Gondolas on the Grand Canal
All photos by James Derheim
Days 1 and 2: Dates TBD
Your Arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport.
You're met at the airport by your guide, James Derheim.
Venice (2)
We travel a short distance in our tour vehicle, TBD depending on your final group size.
We park at a garage adjacent to the place where the water taxis and water buses take people into the old city center. We use a private water taxi, arranged in advance through our hotel.
The taxi takes us right to the hotel, where we stay two nights.
James would like to recommend that we stay in a more historic location but still, a very comfortable and nice place where you are surrounded by the history and architecture and people of Venice.
Unlike big bus tours, European Focus does not push our guests to do too much on their arrival day. You might be tired. Not many people can get good rest on the flight over. So, we play it by ear today and sight see according to your energy and enthusiasm level.
What we will be seeing during your time in Venice at a leisurely pace:
- The Basilica of San Marco with skip the line tickets
- The Rialto Bridge
- The largest church in Venice (it's not San Marco)
- (Don't worry, this tour is not going to drag you from cathedral to cathedral. Your guide shows you important sites that are historically significant.)
- Plus plenty of wander time, and your guide will help you get "lost" in the back alleys and streets where the real city lives. Your guide will always know the way home.
While we have no official plan for a gondola ride (they're a rip-off) what we can suggest is a private water taxi cruise through the Grand Canal at sunset with prosecco just for you. We can discuss this at a later date.
Included today: Light lunch and dinner with James
Your guide does not normally join you for dinners but will be happy to coordinate reservations for you according to your eating style and budget.
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| Enjoy a day on the Cinque Terre with lunch in an extra special place |
Days 3, 4 and 5: Date TBD
Lucca with Florence and Pisa (3)
The trip from Venice to Lucca, Tuscany takes about three and a half hours. Departure from Venice suggested at about 10:30. This helps us avoid traffic. James recommends a stop in Bologna for what else? Bolognese sauce over pasta at a traditional family restaurant.
Lunch included today
We stay in Lucca, a lovely small city in Tuscany that is perfectly positioned for exploring Florence (1 hour away) and Pisa (half an hour) in a nice hotel that is priced much lower than similar properties in busy, overly-crowded Florence. While here:
- The Statue of David by Michelangelo with advance entry
- The Uffizi Museum with advance entry tickets
- Opportunity to climb the belfry of the cathedral for an awesome view
- The best gelato in Tuscany in Florence
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa
In the heart of the Renaissance
All sight seeing entry fees included.
Days 6, 7: Dates TBD
Orvieto, Umbria (2)
Not a long drive, so we meander there through one of the prettiest valleys in Tuscany, with stops in some of the pretty hill towns. We stay two nights in a converted farmhouse inn run by a gregarious man who joins his guests at a long, communal table for dinner. Dinner here is an event in itself! Four courses served family-style, all home cooking with that extra twist coming from an experienced chef. Wine flows without limit and you encounter guests from around the world. This may end up being your favorite place of the entire trip.
Dinner with unlimited beverages is included both nights we are at the farmhouse inn.
While here we spend quality time in Orvieto. James also shows you a "ghost village" nearby.
Ancient Orvieto was founded by the Etruscans, who were overtaken by the Romans
Rome (2)
Arrival in the heart of Rome by noon. We stay in a quiet part of the city in a lovely hotel with a nice garden where breakfast is served. Two nights in Rome is sufficient to see all of the highlights. This can be extended to three nights if you are really into churches and museums.
Over the course of our time in Rome, you will see and experience:
- The Colosseum including skip the line pass and interior tour
- The Roman Forum, heart of the ancient city
- The Palatine, hill where the emperors lived and played
- Trevi Fountain
- Piazza Navona
- Basilica of St. Peter with skip the line passes
- The Spanish Steps
- Rome by night - James takes you in a taxi to the heart of Rome to enjoy the monuments illuminated
The Colosseum was built using booty looted from the sack of Jerusalem. It only took 10 years, from
70 - 80 AD.
Day 10: Date TBD
Departure from Rome Intl. Airport
Total time away from home: 11 days
Price for two people: 13,927 Euro
Exchange rates at: www.x-rates.com
Suggested dates: Departure on Saturday, September 16 from USA
Arrival in Venice Sunday, September 17
Return to the USA on Tuesday, September 26
If this date works for you, then your guide will be James Derheim, the owner and founder of European Focus Private Tours. James loves history and can provide commentary and information as we travel for all of the sights that we see.
James is also a photographer, and he's constantly taking photographs. You receive copies.
To move forward please let James know if this plan is what you have in mind, or not. Adjustments can be made.
Suggested booking by: July 21
Payments
Your tour will be priced in the Euro. However, you pay in US Dollars, converted on your pay dates.
Deposit: 1,000 Euro per person which can be put on a credit card
One third of the balance is due: 60 days prior to trip start
Balance is due: 15 days prior to trip start
Your other payments should be by personal check
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance strongly suggested.
No refunds in case you cannot travel or have to interrupt your trip for any reason.
James and Jenean Derheim
European Focus Private Tours
800-401-7802
