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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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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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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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