday FLORENCE - PADUA - VENICE Buffet breakfast. Departure for PADUA, where you will visit the famous Cathedral of St. Anthony, guarded by Donatello's "Gattamelata". Continue on to VENICE, and upon arrival enjoy a guided walking tour of this unique city. You will see the Piazza and Basilica of St. Mark, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Prisons. Dinner and overnight. Day 6 Tuesday VENICE Buffet breakfast. Morning tour to a glass factory in Murano (optional shopping) to see the mouldinf of the famous venetian murano. Dinner and overnight.. Day 7 Wednesday VENICE - MONTEPULCIANO - ROME Buffet breakfast and depart for Tuscany, known for it's historical church's and castels. Visit Montepulciano, a medieval town famous for it's "nobile" wine and for the annual Jazz Festival. In the afternoon return to Rome, where the tour will conclude. Overnight Day 8 Thursday ROME Departure transfer.  Unbeatable Features Accommodation at 3 Star hotels with down-town location Buffet breakfast daily Four dinners Service charges Ground transportation by deluxe motorcoach An Appian Line Assistant during the tour Sightseeing tours as indicated in the itinerary English – French – Spanish - Portuguese speaking assistant No entrance fees to Museums and local guide included EXCITING HIGHLIGHTS DAY BY DAY   Rome: Visit St. Peter's Basilica, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain Assisi: View of the Churches of St. Francis and St. Claire Siena: View of Piazza del Campo and the Municipal Palace Florence: panoramic view of Piazza del Duomo and the "Cathedral" Padua: See Donatello's masterpiece, the "Gattamelata" Venice: Visit the famous Square of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs   SCENIC DRIVES ALONG THE WAY   The Tuscan countryside through medieval towns The lovely Emilia Romagna region The Veneto region, world famous for its Villa of Palladio     OUR HOTELS   Rome San Remo*   Florence Grifone*   Venice Continental*   * or similar   OUR HOTELS Prices, departures and other details © 2012 by Appian Line