Quick Getaways: La Dolce Vita in Italy & France

This tour is perfect for those who would like to visit Rome but do not feel like walking the cobblestone streets. You will meet the local guide at disembarkation  and board a coach for Rome to start the tour with  Via Veneto, which became popular in the 1960s as the heart of the “Dolce Vita” of Fellini’s Cinema, Castel Sant’ Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, the monumental square surrounded by four sets of 284 columns on 88 pillars. It is the masterwork of Bernini and welcomes pilgrims  to the largest temple in Christianity. The dome was designed by Michelangelo.  Your tour will continue to the Ostiense Gate, right next to the amazing Pyramid of Caio Cestio, built in 12 B.C., and the Baths of Caracalla, the second largest spa in ancient Rome.  Then you will head to the Circus Maximus, which could welcome 320,000 spectators who watched chariot races there. Pass by the Colosseum, constructed in only 8 years, where over 70,000 spectators could take a seat and leave the building in only a few minutes through its 80 entries. Your drive will continue to St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, where you will have free time to explore on your own. The coach will wait for you in the vicinity to return you to the airport.

 

Please note: There are 3-4 steps to enter and exit the coach and a few steps in St. Paul’s Basilica.

This tour is perfect for those who would like to visit Rome but do not feel like walking the cobblestone streets. You will meet the local guide at disembarkation  and board a coach for Rome to start the tour with  Via Veneto, which became popular in the 1960s as the heart of the “Dolce Vita” of Fellini’s Cinema, Castel Sant’ Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, the monumental square surrounded by four sets of 284 columns on 88 pillars. It is the masterwork of Bernini and welcomes pilgrims  to the largest temple in Christianity. The dome was designed by Michelangelo.  Your tour will continue to the Ostiense Gate,right next to the amazing Pyramid of Caio Cestio, built in 12 B.C., and the Baths of Caracalla, the second largest spa in ancient Rome.  Then you will head to the Circus Maximus, which could welcome 320,000 spectators who watched chariot races there. Pass by the Colosseum, constructed in only 8 years, where over 70,000 spectators could take a seat and leave the building in only a few minutes through its 80 entries. Your tour also includes The dome of the basilica was designed by Michelangelo. Your drive will continue to St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, where you will have free time to explore on your own. The coach will wait for you in the vicinity to return you to the Windstar Cruises hotel.

 

Please note: There are 3-4 steps to enter and exit the coach and a few steps in St. Paul’s Basilica. If you are not staying at the Windstar hotel you will be dropped of at the Piazza Repubblica where many taxis are available to take you to your independent hotel.

           

Begin your tour with a comfortable motor coach ride to Pisa. From the parking lot you will walk up to the spectacular Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will see the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistry (inside), and the historical churchyard.   Your guide will explain the history of Pisa and the unforgettable Leaning Tower,  which was closed for quite some time due to restoration work  and now it is opened again (although you will not enter the tower on this tour). Interestingly, the Leaning Tower was originally designed as a bell tower to the cathedral. It was begun in 1174 and finally finished in 1350. Its 294 steps lead to a top platform. You will see Cimabue’s superb 13th century mosaics embellishing the half-dome. You will also have free time to shop and take pictures before you will meet  your guide, and walk back to the parking lot for the return drive. 

 

Please note:  On Sundays, because of services going on, your guide will talk about the cathedral from the outside and then you will enter the cathedral on your own. In Pisa buses are not allowed to reach the town and guests will have to about about 15 minutes from the parking lot in both Pisa and Portovenere.

Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses and bring local currency.

             

 

 

Discover this jewel! Portovenere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  is an ancient 12th century town where its tall, colored houses still remain huddled around the port. The massive bulk of the castle dominates the town. It was built by Genoa in the 16th century. The castle is a noteworthy example of military architecture. The original structures were reinforced to defend it against the threats of Pisa and later from other enemies of the Republic.  After the walking tour, a tasting of local specialties and chilled white wine will be served.

 

Please note:  There  are approximately 50  irregular  stone steps  to reach the church, no hand rail and the steps can be slippery when wet.  Wear comfortable walking shoes.

           

 

 

This tour is perfect for those who would like to visit Rome but do not feel like walking the cobblestone streets. You will meet the local guide at disembarkation  and board a coach for Rome to start the tour with  Via Veneto, which became popular in the 1960s as the heart of the “Dolce Vita” of Fellini’s Cinema, Castel Sant’ Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, the monumental square surrounded by four sets of 284 columns on 88 pillars. It is the masterwork of Bernini and welcomes pilgrims  to the largest temple in Christianity. The dome was designed by Michelangelo.  Your tour will continue to the Ostiense Gate, right next to the amazing Pyramid of Caio Cestio, built in 12 B.C., and the Baths of Caracalla, the second largest spa in ancient Rome.  Then you will head to the Circus Maximus, which could welcome 320,000 spectators who watched chariot races there. Pass by the Colosseum, constructed in only 8 years, where over 70,000 spectators could take a seat and leave the building in only a few minutes through its 80 entries. Your drive will continue to St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, where you will have free time to explore on your own. The coach will wait for you in the vicinity to return you to the airport.

 

Please note: There are 3-4 steps to enter and exit the coach and a few steps in St. Paul’s Basilica.

This tour is perfect for those who would like to visit Rome but do not feel like walking the cobblestone streets. You will meet the local guide at disembarkation  and board a coach for Rome to start the tour with  Via Veneto, which became popular in the 1960s as the heart of the “Dolce Vita” of Fellini’s Cinema, Castel Sant’ Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, the monumental square surrounded by four sets of 284 columns on 88 pillars. It is the masterwork of Bernini and welcomes pilgrims  to the largest temple in Christianity. The dome was designed by Michelangelo.  Your tour will continue to the Ostiense Gate,right next to the amazing Pyramid of Caio Cestio, built in 12 B.C., and the Baths of Caracalla, the second largest spa in ancient Rome.  Then you will head to the Circus Maximus, which could welcome 320,000 spectators who watched chariot races there. Pass by the Colosseum, constructed in only 8 years, where over 70,000 spectators could take a seat and leave the building in only a few minutes through its 80 entries. Your tour also includes The dome of the basilica was designed by Michelangelo. Your drive will continue to St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, where you will have free time to explore on your own. The coach will wait for you in the vicinity to return you to the Windstar Cruises hotel.

 

Please note: There are 3-4 steps to enter and exit the coach and a few steps in St. Paul’s Basilica. If you are not staying at the Windstar hotel you will be dropped of at the Piazza Repubblica where many taxis are available to take you to your independent hotel.