DAY 1 | Sept. 29, 2018 | DEPARTURE FROM TORONTO TO ROME
Air Transat flight 308 departs Toronto at 21:00p.m. (Terminal 3) arrives in Rome at 11:40 a.m. the following day. Please arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your departure. Your tour host will meet you at the International Premium Plaza lounge for a drink before boarding. Please ensure you are wearing your Merit name tags for easy identification.

DAY 2 | Sept. 30, 2018 | ARRIVAL IN ROME – TRANSFER TO TUSCANY (D)
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Borgo Artimino, your home base in Tuscany for 6 nights. Enjoy a welcome dinner at 7:00 p.m. with your group this evening!

Facilities: Borgo Artimino
Address: Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 1, 50040 Artimino, Italy
Tel no: (39) 055 875141
The Borgo Artimino is only 26 kms from Florence, in a fabulous location overlooking the medieval hamlet of Artimino. These self-catering apartments boast a hilltop location, surrounded by rolling hills, ancient olive groves and vineyards and a farm.
The Borgo was the original village that housed the artisans and the people that worked the land on this extensive estate and has now been transformed into apartments that have all been thoughtfully restored and elegantly furnished. Much of the original outside has been retained such as the cobbled streets, the old clock tower and the impressive wall surrounding and protecting the Borgo.
For a change of scenery, take a five minute stroll to the cobbled streets of Artimino and explore the artisan shops, ice cream parlour and superb restaurants. Guests of the Artimino Apartments may also use the facilities at the nearby Hotel Paggeria Medicea, which is a ten minute walk away. This hotel has a pool, tennis courts and bikes as well as free wifi. There is also a restaurant here serving local Tuscan cuisine.
Note: The Borgo Artimino is located in Artimino, a remote village in the countryside of Tuscany on a hilltop location with stunning views. For those wishing to explore the surrounding area in Artimino please be aware that there are some hills, cobblestones and uneven grounds so anyone with mobility issues is strongly advised to take a taxi or the small hotel shuttle to the nearest town as the area outside the property requires a lot of walking.
A free 6 passenger hotel mini shuttle is offered daily on a schedule to all guests (guests must sign up at front desk) from the Borgo to the nearest town of Signa where there the train station, local supermarket and bank is located.
Train to Florence: we suggest you take the free mini shuttle or a taxi to SIGNA train station to catch a train to Florence (17 km). (only 10 minutes drive). Then take a train to the Florence main station which is reachable in only 12 minutes. Signa is a train station also on the railway that goes to Pisa and Siena Florence (17 km).
Public bus stop approx. 100-200 meters from apartments, near the tower. You can purchase a one-way ticket to Poggio Caiano for €1,10 per person or to Signa Train station for €1,70 one-way per person. Bus schedule (subject to change): Monday-Friday (bus will stop at Poggio Caiano then proceed to Signa). Vinci (21 km) | Montifortini Etruscan tombs (3 km) | Siena (65 km) | Chianti hills (20km) | San Gimignano And Certaldo (60km) | Pisa and Lucca (75 km) | San Miniato (34 km) | Pistoia (23 km)

DAY 3 | Oct. 1, 2018 | FLORENCE (B)
After breakfast meet at the hotel lobby. Today we are off to Florence for a guided walking tour of the city including: Franciscan church of Santa Croce, known as the “Pantheon of the Italian Glories” where many illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini and Machiavelli, are buried. In the afternoon, return to your accommodations.

DAY 4 | Oct. 2, 2018 | PISA (B)
After breakfast meet at the hotel lobby. This morning depart to Pisa for a guided tour of the city. Enjoy a walking tour of this city in northern Tuscany, famous for its leaning tower. Pisa has much more to offer the traveller, including its medieval centre, beautiful Duomo and Baptistery, parks, statues, and the homes of Lord Byron and Shelley. Following this walking tour, return to your accommodations.

DAY 5 | Oct. 3, 2018 | CHIANTI WINE TASTING (B/L)
After breakfast meet at the hotel lobby. Today enjoy a unique wine tasting with a private tour of the famous cellar of “Chianti”. We will explore the Chianti area, the famous land of the vineyards and savour in a three-course lunch at the Castello Vicchio Maggio. You will be transferred back to your accommodations in the afternoon.

DAY 6 | Oct. 4, 2018 | TUSCANY COUNTRY SIDE – COOKING CLASS IN SAN GIMIGNANO (B/L)
After breakfast meet at the hotel lobby. Depart for San Gimignano famous for its towers. Time to explore the town and then enjoy a typical cooking class with lunch and wine included at Fattorie San Donato Winery. Return to your accommodations in the afternoon.

DAY 7 | Oct. 5, 2018 | SIENA (B, D)
After breakfast meet at the hotel lobby. Depart for Siena and enjoy a walking tour. Admire the Cathedral, the Piazza del Campo, the Town Hall, and San Domenico. At the end of the tour immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of the Palio through the visit of the Contrada (District) Museum. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner at 7 p.m. with your group at the hotel.

DAY 8 | Oct. 6, 2018 | TUSCANY - ROME (B)
After breakfast please check out and meet at the hotel lobby for a 9 a.m. departure. Today you will be transferred to Rome (approx. 3.5 hours drive) and check in at the Le Meridien Visconti Palace Hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore Rome at your own pace. You may opt to see on your own the Crossing Piazza de la Repubblica with the fountain of the Nayads or stroll through the historical centre where you can admire the Trevi fountain, La Colonna di Marco Aurelio, the Palazzodi Montecitorio designed by Bernini, the Pantheon, Palazzo Madama (seat of the Senato) and Piazza Navona.

Facilities: Le Meridien Visconti Palace Hotel
Address: Via Federico Cesi 37 - 00193 Roma
Tel no: (39) 06 3684
Le Meridien Visconti Palace Hotel is positioned in central Rome on the right bank of the Tiber river between Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona and the Vatican City. This modern hotel puts you one block from the Tiber River in the Prati District. It’s an easy 20-minute walk to Vatican City and just 10 minutes walk to Castel Sant’Angelo and Lepanto Metro Station. The hotel is strategically located in the historic, cultural and business heart of Rome. You can cross nearby Ponte Cavour to get to Via del Corso within a 15 minute walk. The street and surrounding area are popular for shopping.
The hotel’s 242 stylish, contemporary rooms are equipped for both working and relaxing, with WiFi and smart desks, along with minibars. Modern paintings continue the hotel’s fresh, arty theme and some rooms have large windows with inspiring city views. Wifi is offered complimentary in the hotel lobby area only.

DAY 9 | Oct. 7, 2018 | ROME - VATICAN EXCURSION (B)Cascais / Estoril –Fado’s Evening (B,D)
Following breakfast at your hotel, depart on a half-day tour of Vatican City. This tour includes access to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. Return to hotel in the late afternoon.

DAY 10 | Oct. 8, 2018 | DEPART ROME FOR TORONTO (B)
After breakfast please check out of the hotel and meet at the hotel lobby for your transfer to Rome airport. Air Transat flight 303 departs Rome at 13:10p.m. arrives Toronto at 16:55 p.m.

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