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    Hiram College &  ​​The Olive Odysseys present

 'Bucket List' Italy-Venice to Rome!
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October 1-10 2018
Day 1 - October 1

The beautiful city of Venice is the start of our odyssey. Join us in our centrally located hotel as we sip some Prosecco and taste test some of Italy’s favorite olives.  

After introductions we will head out for a leisurely stroll along romantic canals and over quaint bridges, on our way to dinner. We have a special trattoria picked out for our first dinner together!


Prosecco & olives taste testing. Dinner together.UNESCO World Heritage Site (Venice & The Lagoon)/ Overnight Venice.
Day 2- October 2

We head out early for our walk of historic Venice. We will start at the Basilica di San Marco to tour this magnificent church. Climbing up to the balcony to see the bronze horses up close, (said to be from the Hippodrome in Constantinople) we will be treated to a stunning view of Venice.

We will make our way to the Rialto Bridge, catching a great view of "main street"- the canal, with majestic buildings rising from the water. A stop at the famous Rialto fish and produce market is in order as we make our way through the San Marco neighborhood. We will eat lunch together in a local cafe, trying the regional wine.  

After lunch you will be free to explore on your own, sit at a sidewalk cafe and people watch, or go for a gondola ride. Dinner on your own with recommendations from us.

Breakfast/ lunch together/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Venice & The Lagoon)/ Overnight Venice.
Day 3- October 3

We say goodbye to Venice after breakfast. We’ll take a boat ferry to meet our fast train. We are off to Bologna, known for its food and culture and nearly 38 kilometers of porticoes above its streets. A stunning town and a UNESCO World Heritage List site, we will have a local take us around and afterwards you will have plenty of time to sit and have a cafe or a meal in the main piazza. 

​Later, we will board our fast train that will take us to Florence. 

Once in Florence, we'll check into our hotel and then have an orientation walk of the Historical Centre of this marvellous city.  We'll show you several restaurants where you can taste Tuscan delights for dinner on your own. 

Breakfast/ Fast Train to Bologna/ Tour of Bologna/Fast train to Florence/Tour of Bologna-on the tentative list for UNESCO/ Overnight Florence.
Day 4 -October 4

We will leave early this morning for our visit of the Galleria dell’Accademia, were we will see renowned works of art, such as Michelangelo’s David. Next, we will make our way to one of the most impressive monuments in all of Florence, the Duomo. Here you can take your time to visit the sanctuary or climb to the top of the tower, for some of the best views of the city. Lunch is on your own.  

We will continue on to the main part of the city where we will walk by the Uffizi gallery, cross the Pont de Vecchio, and end up at the Palazzo Pitti (former residence of the Medici family) on the other side of the river. The rest of the afternoon will be yours to further explore the beautiful city. We will meet later and walk to dinner together at a traditional Tuscan trattoria. 

Breakfast/ Galleria dell'Accademia/Tour of Florence/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Florence)/ Dinner together/ Overnight Florence.
Day 5- October 5
We take off early for a day trip out of Florence. Our first stop is the medieval walled city of Lucca. Know for its 16th century ramparts and cobblestone streets, it is also famous as the birthplace of Puccini. We will have a local that will take us around. Lunch will be on your own at any number of spots in this quintessential Renaissance town.

​In the afternoon, our driver will take us to the city of Pisa, known for its Cathedral, the Piazza dei Miracle (the Piazza of Miracles) and of course the Leaning Tower. We will take our time visiting each of these sites and if you are so inclined you can climb the tower to tremendous views over the Tuscan Plains. 

Breakfast/ Visit and tour of Lucca/ Visit to Pisa and the Leaning Tower/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Piazza del Duomo)/ Overnight Florence.
Day 6 -October 6
We’ll leave the city of Florence today for rural Tuscany. Here we take the back roads through the Chianti region. We will take our time wandering through the town of Greve where you can sample wine, olives and olive oils.  We’ll pick out some great cafes for lunch on your own. 

We glide into the heart of Tuscany where we’ll stay in a converted farm estate. Our hosts will be on hand to take us around and visit their winemaking productions. We'll follow up with a wine tasting and then join them for dinner at their estate.

Breakfast/ Town of Greve/ UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano/ Dinner together/ Overnight San Gimignano.
Day 7- October 7
This morning we are up early for our look at San Gimignano. We'll explore this medieval village and even climb one of the towers for extended views over the countryside. Join us back at the estate as we have a late picnic lunch around the pool.

Be ready in the afternoon as we join the proprietress in her kitchen as she gives us a pasta making lesson. We learn a few things about Tuscan cooking and afterward eat what we just made. A leisurely dinner, together with their own local wines, will be our pleasure!

Breakfast/ San Gimignano/UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano/Picnic lunch around the swimming pool/Pasta making lesson/ Dinner together/ Overnight San Gimignano.
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Day 8- October 8
We are off to the spectacular city of Siena. We'll  start at the church of Saint Catherine of Siena, where we will visit this impressive building. Then we head to the center of town to one of the finest piazzas in Italy, the Piazza del Campo, home to the twice yearly horse races, the Palio. 

​We will enjoy lunch in Siena together.  Then we'll take our time and make our way to Italy's most famous city, Rome.  After we check into our hotel in the center of the city, we’ll have a few recommendations for you for dinner on your own. Be sure to follow up with some of the best gelato to be had!

Breakfast/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Siena)/ Lunch together/ Overnight Rome.
Day 9 -October 9

We start out visiting one of the most iconic ruins in Rome, the Coliseum. We will take our time exploring this impressive ruin before making our way through the heart of the city to the Trevi Fountain and then onto one of the oldest monuments in Rome, the Pantheon. We end our walk in the Piazza Navonne  where the sidewalk cafes are a must to sit and people watch. 

In the afternoon, you are free to continue exploring Rome: the Spanish Steps, the Vatican City and Museum, (which houses the Sistine Chapel) or simply hit the shops. We will be there to help facilitate.  

A special farewell dinner is planned tonight.

Breakfast/ The Coliseum/ Trevi Fountain & The Pantheon/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Rome)/Farewell dinner/ Overnight Rome.
Day 10- October 10

After breakfast together we will say good-bye. There is plenty more to explore. 
You can spend another day in Rome or traipse off to other parts of Italy. Or you can join us for the Add On+ to Pompeii & Sorrento & Capri & The Amalfi Coast! Either way we will say Arrivederci!
Breakfast

Tour Cost
​14 people-$4490
12 people-$4590
10 people-$4690

Deposits of $1000 per person are due by April 6 2018.  This trip is limited to 16 people. To secure a place on this tour you are encouraged to place a guarantee deposit of $400 as soon as possible. No one has a space on this tour until deposits are in and a Trip Term contract signed and returned. Final payment is due June 30 2018. Until final payment date all deposits are fully refundable.
 To email us your questions click here.
Solo/ Single travelers- We welcome single/ solo travelers on all of our tours. You will be paired up with a same-sex fellow traveler and you will each have your own bed in each hotel room during the tour. If you want to secure your own room we offer what we call a single supplement. ​This guarantees your own room each night of the tour. For this tour it is $625 added to the cost of your tour. If you do the Add On + it will be an additional $200 for your own room during that segment.

What do you get with this tour?


Visits to the following historical sites:
  • Basilica San Marco (Venice) UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Piazza San Marco (Venice) UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Palazzo Ducale (Venice) UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Day tour of Bologna UNESCO World Heritage List
  • Historic Center of Florence UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Galleria dell’Accademia  (Florence)
  • The City of Pisa
  • ​The Leaning Tower of Pisa UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • San Gimignano (Tuscany) UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Piazza del Campo & the Historic Center of Siena (Tuscany) UNESCO World Heritage Site          
  • The Pantheon (Rome) UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Piazza Navonna  (Rome)
  • The Coliseum (Rome) UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Trevi Fountain

PLUS!

  • Always small groups
  • Great Italian food​
  • Tour of Venice
  • Custom itineraries
  • The vineyards of Tuscany
  • Cheese and prosciutto taste testing
  • Special wine tastings
  • Visit to local markets
  • Pasta making lessons in Tuscany
  • Prosecco sampling
  • Olive Oil & Olive tasting
  • Meetings with the locals
  • Nine full breakfasts
  • One multi-course lunch (including wines)
  • One pool-side picnic lunch (including wines)
  • Five multi-course dinners (including wines)
  • Experienced tour leaders
  • Comfortable transportation
  • ​Fast Trains
  • Carefully selected hotels in great locations
  • Careful attention paid to the pace of the trip, so you get the most impact!

What are you responsible for?


Airfare and transportation to and from the airport at the start and end of the tour.

Some lunches and dinners (when noted) that will be on your own, with plenty of recommendations from us.

Expenses arising from personal needs such as medications, vaccinations, travel documents, communications or any other expenses incurred due to traveling, including transport costs when you are sightseeing on your own.

Price is inclusive of all hotels, meals where indicated, and entrance to historic sites where noted. Also included is bus transportation starting after day one until the end of the scheduled tour.

What to expect-
  • Email or phone contact at any time you want it with your tour leaders pre-tour (even pre-booking for questions) Email us now!
  • A great paced tour. You will get to see a lot of sites but never rushed. In addition we allow plenty of time for seeing the sites on your own.
  • Skip the line tickets so we do not have to wait in line at very popular sites
  • Great attention to detail
  • We can handle the following dietary needs (if you tell us before the tour) 
                non-alcohol
                vegetarian
                vegan
                For non-gluten or other dietary restrictions please contact us by email.
  • The easiest and fastest transportation. We pride ourselves on our transportation modes. When indicated we use fast trains, private coaches, easy walking, local transport. All in the effort to make getting around the easiest and fastest for you. If you have any questions about possible mobility issues please email us your concerns.

Our tour starts in Venice and ends in Rome.  Please book your flight accordingly.
We have a document on booking your flights

Join us on our Add On + as we explore Pompeii, Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast and the Island of Capri!
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Day One- Add On+ October 10

We leave for the ruins of Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most intact ruins in the entire world.  We will take our time to explore this large site by audio tour. We leave for Sorrento and the Amalfi coast in the afternoon. Once we check in, we will have a short walk to dinner together. 

Breakfast/ UNESCO World Heritage Site/Entrance & Audio tour of Pompeii/Dinner together/ Overnight Sorrento
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Day Two - Add On+ October 11

We will head across the peninsula for a visit to Positano, an enchanting Town nestled in the hills of Amalfi.  With stunning scenery with us the whole day, we can take our time to explore the town, sit in a cafe, go and see the Blue Grotto or sip some wine. Either way, we are back in Sorrento for the evening and in time for dinner on your own.
Breakfast/UNESCO World Heritage Site / Drive along the Amalfi Coast/ Tour of the town of Positano/Overnight Sorrento
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Day three- Add On+ October 12
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We are off early to the island of Capri by hydrofoil where the town is at your feet for exploring. Take your time and see what this beautiful island has to offer. In the afternoon we head back to Sorrento for our final meal together.
Breakfast/ Hydrofoil to Capri/ Day on the island/ UNESCO World Heritage Site/ Overnight Sorrento.

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Day Four- Add On+ October 13

Our trip concludes this morning as we leave by train for Rome. Or maybe you would like to continue onto Sicily and beyond? We will be on hand to help you out. Either way we bid you Arrividerci

Breakfast/ Train return to Rome
Add On +  cost $1290 p.p. includes all transportation from and to Rome and all hotels and meals where indicated, hydrofoil and all transportation mentioned in itinerary. Does not include hotel in Rome the last night.

Who are your leaders?

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Patricia Hajifotiou & Manolis Hajifotiou
Patricia Hajifotiou:
A native of the U.S.A., Patricia has been leading tours in Greece, Italy and France and Spain for 19 years. She lives on the island of Evia, Greece, with her husband Manolis. When she is not on tour, she lives off the grid in a rock house, powered by the wind and sun. There she likes to spend her time tending her olive trees and digging in the garden. She looks forward to showing you the places she likes the best - as a traveler, never a tourist.  Hiram College class of 1984.

Manolis Hajifotiou:
A native of Greece, Manolis has been leading tours in Europe for 19 years. Besides traveling, his passion is playing his guitar and creating his own music. Designing one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry (using olive kernels!) takes up some of his spare time besides trimming olive trees and keeping up the stone house he shares with his wife, Patricia. He looks forward to showing you his favorite places and making sure you feel right at home.

Pictures by P. Hajifotiou, M. Hajifotiou, Sue P.