Italy with Friends Tour 2006

Italy with Friends

Rome and Tuscany

May 18 - May 28 2006

May 18• Depart the U.S. for Rome, Italy.

May 19• Upon your arrival in Rome enjoy a private transfer to our hotel. Travels with Friends provides an orientation tour including the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and some of Rome's famous squares. Join everyone this evening for a welcome drink. (Overnight: Rome, Hotel del Corso)

(Our hotel in Rome is located on Via del Corso, a great shopping and dining street, perfect for late night strolls to the city monuments or the Villa Borghese. You'll also enjoy the roof top bar and views.)

May 20• Today we tour ancient Rome including the Coliseum, the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum. This afternoon is free to explore or relax on your own. (Overnight: Rome)

May 21• Today you have a choice. Either spend a free day in Rome, or take an optional day trip to visit the fascinating ruins of Pompeii, where in AD 79 Mount Vesuvius erupted and entombed the entire Roman town under volcanic ash. Today these excavated ruins offer the best look at what ancient Roman life was like. The day trip will also include time in Sorrento. Further details will be available at a later date. (Overnight: Rome)

May 22• Today we tour Christian Rome including St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum. Following our visit to Vatican City we visit the Castel Sant Angelo, a building used as a castle, tomb, prison, treasury, papal apartments and a hiding place for Popes. Nowadays it is a fine museum with cafe offering wonderful views over all of Rome. The evening is free. (Overnight: Rome)

May 23• This morning we depart for our villa hotel near Arezzo. The group decides if we want to stop anywhere en route to see another town (options available closer to trip departure). Upon arrival you are free to relax, unpack, use the pool and get ready for 4 wonderful days under the Tuscan sun. (Overnight: Tuscany, Villa i Bossi)

(Our hotel in Tuscany is an owner operated small rustic villa. The 11 rooms are located in 2 adjacent buildings near a lovely pool. There is even a common kitchen and BBQ available if guests wish to prepare there own dinner.)

May 24• This morning is our private hands-on cooking class with the hotel's owner, Francesca. She'll lead us through the traditions of buying, preparing and savoring the local food. With olive oil and wine produced at the estate, we'll sit down to a typical Tuscan lunch-feast made with the help of our own hands! The late afternoon and evening are free to explore nearby Cortona or relax by the pool. (Overnight: Tuscany)

May 25• 8:30 AM- We depart for Assisi (1 hour and 15 minutes) where we are met by Maria, a local guide. She provides a 3 hour walking tour to include the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. This afternoon is free time in Assisi. (Overnight: Tuscany)

May 26• 8:30 AM- We depart for the Chianti wine region (1 hour and 15 minutes) where our first stop is Castellina in Chianti. This town has a medieval feel but dates back to Etruscan times. At noon we depart for our wine tour, tasting and lunch at Livernano. Later this afternoon, the group can choose from another town (Radda in Chianti) in the wine region, or to return to our villa to relax. (Overnight: Tuscany)

May 27• Today is a free day and the group will decide where to explore. Will it be Siena, or Perugia, or a small town we've yet to discover? Dinner tonight in Arezzo is included and we'll bid farewell to Tuscany. (Overnight: Tuscany)

May 28• This morning we depart for Florence where anyone who must leave our company will fly home today.

What's Included