Pearls of Italy

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SEP. 2-13, 2017 $4,595
Milan, Lake Como, Verona, Venice, Florence, Chianti, Orvieto, Rome
UCLA Faculty on Tour Activity Level: Moderate Activity Hide This
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Overview

Pearls of Italy

SEP. 2-13, 2017
Milan, Lake Como, Verona, Venice, Florence, Chianti, Orvieto, Rome

A land of sparkling glacial lakes, Renaissance cities and one of the world’s most influential ancient civilizations, Italy has a wealth of natural beauty and culture. This journey showcases the best of Italy as you travel by train to four different regions. Begin in the Italian Lakes District in northern Italy. Cruise Lake Maggiore, and travel to Milan to marvel at Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Continue to romantic Venice on the Adriatic Sea. See the Piazza San Marco and other historic highlights. Travel south to Tuscany, and explore Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Venture to Chianti to sample its renowned wine. Then, as they say, all roads lead to Rome, and your journey concludes in the Eternal City. See the ancient ruins, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Cost: $4,595
AHI Travel
Activity Level: Moderate Activity
COVID-19 Information:
  • Your exclusive Small-Group experience is limited to 28 travelers to maximize your travel experience.
  • Stay in four ideally located hotels, allowing you to make the most of your time at your destinations.
  • A uniquely designed itinerary provides exceptional opportunities to experience the history and culture of four regions of Italy: Lombardy, Veneto, Tuscany and Rome.
  • Cruise Lake Maggiore, and discover the picturesque Borromean Islands.
  • Explore the sights and sounds of and Venice.
  • Discover the winemaking tradition of Chianti, and enjoy a wine tasting.
  • Four UNESCO World Heritage sites are featured on this program: Venice and its Lagoon and the historic centers of Florence, San Gimignano and Rome.

UCLA Faculty on Tour

KATHRYN MORGAN
Department of Classics
Kathryn Morgan is Chair of the UCLA Department of Classics and teaches courses on ancient literature, mythology and culture. Her most recent book on the praise poetry of Pindar (5th c. B.C.) explored the way poetics and mythology merge to create a positive image of monarchy for Pindar’s royal patrons in Sicily. Morgan is currently beginning a new project on how the historian Thucydides and the philosopher Plato use historiography to advance particular and competing views of the world. She has a longstanding interest in the interactions of ancient Mediterranean civilizations, particularly in the realm of mythology, and is fascinated by the way the Romans used the legacy of Greece to transform their culture. She regularly teaches courses that explore the movement of mythological narratives across space and time, from stories of the great goddess to the complications involved in the mythical foundation of Rome.

Details

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Itinerary
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Day 1 | Sep. 2.
Depart for Milan, Italy.

Day 2 | Sep. 3. Milan/Stresa
Upon arrival, transferA to Stresa and the Hotel La Palma. Tonight, attend a Welcome Reception and Dinner.

Day 3 | Sep. 4. Borromean Islands
Educational Focus: The Lakes District.
Excursion: Borromean Islands. Cruise Lake Maggiore to Isola Madre’s paradise of baroque splendor and botanical gardens. Then, embrace the rustic charm of the peaceful fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori. Finally, visit Isola Bella, the Beautiful Island, extolled by writers over the centuries. Explore its 17th-century baroque palace and summer house.
Local Flavor: Lunch is served at a restaurant on one of the islands.

Day 4 | Sep. 5. Stresa
Independent Exploration: Enjoy time for lunch at leisure.

Day 5 | Sep. 6. Milan/Venice
Excursion: Milan. Visit the Renaissance Santa Maria Delle Grazie and its rectory to see Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Visit the opulent 14th-century Duomo, a Gothic masterpiece.
Independent Exploration: Enjoy time for lunch at leisure. Continue to Venice by train. Check in to the Hotel Saturnia & International.

Day 6 | Sep. 7. Venice
Excursion: Highlights of Venice. Explore Venice’s maze of bridges and waterways. See St. Mark’s Square, the Campanile and the Doge’s Palace.
Independent Exploration: Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Venice.

Day 7 | Sep. 8. Florence
Board a train for Florence and the Grand Hotel Baglioni.
Excursion: Florence. Take in the sights of Florence, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Signoria, Old Palace and Ponte Vecchio.
Educational Focus: Renaissance Art.
Local Flavor: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8 | Sep. 9. Florence
Independent Exploration: Enjoy the morning at leisure.
Excursion: Accademia Gallery. A private guide will show you works by Italy’s most famous artists, including Michaelangelo and Botticelli.

Day 9 | Sep. 10. Chianti
Excursion: Chianti. Visit the classic Chianti towns of San Gimignano and Castellina.
Local Flavor: Enjoy lunch in Castellina and a wine tasting.
Educational focus: Contemporary Italy.

Day 10 | Sep. 11. Rome
Board a train for the Rose Garden Palace, your hotel in Rome.
Excursion: Ancient Rome in a Modern City. See the remnants of ancient Rome’s greatest monuments, the Colosseum and the Forum, that still stand proudly today. Continue to Piazza Navona, the elegant square built atop an ancient stadium.

Day 11 | Sep. 12. Rome
Excursion: The Vatican. Explore Vatican City, the world’s smallest sovereign state. Visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Independent Exploration: Your afternoon on this final day is at leisure. Enjoy a Farewell Reception and Dinner.

Day 12 | Sep. 13.
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to your gateway city.

Accommodations

HOTEL LA PALMA
Stresa
Overlooking Lake Maggiore, the Hotel La Palma is centrally located in Stresa and has superb views of the Borromean Islands from rooftop lounge. Each guest room also features its own terrace or balcony. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

HOTEL SATURNIA & INTERNATIONAL
Venice
Sitting just a stone’s throw from St. Mark’s Square and many of Venice’s other great landmarks, this charming hotel has been welcoming guests for more than a century. Enjoy seasonal Venetian cuisine at the restaurant. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

GRAND HOTEL BAGLIONI
Florence
The Grand Hotel Baglioni is ideally located in the heart of Florence. The hotel’s three restaurants serve Italian favorites, and the rooftop bar offers a 360-degree view of the city. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

ROSE GARDEN PALACE
Rome
The Rose Garden Palace is just steps from the Via Veneto, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Relax in the rose garden or with spa services. The hotel also has a pool, fitness center, restaurant and bar. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

Download Reservation Form Download Brochure Request Brochure In Mail
310.206.0613 (P)
310.209.4271 (F)
travel@alumni.ucla.edu

Book this Tour

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How to Book

STEP 1
Download the tour Reservation Form here. This tour is booked quickly, so sign up early to reserve space.

STEP 2
Enclose a check or provide credit card information for $600 per person, per tour, as a deposit for the selected tour. Make check payable to AHI Travel. Deposits are provisional and fully refundable pending your acceptance of final brochure terms.

STEP 3
Mail completed reservation form and your deposit to:
UCLA Alumni Association
Attn: Alumni Travel
James West Alumni Center
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397

A brochure will be mailed to you as soon as it is available.

Download Reservation Form Download Brochure Request Brochure In Mail
310.206.0613 (P)
310.209.4271 (F)
travel@alumni.ucla.edu