St. John's College Italy and France (private tour)

Day 1 - Friday, March 07: Overnight Flight

Evening departure from Toronto via Aer Lingus or similar to Rome, Italy.  Full inflight services including dinner, refreshments and a snack, will be provided.

Day 2 - Saturday, March 08: Rome

Morning arrival in Dublin Ireland where there will be a short delay before boarding your connecting flight to Rome.   After collecting your luggage you are met by your coach and taken on a sightseeing tour of the “Eternal City”.  Included in today’s tour will be Piazza Venezia, the Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, and the Colosseum.  Dinner at a local pizzeria

Day 3 - Sunday, March 09: Rome

Breakfast followed by departure for Vatican City where you will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the Vatican Museum including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica.  Time for lunch followed by additional sightseeing in Rome.  In the late afternoon you return to the hotel to freshen up followed by dinner at a local Trattoria.  

Day 4 - Monday, March 10: Florence

Early morning departure from Rome as you make your way to Siena for a guided tour of the city including the Duomo and the Campo where twice a year the Paleo is held.  Time for lunch in Siena before continuing to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance.  Before arriving at the hotel, a stop will be made at Piazza Michelangelo for fabulous views of the city and the Arno River.  Evening mass at San Lorenzo Church.  Check in to the hotel followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5 - Tuesday, March 11: Florence

Breakfast followed by a full day of sightseeing in Florence.  Highlights include; the Baptistery with its bronze doors, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Santa Croce, and the Ponte Vecchio.  Time for lunch followed by a visit to the Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s head to David.  Any time remaining will be spent enjoying the atmosphere of the San Lorenzo market.  Dinner and overnight.

Day 6 - Wednesday, March 12: Nice

Morning departure from Florence as you make your way to Pisa.  Chance to view the Leaning

tower before continuing across the French border into the south of France.  Late afternoon arrival

in Nice, Nice, unofficial capital of the French Riviera.  Check in to the Hotel Brice before dinner

and overnight.

Day 7 - Thursday, March 13: Paris

Breakfast followed by a beautiful drive along the Mediterranean on your way to the principality of Monaco.  Time to explore the Rock with your tour leader before making your way to Eze for a guided tour of a local perfume factory.  In the late afternoon you transfer to Nice Airport for the short flight to Paris.  Immediate transfer to the hotel followed by dinner at a local restaurant.    

Day 8 - Friday, March 14: Paris

Following breakfast you are joined by a local guide for a detailed sightseeing tour of Paris.   Highlights include;  Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, and Place de la Concorde.  In the afternoon you continue sightseeing with a visit to the Louvre Museum, world famous for works including the Mona Lisa, the Venus DeMilo and the Winged Victory.  Following your visit you transfer to a local restaurant for dinner followed by a cruise on the Seine River.  Overnight.

Day 9 - Saturday, March 15: Paris

Breakfast at the hotel before boarding the coach for the short drive to Versailles where you will visit the Palace of the Sun King Louis XIV. Following your visit, you will return to Paris for a visit of Montmartre including a visit to The Basilica of Sacré Coeur, one of the official sites of pilgrimage designated by the Pope and the “Artists District”.  In the late afternoon mass followed by an “au revoir” dinner.  Overnight

Day 10 - Sunday, March 16: Flight Home

Morning transfer to Paris Airport for your return flight on Aer Lingus via Dublin.