Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Cortona, Umbria,
Assisi, San Gimignano, Rome
Italy’s Great Cities Tour
What's Included in Italy's Great Cities' Tour
Small Group Package?
It's a world-class tour with most inclusions
in the company of a few new friends...
We've
tried to include everything ~
However, make note the following items are not
included:
Arrival and Departure Transfers
($95 per person Venice across the Lagoon [9am
to 12pm, 2 guest minimum] $59 Rome Hotel to
Airport)
Lunches - though our Tour Captains offer
great, affordable options for you everyday.
3 of the 8 Dinners - though our
Tour Captains will invite you to join them to
unique restaurants each night!
Airfare is not included.
Trip Interruption and Cancellation
Insurance is not included. We highly recommend
Travelex-Insurance.com
to protect your vacation. Remember, you are
responsible to arrive at the point of tour origination.
If you are delayed your vacation may be at risk.
Airfare arrangements made by QueensLander is
a completely separate booking from your land
vacation. You can cancel your vacation with
a 100% refund up to 90 days prior to departure.
Within 90 days you will begin receiving penalties
per the terms of the Tour Application should
you have to cancel.
That's it ~ everything else
excluding personal item purchases is included.
Sightseeing/Admissions/Services:
Renaissance Florence walking tour • Florence's
Accademia Museum (Michelangelo's David) •
Wine tastings • Evening walk through Rome's
piazzas • Ancient Rome walking tour •
Colosseum • Roman Forum • Pantheon
• St. Peter's Basilica • Vatican Museum
• Sistine Chapel...and more
Venice: Private guided
commentary through St. Mark's Square, the
Byzantine Basilica, Admission to Doges' Palace
and the Bridge of Sighs (prison). Welcome
Dinner.
NEW: Gondola Ride with Professional
Musicians
1st Class Reserved Seats
on the EuroStar to Florence (should TrenoItalia
be striking we will utilize our mini-motorcoach);
Renaissance Florence: Walking
Tour, The Baptistry, Signoria Square, Admission
to Santa Croce Basilica, Admission to the
Galleria dell' Accademia to see Michelangelo's
David and the other magnificent works of art,
Welcome Dinner.
Tuscany Wine Tasting, Tour
with appetizers at Villa Dievole - all in
the heart of Tuscany and Chianti regions.
San Gimignano: Orientation
Walk and Free Time, Taste of the San Gimignano
White Wine: Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Wine Tasting with Appetizers
and Tour of Winery in Heart of Tuscany
Cortona: Welcome Dinner,
Orientation Walk and Free Time
Saint Frances' Assisi: Guided
tour of the town and Basilica: the mystic
city of St. Francis surrounded by ancient
walls lays on top of the green slopes of Mount
Subasio. Its rose-stone buildings complemented
by winding narrow streets, palaces, balconies
with blooming flowers will hold you spellbound.
You will have a visit of the Basilica of St.
Francis, with the masterpieces of Giotto and
Cimabue.
NEW: Optional Tuscany Cooking
Class - experience Italian cuisine in a real
Italian kitchen (conducted in Florence)
Heart of The Empire, Rome:
Roman Forum, Admission and guided commentary
with QueensLander local guide to the Colosseum
and Circus Maximus, Admission to St. Peter's
Basilica (if available by Pope) and the Sistine
Chapel (If available by Pope). Pantheon, Trevi
Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona.
Sightseeing per itinerary
with professionally driven, air-conditioned
motorcoach (half-motorcoach - 20 passenger
vehicle or less based on tour group size)
and 1st Class Rail travel (not all itineraries
utilize the Rail travel);
Services of English-speaking,
service-driven Tour Captain throughout tour.
Services of QueensLander's
English-speaking local guides - professional,
certified Italian guides.
Admission and Entrance
Fees per itinerary - you go inside with QueensLander
Tours and No Long Lines!
Welcome Dinner and Farewell
Celebration & Feast - total of 5 dinners
with wine and gratuities included.
Arrival and departure transfers
are NOT included but may be set up with QueensLander
Reservations. Arrival Transfer Venice is $95
per person (minimum 2 passengers). Departure
transfer Rome to Rome Airport is $59 per person
(minimum 2 passengers).
Quality Hotels/Meals/Miscellaneous:
Our hotels feature • Historical Architecture
with all amenities located in the heart of the
cities, towns and villages.
Venice:
2 Nights Hotel Saturnia & International
or similar
Florence:
2 Nights Hotel Helvetia
& Bristol in Florence or similar
Rome:
3 Nights Hotel de la Minerve or similar
Tuscany Region:
1 Night Villa Marsili in Cortona
or similar
Twin-bedded rooms with private
bathroom facilities.
Porterage of one (1) piece
of luggage.
All hotel service charges,
baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
Meals Included: All Breakfasts,
5 Dinners with Regional Wine.
Gratuities:
Tour
Captain, local QueensLander guides, QueensLander
arranged Dining Staff and Hotel Porter:
Included.
Motorcoach
Driver: Base gratuities included. You
may tip more at your discretion.
Room
Steward and Wait Staff (while dining on
your own): At your discretion. (not included
in tour package).
Extend your
Italian Vacation!
Amalfi
Coast 3 Day Extension ~Discover the
beauty that is the Amalfi Coast with
Positano, Amalfi and Sorrento. Breathtaking!
“Open
my heart and you will see,
Graved inside of it, ‘ Italy.’”
-Robert Browning
Small-Group
Italy Tours, italy tour, tour italy, Italy
tour package, travel italy, italy travel,
italy vacations, italy vacation packages and
Italy trips!
Dear Italy
Tour Enthusiast,
QueensLander Tours extends
our personal invitation for you to join us
on the Italy Tour of a lifetime,
and one you won’t soon forget. QueensLander
Tours' small-group “Italy's Great Cities”
touring program has grown increasingly popular
over the last two years with Italy being our
#1 destination of outbound US travelers to
Europe.
If you’ve ever been to
Italy, then you can relate to the above sentiment
by Robert Browning...Italy is a place that,
once you’ve been, it never quite leaves
you. It becomes a part of you, always there,
whispering to you like a long-lost friend, wanting
you to stop in for a visit and if you’ve
never been, then you only have to imagine places
like the Colosseum in Rome, the Duomo of Florence
or the water-filled streets of Venice to awaken
inside of you the part that longs to see and
experience a place where history is so alive,
it speaks to you from every plaza, every church
and even the very stones beneath your feet.
[Continues Below]
This is the "Great Cities
of Italy Tour,” and we’ll be focusing
on four of the most well-known in all of Europe
- Venice, Florence (located in the heart of
Tuscany), Sorrento and of course Rome, along
with visits to charming seaside villages like
Positano and Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast, and
Tuscany's Cortona, Siena and San Gimignano
with their undiscovered secrets!
Let’s
start in Venice…Ah, Venezia!
VENICE - VENEZIA
Your introduction to Italy begins in what
may well be the most enchanting city in all
of Italy-Venice, and it is here in Venice,
where cars are not allowed and fresh seafood
beckons from every neighborhood trattoria,
where we begin our tour. Who hasn’t
wanted to see this “most romantic”
of cities, with its water-filled canals and
that famous Venetian glass? Here, you’ll
have the opportunity to do just that, including
a private boat for a tour along the Giudecca
canal. We’ll also visit Saint Mark’s
Square and Saint Mark’s Basilica, the
Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
Take advantage of Venice
and enjoy an authentic gondola ride or simply
wander the streets of Venice and get lost
in this city's romance!
The romance of this city is apparent at every
step…take a few minutes to just soak
it all in. From Venice, we head to the heart
of the Tuscany region, Florence.
FLORENCE - FIRENZE
Florence will then be our home for the next
few nights. Florence is known as the birthplace
of the Renaissance, and for good reason. Florence
is home to some of the most famous artwork
in the world, by geniuses such as Botticelli,
Brunelleschi, Cellini, Donatello, Fra Angelico,
Ghiberti, Giotto, Leonardo, Michelangelo and
Raphael. Even if you’re not well-schooled
in art history, Michelangelo’s David,
Botticelli’s Birth of Venus,
Giotto’s campanile (bell tower)
and Brunelleschi’s dome on the Duomo
are a few of the sights with which you are
probably familiar.
We’ll
join our guide for a walkabout tour of Florence,
where we’ll see many of the sites described
above as well as get an in-depth commentary
on the history of Florence. And as before,
you’ll also have plenty of time to enjoy
shopping the various markets or to do some
sightseeing on your own.
UNDER
THE TUSCAN SUN - SAN GIMIGNANO & SIENA We venture deep into the Chianti
countryside (known as “Chianti”for
the fine wines produced in this region - look
for the Black Rooster to ensure you have true
Chianti produced wine) to immerse ourselves
in the romance that is Tuscany.
San Gimignano’s
skyline is impressive, made up of the 13 remaining
towers dating back from the 11 th century
(it once had as many as 72 towers!). Also
known as the Manhattan of Tuscany (because
of its skyscraper skyline), San Gimignano
rises on a hill dominating the Elsa Valley
and exudes character from every stone. You’ll
feel like you’ve stepped back in time
to the Middle Ages as you walk along the cobblestoned
streets of this charming town.
Siena is a city
that has perhaps preserved its original character
more markedly than any other city in Italy.
The narrow streets and medieval gates, walls
and towers will have you again feeling like
you are transported back to the Middle Ages.
The soaring skyline is its pride and is dominated
by the gothic cathedral (Duomo) and the taut
needle of the Torre del Mangia. Siena’s
piazza is perhaps one of the most unusual
we will see on our trip. It's a lot of walking
but well worth it.
After our full
day of exploring under the Tuscan sun we make
our way to Rome, where all roads lead. Just
sit back, relax and enjoy the view as we pass
through some of the most beautiful scenery
in Tuscany.
ROME
- THERE WAS ONCE A DREAM CALLED ROME
"All Roads Lead to Rome…”
In “City
of the Soul,” William Murray quotes
a friend of his who had this to say about
Rome: “It’s not only the physical
beauty of the place…It’s the
smell of it, the aura of great history in
the stones of every street and every building.
To be in Rome is to be in touch with everything
in life that really matters.”
It is in Rome,
one of the world’s great cities, where
we’ll spend the last three nights of
our tour. We’ll stay in the heart of
the city, with easy access to all the major
historical sites. We’ll take you on
guided tours of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum
and Palatine Hill where you'll see the splendor
that was once Rome...we also do a brief tour
of the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s
Square in the Vatican. You are also welcome
to join us on optional tours of the monuments
of Rome, where we’ll explore the Pantheon
and the Piazza Navona. Other optional tours
include an evening “illuminated”
tour of Rome, for a guided tour of Rome at
night. As in each of the cities we will visit,
you will have plenty of time on your own to
explore as you wish, whether that includes
joining us on one of our optional tours, strolling
down hidden streets to see where the day might
lead you or sitting in Artists’ Square
sipping a cappuccino, watching the people
go by.
Finally, we're off to the southwest coast...it's
the Amalfi Coast and it is truly one of the
most scenic destinations in the world. Welcome
to Positano and Sorrento. We overnight in
the village by the sea, Sorrento, and words
don't do this leg of our journey justice.
Just wait and see!
At tour’s
end, we depart from Naples airport to go back
home to the United States, but if you would
like to stay a little longer, we have a lot
of suggestions for some places you might like
to visit…it’s entirely up to
you. But whatever you choose, whether to come
home at tour’s end or whether to stay
so you can take an excursion down to the Isle
of Capri or maybe the Cinue Terra, just know
that you’ll be leaving with the kind
of priceless memories that some people only
dream of, and quite possibly an extra suitcase
full of souvenirs!
Something for
everyone…
Whether you’re a “first-timer”
to Italy or have visited many times, we invite
you to join us for “ Italy in the Fall.”
We have specially designed a tour catered
to those of you who have never been to Italy.
For one set price, you’ll be staying
in first-class accommodations in each city
and have the experience of local, English-speaking
tour guides. You’ll have a chance to
visit all the major, “must-see”
sites, plus enough free time on your own to
visit the places that really matter to you…or,
you can simply enjoy that time relishing your
first taste of Italian espresso in the town
plaza-it’s entirely up to you. Also
included are in-depth tours in each city,
group transportation in an air-conditioned
motorcoach, admission and entrance fees for
each stop on our tours, breakfast each morning
and four all-inclusive dinners.
And if you have
been to Italy before and maybe want something
a little different, you have the opportunity
of choosing to go as a “first-timer”
(there are many sites you could see a hundred
times and still find something new!) or adding
on whichever tours and attractions are to
your liking and interest, essentially building
your own trip (simply call us at 1 (877) 865-6711
for a custom quote).
That all sounds
great! But…
By now, you
might be thinking, “Gee, I’d really
love to see Italy, but I just can’t
right now, maybe someday I’d like to
go…Well, that someday is now. Just
think about this-when you look back on your
life, what do you see? If you’re like
me, you remember the times spent with friends
and family, maybe family vacations, places
you’ve visited, experiences shared with
loved ones. It becomes easy to put things
off, things that you’ve dreamed of,
or maybe something you’ve always wanted
to do, but someday will always just be “someday”
unless you do something about it NOW.
You may also
be thinking, “But traveling to a foreign
country can be intimidating-where to stay?
What to see? Where to eat?” This is
where I come in! I take care of all the details,
so you can simply focus on enjoying what little
time you have over there. QueensLander Tours
is dedicated to making each trip you take
with us the best you’ll ever experience.
Your time is precious-you want to see as much
as you can while you’re there. Your
money is precious-you want to make every dollar
count…Every detail is taken care of
so that the only thing you have to worry about
is what to pack. Lynette of Brisbane, Australia
had this to say about us:
QueensLander's
dedication to making our touring experience
informative, entertaining and their attentiveness
to each detail was absolutely delightful...having
our QueensLander Tour Captain along as well
as a genuine local (and knowledgeable) guide
onboard made for a fantastic touring experience
of Italy and Europe!"
By now, you’re
probably wondering, “But how much does
all of this cost?”
Good question.
But first, let’s consider just the cost
of a good hotel. Frommer’s 2006 guidebook
on Italy suggests several “moderately
priced” hotels, all of which average
around $250 a night (most a lot more) . Even
an “inexpensive” hotel averages
over $150 per night. Even then, the prices
vary widely, depending on where in the city
you want to stay. There are similar listings
or both Venice and Florence. And these are
just for “inexpensive” or “moderately”
priced hotels!
For our “First-Timer’s,”
all-inclusive package, what we’re offering
are first-class accommodations in the heart
of each city, easily accessible to the very
places you want to see, plus several meals,
transportation, guided tours and the peace
of mind knowing that it’s all taken
care of for you. That’s little more
than you’d spend on just “moderate”
accommodations!
In addition,
if you have traveled in Italy before and maybe
want to be a little more independent, we have
an additional option we call our “returning
traveler” option. You’ll still
get the same first-class customer service
and first-class accommodations from us, but
you’ll have the freedom of spending
your days as you wish, with the option of
adding on only those tours/meals/etc. that
you are interested in, as these are not included
but are all available as “optional”
tours.
Whether you
want to go as a “first-timer”
and let us worry about all the details or
you want to be a little more independent and
essentially “build your own trip”
(while knowing all the major stuff is taken
care of), we have the perfect trip for you.
Call us-we can’t wait to talk to you!
( 1-877-865-6711 )
Frances Mayes
in “Under the Tuscan Sun” once
said that “…most trips have an
underlying quest. We’re looking for
something. What? Fun, escape, adventure-but
then what?” Everyone travels for different
reasons, but my question for you would be
what are you looking for? And, no
matter what the answer to that may be, I can
guarantee one thing-this trip can be life
changing. To experience another culture, to
open your eyes to another part of the world,
to step in another’s shoes, if even
for a few days, it changes you, even if only
a little.
Remember Robert
Browning, from the beginning of the letter?
“Open my heart and you will see, Graved inside of it, ‘ Italy.’”
Come, if you dare, and you may just leave
with a little bit of Italy etched on your
soul as well.
I do look forward
to traveling with you to Italy. Please drop
me a line with any question you might have!
Sincerely,
Mark Story -
You can ask me any question about Italy,
this tour or any vacation you're planning
to take to Italy by calling or email:
1 (877) 865-6711 Mark@QLTours.com
Italy Tour Program Manager
QueensLander Tours
Discover
Small Group Italy Touring – "We loved QueensLander's Italy
Tour – everything was perfectly arranged
each step of the way!"
– Joe & Billie Devine, Italy Tour
Manhattan Beach, California
"Discover
the cuisine and delicious wine - it literally
flows on this tour - every dinner and the amazing
wine road in Tuscany - wonderful!"
Italy Tours, Italy
Tour Packages, Italian Tours, Italy Travel, Travel
to Italy
Yes, you
can extend your vacation
to the Amalfi Coast - see extensions below!
Extend your Italian
Vacation!
Amalfi
Coast 3 Day Extension ~Discover the beauty that
is the Amalfi Coast with Positano, Amalfi and
Sorrento. Breathtaking!
Admissions throughout, Small Group Touring with
QueensLander's exclusive approach to Italy Touring,
all gratuities included, no tipping guide, driver
or tour captain - Worry Free! Hotels have been
personally inspected by our own Hotel Snob, Mark
Story.
Hotel Saturnia
& International, Venice
Located near St. Mark's Square, the Saturnia is
a delightful way to start your Italy Tour - a
14th century palace. Or perhaps the Palace Bonvecchiati
or Cavalletto.
The Hotel Helvetia & Bristol in
Florence is part of the Leading Hotels of the
World is situated perfectly in the heart of Florence
and is about a 3 minute leisurely walk to the
Ponte Vecchio and Duomo. Or perhaps you'll enjoy
Grand Hotel Baglioni or the Hotel
Davanzati in Florence.
In Cortona you will enjoy the Villa Marsili
or similar.
While enjoying your time 'under the Tuscan sun'
discover the romance of this quaint Tuscan town.
In Rome, the Hotel de la Minerve or similar.
Extending to Amalfi Coast?
Hotel Bellevue Syrene (5 Star) or Hotel BelAir
(4 Star) in Sorrento.
Okay, so you won't want to leave these hotels.
Perched perfectly on the cliffs at Sorrento and
each guest room has an incredible view!
ABOUT ITALIAN BEDS! Read
it to understand Italia for Sleep!
In Italy, you will quickly find
there are items and concepts lost in translation.
One of the most common are bed sizes and configurations.
We've provided the Italian names as well as American
equivalent for your pleasure:
Camera Matrimoniale - Similar
to an American Queen Size Bed (camera means room).
Do note, it can be one bed or (2) twins pushed
together.
Camera Doppia - Two (2) Twin
Beds that are usually separated from one another.
Camera Singola - One (1) Twin Bed
Piazza Mezza - Glorified twin, not for two people!
* Note: Italian twin beds are smaller than American
twins but we haven't had anyone fall off yet!
* "Letto" means bed
WHY QUEENSLANDER FOR
ITALY TOURING?
Small Group Touring™
- Only Way To Go! Many companies boast interesting
itineraries and complement that with a large group
of bus junkies (sometimes upwards of 75 people!).
With QueensLander's Italy's Great Cities Tour, you are guaranteed a small group tour experience
of this delightful land. We mean it when we say
small: average size groups range from 10 to 16
passengers.
Licensed Professional Italian Guides. We are proud
to comply with Italy law, and offer only professional,
licensed guides throughout our Italy's Great Cities
Tour experience. In Venice, we meet Cinzia and
Luigi, our boat driver. In Florence, it's Marco.
In Rome, it's Rosa. Bilingual, friendly, and knowledgeable.
While enjoying your time 'under the Tuscan sun'
discover the romance of this quaint Tuscan town.
Okay, so you won't want to leave these hotels.
Perched perfectly on the cliffs at Sorrento and
each guest room has an incredible view! 