Take an unforgettable journey into the heartland of Europe with Travelmarvel.
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ITALY – Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is renowned for its wealth of art, architecture and all-encompassing style Italian Treasures & Classical Europe River Cru 24 days | Six countries – Italy | Austria | Hungary | Slovakia | Germany | Netherlands YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES Enjoy three nights in magnificent Rome Spend two nights in Florence & Venice 14 nights on the MS Johann Strauss The services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director & Cruise Director 55 fine meals – 23 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L) and 19 dinners (D) Soft drink, beer and local wine during every dinner on your river cruise Explore 25 different towns, villages and cities with an expert local guide Transfers, port charges & tipping included in your price INSIDER EXPERIENCES Awake to sea views in Portovenere Sample Parma's best cheese and ham Enjoy a premium 15-day river cruise Discover Budapest's cuisine and music Sample Vienna's finest Schnapps Visit a local bakery in Wertheim Tour a boutique brewery in Cologne OTHER HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS See Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Explore Florence and see 'David' Enjoy a boat ride around Cinque Terre Discover the beauty of Verona Immerse yourself in the artistic and architectural wonders of Venice Day 1. Rome. Prepare to embrace two and a half thousand years of history as you enter 'The Eternal City'. Perhaps no other city in the world can boast such a proud, domineering history that lives on through its array of magnificent monuments. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception with your fellow travellers. Stay (Three Nights): Hotel Nord Nuova Roma. Day 2. Rome. Explore the ancient cobbled streets of one of the world's greatest open air museums on a full-day tour with a local guide. Head to the Forum, where triumphant processions, inspiring speeches and commercial transactions all played out. Arrive at the Colosseum – the largest and most symbolic amphitheatre of Imperial Rome – still considered to be an engineering masterpiece. Visit St Peter's in Chains basilica, home to Michelangelo's 'Moses' statue. Continue to the Pantheon, a circular temple dedicated to all the gods that dates back to 118 AD. After, take in the Baroque beauty of Piazza Navona as you enjoy a Welcome Dinner on the square at Tre Scalini Restaurant. BD Day 3. Rome. This morning, venture into the walled enclave and seat of Christianity on a guided tour of the Vatican City. Take in the sweeping expanses of St Peter's Square before exploring the Vatican Museums. Here, you'll find many of the world's greatest sculptures and paintings, as well as Michelangelo's frescoed masterpiece upon the barrel-vaulted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. Perhaps head to the Spanish Steps or join the Romans on their 'passeggiata' (gentle evening stroll). B – www.travelmarvel.com.au – Day 4. Rome, Siena, Florence. Head north into the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany. Enter the walled city of Siena, Italy's best-preserved medieval city and home to the Palio – a bareback horse race held in the confines of the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo since 1656. Explore the charming mazed streets, filled with magnificent palaces, buildings and churches. Then, journey north and be transfixed as Florence's skyline of bell towers and domes emerges. Tonight, enjoy Florentine cuisine at a local restaurant. Stay (Two Nights): Florence, Hotel Balestri. BD Day 5. Florence. Explore this jewel of the Renaissance, home to some of Italy's most famous names – Dante, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and the Medicis. Your tour includes a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts, where you can contemplate what's considered to be sculptural perfection in Michelangelo's 'David'. You have the afternoon at leisure to immerse in the Tuscan capital. Wander the glorious boutiques or simply sip a Chianti and enjoy 'la bella vita'. B Day 6. Cinque Terre, Portovenere. Today, journey to see one of the world's most beautiful coastlines. Cinque Terre consists of five picturesque villages clinging to steep terraced cliffs above the azure Mediterranean. Take in the spectacular scenery from the sea on a boat ride, then on a train as it wends it way through ancient olive groves and vineyards. Special Stay – tonight, stay at Portovenere's Hotel Paradiso, taking in the captivating views of the Ligurian coast from your room, and as you dine on the terrace of the hotel. Stay (One Night): Portovenere, Hotel Paradiso. BD