Post by Bridget in MD on Jun 24, 2022 11:30:17 GMT
DD and I are going on a Rick Steves Tour of Italy in July. We will start in Venice, head to Florence, and then depart from Rome. We will have some time to do some sightseeing on our own. RS gave some suggestions, but are any of these MUST NOT MISSES!??!?!
I am thinking we could pass on the Guggenheim collection, but I wonder if DD would enjoy Murano more than a church? I am thinking I would visit the Basilica of San Marco. It all sounds great, but I am just not sure we can do it all.... I am sure we can't!
This is what our tour is supposed to include, if it helps:
Day 1 Arrive, meet with group. Orientation walk, dinner.
Day 2: Historic Venice
Our local guide will join us this morning for a historical walking tour — with a modern Venetian's-eye view — through the backstreets of Venice, ending in St. Mark's Square and the shimmering, mosaic-filled Basilica (when available). Along the way, we'll learn about the city's remarkable past and its challenging future. The afternoon and evening are free to explore the imposing Doge's Palace, take in a church concert, waltz on St. Mark's Square, or pub-crawl your way through this unique city.
Day 3: Venice's Accademia Gallery and Lagoon
This morning we'll have our first real brush with the Renaissance — Venetian style — with a tour of the Accademia's treasure trove of great Venetian art, starring Titian, Veronese, Bellini, Tintoretto…and every shade of color imaginable. Then it's all aboard for a cruise into Venice's lagoon on our private boat. We'll visit your guide's favorite island, where you'll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own. After returning, we'll set you free to discover Venice's other famous sights and find dinner on your own in the tangled maze of alleys and trattorias. Tonight, we'll regroup for a classic, romantic gondola ride through Venice's moonlit canals.
Day 4: Wonders of Renaissance Florence
We'll drive straight to Florence this morning and hit the ground walking with a Renaissance tour of the city's historic center. We'll learn about Brunelleschi's magnificent cathedral dome, Ghiberti's Baptistery doors, and other creations that helped define this world-changing era. Tonight we'll share a hearty Tuscan dinner together.
Day 5: The Backstreets of Florence
A local scholar will join us this morning as we take a walking tour of the backstreets of Florence, with some fascinating peeks into Roman, medieval, and 19th-century Florentine life along the way. After exploring the highlights of the Bargello Museum, we'll continue our tour across the river, where we'll create today's tasty lunch during a fun and informative cooking class. Your afternoon will be free to see more of the city's museums.
Day 6: The Uffizi and David
This morning we'll devote our time to the breathtaking Renaissance art of the Uffizi — home to the finest collection of Italian paintings anywhere — including works by Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. After some free time to make your own Florentine discoveries, we'll gather again this evening at the Accademia Gallery to marvel at the power of Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, David.
Day 7: Wine Tasting, Rome at Night
This morning we'll drive into the rolling hills of Umbria, stopping for a wine tasting lunch at a family-run winery. We'll then make a beeline for Rome, where we'll take a neighborhood orientation walk on our way to tonight's dinner together. We'll end our day as any good Roman would — with a stroll through the historic heart of the city, lacing together the classy Piazza Navona, splashy Trevi Fountain, and in the remarkably preserved, 2,000-year-old Pantheon (when available).
Day 8: The Vatican Museums and St. Peter's
Today we'll focus on Renaissance (Catholic) Rome. At the sprawling Vatican Museums, we'll visit what seems like a limitless collection of treasures as you make your way to one of the world's most famous works of art: Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. We'll then be introduced to the greatest church in Christendom: the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, home to Michelangelo's sublime Pietà. The rest of your day is free to wander through this immense church and explore more of the Eternal City on your own.
Day 9: Monuments of Ancient Rome
We'll spend our morning uncovering ancient Rome, starting with a tour of multi-layered San Clemente — a 12th-century church sitting atop a fourth-century basilica and a previous Roman temple. Then we'll tour and hear vivid tales of the larger-than-life Colosseum and the birthplace of ancient Rome: the Forum. You'll be free this afternoon to wander through the nearby Palatine ruins, visit St. Peter-in-Chains Church (home to Michelangelo's Moses), or climb to the top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument to enjoy a panoramic city view. Tonight we'll feast together at our farewell dinner, sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. Salute!
Day 10: Tour Over After Breakfast
- Due to group entrance restrictions, your group will not be able to visit the Basilica of San Marco as part of your morning walking tour of Venice. If you wish to visit the Basilica of San Marco independently, we recommend that you book your ticket in advance before leaving the U.S.
- Here are suggestions for sightseeing in Venice that we do not do as a group: Campanile di San Marco (bell tower), Dalmatian School chapel, Jewish Ghetto and Museum, Santa Maria della Salute and San Giorgio Maggiore churches, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the island of Murano.
- This tour does not include Brunelleschi’s Dome in Florence. If you’re interested in climbing Brunelleschi's Dome or Giotto's Tower, we recommend booking tickets from the Duomo website before you leave home. The best time to book your tickets is after 2:30 pm on Day 5 or between 11:30 - 2:00 pm on Day 6.
- To visit the Borghese Gallery in Rome you must purchase advance tickets from the Gallery website. (The website is in Italian, but easy to navigate). The best time to book your visit is after 12:30 pm on Day 8 or between 1:30 - 6:30 pm on Day 9.
I am thinking we could pass on the Guggenheim collection, but I wonder if DD would enjoy Murano more than a church? I am thinking I would visit the Basilica of San Marco. It all sounds great, but I am just not sure we can do it all.... I am sure we can't!
This is what our tour is supposed to include, if it helps:
Day 1 Arrive, meet with group. Orientation walk, dinner.
Day 2: Historic Venice
Our local guide will join us this morning for a historical walking tour — with a modern Venetian's-eye view — through the backstreets of Venice, ending in St. Mark's Square and the shimmering, mosaic-filled Basilica (when available). Along the way, we'll learn about the city's remarkable past and its challenging future. The afternoon and evening are free to explore the imposing Doge's Palace, take in a church concert, waltz on St. Mark's Square, or pub-crawl your way through this unique city.
Day 3: Venice's Accademia Gallery and Lagoon
This morning we'll have our first real brush with the Renaissance — Venetian style — with a tour of the Accademia's treasure trove of great Venetian art, starring Titian, Veronese, Bellini, Tintoretto…and every shade of color imaginable. Then it's all aboard for a cruise into Venice's lagoon on our private boat. We'll visit your guide's favorite island, where you'll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own. After returning, we'll set you free to discover Venice's other famous sights and find dinner on your own in the tangled maze of alleys and trattorias. Tonight, we'll regroup for a classic, romantic gondola ride through Venice's moonlit canals.
Day 4: Wonders of Renaissance Florence
We'll drive straight to Florence this morning and hit the ground walking with a Renaissance tour of the city's historic center. We'll learn about Brunelleschi's magnificent cathedral dome, Ghiberti's Baptistery doors, and other creations that helped define this world-changing era. Tonight we'll share a hearty Tuscan dinner together.
Day 5: The Backstreets of Florence
A local scholar will join us this morning as we take a walking tour of the backstreets of Florence, with some fascinating peeks into Roman, medieval, and 19th-century Florentine life along the way. After exploring the highlights of the Bargello Museum, we'll continue our tour across the river, where we'll create today's tasty lunch during a fun and informative cooking class. Your afternoon will be free to see more of the city's museums.
Day 6: The Uffizi and David
This morning we'll devote our time to the breathtaking Renaissance art of the Uffizi — home to the finest collection of Italian paintings anywhere — including works by Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. After some free time to make your own Florentine discoveries, we'll gather again this evening at the Accademia Gallery to marvel at the power of Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, David.
Day 7: Wine Tasting, Rome at Night
This morning we'll drive into the rolling hills of Umbria, stopping for a wine tasting lunch at a family-run winery. We'll then make a beeline for Rome, where we'll take a neighborhood orientation walk on our way to tonight's dinner together. We'll end our day as any good Roman would — with a stroll through the historic heart of the city, lacing together the classy Piazza Navona, splashy Trevi Fountain, and in the remarkably preserved, 2,000-year-old Pantheon (when available).
Day 8: The Vatican Museums and St. Peter's
Today we'll focus on Renaissance (Catholic) Rome. At the sprawling Vatican Museums, we'll visit what seems like a limitless collection of treasures as you make your way to one of the world's most famous works of art: Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. We'll then be introduced to the greatest church in Christendom: the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, home to Michelangelo's sublime Pietà. The rest of your day is free to wander through this immense church and explore more of the Eternal City on your own.
Day 9: Monuments of Ancient Rome
We'll spend our morning uncovering ancient Rome, starting with a tour of multi-layered San Clemente — a 12th-century church sitting atop a fourth-century basilica and a previous Roman temple. Then we'll tour and hear vivid tales of the larger-than-life Colosseum and the birthplace of ancient Rome: the Forum. You'll be free this afternoon to wander through the nearby Palatine ruins, visit St. Peter-in-Chains Church (home to Michelangelo's Moses), or climb to the top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument to enjoy a panoramic city view. Tonight we'll feast together at our farewell dinner, sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. Salute!
Day 10: Tour Over After Breakfast
