ITALY 2024

  • 16 September (Monday)

    Group meets at Melard Coach, 1289 Division Hwy, Ephrata (Route 322 East of Ephrata at 1:00 PM… charter bus takes us to Philadelphia (PHL) Airport… American Airlines Non-stop flight #718 departs PHL at 6:30 PM (meals provided).

    I will bring subs to eat on the bus to Philadelphia

  • 17 - 19 September (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

    Flight arrives at Rome’s DaVinci (FCO) Airport at 9:00 AM… Charter bus ride from airport to our hotel, centrally located and within walking distance of many famous sights… we will stay in Rome for 3 nights. We will visit  St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City and Sistine Chapel. We will visit the remarkably well-preserved Roman Pantheon, Colosseum, and Roman Forum… We will have evening walks in different areas in ancient Rome, including a magical walk from Campo de’Fiori to Trevi Fountain…we will stay 3 nights at the 3 star Hotel Portoghesi, (www.hotelportoghesiroma.it )  

    17 Sept…We will have lunch near the hotel…I will offer a walk around the neighborhood of the Pantheon and Piazza Navona…we will walk around our neighborhood in the evening and enjoy a gelato after a long day of travel

    18 Sept…We will walk about .6 mile to our nearest Metro stop…Metro to Colosseum…we have a reservation to visit Colosseum at 10:15… then we walk across the street to visit the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill…then we will take a tram and have lunch…after lunch we will walk in the Campo de’Fiori…this neighborhood is not far from our hotel…evening at leisure…I will offer a nighttime walk to the Trevi Fountain

    19 Sept…Metro to visit 2 famous churches not far from the Colosseum…the 2 churches are Santa Maria Maggiore and San Giovanni in Laterano… Metro to Vatican City…lunch nearby…visit St Peter’s Basilica…3:30 reservation for Vatican Museum (Sistine Chapel)…evening at leisure

  • 20 - 21 September (Friday, Saturday)

    Morning and lunch at leisure in Rome before checkout…our charter bus departs at 2:00…2 hour charter bus to Orvieto.. Orvieto is an ancient town built on the top of an extinct volcano. It has Etruscan ruins, opulent churches, stunning views. It has beautiful back streets to wander. The cathedral has an exterior and interior that is uniquely beautiful. It has caves to explore. We will have one full day to explore….we will stay 2 nights at the 3 star Hotel Virgilio (www.orvietohotelvirgilio.it) and the 3 star Hotel Valentino (www.valentinohotel.com) 

    21 Sept.…9:00 guided 2-3 hour walking tour of Orvieto… lunch…afternoon at leisure…stay in Orvieto

  • 22 September (Sunday)

    1.5 hour bus ride to Spoleto…we have a 2-3 hour guided walking tour in this lovely town with many monuments and churches. The historic center has maintained its medieval appearance, although traces of its Roman heritage are still visible. The town’s greatest monument it’s cathedral. Spoleto is famous for the mighty Ponte delle Torri a bridge 80 meters high and 230 meters long supported by ten pointed arches…then we have 2-3 hours for lunch and walking in this town…30 minutes ride to Bevagna, a hill town without the hill.  Bevagna is a small town with Roman remains and narrow streets where you find old fashioned and real Italian life. We will stay 2 nights at Hotel Palazzo Brunamonti us off at hotel… www.brunamonti.com

  • 23 September (Monday)

    15 minutes ride to Spello...we have a 2-3 hour guided walking tour and time for lunch and walking in Spello is known as one of the most beautiful Italian villages, ideal for discovering great Renaissance masterpieces, marvelous mosaics play, and hidden treasures in Italy. The exciting part about this village is that you won’t have to deal with the crowd and immensely enjoy a more authentic Italian experience. It is the village’s center where you can wander through all the local shops, enjoy an authentic meal at several restaurants, and settle into the town’s natural rhythm…we have a 1:30 winery tour…return to Bevagna

  • 24 September (Tuesday)

    30 minutes ride to Assisi… we have a 2-3 hour guided walking tour in the birth place of St. Francis. It has beautiful scenery, spectacular architecture and rich culture. It is also a foodie’s paradise. We will visit the Basilicati San Francesco, the jewel of the city, with impressive frescos. We will visit the ancient Roman Temple of Minerva. We will have the rest of the day to tour Assisi, after the day trippers have gone…we will stay 1 night at the 4 star Hotel Dei Priori (www.hoteldeipriori.it)

  • 25 - 26 September (Wednesday, Thursday)

    30 minute ride to Perugia…We have a full day in Perugia…We have a 2-3 hour guided walking tour…Perugia has a beautiful city-center and offers panoramic views of the hills. It is fun to get lost in the cities’alleys. It has beautiful squares and palaces…You can visit an acqueduct and a great archaeological museum…then, lunch leisure to explore Perugia. ..we will stay 1 night  in the 3 star Hotel Fortuna (www.umbriahotels.com)  in central, old town Perugia

    26 September

    we will take a 1 hour charter bus ride to Gubbio…we will have a full day in Gubbio…we will have a 2-3 hour guided walking tour… Gubbio is a stunning medieval town that boasts a uniquely well- preserved medieval atmosphere. Its historic charm is unrivaled, making it a popular destination for us…We will have the rest of the day to explore Gubbio... we will stay 1 night in the 3 star Hotel San Marco (www.hotelsanmarcogubbio.com)  

  • 27- 29 September (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

    27 Sept…Drive 1.5 hours to Siena, with a 4 hour visit to Cortona. Cortona is one the prettiest historical towns in Italy. This gem of a city offers spectacular views over the surrounding valley and Lake Trasimeno. It has become famous from the book and film “Under the Tuscan Sun”. we will stay in Siena, a famous medieval Tuscan hill town, for 3 nights … We will stay 3 nights at the 4 star NH Hotel (www.nh-hotels.com) .We have reservations for dinner in small groups on Friday and Saturday.

    28 Sept.…all day at leisure in Siena…I will offer a 2-3 hour walking tour that includes the cathedral and Saint Catherine’s House and the large Domenican Church… Siena has a maze of narrow streets and alleys around its fan-shaped Piazza del Campo… Siena’s hilly position offers delightful hidden corners and countless sudden views. We will have a free day in Siena. Stay in Siena.

    29 Sept.…We have reservations on the 9:20 public bus 1.25 hours to the famous nearby Renaissance City of Florence, Florence is known for its art and architecture… I will lead a 3 hour walking tour of highlights, including the Santa Croce Church where many famous Italians (Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Marconi, and Fermi) and then you will have free time to explore…we have a reservation at 3:30 to visit Michelangelo’s David…you will have time to explore the famous leather market…we have a reservation on the 6:10 bus back to Siena. We will stay 3 nights at the 4 star NH Hotel (www.nh-hotels.com) Stay in Siena

  • 30 September (Monday)

    We depart at 9:30… we will drive 1 hour to the lovely hill town of Montepulciano…we will have 3-4 hours to explore and have lunch.  We will drive 2 more hours to the 4 star Isola Sacra Rome Airport Hotel (www.hotelisolasacra.com).  We will have dinner reservations at this hotel.

  • 1 October (Tuesday)

    American Airlines Non-Stop flight #719 departs Rome at 10:10 AM and arrives at PHL at 2:00 PM… (meals served) estimated time of return to Ephrata is 5:00PM.

    This itinerary is subject to change. Thank you.