Italian Interlude

This whirlwind tour of Italy will stop at many of the must see locations on the Italian peninsula, while pick ups in both Kaiserslautern and Baumholder make it easy to start your trip close to home.

Featuring guided tours of many of the romantic regions people dream of visiting, all the classics; Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice are included in your itinerary. You will also visit lesser known gems like Montecatini, San Marino, Siena and San Gimignano. This is your chance to visit the Vatican City, take a gondola ride on Venice’s Grand Canal, and be amazed by Florence Cathedral. You will also have the chance to visit the Island of Capri or the romantic village of Positano to enjoy the Amalfi Coast. With 10 travel days and 8 hotel overnights, you will have time to see it all!

Whether you board the bus in Kaiserslautern or Baumholder, you will enjoy your Spring Break in Italy when your adventure begins at Army Outdoor Recreation!

Estimated Itinerary

27 March: Kaiserslautern - Pisa

After settling into your seat you will lean back and relax while your comfortable coach whisks you away to Italy. Don’t forget the essentials for your overnight ride. Blankets, pillows, power banks, snacks and drinks will all help to make your overnight journey from Kaiserslautern to Pisa more enjoyable. (overnight onboard)

28 March: Pisa - Montecatini

This morning you will wake up in Pisa for your opportunity for breakfast and sightseeing in the Piazza dei Miracoli (Place of Miracles). This entire plaza, including it’s famous leaning tower was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 and is considered one of the most important examples of medieval architecture. In the afternoon we will continue to Montecatini Terma. After checking into your hotel, you can enjoy the rest of your day exploring the spa resort, perhaps taking a funicular ride to Montecatini Alto, the original Montecatini settlement, lying a few hundred meters above the 'new' town. The views from here are splendid, and the delightful Piazza Giusti is home to some good bars and restaurants. (Overnight Montecatini)

29 March: Florence - The Cradle of the Renaissance 

Today you will visit Florence, The Cradle of the Renaissance, where a city walking tour will reveal famous attractions like the 14th century Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza Della Signoria. The piazza is focal point of the origin and of the history of the Florentine Republic and maintains its reputation as the political hub of the city. The square is also home to the world's largest renaissance art collection at the Uffizzi Gallery, is close to Ponte Vecchio and much more. Florence is famous for Italian leather and gold and there will be opportunities for shopping before returning to your hotel. (Overnight Montecatini)

30 March - San Gimignano and Siena

This morning you will visit one of the hidden secrets of Tuscany, the multi-towered city of San Gimignano. After exploring San Gimignano, you will continue through picturesque vineyards which produce famous Chianti wines to one of Italy's most charming towns, Siena, where you will join our local guide for a walking tour. After lunch and free time, you will travel south on your way to Rome. You will end your day when you check into your four star hotel in Rome. (Overnight Rome)

31 March: Rome 

Today is filled by your choice of optional tours hitting the highlights of Rome or free time on your own to give your favored destination a more in depth look.  Guided options include a visit to the Vatican Museums & The Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica* highlighting the papal apartments, the Sistine Chapel, the museums themselves, and of course, St Peter's Square with a licensed guide.  In the afternoon, you can join an optional city tour of ancient Rome allowing you to see the remains of many antique sites, or explore independently to give yourself more time to visit your choice of Rome's many attractions. An optional walking tour this evening* will reveal the Italian nightlife on the piazzas with illuminated fountains and the winding streets of the historical city center. (Overnight Rome)

1 April: Pompeii and Sorrento

After an early morning departure, you will travel further south to the picturesque Bay of Naples where joined by a local guide you will explore Pompeii, one of the world's most interesting archeological sites. Buried in ash by the eruption of Vesuvius, the ancient city tells its story like no other. This afternoon you can choose to explore the peninsula or join us on an excursion to Positano and the Amalfi Coast*, home to many filming sites seen in the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun". There will be an opportunity for a beach front dinner prior to retuning to Sorrento. Perhaps you'd wish to attend a typical Tarantella Show. (Overnight Sorrento)

2 April: Capri and Amalfi Coast

Today you'll have the option to take an optional boat ride* to the famous Island of Capri or to remain in Sorrento for free time. This afternoon, you will start the northward journey to Perugia for your next overnight stay. (Overnight Perugia)

3 April: San Marino 

Your journey’s next leg of journey takes you across the Central Apennines Mountains where you will discover the Republic of San Marino, the most ancient European Republic, sitting at 700 meters above sea level on Mount Titano. Your local guide will explain the inner workings of a proud society that has survived hundreds of years of intrigues and disputes. In the afternoon, you will travel along the Adriatic coastline to Venice Mestre to reach your next 4 star hotel. (Overnight Venice/Mestre)

4 April: Venice

Today you will take the waterbus to the island city of Venice for an orientation tour of St. Mark's Square, the central landmark, and its surroundings.  Venice sprawls over 117 islands connected by bridges, and is Europe's original pedestrian zone, inviting you to enjoy a leisurely stroll, some shopping and sightseeing. Arrangements can be made for a romantic and charming gondola ride* that provides a very special view of the city and make up for a perfect coronation of our tour. Your tour guide will make suggestions for a typical Venetian Dinner*.  (Overnight Venice/Mestre)

5 April: Verona and Return to Kaiserslautern

After you check out from your hotel you will travel to Verona for a charming finale where you will get to see Romeo & Juliet's eternalized Balcony and the famous Roman Amphitheater, which is the summer home of the Aida performances, as well as a final meal in Italy. After lunch, you will travel homewards crossing Switzerland's majestic Alps arriving in Kaiserslautern during the late evening hours.

* Optional Excursion paid cash to tour manager

Price:

• Adults: $1699 per person
• Single Occupancy: $2399
   
• Children 3-11 sharing family or adjoining rooms with 2 paid adults: $1299 per child
• Infants under 3 on existing bedding: $349 per infant
   
• Due to the use of multiple hotels over the course of the trip, each with their own room inventories and configurations, it is not possible to guarantee specific room types larger than double rooms to any individual traveler or group of travelers.
• It is also not possible to guarantee whether groups including children will be assigned to connected rooms with a door, larger family rooms, or multiple double rooms. 
• Room assignments are determined by each hotel based on their specific room availability.
• Neither Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, nor the trip vendor guarantees that the room configuration requested by the customer will match the room configuration assigned by the hotel or that groups will get the same room configuration at each hotel. 

Trip Includes:

• 2 overnights at Grand Hotel Tamerici & Principe****, Montecatini Terme or equivalent
• 2 overnights at Hotel American Palace****, Rome or equivalent
• 1 overnights at Grand Hotel Vesuvio****, Sorrento or eqivalent
• 1 overnights at Perugia St Gallo****, Perugia or equivalent
• 2 overnights at Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana****, Venice or equivalent
• Daily Breakfast
• Guided tour of Florence 
• Guided tour of Siena 
• Guided tour of Rome
• Guided tour of San Marino
• Admission to and guided tour of Pompeii Archaeological Site
• Round trip private boat transfer to Venice
• Pick up at your choice of Smith or Pulaski Barracks

Optional Excursions, paid cash on site to tour manager:

• Guided tour of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basilica (EUR 69 per adult / 59 per child)
• Rome Dinner and Illumination walking tour (EUR 40 p.a. / 30 p.c.)
• Guided Tour of the Island of Capri (EUR 75 p.a. / 55 p.c.)
• Guided Tour of Positano (EUR 59 p.a. / 49 p.c.)
• Gondola Ride Venice (EUR 48 p.a. / 38 p.c.)
• Dinner in Venice (EUR 45 p.a. / 35 p.c.)

What to Bring:

• Comfortable, weather appropriate shoes and Vatican approved clothing
• Credit/Debit card or Euro
• Power Banks (ODR cannot guarantee charging capability on 3rd party contracted busses)
• Military ID and Passport

Departure: 

• 5 p.m. from Wagon Wheel Theater, Smith Barracks
• 6 p.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Pulaski Barracks, bldg. 2905

Return: 

• Around 10:30 p.m. to Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation
• Around 11:30 p.m. to Wagon Wheel Theater