TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Throughout the tour Mr. Vincent will be performing -- singing, sharing humorous stories about travel in Italy, and bringing to life characters from Shakespeare's Italian plays right in the streets where they lived! The performances will be informal and fun, and absolutely no knowledge of Shakespeare is necessary.
• We will use expert local guides at selected monuments.
• Both hotels are small, hand-picked, perfectly located, 3 star beauties.
• We will have a private tour and demonstration at the world-famous il Canovaccio mask-making studio and shop, in Venice.
• In addition to First Class bus or train travel between cities, the tour price includes 3 day passes for everyone on the boats in Venice and the Metro/buses in Rome.
• All breakfasts and 8 other meals are included.
• We'll have plenty of free time to shop and explore on our own. (Maps, concert schedules and suggestions will be provided).

THE FOLLOWING IS A REPRESENTATIVE ITINERARY

DAY 1 (Venice)

Arrival in Venice. Benvenuto a tutti! We will all meet at the hotel in the late afternoon. This evening will be free for us to get our bearings, perhaps catch up on our sleep and, of course, explore this magnificent city.

DAY 2 (Venice)

This morning, and every morning of the tour, we will enjoy breakfast in the hotel. Mr. Vincent will take this opportunity to introduce you to the wonders of Venice. Breakfasts may include the reading of a sonnet or a short performance. The first romantic order of business in Venice is a boat ride along the storied Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco (don't leave your camera in the room!). When we have arrived, and while our hearts are still pounding from the sheer beauty of the Piazza, we will be given an informed and congenial guided tour of the basilica of San Marco and the Ducal Palace. Nothing can adequately prepare you for the grandeur of the palace, especially the sight of Jacopo Tintoretto's paintings and the somber silence of the Bridge of Sighs. This afternoon everyone is free to explore the shops around the Piazza, or perhaps take a boat ride to the Lido. In the evening we will meet at the hotel and travel out for our first dinner together.

DAY 3 (Venice)

Breakfast in hotel. This morning our guide will bring us through the storied Rialto Market district on our way to the Frari Church and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco (including one of the greatest collections of Art in Europe). This day will also include performances from Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice," among others. This evening we will visit the shop of the world-famous Venetian mask-makers, il Canovaccio. After our private tour and demonstration, we will have a cozy dinner together.

DAY 4 (Venice/Verona)

Breakfast in hotel. Today we will take the leisurely trip to Verona to visit Juliet's "house" and the gorgeous Roman monuments. Though it is unlikely that the Romeo and Juliet monuments are genuine, the city and its narrow backstreets lend themselves perfectly to Mr. Vincent's performances from this great play. We will lunch together in the historic Piazza Erbe and still have time for shopping before returning to Venice to have our evening free.

DAY 5 (Venice)

Breakfast in hotel. This is our last day in Venice. It will include an unguided visit to the magnificent Museo Correr. Our lunch together near Piazza San Marco will include some reminiscing and a discussion of our trip to the "eternal city." This last evening in Venice is free to roam and memorize its splendor.

DAY 6 (To Rome)

Breakfast in hotel. As we leave Venice we will take a private boat to the Train or Bus station for our trip to Rome. We'll bring our lunch on the trip and watch the beautiful countryside of Tuscany. Arriving at our hotel in Rome will give us a chance to rest and get ready for a Roman dinner together next to the fabulous Forum.

DAY 7 (Rome)

Breakfast in hotel. At breakfast we will learn more about the formal plans for Rome. Your host will give us all the information and resources we will need to spend our first day in Rome on our own. Happy hunting!

DAY 8 (Rome)

Breakfast in hotel. This day, at breakfast, we will discuss Shakespeare's powerful story of Julius Caesar. We will be treated to a guided tour of the Roman Forum and the spectacular Colosseum. Performances from the play are to be expected. Next, we will walk the short distance to visit the church of San Pietro in Vincoli (home of the chains used to imprison St. Peter and the statue of Moses sculpted by Michelangelo) This afternoon is free to relax before we meet for a sumptuous Roman dinner together.

DAY 9 (Rome)

Breakfast in hotel. No visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the Vatican, and this day is dedicated to St. Peter's, the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel (the complete renovation of which has just been completed). Our lunch together will be sandwiched between St. Peter's and the Museum. Once we have made our way back to the hotel, our heads full of Michelangelo's masterworks, the evening will be free.

DAY 10 (Rome)

Breakfast in hotel. This morning is our chance to gang up and experience the thrill of a Roman Metro ride to Piazza Barberini. We will visit Bernini's Fontana del Tritone, the very interesting church of Santa Maria della Concezione (you won't believe your eyes!), stroll up the Via Veneto, one of the grandest shopping experiences on the planet, then make our way to Rome's most sensational backdrop, the Spanish Steps. The afternoon will be free for all to bid a fond farewell to this great city. This night we meet for our own farewell feast together. Your host will probably be singing by the end of the night. Vino! Alimenti! E canzone!

DAY 11 (Italy / U.S.)

Early rise. Farewell breakfast in hotel. Arrivederci Roma! We will help with arrangements to get everyone to the airport. The flight from Italy arrives home the same evening.