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Wednesday |
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Depart USA
— Remember, due to the time difference,
you'll arrive in Europe the day after you
leave the U.S. |
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Join Journey Out for a week in Italy with
gay travelers and their straight friends.
Your tour begins with an overnight flight to
Rome. |
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1 |
Thursday |
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Buon Giorno Rome |
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Morning & Afternoon |
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Welcome to “The Eternal City.” After being
transferred from the airport, the remainder
of your day is at leisure. |
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Evening |
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Tonight enjoy a menu of regional delicacies
and fine Italian wine in one of Italy’s
quintessential restaurants. Later this
evening, you may choose to visit some of the
gay nightspots like Garbo or the
Hanger in Rome. |
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2 |
Friday |
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When in Rome… |
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Morning |
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After a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided visit
of the Vatican Museum which features an
amazing collection of art housed in the
former palaces of the popes. One of the
highlights of the morning is seeing the
famous Sistine Chapel, painstakingly
painted by Michelangelo. |
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Afternoon |
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This afternoon is yours in Rome. You may choose an optional
classical Rome tour with a local guide as
you will visit the Piazza Venenzia,
the Roman Forum, the Circus
Maximus, the Colosseum, the
Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. |
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Evening |
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Dinner tonight is on your own. Your Tour Director will be glad
to make recommendations. |
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3 |
Saturday |
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Assisi
and the Franciscan Order |
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Morning |
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Spend this morning enjoying breakfast at the
hotel before departing for the medieval
walled city of Assisi. |
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Afternoon |
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Enjoy a guided tour of this magnificent
Basilica, St. Francis. Also, you will
learn the ways of a Franciscan Monk as
he describes to you the philosophy and
lifestyle of this order. Continue though
Tuscany until you arrive to the spa
village of Montecatini Terme. You may
wish to make a soothing spa treatment
appointment with your Journey Out tour
director during your five-night stay |
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Evening |
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Enjoy dinner tonight with your fellow
travelers. |
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Journey Out Experience
Ordo Fratum Minorum
Dominated by two medieval castles, the
small town of Assisi is the birthplace
of St. Francis, who founded the
Franciscan religious order here in 1208.
Wander the gardens, enjoy the serenity
and marvel at the magnificent frescoes
by renowned late-medieval artists
Cimabue and Giotto. You will learn about
the lifestyle and philosophies of the
Franciscan order while you tour the
Basilica with a Franciscan Monk.
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4 |
Sunday |
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Florence & David |
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Morning |
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After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel,
you'll begin your journey with a short
scenic train ride to the cultural
treasure-trove, Florence |
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Afternoon |
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A local expert provides a leisurely-paced
walking tour featuring the Piazza Del
Duomo and the famous statue of David. You will have time to shop for the
traditional Florentine crafts such as goldware, leatherware and porcelain. |
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Evening |
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Return to Montecatini Terme in time for some
leisure at the spa before enjoying dinner on
your own. Your Tour Director will be happy
to make suggestions. |
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5 |
Monday |
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Venice Option |
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Morning |
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After breakfast, we will depart on a full
day optional excursion.
Today you visit enchanting
Venice, built on 117 islands with 150
canals and 400 bridges. |
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Afternoon & Evening |
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Visit the charming St. Mark's Square, a hub
of quintessentially Italian activity and
events. You will have time to shop and view
the city before returning to Montecatini Terme. |
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6 |
Tuesday |
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Today goes together like oil and . . . wine. |
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Morning |
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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for San
Gimignano, one of the most famous small
towns in Tuscany. |
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Afternoon |
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While in the region, an Italian wine maker and an olive oil
producer will teach you some of the
secrets to their craft with a presentation
and a delicious tasting. |
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Evening |
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Tonight is yours to explore the beautiful streets of
Montecatini Terme. |
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Journey Out Experience
San Gimignano
San Gimignano, a tiny, picturesque
village is nicknamed "the Medieval
Manhattan" for its skyline of towers.
Twelve of the original 72 towers still
stand to this day, displaying the wealth
and power of the noble families that
competed to build the tallest one.
Magnificent sacred frescoes,
breathtaking panoramic views and a
laid-back, carefree pace of life that
San Gimignano is known for await you.
Sample a glass of the local Vernaccia di
San Gimignano white wine while you're in
town.
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7 |
Wednesday |
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Leaning Tower of Pisa Option |
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Morning |
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This morning is yours to shop or enjoy a
relaxing spa treatment or indulge in the
Italian joy of dolce far niente (the
sweetness of doing nothing.) |
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Afternoon |
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Later today, you may take an optional short
trip. Driving toward the coast to the
ancient maritime Republic of Pisa, you will
find the Piazza Dei Miracoli, the Duomo
(Cathedral) and its historic Baptistry,
along with the famous Leaning Tower of
Pisa. |
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Evening |
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Tonight we have our farewell dinner together atop the mountain
overlooking
Montecatini Terme. |
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Journey Out Experience
Local flavor
With more than 300 varieties of grapes,
Italy is the largest wine-producing
country in the world. Tuscany produces
some of the most favorable Italian
wines. The region soil and its climate
help prosper grapes that are unique all
over the world. You will taste a variety
of fantastic local wines while visiting
one of Italy's greatest vineyards.
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8 |
Thursday |
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Arrivederci |
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Morning |
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Due to flight schedules, you may be required
to depart the hotel in the wee hours of the
morning (between 3 & 4 AM). Travel time from
Tuscany to Rome airport is approximately 4
hours. Return flights should not be
scheduled prior to 11:00 AM. |
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