VENICE - VENEZIA
Your introduction to Italy begins in what may well be the most enchanting city in all of Italy-Venice, and it is here in Venice, where cars are not allowed and fresh seafood beckons from every neighborhood trattoria, where we begin our tour. Who hasn’t wanted to see this “most romantic” of cities, with its water-filled canals and that famous Venetian glass? Here, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that, including a private boat for a tour along the Giudecca canal. We’ll also visit Saint Mark’s Square and Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.



The romance of this city is apparent at every step…take a few minutes to just soak it all in. From Venice, we head to the heart of the Tuscany region, Florence, via 1st Class Seats aboard the EuroStar!


FLORENCE - FIRENZE
Florence will then be our home for the next few nights. Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, and for good reason. Florence is home to some of the most famous artwork in the world, by geniuses such as Botticelli, Brunelleschi, Cellini, Donatello, Fra Angelico, Ghiberti, Giotto, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael. Even if you’re not well-schooled in art history, Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Giotto’s campanile (bell tower) and Brunelleschi’s dome on the Duomo are a few of the sights with which you are probably familiar.

We’ll join our guide for a walkabout tour of Florence, where we’ll see many of the sites described above as well as get an in-depth commentary on the history of Florence. And as before, you’ll also have plenty of time to enjoy shopping the various markets or to do some sightseeing on your own.

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN - SAN GIMIGNANO
We venture deep into the Chianti countryside (known as “Chianti”for the fine wines produced in this region - look for the Black Rooster to ensure you have true Chianti produced wine) to immerse ourselves in the romance that is Tuscany.

San Gimignano’s skyline is impressive, made up of the 13 remaining towers dating back from the 11th century (it once had as many as 72 towers!). Also known as the Manhattan of Tuscany (because of its skyscraper skyline), San Gimignano rises on a hill dominating the Elsa Valley and exudes character from every stone. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the Middle Ages as you walk along the cobblestoned streets of this charming town.

CORTONA TO ASSISI - UMBRIA
After our full day of exploring under the Tuscan sun we make our way to Cortona for a short but sweet overnight stop and some itineraries have an overnight in the nearby villa. Then next day, we're off to Assisi to explore Umbria. Then we're off to Rome, where all roads lead. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the view as we pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in Tuscany.

ROME - THERE WAS ONCE A DREAM CALLED ROME
"All Roads Lead to Rome…”

In “City of the Soul,” William Murray quotes a friend of his who had this to say about Rome: “It’s not only the physical beauty of the place…It’s the smell of it, the aura of great history in the stones of every street and every building. To be in Rome is to be in touch with everything in life that really matters.”

It is in Rome, one of the world’s great cities, where we’ll spend the last three nights of our tour. We’ll stay in the heart of the city, with easy access to all the major historical sites. We’ll take you on guided tours of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill where you'll see the splendor that was once Rome...we also do a brief tour of the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican. You are also welcome to join us on optional tours of the monuments of Rome, where we’ll explore the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona. Other optional tours include an evening “illuminated” tour of Rome, for a guided tour of Rome at night. As in each of the cities we will visit, you will have plenty of time on your own to explore as you wish, whether that includes joining us on one of our optional tours, strolling down hidden streets to see where the day might lead you or sitting in Artists’ Square sipping a cappuccino, watching the people go by.

WE INVITE YOU TO EXTEND YOUR JOURNEY WITH THE AMALFI COAST!
Your name's Marcello?! Of course it is.

We're off to the Amalfi Coast - "to recover by the sea" - from our delicious tour together. It's the Amalfi Coast and it is truly one of the most scenic destinations in the world. Welcome to Positano and Sorrento. We overnight in the village by the sea, Sorrento, and words don't do this leg of our journey justice. Just wait and see!

At tour's end you may opt to stay a little longer: we have a lot of suggestions for some places you might like to visit…it’s entirely up to you. But whatever you choose, whether to come home at tour’s end or whether to stay so you can take an excursion down to the Isle of Capri or maybe the Cinque Terra, just know that you’ll be leaving with the kind of priceless memories that some people only dream of, and quite possibly an extra suitcase full of souvenirs!

Something for everyone…

Whether you’re a “first-timer” to Italy or have visited many times, we invite you to join us for this exciting Italy tour program. We have specially designed a tour catered to those of you who have never been to Italy. For one set price, you’ll be staying in first-class accommodations in each city and have the experience of local, English-speaking tour guides. You’ll have a chance to visit all the major, “must-see” sites, plus enough free time on your own to visit the places that really matter to you…or, you can simply enjoy that time relishing your first taste of Italian espresso in the town plaza-it’s entirely up to you. Also included are in-depth tours in each city, group transportation in an air-conditioned motorcoach, admission and entrance fees for each stop on our tours, breakfast each morning and five all-inclusive dinners with wine!

And if you have been to Italy before and maybe want something a little different, you have the opportunity of choosing to go as a “first-timer” (there are many sites you could see a hundred times and still find something new!) or adding on whichever tours and attractions are to your liking and interest, essentially building your own trip (simply call us at 1 (877) 865-6711 for a custom quote).

That all sounds great! But…

By now, you might be thinking, “Gee, I’d really love to see Italy, but I just can’t right now, maybe someday I’d like to go…Well, that someday is now. Just think about this-when you look back on your life, what do you see? If you’re like me, you remember the times spent with friends and family, maybe family vacations, places you’ve visited, experiences shared with loved ones. It becomes easy to put things off, things that you’ve dreamed of, or maybe something you’ve always wanted to do, but someday will always just be “someday” unless you do something about it NOW.

You may also be thinking, “But traveling to a foreign country can be intimidating-where to stay? What to see? Where to eat?” This is where I come in! I take care of all the details, so you can simply focus on enjoying what little time you have over there. QueensLander Tours is dedicated to making each trip you take with us the best you’ll ever experience. Your time is precious-you want to see as much as you can while you’re there. Your money is precious-you want to make every dollar count…Every detail is taken care of so that the only thing you have to worry about is what to pack. Lynette of Brisbane, Australia had this to say about us:

QueensLander's dedication to making our touring experience informative, entertaining and their attentiveness to each detail was absolutely delightful...having our QueensLander Tour Captain along as well as a genuine local (and knowledgeable) guide onboard made for a fantastic touring experience of Italy and Europe!"

By now, you’re probably wondering, “But how much does all of this cost?”

Good question. But first, let’s consider just the cost of a good hotel. Frommer’s 2006 guidebook on Italy suggests several “moderately priced” hotels, all of which average around $250 a night (most a lot more) . Even an “inexpensive” hotel averages over $150 per night. Even then, the prices vary widely, depending on where in the city you want to stay. There are similar listings or both Venice and Florence. And these are just for “inexpensive” or “moderately” priced hotels!

For our “First-Timer’s,” all-inclusive package, what we’re offering are first-class accommodations in the heart of each city, easily accessible to the very places you want to see, plus several meals, transportation, guided tours and the peace of mind knowing that it’s all taken care of for you. That’s little more than you’d spend on just “moderate” accommodations!

In addition, if you have traveled in Italy before and maybe want to be a little more independent, we have an additional option we call our “returning traveler” option. You’ll still get the same first-class customer service and first-class accommodations from us, but you’ll have the freedom of spending your days as you wish, with the option of adding on only those tours/meals/etc. that you are interested in, as these are not included but are all available as “optional” tours.

Whether you want to go as a “first-timer” and let us worry about all the details or you want to be a little more independent and essentially “build your own trip” (while knowing all the major stuff is taken care of), we have the perfect trip for you. Call us-we can’t wait to talk to you! (1+877-865-6711)

Frances Mayes in “Under the Tuscan Sun” once said that “…most trips have an underlying quest. We’re looking for something. What? Fun, escape, adventure-but then what?” Everyone travels for different reasons, but my question for you would be what are you looking for? And, no matter what the answer to that may be, I can guarantee one thing-this trip can be life changing. To experience another culture, to open your eyes to another part of the world, to step in another’s shoes, if even for a few days, it changes you, even if only a little.

Remember Robert Browning, from the beginning of the letter? “Open my heart and you will see, engraved inside of it, ‘ Italy.’” Come, if you dare, and you may just leave with a little bit of Italy etched on your soul as well.

I do look forward to traveling with you to Italy. Please drop me a line with any question you might have!

Sincerely,

Mark Story -

You can ask me any question about Italy, this tour or any vacation you're planning to take to Italy by calling or email:

Email: Mark @ QLTours.com
View Itinerary

• Venice
• St. Mark's Square
• Florence
• Duomo, Michelangelo's David
• San Gimignano
• Vatican City & St. Peter's Basilica and Square
• Coloseum & the Roman Forum
• Rome
• Castel San Angelo
  
  

 

 

 

The Quintessential Classic Italy Tour
This the classic Italy Tour you've been waiting to take! From the canals of Romantic Venice to the statue of David in Florence, your journey to Italy is both inspirational and awe-inspiring!

The Best of the Italian Experience
We provide confirmed reservations for viewings of all the original works at the Doges Palace in Venice and the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence along with the imperial Vatican collection! Visit St. Mark’s Square, and take a gondola ride and enjoy the serenade of the gondoliers. Go inside the magnificent Colosseum as well as the Italian village of San Gimignano in the Tuscan countryside.

True Small-Group® Touring - 16 Passengers or less!
Small group tours to Italy is QueensLander's specialty and we invite you to discover our service on your Italy vacation! QueensLander Tours is the first choice for inexpensive Italy tour packages and italy tours throughout Italy, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. We provide small group Italy tours and Italy tour packages in Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre along with Chianti and Tuscany regions Our Italy tours provide you with low cost private Airport transfers both inbound and outbound. We offer Italy Tours as our specialty at QueensLander Italy Tours. Your choice for Italy Tour Packages, italian tours, italy travel and travel to italy. Discover the real Italy with our italy tours, italy tour packages, italian tours, italy travel, travel italy, italy vacations, italy vacation packages, italian tour operators, italian tour vacations, italian tour vacation, italian wine tour, italian tour guide, italian tour guides, italian riviera tours, italian tour packages, italian tour company, italian tour companies, italian special tours, italian cruises, hosted italian tours and small-group Italy tours. Our Italy Tour Concept is Small-Group Italy Tours that have engaging itineraries, flexible schedules, personalized service, fabulous Italian cuisine and regional wines. We use authentic Italian hotels and accommodations that are in the city center. We avoid the Large Italy Tour groups.

Off-the-Beaten-Path
QueensLander features unique dining venues throughout Italy, included gratuities, service-driven staff - compare QueensLander Tours with the other tour companies and see our difference.

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Deluxe & Superior Hotel Properties

Located in the hearts of the towns and villages!

Admissions throughout, Small Group Touring with QueensLander's exclusive approach to Italy Touring, all gratuities included, no tipping guide, driver or tour captain - Worry Free! Hotels have been personally inspected by our own Hotel Snob, Mark Story.

Hotel Saturnia & International, Venice
Located near St. Mark's Square, the Saturnia is a delightful way to start your Italy Tour - a 14th century palace. Or perhaps the Palace Bonvecchiati or Cavalletto.

The Hotel Helvetia & Bristol in Florence is part of the Leading Hotels of the World is situated perfectly in the heart of Florence and is about a 3 minute leisurely walk to the Ponte Vecchio and Duomo. Or perhaps you'll enjoy Grand Hotel Baglioni or the Hotel Davanzati in Florence.

In Cortona you will enjoy the Villa Marsilli or similar.
While enjoying your time 'under the Tuscan sun' discover the romance of this quaint Tuscan town.

In Rome, the Grand Hotel de la Minerve or similar.

Rome provides perfect location near the Spanish Steps and boutique shopping areas as well as the Tiber River!

Extending to Amalfi Coast?
Hotel Bellevue Syrene (5 Star) or Hotel BelAir (4 Star) in Sorrento.
Okay, so you won't want to leave these hotels. Perched perfectly on the cliffs at Sorrento and each guest room has an incredible view!

OUR CLASSIC BUDGET HOTELS (or similar)

Venice - Hotel do Pozzi or BelSito
Florence - Hotel Axial
Tuscany - Hotel Italia or similar
Rome - Pantheon Inn or similar

WHY QUEENSLANDER FOR
ITALY TOURING?

• Off-the-Beaten-Path Restaurants throughout! Small, authentic restaurants that fit our group size. Not those the big companies use.

SUGGESTED READING ON ITALY

VENICE:
A Thousand Days in Venice – Marlena de Blasi
A Venetian Affair - Andrea Di Robilant
In the Company of the Courtesan – Sarah Dunant
Venetian Stories – Jane Turner Rylands
The City of Falling Angels - John Berendt (non fiction)
The World of Venice – Jan Morris (non fiction)

MISC:
A Thread of Grace – Maria Russell (WWII Resistance)
A Bell for Adano – John Hersey (WWII Sicily)
The Agony & the Ecstasy – Irving Stone (Michelangelo & Sistine Chapel,
based on fact)
The Birth of Venus – Sarah Dunant
A Valley in Italy – Lisa St. Aubin de Teran - Tuscany
Italian Neighbors – Tim Parks (Northern Italy)
The Name of the Rose – Umberto Eco
A Farewell to Arms – Ernest Hemingway

NON FICTION:
Italy for Dummies – Bruce Murphy and Alessandra de Rosa
Italy, A Short History – Harry Hearder
Italian Days – Barbara Grizzuti Harrison
La Bella Figura – Beppe Severgnini
Culture Shock! Italy – Alessandro Falassi
That Fine Italian Hand – Paul Hoffman
Dances with Luigi - Paul Paolicelli (Southern Italy)
Under the Tuscan Sun – Frances Mayes
When in Rome – Robert Hutchinson

MOVIES:
Summertime (Katherine Hepburn) – Venice
Life is Beautiful
Ciao Professore!
Enchanted April
Cinema Paradiso
Il Postino
Two Women (Sophia Loren)
Roman Holiday
The Bicycle Thief
A Farewell to Arms
Big Night (Italian Americans)
Night of the Falling Stars
The Agony & the Ecstacy
La Strada – Frederico Fellini
Dangerous Beauty (Venice)
Visions of Italy (PBS 2-disc)
Arial photography, northern
& southern Italy & Sicily

Book an Italy tour with QueensLander Tours, a leading seller of Italy tour vacations. We have Italy tours, travel packages, and Italy tour vacations built with your interests in mind. Small Group Italy Touring is the highlight of QueensLander's Italy's Great Cities Tour. Italy's Great Cities Italy Tour Package indulges in everything Italy from the tour's beginning: We have Italy tours, Italian independent travel packages, and Italy tour vacations to suit every taste. Italian tours, cruises, bus and coach tours as well as Italy's exceptional train travel packages are several of the many Italy tour vacations we have to offer. Travel to Italy with your escorted Italy Tour and Italy tour operator, QueensLander Tours.

Small Group Touring™ - Only Way To Go! Many companies boast interesting itineraries and complement that with a large group of bus junkies (some times upwards of 75 people!). With QueensLander's Italy's Great Cities Tour you are guaranteed a small group tour experience of this delightful land. We mean it when we say small: no more than 16 passengers on our deluxe tours! Licensed Professional Italian GuidesWe are proud to comply with Italy law and offer only professional, licensed guides throughout our Italy's Great Cities Tour experience. In Venice, we meet Cinzia and Luigi, our boat driver. In Florence, it's Susanna. In Rome, it's Cynthia. Bilingual, friendly and knowledgeable.