June 2012 Itinerary
June Tour — June 12-27
Day 1 — Depart Tampa for Rome, Italy.
Day 2 — Arrival in Rome. After check-in at the Hotel Tiziano in central Rome, students visit the finest example of Roman architecture still in existence today — the 1,885-year-old Pantheon.
Day 3 — Our first full day together in the Eternal City begins with a walk through the streets and alleys of the Renaissance
neighborhood, exiting into the ruins of ancient Rome, the center of an empire. A stone-by-stone tour of the
Roman Forum that follows the footsteps of Julius and Augustus, Cleopatra, Peter and Paul ends in a visit to the
unforgettable Colosseum. Before lunch, we climb the Esquiline Hill to visit San Pietro in Vincoli to see the
striking sculpture of Moses by Michelangelo. The afternoon is dedicated to students tossing coins into Trevi
Fountain and mingling with the crowds on the Spanish Steps. Our evening will be with the Romans in the world
famous Piazza Navona.
Day 4 — This is our opportunity to visit the seat of Catholicism when we enter Vatican City. Within, we marvel at the architecture of St. Peters Basilica and Square — many of our students ride and climb to the top of St. Peters dome for a spectacular view of Rome. A tour of the Vatican museums includes the history of sculpture in the Western world, the School of Athens by Raphael and a prolonged visit to Michelangelo's heavenly frescos in the Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon, we say “Arrivederci, Roma” and “buon giorno” to Florence, Italy. Our introduction will include walking tours of the immense Duomo cathedral, Baptistry (with its famous bronze doors) and San Lorenzo, parish church of the 15th century's richest man. Our home in Florence will be with Massimo Ravalli, his wife Susanna and daughter Saraat the Hotel Albion — we have stayed with them for the last 27 years. Late into the night, we party in the Space Electronica discotheque!
Day 5 — The Uffizi Gallery contains the most precious collection of Renaissance painting found anywhere — the original paintings of Giotto, Uccello, Botticelli, Lippi, Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Perugino... After our guided tour, we turn our attention to the other treasures of Florence, gold and leather, with visits to merchants who show us the art of jewelry and leather-making. After, students make their pilgrimage to the essential viewing of Michelangelo's David.
Day 6 — Venice is the original unique city — anywhere. Students who purchase this optional trip have time to visit the extravagant St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, shop for glass and masks before taking gondola rides through the picturesque canals.
Day 7 — Our day's travels take us over the plains of Northern Italy and up through the breathtaking Alps. We arrive in the Tyrollean city of Innsbruck and are promptly taken farther up to the village of Mutters, a popular ski destination whether its winter or summer. We are greeted by Deli, Karin, Klaus, and Iris Wieshaber who own our chalet hotel. The Hotel Altenburg has wonderful amenities including an indoor pool and sauna.
Day 8/9 — If youʼve never seen snow, today's your day! Students may choose to visit a snow-covered glacier. Since you plan your days in Austria, you may choose to take advantage of other outdoor adventures. Some choose whitewater rafting, hiking in the Alpine meadows or the very adventurous may ride tandem with paragliders.
Day 10 — Our train to Paris will begin with a layover in Zurich, Switzerland, and continues through Southern France before arriving in the City of Lights. After dinner, we all visit the grand boulevards of Paris.
Day 11 — Our first morning in Paris begins with a visit to the Pompidou Center, a walk along the river Seine, a tour of Notre
Dame cathedral and lunch in the Latin Quarter. Students may visit Napoleon's Tomb, the Hotel des Invalides,
Galleries Lafayette or spend time exploring the Left Bank. In the evening, we all ascend the Eiffel Tower to
watch the lights come on across the city.
Day 12 — The Louvre Museum is considered by many to be the world's finest. Our studies of its collections will include the works of Rubens, Leonardo, Michelangelo and David. We will visit the first “law book” in the Mesopotamia rooms, Winged Victory and the Venus de Milo in the ancient Greece rooms and the excavations of the Medieval Louvre under the museum. In the evening, we all say goodbye to Paris by sailing on the Seine's Bateaux Mouches.
Day 13 — The Eurostar to London travels at 186 MPH across the north of France, delivering us to St. Pancreas Station just 
in time to begin exploring London's West End. There is always so much to do in London. Many students begin
their visit with London's famous Sightseeing Buses while others head straight to Harrods shopping. We spend
our evening in the street fairs around Covent Garden.
Day 14 — A tour of Westminster Abbey, a visit with Big Ben and Parliament Square and a stroll up Whitehall past the Queen's Household Cavalry begins our first full day in London. By 11:30 a.m. we will be perfectly positioned in front of Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard. Everyone goes to theater at night — we provide assistance in finding just the right show at just the right price.
Day 15 — The British Museum allows us to experience the history of the world all in one place — from ancient mummies and the Rosetta Stone in Egypt to the Elgin Marbles from Athens. The afternoon may include a ride on the London Eye, a visit to the Tower of London with its Crown Jewels or a visit to Madame Trousseau's. A grand banquet celebrates our “Trip of a Lifetime!”
Day 16 — Home!