14 Day Paris, Tuscany & Rome Tour
DAY 1 - Overnight Flight to Europe.
The Trip Documents will provide guidance for airport check-in. Relax during your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.
DAY 2 - FRANCE . . Arrival at Paris Airport.
Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” in the Trip Documents for directions on where and when to meet your tour manager. A deluxe motor coach will take you to your Paris hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or to jump start your visual and culinary exploration in the “City of Light.” We suggest a visit to Montmartre, with its impressive Sacré-Coeur Basilica. An independent dinner allows you the choice of a light crêpe or a leisurely Parisian meal.
DAY 3 - FRANCE . . Paris.
The entire day focuses on Paris. Your tour manager will point out the main sights, such as the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum (open daily except Tuesdays), Eiffel Tower, Opera (Palais Garnier) and the Galeries Lafayette department store. A great way to begin your sightseeing is by joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion for views of Notre Dame and other incredible landmarks along the river. Tonight, join your fellow tour members for a “Welcome to Europe” dinner at a festive Paris bistro. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4 - FRANCE . . Paris - Burgundy Wine Region - Beaune.
Bid farewell to Paris, and travel through the Burgundy wine region to the historic walled city of Beaune, one of France’s major wine centers going back to pre-Roman times. After check-in at your hotel, explore this intriguing town. An independent dinner presents the opportunity to visit a wine cellar and to sample the regional cuisine. (Breakfast)
DAY 5 - FRANCE . .Besançon - Alsace Wine Region & SWITZERLAND . . Swiss Alps.
After a mid-morning stop in the charming town of Besançon, enter Switzerland at the Rhine port of Basel. Spend the next two nights in one of the scenic villages surrounded by the unsurpassed splendor of the Swiss Alps. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 6 - SWITZERLAND . . Lucerne - Swiss Alps.
Feast your eyes on the impressive views of Lake Lucerne, framed by the mountain peaks of Rigi and Pilatus. Stop in the village of Stans for the optional Swiss Mountain excursion by funicular and cable car. This afternoon, explore Lucerne with its Old Town Wall and Lion Monument. Before returning to your hotel for dinner, consider joining the optional Swiss Lake Boat Ride excursion. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 7 - SWITZERLAND . . Lugano & ITALY . . Verona.
Travel through the Swiss mountains via the 11-mile-long Gotthard Tunnel on the way to subtropical Lake Lugano, often referred to as the “Rio de Janeiro of the Old Continent.” After lunch, cross the border into Italy and proceed to legendary Verona, of “Romeo & Juliet” fame. Experience an authentic Italian meal during an independent dinner in Verona before transferring to your hotel. (Breakfast)
DAY 8 - ITALY . . Venice.
Today features a full day visit to romantic Venice. A guided walking tour will orient you with the canals, gondolas and magnificent St. Mark's Cathedral. If you have your heart set on a gondola ride, the cost is about €45 ($55) per person based on up to six people sharing a gondola. The tour manager will offer an optional Venice Dinner excursion before returning to your Verona hotel. (Breakfast)
DAY 9 - ITALY . . Lucca - Pisa - Montecatini-Terme.
Your first stop in Tuscany will be the medieval center of Lucca, followed by the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Work on this unique structure began in 1174, and it had already started to tilt while building the second floor. Spend two nights in the nearby spa resort town of Montecatini-Terme, with its pastel-tinted buildings on palm lined streets. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 10 - ITALY . . Florence - Montecatini-Terme.
This day is devoted to the art and architecture of Florence. Some of the masterpieces you will see during the guided walking tour are the Duomo, the bronze baptistery doors by Ghiberti, and Giotto’s Bell Tower. The rest of the day is yours to experience Florence at your own pace. Before returning to Montecatini-Terme, dine on local specialties during an included dinner at a vineyard restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 11 - ITALY . . Siena - Rome.
Your final impressions of Tuscany take you past rolling hills and olive groves to the beautiful town of Siena. Explore on your own, or take the optional Siena Duomo excursion. After an independent lunch, head for the Eternal City of Rome. Dinner will be provided upon arrival at your Rome area hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 12 - ITALY . . Rome.
A guided morning tour features popular Roman sights such as the Arch of Constantine, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the Piazza Navona. The rest of the day is for personal interests, or join the optional Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel excursion. Tonight, at your hotel, enjoy a “Farewell Dinner” with fellow tour members. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 13 - ITALY . . Rome.
Transfer to the area around the Colosseum for another full day to discover the wonders of Rome. This afternoon, your tour manager will offer the optional Colosseum excursion for a guided tour of this colossal structure and the Roman Forum. This evening, savor your final meal of the tour during an independent dinner or the optional Rome Dinner excursion. (Breakfast)
DAY 14 - Daytime flight back to U.S.A.
Transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport for the return flight home. (Breakfast)