Highlights of Italy Tour
(with Optional Austria Extension)

Price Per person double occupancy

Date	Price	Single Supplement
Italy: October 22-30, 2024	$2,799 + Airfare*	$380
Austria: October 30-November 3, 2024	$1,499	$295
*$1,295.00 per person. Reservation Due: July 4, 2024 Final Payment Due: August 13, 2024

Included

Roundtrip airfare from LAX including taxes and fees (air taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change), 7 nights lodging at 4-star Italy hotels & 4 nights lodging at 4-star Austria hotels, Breakfast and dinner daily at hotels, Full time English-speaking Tour Escort, step-on guides as needed, All transportation and entrances as per itinerary, Services of long-distance deluxe motor coach as appearing on itinerary, Baggage handling at hotels (one piece), Whisper/Listening devices, Tips to tour escort, guides, drivers and hotel staff, 1 group arrival transfer and 1 group departure transfer, Pilgrim Payment Processing for check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover

Not Included

All lunches and drinks with meals except as noted in itinerary, Optional Travel Insurance – 6.9% or 9.3% of tour cost (CA rates current as of quote date)

Day 1 – Tuesday, Oct. 22: Depart USA

Overnight flight to Italy.

Day 2 – Wednesday, Oct. 23: Arrive Rome

We arrive at the Rome airport and transfer our lodging for the next three nights. This afternoon we will take an afternoon tour of the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries.

Day 3 – Thursday, Oct. 24: Forum, Mamertine, Coliseum, Ostia Antica

Our guided walking tour begins at the ancient Roman Forum. We will visit the Arch of Titus commemorating his sack of Jerusalem in AD 70. We will view the Mamertine Prison exterior, where tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. The Roman church would say that Peter was imprisoned here as well, but there is no imperial evidence that Peter was ever in Rome. Next, we visit the Coliseum, where thousands of people and animals perished during gladiatorial games. The Coliseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100 days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughter of humans and animals continued for three more centuries. Historians believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on how close seating was. The floor has recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessible for people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories of the games that have fascinated people for hundreds of years. We conclude our day at the ruins of Ostia Antica, providing an excellent example of city life in classical times and the Ostian Gate, today called the Gate of St. Paul.

Day 4 – Friday, Oct. 25: Vatican Museums, St. Peter's, Scala Santa, Abbey of Three Fountains, St. Paul Outside the Wall

After breakfast you will begin a full day of sightseeing. First visit Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn. After some free time for lunch, you will stop at The Abbey of the Three Fountains, the traditional site of Paul's martyrdom and the ancient street that he walked on. Next, visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the site of Paul’s tomb, and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museum houses the Steps from Pilot's Judgment Hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. Additional sights include the Arches of Constantine and Titus, Circus Maximus and the beautiful marble monument called the Wedding Cake.

Day 5 – Saturday, Oct. 26: Frescoes, Assisi, Florence

After breakfast you will say “Arrivederci Roma” and board your coach and travel through scenic Umbria to the ancient walled hillside village of Assisi. After lunch on your own, you will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful, medieval town, which will include the Basilica San Francesco, decorated with some of the most renowned frescoes in the world. The stories of the sacrificial life of St. Francis will be an encouragement to us all. Our home for the next two evenings is in the beautiful city of Florence, the heart of charming Tuscany.

Day 6 – Sunday, Oct. 27: Beautiful Florence, Michelangelo’s David

You will spend the morning enjoying a guided tour of Florence, one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals, which will include the Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistry and a visit to the Accademia Galley, home of Michelangelo’s David. A stop will also be made on the hillside overlook across the river from Florence where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape. This afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy shopping, visiting more galleries or strolling on the famous Pont Vecchio, the old bridge which spans the Arno River. Remember that Florence leather shops are the best in the world and bargains on excellent quality goods are abundant. It may be the time to purchase those special Christmas gifts.

Day 7 – Monday, Oct. 28: Pisa & Verona

The sightseeing this morning includes a tour of Pisa where you will visit the Baptistry, Duomo and the famous leaning tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli. This afternoon we stop in romantic Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, with a walk through the historic center/shopping district to see the famed balcony of Juliet. Our lodging for the next two evenings will be in Venice Mestre.

Day 8 – Tuesday, Oct. 29: Charming Venice

Start the morning sightseeing in style as your guide takes you by private boat along the Giudecca canal to meet your resident expert. Highlights of your walking tour are St. Mark’s Square and the Byzantine splendor of St. Mark’s Basilica, lavish Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Afterwards enjoy Venice at your own pace, or join an optional gondola ride through the picturesque canal system, visit the many charming shops and take photos galore.

Day 9 – Wednesday, Oct. 30: Home

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

(Austria Extension)
Day 1 – Wednesday, Oct. 30: Innsbruck

This morning we depart Venice and travel north to Innsbruck. Early this afternoon we take in the breathtaking views from the Olympic Ski-jump Stadium amid some of the best mountain scenery Austria has to offer as well as visit the Imperial Hofburg Castle, the Golden Roof and the Old Town. We check into our hotel where we’ll enjoy our dinner and overnight.

Day 2 – Thursday, Oct. 31: Neuschwanstein Castle, Oberammergau, Salzburg

This morning we travel into Oberammergau, site of the famous Passion Play and magnificently painted houses, on your way to the Rococo-style Chapel in the Meadow and Ludwig II's most luxurious former residence, the Neuschwanstein Castle. (Please note: the castle has very strict timed entries, and it is essential to arrive a good 30 minutes or more ahead of our scheduled entry as obtaining the tickets and making our way to the entrance can take some time.) This afternoon we travel to Salzburg following the Bavarian mountain range.

Day 3 – Friday, Nov. 1: Salzburg

This morning enjoy touring Salzburg, “The City of Mozart”, along with its Baroque Palaces and plaza. Our local guide will lead us along the cobblestone streets and we’ll visit the Mirabelle Gardens, Mozart's home, and the colorful Getreidegasse. The charm and scenery of this "Sound of Music" village will capture your heart. In the afternoon, we travel to Vienna where we’ll enjoy our dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – Saturday, Nov. 2: Vienna

Today we will see the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Belvedere Palace, views of Prater amusement park, UN buildings and other vivid reminders of the city’s imperial history. We visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral the famous cathedral of Vienna. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to wander the streets of this wonderful city.

Day 5 – Sunday, Nov. 3: Travel Home

We transfer to the Vienna Airport and fly home today.

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.