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OVERVIEW

Enjoy an insider's look at attractions in Florence that served as locations for a number of blockbuster films, in this immersive walking adventure. Although the Uffizi Gallery may be better known for its works by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, the art museum also made an ideal setting for the crime-thriller "Hannibal." The scene with Hannibal Lecter sitting in front of Botticelli's painting "Primavera" is unforgettable. As you walk from one former film location to another, the guide will elaborate on some of the movies shot in Florence. You will see the Hotel degli Orafi that had a prominent role in the Oscar-winning film "Room with a View" and stop in the Baptistery of Saint John next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore - better known as the Duomo - where scenes from Dan Brown's "Inferno" were filmed. Then there is the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the palace that appeared throughout the TV series "Medici: Masters of Florence."

HIGHLIGHTS

• See landmarks in Florence that were also film locations in well-known movies.
• Hear about the movies shot in the Uffizi Gallery, the Hotel degli Orafi and the Baptistery.
• Gain an understanding of why Florence is such an ideal location for filming.
• Spend free time dining on your own and exploring further.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the life and works of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci in his hometown in Tuscany. His hometown is near the workshop where you will discover, from scratch, the fascinating art of pasta making in a demonstration ending with a lunch. While walking through the hilltop town of Vinci, you will see the Church of Santa Croce - where Leonardo was baptized in 1452 - and get a feel for the town's atmospheric setting, which hasn't changed enormously over the centuries. Browsing the Leonardo da Vinci Museum will offer a deep understanding of Leonardo's technical wizardry as it holds an extensive model collection of machines that he invented and his sketches for others. Areas are also devoted to da Vinci's study of optics and transportation. You will have much to reflect on while driving through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to observe the pasta-making demonstration. A chef will explain the process step by step so your pasta lunch will come out perfectly.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Vinci, the small hilltop town where Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452.
• Gaze upon the church where Leonardo was baptized and many of his inventions in a museum.
• Learn to make pasta from scratch in a demonstration and enjoy it for lunch.
• Drive through some of the most beautiful countryside in Tuscany.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy close-up looks at some of the most iconic buildings in Florence, including Palazzo Vecchio, where you will explore fantastic rooms and uncover intriguing tales. Built in the 14th century for the influential Medici family, the palazzo features hidden corridors designed for clandestine movements and confidential conversations. Viewing these areas will offer a glimpse into the political intrigue of the time. The Palazzo also holds artwork by Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo and Giorgio Vasari, the painter and architect that designed a secret corridor on Ponte Vecchio bridge, your next stop. A short walk will bring you to the glorious Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Florence because of its dome. Following free time to independently explore nearby Santa Croce Square, you will watch a master craftsman create exquisite leather goods, a Florence tradition since the 13th century when the first leather guild was created.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Palazzo Vecchio, once the powerful Medici family’s home.
• Behold other architectural icons in Florence, including the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.
• Shop or dine on your own during free time in Santa Croce Square.
• Watch an artisan create fine leather goods, a craft honed in Florence for centuries.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Travel in a small group to Florence, stopping en route in Pisa's Miracle Square, for photos of the medieval cathedral and its bell tower, which you will recognise immediately as the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Begin your visit to Florence with the stunning view from the Piazza Michelangelo over the city's tiled roofs, steeples and domes. Then immerse yourself in one of the world's great art collections at the impressive Uffizi Gallery, where you'll have reservations that enable you to avoid the long lines. Heaven for art lovers, the works here are all considered true masterpieces, created by artists such as Michelangelo, Rafael, Rembrandt and Goya.

Admire the Piazza della Signoria on your way to the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge that was the first built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and jewelers since the 16th century. Pause in the Piazza del Duomo and take in the magnificence of the grand Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic façade covered in a mix of pink and green marble. During the tour, you'll enjoy free time for lunch and shopping, before making a stop at a showroom specialising in discounted gold items.

If you want to explore fascinating Florence on your own and also indulge in the flavours of the world famous wines of its surrounding countryside, this is the perfect tour for you. You'll travel to Florence via motorcoach with an English-speaking escort and then visit a wine producing estate. You'll be dropped off at a central location in Florence and have approximately 3 1/2 hours to shop and explore the city at your leisure. At the end of your free time you'll meet your escort and reboard your coach for a ride of approximately 1 hour to Castello del Trebbio. Built by the Pazzi family in 1184, in 1968 it was purchased and restored by the Baj Macario family who currently live and work in the castle. The family run estate offers high quality products such as wine and extra virgin olive oil. You'll visit the castle and the cellars, while listening to the glorious history of the place turned into the up-to-date reality of wine and olive oil makers. After tasting the wines accompanied by Tuscan specialties, you'll have some free time to wander amongst the grapevines and olive trees or simply relax and enjoy the views before the return drive.

Commissioned by Pericles and built by Pheidias, the perfectly proportioned Parthenon crowns the Acropolis, representing the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Follow the winding path to 'the upper city' entrance through the Propylaea gateway. Beyond, on the highest part of the hill, stands the crowning glory of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, looking out over the graceful Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Old City below. After the Acropolis, you’ll drive to both the old and new sections of Athens, separated by Hadrian’s Arch.

You’ll pass the statue of Lord Byron, the Corinthian Temple of Olympian Zeus and Constitution Square to the former Royal Palace. Here you’ll have a chance to take a photo of the Presidential Guard or Evzones in traditional uniform, as they stand watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Other sights on the drive include the Academy, National Gardens and the Old Marble Olympic Stadium, built in 1895 for the first modern Olympic Games.

Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, offers so many treasures of art and architecture that its entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunately with the highlights so centrally located, it is ideally suited to a walking tour. You'll visit the Accademia Gallery for an up-close introduction to Michelangelo's famous David. The 17-foot-tall statue depicts not the king, but the youthful shepherd who slew Goliath. You'll have a reserved time for entering to avoid the long line. Have a look at the exterior of the Cathedral (Duomo) of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic façade covered in a mix of pink and green marble. View the statues in the Piazza della Signoria on your way to the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge that was the first bridge built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and jewelers since the 16th century. Admire the exterior of the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce, burial site for the city's larger than life citizens, including Michelangelo, Rossini, Machiavelli and Galileo. Enjoy some free time for lunch, to explore further or do some shopping.

Want to explore Florence on your own? We are happy to provide a motorcoach transfer to Florence complete with an English speaking escort. You'll be dropped off at a central location in Florence and have approximately 4 1/2 hours to explore the city, shop and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Motorcoach drop-off and pick-up points will be provided by the Shore Excursion Desk on board your ship.

Meander through the extraordinarily well-preserved ruins at Chichen Itza, a sacred site that was one of the great Mayan centers on the Yucatan peninsula for centuries.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive on to Chichen Itza. Now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Chichen Itza had enormous importance as a religious, ceremonial and astronomical center, and excavations have unearthed a number of significant structures.

You´ll be provided with a tablet so you can live the Mayan Ruins through the uses of virtual and augmented technology allowing you to better understand the history of Mayan Civilization. Be transported to the past and witness how the Mayan temples looked like centuries ago full of colors and vividness.

The most iconic is the pyramid-like Temple of Kulkulcan, which has 365 steps, one for each day of the year. Its architecture is Mayan but heavily influenced by the Toltec warriors who migrated to the Yucatan in the 10th century. The pyramid is oriented to mark the solstices and equinoxes, as the Mayans were skilled astronomers.

While meandering about the excavated grounds of Chichen Itza, you will also see the largest ancient ball court in the Americas. The acoustics are amazing even by today’s standards, as a whisper at one end can be heard at the other end, more than 500 feet away.

The Temple of the Warriors is another highlight. Flanked by hundreds of columns with carved figures of Toltec warriors, this massive building was used for ceremonial gatherings.

OVERVIEW

Watch a fascinating woodworking demonstration in Sorrento and wander through the ruins of Pompeii, which reveal ancient life in a surprisingly candid way. The craftsmen will demonstrate the art of intarsia or wood inlay, which has long been associated with Sorrento. During free time that follows you might browse the boutiques and dine on your own. If you stop for lunch, be sure try a glass of chilled Limoncello, a sweet lemon-flavored liquor that has been produced locally for more than a century. You will then head to Pompeii, a Roman town forever known for the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried it under ash and pumice in 79 AD. After watching artisans hand-carve classic cameos, you will meander through the excavated ruins. The buildings are largely intact, frescoes adorn the villas and everyday objects are scattered about, just as they were when the volcano erupted. Expect to see ancient baths, temples and residences with intricate mosaic floors.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch woodworkers demonstrate the art of intarsia or wood inlay, a specialty in Sorrento.
• Browse Sorrento’s museums and boutiques or dine on your own during free time.
• See the artistry behind the making of traditional cameos in Pompeii.
• Walk through the ruins of Pompeii for an eye-opening look into ancient life.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Drive into the Apuan Alps to behold the quarries where Carrara marble has been excavated for centuries and then enjoy a sampling of a local Tuscan delicacy.

After departing from the pier, you will drive toward the Apuan Alps, a mountain range where high-quality marble has been quarried for centuries. What appears to be snow from a distance is actually white marble and marble dust on the mountains' bare quarried faces.

As you approach the quarries, you will switch vehicles and continue on in a Jeep that is ideally suited for the rugged terrain. During the drive through the quarries, your escort will elaborate on the excavation process and how it has changed over the centuries.

In Roman times, Carrara marble was extracted by hand and shipped throughout Italy to build palaces and monuments. During the Renaissance, Michelangelo came to these quarries to find marble for masterpieces such as the Pietà and David. The artist favoured the whitest, most finely veined marble from the Serra gorge. Today, beefy bulldozers and diamond-edged cutting equipment are used to excavate the marble.

But marble isn't the only product synonymous with this area, as you will discover at a lard sampling. While it may not sound appetizing, the local Colonnata lard, which is pork back fat, is considered a delicacy. The preparation involves cutting the lard into strips, adding proprietary seasonings, and then aging it in a marble container for at least six months. The resulting treat will melt in your mouth. Following some free time, you will travel back to the pier.

Make the most of your time in Florence with this one-of-a-kind Attraction Pass that includes the entrance to the most emblematic and historical sites with art treasures at the heart of the Italian Renaissance while you enjoy a curated path designed with the best Florence has to offer. A special shuttle bus will take you to Florence, choose according to the time you have in Florence and adventure with the company of your guide on this amazing trip! Start your journey by taking a Walking Tour around Florence´s highlights to learn more about the city and experience the day-to-day first-hand. Pass through Duomo Square, Cathedral -Baptistery, Dante's quarter, San Michele, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Via Dei Neri, Santa Croce and more.Florence is known worldwide as the city of outstanding art and architecture in the world and with our pass you might browse a glimpse of art visiting Ufizzi, home of the artwork of stunning artists, such as Michelangelo. You can also delight in museums, such as Franco Zeffirelli, Museo de' Medici, Leonardo Da Vinci Museum and Degli Innocent. Choose your favorite attractions, leave no sight unseen and get the most out of your visit to Florence.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Use the Attraction Pass to see Florence’s best attractions at no additional cost.
• Discover Florence with a curate path and enjoy a walking tour of its marvelous plazas and main squares. Pass through Duomo Square, Cathedral -Baptistery, Dante's quarter, San Michele, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Via Dei Neri, Santa Croce and more.
• More than 4 attractions included, such as: Uffizi Gallery, Franco Zeffirelli Museum, The Medici Dynasty Museum, Museo Degli Innocenti, Leonardo Da Vinci Museum.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.