10 days -April 27-May 6, 2009
$2195 ppdo + taxes, Includes Air from LAX!
Introducing Costa Cruises….
Named one of the “top 10 cruise lines” by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler and awarded five stars by Fielding’s Cruise Guide, Costa Cruise Lines is #1 in Europe for a number of reasons.
First of all, Costa--the world’s fifth largest cruise lines--is based there and has been sailing the continent’s best ports for 60 years. Costa boasts 11 luxurious ships and 87 itineraries to 112 ports in 43 countries (including in the United States). Costa Cruises is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines, comprised of Holland America, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Windstar Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn.
Costa’s Italian-inspired ships have earned four stars in service, food and entertainment from Modern Maturity, and the cruise line was selected as having “Best Mediterranean Itineraries” by the readers of Porthole magazine. Costa Cruises is also South America’s number 1 cruise line.
|
Day 1: Depart LAX on Alitalia’s convenient afternoon schedule. Meals & in-flight entertainment en route.
Day 2: FLORENCE, ITALY. Welcome to Florence, capital of bella Toscana (beautiful Tuscany). Afternoon arrival and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. UNAWAY HOTEL (or similar).
Florence, Italy
Day 3: FLORENCE. Millions of Americans who have toured this artistic Renaissance city return with fond memories and revisit the renowned Uffizi Museum or the Academia (which houses Michelangelo’s famous David statue),and other landmarks. For those first-time travelers to Florence, A.C.T. offers an optional guided walking tour of this “open air museum” city. The entire day is free to shop the sprawling San Lorenzo flea market and shops on the Ponte Vecchio, or to walk in the footsteps of Dante, DaVinci, and Michelangelo. (B)
Day 4: FLORENCE/CRUISING. After breakfast, depart Florence by comfortable motorcoach and head west, entering the region of Liguria. Optional tour of Portofino, famous for its quaint harbor. Arrive in Savonna, a coastal Mediterranean resort city, and board Costa Cruise Lines’ Costa Romantica in time for your 5 p.m. departure. (B,D)
Day 5: CRUISING. Barcelona, Spain. 1 p.m.-midnight. Arrive in Spain’s most exciting, cultural and sophisticated city. Explore the Old Quarter, visit the shops and music of the famous Ramblas pedestrian mall, or see Gaudi’s architectural fantasies and Picasso masterpieces on any one of A.C.T.’s customized shore excursions, or on those offered by the ship. (B,L,D)
Barcelona, Spain
Day 6: CRUISING. Palma De Mallorca, Spain.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Full day on the Baleric island immortalized by George Sand and Chopin. Situated between Africa and Spain, Mallorca—renowned for its imposing cathedral—is a favorite holiday spot for Europeans and Americans alike. (B,L,D)
Day 7: CRUISING. Ajaccio, Corsica. 2:00-7:00 p.m. Ajaccio is famous as the birthplace of Napoleon. Visit the Bonaparte family home, partake in optional shore excursions, or explore the island on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 8: CRUISING/ ROME. Disembark and transfer to your first class hotel in Rome. Optional Imperial Rome city tour, with stops at the Coloseum, the Trevi Fountain, and St. Peters’s Basilica. MELIA HOTEL (or similar) (B) HOTEL DONNA LAURA PALACE (or similar)
Day 9: ROME. Day at leisure. This morning, opt to visit the treasures at the Vatican, including Michelangelo’s masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. (B)
Day 10: ROME/USA. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Los Angeles, arriving the same day. Alternately, extend your vacation on A.C.T.’s Amalfi Coast program. (B)
3-DAY EXTENSION TO SORRENTO
$599 p.p.d.o.
Day 11: Rome/Sorrento. From Rome, follow the “Highway of the Sun” motorway to beautiful Sorrento and check into your First Class hotel. Later, opt for an Amalfi Coast drive. HOTEL CEASAR PALACE (or similar) (B)
Day 12: Sorrento. Your full day at leisure in Sorrento, the romantic town of Capodimonte china and orange and olive orchards, allows you the chance to visit the fabled island of Capri. (B)
Day 13: Sorrento/Rome. Morning free. Return this afternoon to Rome. HOTEL DONNA LAURA (B)
Day 14: Rome/LAX Transfer to airport in Rome for departure flight, arriving in Los Angeles the same day. (B)
