Tuscany & the Italian Riviera
September 13-21, 2008

Overview
Features
Excursions

Overview (Return to top)

Step back in time as you wander the ancient, winding streets of Tuscany's quaint hillside towns and savor the atmosphere of enchanting coastal cities along the sparkling Mediterranean. Montecatini, the best known of the Italian thermal spas, is ideally situated in the heart of Tuscany between Pisa and Florence.  Experience the exquisite beauty of the Tuscan landscape that surrounds Montecatini as you travel to the charming medieval city of Siena and the beautiful city of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. The seaside resort of San Remo, known as the "Town of Flowers" for its profusion of flower-decked homes and luxuriant gardens, basks in the wonderful climate of the sun-drenched Italian Riviera.  From San Remo, journey the scenic Mediterranean coastline to France and visit Monte Carlo and Nice, two cities that epitomize the elegance and glamour of the French Riviera.

Priced at $1,949
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For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Fisher-Nickell Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-1370

Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402

Features (Return to top)

• Round-trip transatlantic air transportation to Nice, France returning from Bologna, Italy or vice versa via Northwest Airlines/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, or similar
• Seven nights first-class hotel accommodations in San Remo and Montecatini
• Continental buffet breakfast daily
• Round-trip transfers between the airports and hotels via deluxe motor coach
• Scenic transfer via Pisa that will connect the sights, fragrances and flavors of classical Italy with secluded beaches, forgotten corners, and mild Mediterranean climate.  Top it all with a “must” visit to Pisa, birthplace of Galileo and the Medici family.  Visit the Field of Miracles, home to some of the splendid buildings that recall Pisa’s past grandeur, the famous Leaning Tower, medieval Cathedral and ornate Baptistery.
• Luggage handling and related tipping
• Local government and hotel taxes
• Professional guide service
• Complete pre-flight information

Excursions (Return to top)

From San Remo, Italian Riviera:

Monte Carlo, Monaco
Located on a narrow strip of Mediterranean coastline that forms the tiny Principality of Monaco, glamorous Monte Carlo is part sophisticated capital city and part sun-kissed resort.  Marvel at the lavish Casino, the 13th century Prince’s Palace and the elegant Hotel de Paris.  Add the magnificent yacht-filled harbor and numerous stylish shops to the famous and alluring attractions this small but wealthy enclave has to offer. 

Nice, St. Paul de Vence and Eze
Visit Nice, the capital of the French Riviera, with its famous Promenade des Anglais and palm tree-lined Baie des Anges.  Experience the glamour and sophistication of this resort city before continuing to the medieval hilltop village of St. Paul de Vence, an enclave for artists and one of the most beautiful villages in Provence.  Finish the day with a short visit to the medieval village of Eze, clinging to its crag some 1,200 ft. above the sea, affording incredible views of the meandering Cote d’Azur and immensely sparkling Mediterranean.

From Montecatini, Tuscany:

Florence
Florence, celebrated the world over for its magnificent art treasures and the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance,” is a city with overwhelming historical and cultural significance.  Highlights featured on a walking tour are the magnificent cathedral, its huge dome and elegant campanile piercing the sky and the marble encrusted baptistery, famous for its vast bronze doors by Ghiberti.  Marvel at the magnificent Statue of David by Michelangelo in the Academy of Fine Arts and visit the medieval bridge of Ponte Vecchio, and the  Piazza della Signoria the impressive city square, flanked by the Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzi Vecchio.

The Splendor of Tuscany
Explore the glorious Tuscan countryside of poplar-studded landscapes, dramatic hilltop towns, and numerous vineyards, calling first at charming Siena, a medieval city rich in artistic heritage.  You will be guided through the maze of narrow streets and alleys which wind their way under medieval arches and past Renaissance palaces to the spectacular Piazza del Campo, setting for the unique Palio, a medieval-style horse race that takes place twice a year.  After our visit to Siena, we follow the Chianti wine route to visit a wine-producing estate of this famous region.  The day culminates with a short stop in San Gimignano, perhaps the most famous little town in Italy, where the celebrated fourteen stone towers have stood sentinel over the Tuscan countryside for centuries.