Region: Europe
Key
Stops: Venice, Florence, Rome
Departure
City/Costs: NYC
Dates: October 18, 2004 to
October 25, 2004
Last Date to Book: October
14, 2004
Price: ....starting at $2,399.00,
double occupancy
Tour Operator: Your Way Tours
Introduction: Under the Tuscan Sun was a great
novel, now experience it live. Join us on this
unforgettable tour of Italy
Description:
DAY 1, Mon October 18 Depart USA to
Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight
entertainment for your journey
DAY 2, Tue Arrive and transfer to
your hotel in Venice. Balance of the day at leisure.
Orientation meeting with your tour director. (D):
VENICE
DAY 3, Wed Today begins with a walking tour
of romantic Venice. Visit the Golden Basilica of San
Marco, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Doges' Palace. The
balance of the day is at leisure to explore Venice on
your own and perhaps take an optional gondola ride with
music. (B): VENICE
DAY 4, Thu Depart for Florence via
Pisa to visit the Basilica of St. Anthony and Pisa to
view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning
Tower. After our visit to Pisa we are on to Florence.
Was Florence the birthplace of the gay rights movement?
During the Renaissance, Florence
developed a reputation for being the city of "Forbidden
Love". During the early 1500's many men were
jailed or exiled for their actions, but on August
31, 1512, a group of 30 young aristocrats staged
history's first gay rights demonstration by charging
into City Hall, forcing a senior justice official to
resign and demanding that the council revoke the
sentences of all those who had been exiled. (Remarkably,
after a palace coup by the Medici family two
weeks later, those demands were
actually acceded to.) In 1795 Tuscany became one
of the first states in Europe to legalize homosexuality,
consequently Florence is a very gay-friendly city. Welcome to Florence - the birthplace of Gay
Pride. Tonight you are free to explore this city
and perhaps grab a drink or more at The
chic-est disco-pub in Florence, gay or otherwise,
Piccolo Café or try Tabasco Bar, the slightly
softer Tabasco Disco People arrive 11:30pm and stay till
late. Hey boys, you looking for a place to be lascivious
and naughty? Let your libido romp at Tabasco Bar,
reputedly the oldest gay discobar in Italy. The famous
cruising skin bar Crisco is the only match for
Tabasco Bar, though it has a more vanilla reputation and
is slightly more upscale. The clean dark rooms, tempting
clientele, and gyrating tunes will keep your senses
satiated. What you do tonight is up to you, and we know
boys will be boys so have fun in Florence. (B):
FLORENCE
DAY 5, Fri This morning we visit the
Bargello, the Cathedral of St. Maria del Fiore,
Academy with the statue of David by Michelangelo. The
tour will proceed to Piazza Santa Croce. Piazzale
Michelangelo with a magnificent view. Walk to the Duomo
and Baptistery to view the "Gates of Paradise." Continue
to Signoria Square and Ponte Vecchio, the "Old Bridge."
Afternoon at leisure in the heart of Florence. One of
the best places to relax and look at hunks is in the
Florence Bathhouse an exclusively gay sauna. Hmmmmm.
(B): FLORENCE
DAY 6, Sat This morning we travel through
the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Rome. Upon arrival
in Rome we explore the Vatican Museums and the Vatican
Galleries. Admire the Round Hall, the Hall of the Greek
Cross, the Tomb of St. Helen and St. Constance. Stop to
see the Sistine Chapel frescoes by Michelangelo.
Continue to the Galleries of the Chandeliers, Tapestries
and Geographical Maps and the Vatican Library Hall.
Since your evening is free to do what you will, maybe
you should check out Europa Multiclub Sauna or
Mediterraneo. Both Saunas are in the Termini area and
offer the usual choices. Tonight explore Rome on your
own and maybe drop by L'Hangar About halfway between
Termini and the Roman Forum, just off Via Cavour, this
is one of Rome's oldest and least expensive gay spots,
always crammed with young people. There's no charge to
get in, you just take a ticket and pay when you leave
for whatever you've had to drink. What you do today will
be forgiven tomorrow. We hope! (B): ROME
DAY 7, Sun For the Catholic boys in
the group. A very special opportunity exists. Receive a
Papal Blessing this morning. The Papal Audience will
take place either in St Peter's Square, St Peter's
Basilica or the Audience Hall, according to seasonal
conditions and the number of pilgrims involved. After
the Papal Blessing your afternoon is at leisure to do a
little Roman retail therapy and more sightseeing.
Tonight we enjoy a wonderful dinner and bid you
farewell. (B): ROME ***You will not be allowed to
enter without proper attire - no shorts, or capri-style
pants, no sleeveless shirts or bare shoulders. As we all
know the Catholic church does not support out lifestyle
but a Papal Blessing is a once in a life time
experience.
DAY 8, Mon Transfer to the
airport for your departure flight (B).
Gay Group Package Includes:
- Flights NYC-Venice, Rome-NYC
- Additional gateway departure cities available.
Call for details & pricing.
- 6 nights First Class Superior accommodations
- 2 nights Hotel Olimipia Venice
- 2 nights Hotel Londra Florence
- 2 nights Hotel Palatino Rome
- All transfers
- 8 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern
air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager
throughout
- Services of local guides in all major cities
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Special Features:
- Doges' Palace, Venice
- Michelangelo's David in Florence
- Papal Blessing
- Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
- English speaking guides & drivers
Additional Information:
All prices quoted are in US
dollars.
