2008 Italy Tour September 26th - October 7th 2008

Day 7 Venice....early tour and then at your leisure.... Today we will tour Venice! First a morning breakfast buffet...We leave or hotel and go by private boat and enjoy a morning cruise to St. Mark's Square where we will see St. Mark's Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and Doges' Palace. Maybe enjoy "people watching" as you have lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes in St. Mark's Square.

We will enjoy a fascinating Murano glass-blowing demonstration, The rest of the day is yours to view the sights and sounds of this "floating city" You may take private tours, gondola rides or join Martin as he visits the inside of Basilica di San Marco. Venice architecture, frescoes and mosaic work is equisite. The ancient marble columns and the gold mosaic work at The Basilica Di San Marco are a sight to behold. Above the basilica stands The Four Horses of St. Mark’s, stand over the entrance of the church. The only existing example of an ancient four-horse chariot... with a natural verdigris finish........what us as decorative artists strive for.....

Venice....the rest of your day at your leisure.... For those going to Venice with their spouses or significant others,...what a great time to take a gondola ride through the many canals of Venice....A relaxing cruise taking in all of the sites. Gondola ride are beautiful at dusk. Shopping in Venice viewing the Morano crystal and blown glass is a draw of many of the quaint art shoppes. The art of mask making/painting is world renown in Venice.Window shopping through the hundreds of stores on the canals will thrill even those "non-shopping" men in our party....just so much to see!

Day 8 Venice - Brenta Canal - Montecatini in the Tuscan Hills This morning after breakfast, we gaze on the beauty of the Palladian villas as we drive along the scenic Brenta Canal. The Brenta Canal links Padua with Venice in the eastern part of Italy. Nicknamed "the Forgotten Riviera" because of the many of historic villas built by Venice's aristocracy, We will view many of these villas as we drive along the canal. There is only one designed by 16th-century master architect Palladio (the Villa Foscari), but most of the villas are Palladian-inspired.

Then we head towards the south and climb into the Apennine Mountains.... the Emilia Romagna region of Italy

and then into Tuscany. Once in the Tuscan region, we will stop in Montecatini. This will be our "base" for the next two days. Dinner this evening is on our own...as there as many great regional restaurants in this area. Chiant wine is made in this region and Tuscan style food is a elight to the pallette....Evening strolls through this town, pubs and cafes is quite relaxing as Montecatini residents are friendly and love life! Tommorow we head to Florence not far away.....

Any questions or comments? italy2008@fauxfinish.com