Rome Elite

Itinerary

• Italy

  Italy is one of the most visited destinations in the world. It's top attractions include; Rome (Colosseum, Vatican City, PIazza Navona, Forum, Pantheon, Fountains of Trevi, Spanish Steps), Florence (Duomo, Old City, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi), and Venice (Grand Canal, Doge's Palace, St. Marks Square). But there is much more to discover outside these heavily travelled spots.  Tuscany and Umbria with its wine, food and hilltowns (Sienna, San Gimignano, Orvietto, Spoleto), the dazzling Amalfi Coast (Positano, Capri, Sorrento), Siciliy with its old words ways, the urbane Milan and nearby Lake Como, the Italian Riviera... and more.  One important piece of advice, the soul of Italy is in its small towns, so be sure to get outside the big cities and into the country. That is where you will find the magic.

• Rome

  Rome, the 'Eternal City', is the capital of Italy. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure to explore the sites of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. A few blocks away, Old Rome is the center of the medieval and Renaissance periods, with beautiful plazas, cathedrals, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Fountains of Trevi, Campo de' Fiori, Spanish Steps, and plenty of shopping and dining. Just across the river is the Vatican, the Papal City State and its endless treasure troves of sights, relics, and museums, as well as the surrounding Italian neighborhood, Vaticano. Via Veneto leads north into modern Rome to the train station and is lined with glitzy shops and hotels for every budget.

• • Rome
  • Hotel Bernini Bristol

  Day 1: Rome

  Enjoy a private Airport (Fiumicino/Ciampino) transfer with a private vehicle and driver.

  A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

  Discover Rome by foot on your guided 3 hour walking tour today.  Don't forget your camera as you visit the Spanish Steps, Scalinata, The Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, and Navona Square.

  Accommodation: Bernini Bristol (5*)

  The Hotel Bernini Bristol is a palace in the heart of Rome, built in the 1800's and and recently renovated. The hotel offers the glamour of a bygone era along with the most modern appurtenances and amenities. Its ample salons are enchanting with their period furnishings and tapestries, aand its rooms aremarked by a refined atmosphere and comfortable elegance. Each accommodation offers a different décor and it is completely soundproofed, a setting for a pleasant repose while in Rome.  Under new Roman law, hotels charge a small amount per traveller per day as a “tourist tax”, which needs to be paid locally through your hotel in Rome. Amounts may vary, but currently the cost is 2EUR per person for 2* & 3* hotels and 3EUR for 4* & 5* hotels. The charges will be added to your bill upon check out and are non-negotiable.

• • Italian Food

  Day 2: Rome

  Spend a haf day enjoying a private, fun filled excursion into the Roman countryside in a chauffeur driven car! Enjoy the views of the city as it gives way to the bucolic countryside. Along the way, you will discover the beauty of Castelgandolfo, one of the small towns located in the Roman hills. This is the where the Pope's Summer Residence is located, and the village is close to a picturesque lake. Every weekend the town, fills up with Romans looking for a change of pace, clean air, good food and wine. Often groups of Romans will drive here just for the evening, dining at one of the many informal restaurants which serve rich regional specialities and the local white wine. The wealthy built villas here, many of which are still standing although they're not open to the public. The most impressive is the Villa Aldobrandini, designed by Giacomo Della Porta for the nephew of a pope. This palace dominates the town, hovering above the central piazza in faded splendour. The gardens are open to the public and are free to visit - you just need to collect a permit from the tourist office first. A gigantic water feature (no longer functioning), sculptures and architectural follies dominate the gardens behind the Villa, and you can climb up beside the crumbling cascade and imagine the estate in its glittering heyday. If time allows, visit the village of Albano, an ancient town which rises on the volcanic hills of Colli Albani.

  Then enjoy a wine tasting in an amazing location before enjoying a gourmet lunch at the Pagnanelli restaurant. Situated in a panoramic position overlooking lake Albano, the restaurant is made up of a19th century building on three different levels. The garden and terraces make a beautiful frame for the interiors, with their chestnut wooden ceilings and terracotta floors. The cuisine is both traditional and innovative and the chef offers seasonal plates created with imagination using the primary products from the family farm. The "pièce de resistance" of Pagnanelli" is its cellars, cut from volcanic rock, and recently restored with dignified elegance. Efficient sommeliers welcome you in this unusual setting where thousands of bottles of wine from all over Italy are housed-a true Kingdom of Bacchus!

  Fully sated, you will be driven back to Rome and your hotel at days end.

  Located in the very centre of Rome, a few steps from Via Veneto, in one of most capital's suggestive and beautiful areas, the Horti Sallustiani is a place of extraordinary historical, artistic and archaeological interest. The restoration of the Horti Sallustiani has allowed the creation in the capital of a unique space, extremely modern and versatile. You will enjoy a private classical concert in this extraordinary place rich of historical, artistic and archaeological value before sitting sown to a gourmet dinner. Transport to and from the location can be arranged directly with the concierge at your hotel,or arranged in advance through your Kensington Tours Sales Advisor if you so wish - just ask.

  Accommodation: Bernini Bristol (5*)

• Day 3: Rome

  Take a port transfer with a private vehicle and driver. Please note that a surcharge may be post billed to you if you require a transfer after 8pm or before 7am.

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• Local Pastimes

  Italian coffee rituals are often baffling to the uninitiated. Espresso coffee is very small and very strong. It is usually consumed in one or two gulps while standing at the bar. Italians will spend three hours eating a meal and then refuse the restaurant's coffee (which is always served at the end of the meal after dessert) because they want to drink it in a particular bar. If you ask for a Caffe you will get espresso, whereas a Caffe Americano will be a "long" espresso.  Caffe Latte is the true version of what we have colloquialized as a "Latte", but be careful not to order a "Latte" as you will receive simply a delicious glass of steaming milk.

• • Hotel Bernini Bristol
  • Hotel Bernini Bristol Guest Room

  Bernini Bristol (5*)

  The Hotel Bernini Bristol is a palace in the heart of Rome, built in the 1800's and and recently renovated. The hotel offers the glamour of a bygone era along with the most modern appurtenances and amenities. Its ample salons are enchanting with their period furnishings and tapestries, aand its rooms aremarked by a refined atmosphere and comfortable elegance. Each accommodation offers a different décor and it is completely soundproofed, a setting for a pleasant repose while in Rome.  Under new Roman law, hotels charge a small amount per traveller per day as a “tourist tax”, which needs to be paid locally through your hotel in Rome. Amounts may vary, but currently the cost is 2EUR per person for 2* & 3* hotels and 3EUR for 4* & 5* hotels. The charges will be added to your bill upon check out and are non-negotiable.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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