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Bella Italia Escape 2027
9 Day Tour from Venice to Pompeii
Tour Description:
Visit some of Italy’s most iconic, romantic, and stunning locations on this escorted tour of Italy: from legendary Venice to Florence, Rome, and Sorrento. With fewer crowds and lower pricing, you’ll enjoy your time in Italy even more. What better way to start your Escape than with a delicious welcome dinner in Venice? Your Venetian experience also includes a private boat ride, a guided walking tour; a visit to St. Mark’s Square, the Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Also witness the age-old tradition of glassblowing performed by a local artisan. Travel to Pisa—home of the famous Leaning Tower—before continuing on to Florence, considered to be the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Florence is an art-lovers dream, and your sightseeing highlights include Michelangelo’s David statue in the Academy of Fine Arts. You’ll also travel to Assisi to visit the Basilica of St. Francis—named after the saint who sought the virtues of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and best known for his love of God’s creatures. Spend two nights in Rome where your Local Guide takes you to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, where you will see Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment. You’ll visit St. Peter’s Square and Basilica—with the artist’s marble-sculpted masterpiece, La Pietà. Drive to the Imperial Roman Forum area to visit the Colosseum—ancient arena of the gladiators. Journey along the Highway of the Sun to Pompeii—the legendary city both destroyed and preserved by erupting Mount Vesuvius. Get a sense of life during Rome’s ruling era with your expert Local Guide. Enjoy an excursion to the charming clifftop town of Sorrento and admire the stunning views of the Bay of Naples. This is one Italy vacation you’ll remember not for the crowds, but for the ease of discovering these beautiful cities and sites of Bella Italia!
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Dates & Pricing
Start Dates Listed Below are US departure dates, please verify specific dates with your Pavlus Travel Planner
| Friday 15 Jan 27 — Sunday 24 Jan 27 | Starting at $2,499 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 22 Jan 27 — Sunday 31 Jan 27 | Starting at $2,499 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 29 Jan 27 — Sunday 07 Feb 27 | Starting at $2,599 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 05 Feb 27 — Sunday 14 Feb 27 | Starting at $2,839 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 06 Feb 27 — Monday 15 Feb 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,259 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 12 Feb 27 — Sunday 21 Feb 27 | Starting at $2,839 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 13 Feb 27 — Monday 22 Feb 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,259 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 19 Feb 27 — Sunday 28 Feb 27 | Starting at $2,839 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 20 Feb 27 — Monday 01 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,259 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 26 Feb 27 — Sunday 07 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,839 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 27 Feb 27 — Monday 08 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,259 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 05 Mar 27 — Sunday 14 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,949 | Get a Quote | |
| Saturday 06 Mar 27 — Monday 15 Mar 27
Small Group Discovery | Starting at $3,369 | Get a Quote | |
| Friday 12 Mar 27 — Sunday 21 Mar 27 | Starting at $2,949 | Get a Quote |
Destination & Sightseeing
Special Features Included in this Tour: • Venice guided walking tour to see St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, visit to the Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs plus a glassblowing demonstration• Private boat ride on Venice’s canals • Visit to Pisa’s “Square of Miracles” for a photo opportunity at the Leaning Tower• Guided walking tour in Florence’s historic center• Visit to Florence’s Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo’s David statue• Guided visit to the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi• Guided sightseeing in Rome includes a visit to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square, plus views of St. Peter’s Basilica• Guided visit to the Colosseum• Guided walking tour of Pompeii archaeological site• Orientation walk in Sorrento
Notes:
This tour requires walking on uneven terrain, especially at archaeological sites, which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs. For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
This tour requires walking on uneven terrain, especially at archaeological sites, which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs. For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
ITINERARY
Day 1 ARRIVE IN VENICE ISLAND, ITALY
Welcome to Venice! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Dinner
DinnerDay 2 VENICE ISLAND
Italian Beauties Embark on a private boat ride before meeting your Local Guide for a fascinating sightseeing walk. See St. Mark’s Square, with its landmark columns and Basilica, and visit the ornate Doge’s Palace with the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a favorite vetreria (glass factory), meet a local glassblower and learn how the world-famous Murano glass is created. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to meander along the canals and through the traditional Venetian calli and campi (alleyways and squares). (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PIAZZA PERFECTION Locals simply call Piazza San Marco “la piazza.” As paired with the smaller Piazzetta, it forms the social, religious, and political hub of Venice, which Napoleon called “the drawing room of Europe.” St. Mark’s Basilica dominates the square, offering visitors a spectacular view of the great arches, marble embellishments, and the Romanesque carvings of its façade. Also gracing the square is Doge’s Palace – a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. The enclosed Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace with the prison, is named for the prisoners’ sighs at seeing their last view of the Rio di Palazzo on their walk to the prison rooms
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 3 VENICE ISLAND–PISA–FLORENCE
The Tilted Tower Back to mainland Italy for a scenic drive across the Apennine Mountains. Enjoy a stop in Pisa to visit the Square of Miracles, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and location of one of the most recognizable monuments in the world – the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later, arrive in Florence, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful cities, and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)
240 mi/ 420 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE See architecture gone askew from the viewpoint of the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. Take the ultimate selfie in front of the Leaning Tower with a tilt of the head or other popular poses to commemorate your visit to the site of medieval art in this beautiful piazza
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 4 FLORENCE–ASSISI
Fine Art in Firenze Florence is one of Italy’s most celebrated cities. Meet your Local Guide for a visit of the Academy of Fine Arts, to see Michelangelo’s David statue, followed by a walk through the historic center, stopping to admire and learn more about the cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the massive bronze doors of the Baptistry’s “Gates of Paradise,” and the sculptures of Signoria Square. Enjoy some free time before departing for Assisi. (B,D)
112 mi/ 180 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SCULPTED FEATURES Those lucky enough to visit the Tuscan capital are witness to some of the world’s most magnificent art. Home to a wealth of Renaissance masterpieces, Florence is famous for Michelangelo’s Marble Masterpiece, David, standing ready for battle in the Academy of Fine Arts. Outside, the Piazza del Duomo and Signoria Square offer spectacular sights of Florentine Gothic and Renaissance art, architecture, and monuments
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 5 ASSISI–ROME
The Patron Saint of Italy The stunning hilltop town of Assisi is an important center for both religion and art and is the birthplace of St. Francis. This morning, meet your Local Guide for a walking tour in the medieval center and a visit to the magnificent Basilica of St. Francis. Depart for Rome and enjoy an evening at leisure to start exploring Italy’s incredible capital city. (B)
112 mi/ 180 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi with a visit to the Basilica named after the deacon, friar, and mystic, who became one of the most venerated religious figures in Christianity. Revered for his love of the Eucharist and the Earth, Francis found communion with God through nature here in this Italian village where he lived and died. Marvel at the magnificent frescoes by Italian master Giotto that adorn the Basilica where the saint is buried
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 6 ROME
Roman Holiday Discover the timeless beauty of Rome with a guided sightseeing tour of the Eternal City. Be transported back to Ancient Rome when you stand in the Colosseum and hear stories of Gladiators and Emperors. Enter the Vatican City State for a visit of the extensive Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square, and see the spectacular St. Peter's Basilica. Free time late afternoon and evening to take in more sights and experiences. * (B)
* For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Stand in awe and wonder amid one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements in the Sistine Chapel. Hear how in 1508, a young Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to decorate the chapel’s ceiling – a request not welcomed by the 33-year-old sculptor. Michelangelo’s 4-year project was indeed one of physical pain and psychological distress, while painting from scaffolds high above the sanctuary floor. Nevertheless, he created what is considered the most famous ceiling in the world, depicting the Creation of Adam in striking fresco style
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 7 ROME–POMPEII
Time Stands Still in Pompeii Together with a Local Guide, visit the incredible excavations of Pompeii. As you walk along the ancient streets, hear about day-to-day life under the Roman Empire and discover what happened when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Later, enjoy some free time in the afternoon and evening to discover a more modern side to Pompeii. (B)
155 mi/ 250 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE The fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii is a treasured glimpse into Roman life near the Bay of Naples. This once thriving and sophisticated Roman city was consumed by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., with its residents and structures buried beneath inescapable ash and stone. See the preserved site of excavated ruins that reveal remarkable frescoes, artwork, and artifacts within its streets and dwellings of the people who perished here
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 8 POMPEII: EXCURSION TO SORRENTO
Amore, Sorrento Take a scenic drive around the Bay of Naples to Sorrento. Enjoy ample free time to discover what makes the clifftop town of Sorrento so special. After a brief orientation to get acquainted with the town, spend time browsing the artisan stores, trying local specialties, or just relaxing and watching the world go by. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to explore a little further afield. This evening, join your travel companions for a delicious farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
38 mi / 60 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEMS Just as the sirens of Greek mythology lured sailors to the rocky shores of Sorrento, we are drawn to its alluring panoramas, sun-washed beaches, bistros, and boutiques. Take a seat in a sidewalk cafe to peruse the picturesque panoramas on the Bay of Naples
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 9 POMPEII
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Naples) (B)
Accommodations
| Venice Island | Florence | Florence | Florence | Assisi | Rome | Rome | Rome | Pompeii |
Carlton on the Grand Canal
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Santa Croce, 578 Venezia Italy
A plush traditional Venetian style hotel set in a majestic four story building with refined interiors such as Murano glass wall lamps and gilt-edged furniture. Perfectly placed on the Grand Canal, with a vaporetto stop right outside and close to the main train station, this property offers great transportation access with the Rialto Bridge close by. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the property which has an elegant fine-dining restaurant, a lobby bar, and a lovely rooftop terrace where drinks are served with views of the spired city skyline as a backdrop. 145 air-conditioned classically styled guestrooms offer coffee/tea-making facilities.
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Santa Croce, 578 Venezia Italy
A plush traditional Venetian style hotel set in a majestic four story building with refined interiors such as Murano glass wall lamps and gilt-edged furniture. Perfectly placed on the Grand Canal, with a vaporetto stop right outside and close to the main train station, this property offers great transportation access with the Rialto Bridge close by. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the property which has an elegant fine-dining restaurant, a lobby bar, and a lovely rooftop terrace where drinks are served with views of the spired city skyline as a backdrop. 145 air-conditioned classically styled guestrooms offer coffee/tea-making facilities.