Highlights of
Italy & Sicily Optional Excursions
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Note:
All optional excursions listed are for
2004/2005 please use the information as a guide only.
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I1
- POMPEII
A guided tour of the excavations of Pompeii, the perfectly preserved
Roman town which was engulfed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.
A unique opportunity to glimpse a moment of Roman everyday life,
frozen for over 2000 years.
27.00 (€)
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I5a
- BAY OF NAPLES. Capri Excursion with Lunch
Cruise the Tyrrenhian Sea to the legendary island of Capri. Here we
see the major highlights of this unforgettable place. The
spectacular drive up to Anacapri reveals vistas across the azure
waters of the Bay of Naples. Then we descend the short distance to
Capri Town, where we visit the luxuriant Caesar Augustus gardens for
views of the Faraglioni rocks, and have time to savour the
cosmopolitan mood of the Piazzetta before a funicular takes us down
to the Marina. A light lunch will be included during our visit.
63 (without lunch 53) (€)
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I7
- ROME. Evening Tour: Fountains and Dinner
A lighthearted introduction to the “Eternal City”. Make sure of
a safe return to Rome as you toss coins in to the Trevi Fountain.
Drive along the glamorous Via Veneto - famed as the setting of “la
dolce vita”, and the splendour of the monuments in magnificent
Piazza Venezia. Then relax and enjoy a typical Italian meal with
drinks included.
55.00 (€)
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I11
- ROME. Tivoli and Dinner
An excursion to the ancient Sabine town of Tivoli situated a few
miles outside Rome to enjoy the gardens and fountains of the Villa
D’Este. You will visit its grottos and pavilions, the Avenue of a
Hundred Fountains, and the Dragon Fountain of the Organ. We end the
evening with a typical Italian dinner, wine, soft drinks and music.
58 (without dinner 39) (€)
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I14
- ROME. Ancient and Christian Rome
Explore Rome’s past. Visit the Catacombs where the early
Christians assembled to escape persecution and which were used as
underground cemeteries. Then, on to the best preserved of the Roman
Temples, the Pantheon - today used as a Christian church! On some
tours a visit to the Chuch of St. Peter in Chains to see
Michelangelo’s statue of Moses, will be visited instead of the
Pantheon. Our visit will be enhanced by the effective use of our
excellent audio system.
32.00 (€)
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I18
- VENICE. Lagoon Cruise with Lunch or Dinner
A half day off the beaten track! We are taken by private boat to the
nearby islands in the lagoon of Venice. See the island of Murano and
the Hermitage of San Francesco del Deserto. Lunch or dinner is taken
at the island of the ‘fisherman’ - Burano - a photographer’s
paradise. Drinks are also included.
62.00 (€)
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I19
- VENICE. Gondola Serenade
An ideal introduction to this unique and magical city. Enjoy a
romantic gondola journey along canals full of character and colour,
while musicians and singers entertain. See the Grand Canal with its
magnificent and elegant palaces, witnesses of the past splendours of
the ‘Serenissima’.
30.00 (€)
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I22
- FLORENCE. Dinner, Wine & Music in the Chianti Hills
Take a scenic drive through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to a
delightful regional restaurant set among the pines and cypress
trees. Here an evening of gastronomic specialities awaits,
accompanied by song and music.
54.00 (€)
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I25
- FLORENCE. Jewels of the Renaissance
A guided tour of the Accademia allows us to appreciate the most
controversial sculpture in Italy, Michelangelo’s David. Then to
the fascinating ‘Cortile’ of the Medici Palace. Our visit will
be enhanced by the effective use of our excellent audio system.
32.00 (without the ‘Cortile’ 31.00) (€)
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I25a
- FLORENCE. Uffizzi & Medici Courtyard
On certain departures we will enjoy a guided visit of the Uffizzi
galleries instead of visiting the Accademia. Our visit will be
enhanced by the effective use of our excellent audio system.
43.00 (€)
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I26
- TAORMINA. Mount Etna Excursion
A half day excursion up to this famous volcano, the only one active
in the whole of Europe. You will have time to photograph the
spectacular scenery before our return descent to Taormina.
26.00 (€)
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I29
- FLORENCE. Medici Evening and Sumptuous Banquet in a Renaissance
Palace
Tonight a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach! In a sumptuous
Renaissance Palace, we will be served a delicious banquet of modern
Tuscan cuisine - the main course brought to us by waiters in
Renaissance dress. We will be entertained with Renaissance music,
dancing and songs by a troop of singers and dancers in the flowing
robes of the Medici era. Wine and coffee are included with the meal
and show.
63.00 (€)
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I35
- ROME. Visit to Piazza Navona followed by Roman dinner and concert
of live musical entertainment
We will first visit Piazza Navona (when available) with its
beautiful fountains and street artists before a short drive to one
of Rome’s finest restaurants. Here we will enjoy a delicious
dinner, punctuated by a concert of typical Italian songs and ‘bel
canto’ for which this country is justifiably famous! Sit back,
relax and imbibe the special Roman atmosphere – the wine or soft
drinks are also included!
58.00 (without the visit to Piazza Navona or another Roman site
or monument the price is 55.00) (€)
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I40
- ROME. Introduction to Rome by Night
Cameras at the ready for the many magnificent sights awaiting us as
we ‘do as the Romans do’ and start the evening with a
‘passegiata’ (evening stroll) along the Via Condotti to the
world-famous Spanish Steps in Rome’s most fashionable shopping
area. The ‘Campidoglio’, Piazza Venezia and so much more are
included on this evening visit before we linger in Piazza Navona
with its many pavement cafés and trattorias to admire the
seventeenth century fountains and architecture. NB On certain
departures, the Spanish Steps will be substituted by the Piazza
Rotonda, dominated by the mighty Pantheon.
30.00 (€)
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I49
- VENICE. Venice by night
A scintillating introduction to this magical city! First we cruise
along the Grand Canal by private water taxis admiring the elegant
Palazzos, illuminated by magnificent chandeliers. We see the Rialto
Bridge and then reach the ‘most beautiful outdoor drawing room in
the world’ - St. Mark’s Square. Here we will have time to wonder
at the impressive architecture before enjoying an included drink at
one of the chic ‘al fresco’ cafés whilst listening to the music
of its own orchestra! We return to our coach on the mainland by
private motor launch. (1 drink inc.)
40.00 (€)
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I63
- PALERMO. Half day visit to Santa Rosalia and the Vucciria Market
A panoramic drive through verdant forest and spectacular views over
the city of Palermo brings us to the summit of Mount Pellegrino.
Here we visit the grotto of Santa Rosalia, Palermo’s patron Saint,
with its traditional offerings and devotions. Then downtown we visit
one of the most colourful markets of the city with its stalls of
olives, spices and giant lemons – an opportunity to enjoy
picturesque Sicilian everyday life!
23.00 (For 47.00 a delicious lunch of local specialities can also
be included in a charming restaurant) (€)
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I70
- ROME. Ancient and Baroque Christian sites
First we drive past the ancient baths of the Emperor Caracalla,
scene of the ‘3 tenors concert’ in 1990, to the Catacombs
outside the Roman Walls. Christians used these underground churches
and cemeteries for assemblies and to escape persecution. Then on to
visit the 5th century Church of St. Peter in Chains*, housing not
only the chains which are said to have fettered St. Peter, but also
one of Michelangelo’s greatest works of sculpture – Moses – a
statue belonging to the mausoleum of Julius II. (* on certain
departures the Church of St. Paul without the Walls will be visited
instead of the Church of St. Peter in Chains) Our visit will be
enhanced by the effective use of our excellent audio system.
32.00 (€)
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I71
- VENICE. A guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica & the Doges’
Palace
Accompanied by a local expert we are taken into the magnificent
Doges’ Palace – home to the rulers of the Venetian republic for
hundreds of years. We are shown the main highlights of the palace
and its elegant courtyards, before entering the Byzantine Basilica
of St. Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of the city of Venice. Here
we admire the stunning golden mosaics and wonderful Byzantine
architecture. (entrance fees included).
33.00 (€)
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I72
- The Amalfi Drive
An exhilarting drive along one of Europe’s most scenic routes
known as the Amalfi Drive. We stop at Positano, where we have a
breathtaking view across the Mediterranean to Capri and Ischia.
Finally, we return to Sorrento Euro 23. (I72a. The Amalfi Drive
& Dinner. After we go to a scenically located restaurant for a
mouth-watering meal of Neapolitan cuisine.
58.00 (€)
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I73
- FLORENCE. The Uffizzi Galleries and the Accademia
With a local guide we first visit the world-renowned Uffizzi
galleries with its famous Botticellis and other great Renaissance
artists. Then we go on to the Fine Arts Academy where we see the
‘David’ by Michelangelo among other great sculptures and
paintings. Our visit will be enhanced by the effective use of our
excellent audio system.
47.00 (€)
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I78
- PALERMO. Jewels of Sicily
A panoramic drive through verdant forest with spectacular views over
the city of Palermo, brings us the the summit of Mount Pellegrino.
Here we visit the grotto of Santa Rosalia, Palermo’s patron saint,
with its traditional offerings and devotions. Then a drive along the
blue coastal highway brings us to the quaint medieval village of
Cefalu. Here we stroll from the long golden beaches into the winding
Arab streets. Back in Palermo, we visit one of the most famous and
colourful markets with its stalls of olives and spices. An
opportunity to enjoy picturesque Sicilian everyday life.
45.00 (€)
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I79
- TAORMINA. Sicilian Folklore and Show
Singers and dancers in traditional colourful costume bring the
emotion and spirit of the Sicilian soul to life. A Sicilian dessert
and one drink are included.
35.00 (€)
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