2013 - APT Europe River Cruising

31 Day Iconic Italy & Magnificent Europe 16 Nights Italy & Surrounds | 14 Night River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam Italy | Austria | Hungary | Slovakia | Czech Republic | Germany | Netherlands The pretty lights of St Peters Basilica in the Vatican City ITALY'S ICONIC CAPITAL Day 1. Arrive Rome. Be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception. Three Night Stay: Rome, Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa. APT PLATINUM SERIES APT EXCLUSIVE! Choose from the widest range of suite & balcony options including Panoramic Balcony & Twin Balcony suites APT EXCLUSIVE! Select from APT's Freedom of Choice Inclusions in 13 places APT EXCLUSIVE! Participate in eight unique APT Signature Experiences APT EXCLUSIVE! Gold or Silver Butler Service, room service & champagne on arrival (select suites, see pg 197 for details) APT EXCLUSIVE! Europe's finest onboard dining – La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs member Wine, beer & soft drink included with both lunch & dinner during your cruise Expert services of an APT Cruise Director Designed for Australians & New Zealanders TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR FLEET ONLINE www.aptouring.com.au Freedom of Choice InclusionsTM Signature Experience 144 Day 2. Rome. Today, join a local guide for a guided sightseeing tour of the Italian capital, taking in some of Rome's most famous sights, such as the Vatican Museum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona – a city square that was built in the 1st century AD. You'll also see Michelangelo's renowned artwork in the Sistine Chapel. These intricate paintings, which the artist began in 1508, sprawl across the ceiling for over 1100 metres and are breathtakingly beautiful. Afterwards, enjoy time at leisure to further explore, before heading to a delightful local restaurant for a Welcome Dinner. Day 3. Rome, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. On your second full day in Rome, enjoy a choice of activities. You may like to set out on an Ancient Rome tour, visiting some of the city's Roman sights, including the Pantheon and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire and today considered one of the greatest works of Roman engineering. Or perhaps tour a selection of Rome's catacombs – underground burial places built from the 2nd century, which contain many frescoes and sculptures. Alternatively, enjoy an Italian cooking class. After your activity, the rest of today is yours to spend at leisure. SORRENTO SOJOURN Day 4. Pompeii, Sorrento, Freedom BD of Choice Inclusions. This morning after breakfast, travel to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, buried and destroyed when Mount Vesuvius, a volcano, erupted in 79 AD, covering the city in volcanic ash. Rediscovered in 1748, the perfectly preserved ruins of Pompeii are now a World Heritage-listed site and one of Italy's most popular attractions. After a tour here, continue to the coastal town of Sorrento. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento offers lovely scenery and views of Mt Vesuvius as well as the Isle of Capri. For over 2,000 years, visitors have been attracted to the town by breathtaking sunsets and the rich fragrance of the orange and lemon gardens. Choose from two great dining options tonight. Perhaps relax and enjoy dinner at your hotel, or dine at Zi'Antonio's, a local restaurant in the heart of Sorrento offering candle-lit tables, delicious Mediterranean cuisine and complementing wines. Three Night Stay: Sorrento, Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & Spa. B Day 5. Sorrento, Amalfi Coast. This morning, enjoy a journey along one of Europe's most famous coastlines, the World Heritage-listed Amalfi Coast. As you wind around the curving road, new scenes of beauty will reveal themselves at every turn. Be captivated by the spectacular landscapes, stunning sea views, small inlets, rugged terrain and the many picturesque villages dotted along the coast. Enjoy free time to explore the hidden BD P L A T I R I N E E U M S S 7 COUNTRIES UP THROUGH TO TRAVEL

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