Leave Canada. Home pick up in the GTA and along 401 to Brockville with transfer to Toronto International Airport for the overnight Air France/KLM flight to Venice.

arrive Venice Meeting service and transfer to the Hotel Bucintoro.Near Piazza San Marco, Hotel Bucintoro’s view is truly spectacular: it runs from San Marco to Palazzo Ducale and the Campanile to the Island of San Giorgio and the Customs Office. Venice has been a whirlwind of sailors, merchants and galleys for centuries; now, from the windows of Hotel, you can watch the peaceful gondolas, water shuttle and tope (typical work boats) glide by. Elegant wood paneling, brass, appliqué with authentic nautical figures and lamps that seem to be oil burning. Facilities include   Internet Connection; Room Service; Air Conditioning; Radio; Minibar; Hairdryer; Telephone; Satellite TV; Safe; Bathrobes

Venice  - For centuries,Venice stood at the crossroads of culture between the Byzantine and Roman worlds. From the elegant carved gondolas and vaporetti that ply the Grand Canal to the magnificent Piazza San Marco bustling with life – Venice is unique in all the world. This morning explore The Basilica di San Marco and the Doge’s Palace with your guide. Later explore the Accademia with its Renaissance masters and the collection of Peggy Guggenheim in her canal-side palazzo.. After that, follow where your feet take you, over romantic bridges, to shops selling precious glass, to small cafés for a cappuccino or Campari

This morning explore the Venetian Islands: Murano is the most famous of the Venetian Islands , and the most visited courtesy of the famous glass-works that produce the popular "Murano Glass". The people of Venice have been making crystal and glass since the 10th Century, when the Venetian merchants brought back the secrets of production from the East. The Island of Burano is the most picturesque of Venetian Islands of the Lagoon. Famous for its lace-making industry, the pretty fishing village has its streets and canals lined by pastel coloured houses. Once the commercial capital of Venice , nowadays Torcello, site of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta founded in the 7th Century. boasts a population of only 60 people.  During the afternoon transfer to the pier to board the Wind Surf. Sail from Venice at 6.00pm

Pula, Croatia   from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pula is the largest city on the Istrian peninsula. Known for its mild climate, tame sea, and unspoiled nature, the city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism. The city is best known for its many surviving ancient Roman buildings, the most famous of which is its first century amphitheatre, sixth largest in the world and locally known as the Arena. This is one of the best preserved amphitheatres from antiquity and is still in use today during summer film festivals.The natural beauty of Pula's surrounding countryside and turquoise water of the Adriatic have made the city an internationally popular summer vacation destination. Roman villas and temples still lie buried among farm fields and along the shoreline of the dozens of surrounding fishing and farming villages. The coastal waters offer beaches, fishing, wreck dives to ancient Roman galleys and World War I warships, cliff diving, and sailing to unspoiled coves and islands large and small.

Split, Croatia     from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM  As the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast and a major transport hub, Split emanates a vibe that is boisterous rather than relaxing. Its massive port sends ferries out to the Dalmatian islands and beyond, adding to the constant bustle. Despite Split’s broad-shouldered stance, a strong Mediterranean style prevails. Diocletian’s Palace is a World Heritage site that alone makes a visit to the city worthwhile. Within the palace’s ancient walls in the center of town rises the majestic cathedral, surrounded by marble streets lined with shops. The western end of Split consists of a mountain park with beaches below and pathways above. A refurbished promenade lined with cafés makes for a pleasant stroll along the harbor, and the coastal mountains set against the blue Adriatic make for a memorable view

Dubrovnik,      from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Nestled on the Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik is a beautifully preserved fortifed town. Its ancient medieval walls contain a sparkling white Old City, filled with 15th-century churches, peaceful Franciscan cloisters, a cathedral with works by Raphael and Titian, and a fascinating Maritime Museum. One of Dubrovnik’s main attractions is a swim from the quiet, rocky beaches, or catch a boat to the wooded island of Lokrum nearby.

Kotor,      from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM   With one of the Mediterranean's most striking landscapes, the walled town of Kotor nestles at the head of southern Europe’s deepest fjord. The steep mountains plummeting straight into the Adriatic are, by themselves, an excellent reason to visit the area. Besides its natural beauty, the area has numerous historic churches that reflect Byzantine and Venetian design styles, mansions, flower gardens and fortifications that have created one of the most unforgettable destinations in the Balkan region. Exploration can commence at Stari Grad (Old Town). Located under the lee of a mountain, it is a labyrinth of cobbled lanes linking small squares that contain some of those ancient churches and former aristocratic mansions. Major landmarks around Kotor include St. Tryphon's Cathedral, and the Fortress of St. Ivan.

Messina,   from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM This ancient city of cobblestone streets and friendly people is the gateway to the sunny island of Sicily, a mountainous and rugged place which remains in the shadow of its still-active volcano, Mt. Etna. In addition to its own enchanting landscape, Messina is the launching point for visits to the classical ruins at Taormina and the Church of the Black Madonna in Tindari.

Ischia    from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM  Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. See Church of Soccorso (a tiny white-washed church located in the square on the Punta del Soccorso in Forio, that looks out onto the crystal clear sea), and Castello Aragonese (a castle located on a small island near Ischia Ponte). There are many wonderful beaches located here as well.

Civitavecchia, to Rome  From Civitavecchia drive to Rome to begin your day tour; from the Esquiline Hill where your guide will show you some of the treasures inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, before continuing to the Holy Staircase and the Lateran Palace and the Basilica of San Giovanni, the cathedral of Rome (visit inside). Then proceed along the Ancient Appian Way, past by the Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis?” before arriving at the Catacombs, the ancient underground cemeteries and first hiding places for the Christians. A visit will be made to either the Catacombs of S. Callisto, Santa Domitilla or San Sebastiano Finally a spectacular view of the Baths of Emperor Caracalla. Later in the day pass through Piazza della Repubblica with the Fountain of the Nayads and follow the ancient Aurelian walls which once surrounded the ancient city. From Piazza del Popolo where you will see an Egyptian obelisk dating back to the time of Ramses II. Finally, on arrival at the Vatican Walls, your guide will then lead you into the Vatican Museums  taking the beautiful Spiral staircase and continuing through the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps before arriving in the famous Sistine Chapel  with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgement by Michelangelo.
Your day ends on arrival at the Santa Chiara Hotel to stay 2 nights.
The Albergo is right behind one of the most fascinating and important monument of Rome, the Pantheon.  Albergo Santa Chiara started in 1939 as a "wine-shop" then changed into a small inn, enlarged in the following years, the 10 rooms of the first days have become now 96, distributed in 3 adjoining buildings. In one of them is located the Saint Catherine from Siena's Chapel. The old lobby, on the contrary, has become a theatre. The older guests love the wide and classic styled rooms, younger prefers the modern and high-tech ones. All the rooms have  private marble bathroom with vanity mirror and amenities, hairdryer, LCD TV. Wi-fi connection, IDD phone; safe, air conditioning, mini bar.  Don’t miss a relaxing drink at our quiet and private open-air bar overlooking the Minerva Square.
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Rome    2,500 years of history are woven into the fabric of modern Rome. Wander sidestreets that open onto piazzas, fountains, Bernini sculpture, and elegant courtyards. Famous treasures are legion in Rome: the Colosseum…the Forum…St. Peter’s Cathedral…the Trevi Fountain…the Spanish Steps. Take time out between sights to do as the Romans do: enjoy a three-hour lunch, shop, people-watch, or savor the best gelati in the world

Homeward bound.  Morning departure on Air France/KLM to Toronto with return transfer  included to your home in the GTA and along the 40 to Brockville

Pricing per person

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