Treasures of Italy - Escorted Motorcoach Tour

Treasures of Italy - with Guaranteed Departures!
Enjoy the best of Italy during your unique journey highlighting the rich history and spectacular beauty of this majestic country. You will enjoy the best of traditional cities including Florence, Venice and Rome.
Tour Highlights:

• 10 Meals: Breakfasts and Dinners
• Great for Groups and Individuals
• In Rome see the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica
• In Siena visit Piazza del Campo and the Municipal Palace
• In Assisi view the Churches of St. Francis and St. Claire
• In Florence visit the Accademia - home of Michangel's "David"
• In Padua see Donatello's masterpiece - the "Gattamelata"
• In Venice vist the famous Square of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs

Your Treasures of Italy tour includes:

• Six (6) nights accommodation at four star hotels (3 star superior in Venice) with downtown locations for six (6) nights
• American or continental (no eggs) buffet breakfast daily, except for day of arrival.
• Half-day tour of Rome: Monumental Rome.
• Round-trip transfer with private car/minibus with driver and assistant.
• Four (4) dinners.
• Service charges and local taxes included (excluding tips to driver and guides.)
• Professional headset system from day 04 to end of tour as needed for commentary.
• Ground transportation by deluxe motorcoach from day four until the end of tour.
• Scenic drives through the beautiful Tuscan countryside and medival towns via the Autostrade del Sole and through the Emilia Romagna region, land of world famous "prosciutto" and parmigiano choose and the Veneto region, world famous for it's Villa Palladio.
• Multi-lingual tour escort beginning on day four.
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Local guides and entrance fees during the tour.
• Porterage of one suitcase per person.
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.
  Travel to Italy with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Amalfi Coast and Rome - Semi-Escorted Motorcoach Tour

The Amalfi Coast and Rome!

The Amalfi Coast, Italy (la Costiera Amalfi tana) is a breathtaking 35-mile stretch of mountainous coastline situated on the Sorrento peninsula, just south of Naples, in the region of Campania. Considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, it is characterized by very steep, rocky hillsides plunging dramatically into the Mediterranean Sea. Precariously perched on these hills are charming old fi shing villages. Around every turn of this “road of a thousand bends”, one catches a new view of the seaside more spectacular than the last.

An extraordinary opportunity t0 see Italy's most impressive coastline, the Amalfi Coast!  

Your Amalfi Coast tand Rome our includes:

• Five (5) nights accomodation in 4-star hotel in Rome (3 nights) and Amalfi (2 nights).
• Ground transportation by deluxe motorcoach including airport transfers.
• English-speaking guide throughout.
• Italian buffet or continental breakfast daily excluding the day of arrival.
• Six (3) Meals: 2 Dinners, 1 lunch plus breakfasts
• Walking tour of Rome.
• Full day excursion to Pompeii.
• Entrance fees included.
• Sightseeing tours as per itinerary.
• Local taxes and tips (excluding tips to driver and guide). City tax at hotels is NOT Included and must be paid direct to the hotels
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.
   
  Travel to Italy with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Rome and Venice by Rail

A Rome and Venice by Rail Package

This independent program allows you to create your own Italian Vacation. Discover the history of fallen empires and epic adventures in Rome, fall in love in a gondola as you glide down the canals in Venice. Taste the blend of cultural and culinary imagination that is Italian cuisine. With guided tours in Rome and Venice this package allows you to experience the best of Rome and Venice while giving you the opportunity to vacation at your own pace.

Your Rome and Venice by Rail Package Includes:

* 6 Nights Accommodations in your choice
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* 1 half-day guided city tour of Rome
* Second Class EuroStar Rail Service from Rome to Venice
* 1 half-day guided tour of Venice
* Ground transfer from/to airport
* Local Taxes and service charges

The Grove of Monsters

Nestled in the small hill town of Bomarzo, an hours drive from Rome lies the mythical Grove of Monsters. One of Italy’s best kept secrets, The Grove of Monsters is a great stop when day tripping from Rome.

Built in the 1500’s by Prince Vicinio Orsini in memory of his late wife, the Grove of Monsters in a fabulous and somewhat grotesque fairyland. It is said that the Prince created the garden not only as a monument to his wife but to reflect his inner state of mind after her passing.

Some of the sculptures were cut from existing boulders on the property. Here nature and art intertwine to create a surrealistic fantasy. You will find sculptures of Hannibal’s war elephants, winged mermaid, a larger than life tortoise, a dragon and a leaning house among others. The many monstrous statues appear to have been strewn almost randomly about the area, sol per sfogare il Core ("just to set the heart free") as one inscription on an obelisk says. Everything in the park seems to want to prove that life and love always triumph.

The Grove of Monsters is a unique experience for everyone. Visit this fantastic sculpture garden on your next visit to Rome with Celtic Tours.

Top 10 Attractions in Rome

Discover the history of fallen empires and epic adventures in Rome. With many sites of ancient history and intrigue it can be hard to choose what to see. Here is a list of sites that need no introduction, the top 10 attractions in Rome:

Vatican City
The largest museum complex in the world with over 1400 rooms, the Vatican Museum includes the museum, galleries with 3,000 years of art, the Sistine Chapel, and parts of the papal palace.

Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain is one of the largest Baroque Fountains in Rome, Italy and one of the most famous fountains in the world. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district.

Colosseum
Rome’s most famous landmark, the Colosseum is the largest surviving Roman-era amphitheater.

Roman Forum
The heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was the center of political, religious, and commercial life of ancient Rome and provides insight into the splendor that once was the Roman Empire.

Pantheon
Well worth a visit, the Pantheon is the most intact ancient Roman building. It has been in continual use for 2000 years.

Spanish Steps
138 steps climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the church of Trinità dei Monti.

Villa Borghese Gardens
The Villa Borghese Gardens offer a chance to catch your breath after a long day of sightseeing. Offering spectacular views of the city, relaxing fountains, romantic walkways and secret gardens, the Villa Borghese Gardens make the perfect spot for a summer afternoon.

Piazza di Campo de Fiori market
This lively and colorful early morning hotspot is the place to grab yourself the makings of a great picnic lunch and interact with locals.

Capuchin Crypt
This is one place that will give you the shivers, the Capuchin Crypt is several small chapels eerily decorated with the bones of more than 4,000 Capuchin friars.

Palantine Hill
A large open-air museum that was once the place where the powerful and wealthy retreated to build their homes and relax.

Discover Rome with Celtic Tours. We offer visits to Rome on a number of our escorted and independent vacations to Italy including our new Semi-Chauffeured Luxury Tour of the Amalfi Coast and Rome: Enchanting Amalfi Coast & Rome

Celtic Tours announces new semi-chauffeured luxury tour of Amalfi Coast & Rome

The Buzz at Celtic Tours

For Immediate Release – June 7, 2011

ART, ARCHITECTURE &; PANORAMIC VIEWS – WITH 10% OFF
Celtic Tours announces new semi-chauffeured luxury tour of Amalfi Coast & Rome

Albany, New York….Celtic Tours reveals the newest addition to their luxury line of products, “Enchanting Amalfi Coast and Rome.” To kick off this new luxury tour, Celtic Tours is pleased to offer up to $460 per person off of land on this great tour.

Travelers will experience the best of the Amalfi Coast and Rome on this semi-chauffeured tour of Italy. They will discover the natural beauty and cultural charm of Rome with its magnificent art, architecture and panoramic views and then head south to the breath-taking Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri.

With 7 nights accommodations in 4 and 5 star properties, tour of Rome and private guided tours of Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri, travelers will be enchanted by Italy on their Enchanting Amalfi Coast and Rome Vacation. Land from $4283 per person sharing (before discount). More details: http://bit.ly/ilcPO2

Discount applicable for travel through November 30, 2011, must be on deposit by July 30, 2011. Travelers must use promocode AAP10P to receive discount.

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Contact: Sandra Thomas – E-Marketing Manager
sandyt@celtictours.com
1-800-833-4373

ABOUT CELTIC TOURS
We are a family-owned company founded over 39 years ago. Travel agents and individual passengers can attest to Celtic Tours reputation. As a Worldwide tour operator, we are pleased to offer many destinations to choose from with top notch vacations to Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, as well as many other European destinations, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti too!

Visit us online:
www.celtictours.com
@CelticTours

Beautiful Sorrento and Historic Rome together in an unforgetable tour

Sorrento and Rome Extravaganza Tour

Special Departure: September 13-22, 2011

Join Celtic Tours for this special departure featuring

• Roundtrip Airfare from JFK to Italy
• Transfer from Naples Airport to Sorrento
• Breakfast daily, except morning of arrival.
• 5-nights in beautiful Sorrento - at the 4-star Hotel Flora
• Full day tour of the Amalfi Coast
• Tour of traditional Lemon Farm
• Full day on the Isle of Capri
• Full day including Pompeii + Campania Wine Tour to La Cantine del Vesuvio
• Transfer from Sorrento to Rome
• 3-nights in Rome at the 4-star Grand Hotel Palatino
• Afternoon guided tour of Imperial Rome
• Morning guide tour: The Vatican + Afternoon guided tour: The Eternal Rome
• Papal Audience*
• Transfer from Rome hotel to Airport
  

Join Celtic Tours for an unforgettable tour of Italy on this special departure.

Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain is one of the largest Baroque Fountains in Rome, Italy and one of the most famous fountains in the world. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district.

The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water. The Trevi Fountain as we know it today, was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and completed in 1762. The fountain was refurbished in 1998; the stonework was scrubbed and the fountain provided with re-circulating pumps.

You will not find any other place in the world that celebrates the ever-mutating and incredible power of water like Rome. This brilliant example of triumphant Baroque art with its soft, natural lines and fantasy creatures embodies movement. The centerpiece of the fountain is Neptune, god of the sea, riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by sea horses; each guided by a Triton. One sea horse is calm, while the other is untamed, symbolizing the fluctuating moods of the sea.

Tradition has it that a coin thrown into the water guarantees a visitor’s return to Rome. With such a popular tourist destination, it’s easy to see how an estimated 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day!

Take part in the tradition, join Celtic Tours on our Treasures of Italy tour. Visit Florence, Venice and Rome on this great tour. Learn more

Dublin and Rome - on Sale!

Dublin and Rome

This 2 Spectacular City Stay Package of Ireland and Italy starts in the eternal city of Rome and ends in cosmopolitan Dublin.

Your Dublin and Rome Tour Includes:

* 6 Nights Accommodations: 3 Nights in Rome, 3 Nights in Dublin
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* Transfer to/from Rome Airport to hotel
* Transfer to/from Dublin airport to hotel

Learn More

Please note that hotels are on request, in the event the hotels that the package is based on are not available - alternate hotel options may be offered.

St Peter's Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. It is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites and has been described as the greatest of all churches in Christendom. St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage.



In Catholic tradition, the basilica is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. Tradition and some historical evidence hold that Saint Peter's tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction of the present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.



St. Peter's is also an extraordinary museum and it is impossible to estimate the priceless worth of the infinite works of art that can be found here. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. Many prestigious architects and artists of the time were involved with the construction of St. Peter's, but it was first Donato Bramante and then Michelangelo who created the revolutionary plant of the new construction. Bramante built the immense central body in the form of a Greek cross held up by four gigantic pillars. Michelangelo was the designer of the 'cuppolone', and he was also responsible for the simple, yet majestic exterior with its gigantic columns crowned by a very evident horizontal fascia. In the end, it was Carlo Maderno who lengthened the central nave of the church and erected the monumental façade. An imposing construction that was as big as a football field and as high as a thirteen-story building, crowned with the colossal statues of Jesus, Giovanni Battista and the apostles.

Be left breathless with the brilliance of St. Peter’s Basilica, visit www.CelticTours.com to learn more