|
Aside from visiting all the famous sights, such as the Colosseum and the waterways of Venice, the I Heart
Backpackers tour will take you on a journey through the most artistically
influential of Italy's cities. At the same time, you can simply relax and
enjoy the the Italian atmosphere, like no other in world.
Remember, this trip is your own experience: YOU do what YOU want. The day-to-day trip itinerary below is only one of many possible experiences. We won't mind if you'd rather sleep all day and party all night, just as long as you have a great time and drink responsibly.
Welcome to Italia, where the wine is cheaper than water.
 Board your flight from
Miami.
 Wake up
in Rome. Hopefully you slept, as the city is big and there are many things to
do. Start off with a tour of the Roman Forum; then check out the nearby Palatine
Hill and the Colosseum, before going over to the Galleria Borghese. If you can
stay awake, visit the Circus Maximus & the Baths of Caracalla as well. Unwind
from the day at the Alexanderplatz Jazz Club with some live music.
 Take a student based
walking tour which includes the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Bernini's
Four Fountains among many, many other stops. If your feet aren't tired yet,
check out the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotunda, or if you like cats, the Largo
di Torre Argentina, which is now the city's cat shelter. Check out the loo at
Jonathan's Angels, before partying with Italian Goths at Jungle.
 Take a tour of the
Vatican and see the Sistine Chapel. Then climb the dome of St. Peter's Basilica
for the loveliest view of Rome money (and the ability to ascend 350 steps) can
buy. On Saturday night, club hop between Alien and Piper, and end up at
Gilda on the Beach to dance 'til dawn in the sand.
 Head north to Pisa. Take
silly pictures of your friends pushing the tower up during the day, but ascend
the tower at night for a gorgeous view of the city in moonlight. Dinner's on us
tonight, most probably at the Osteria dei Cavalieri.
 Moving on again, up to
the region of Cinque Terre. It consists of five hilly, coastal towns:
Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. They're
interconnected through hiking trails, the most famous and shortest of which is a
stone tunnel called the Via Dell'Amore. Tan and relax under the Il Gigante rock
carving at Monterosso's largest beach. Party at the nearby Il Casello, before
heading back to your hostel.
 After hiking through a
few of the towns, call it a morning and spend the rest of the sun filled hours
at a beautiful secluded beach hidden between Vernazza and Corniglia. Continue to
relax at Il Bar Sopra Il Mare, and watch the Mediterranean Sea under the stars.
 Arrive in Milan freshly
tanned. First, ascend the Duomo for a grand view of Milan, and then wander the
23 art-filled rooms of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. Stroll through the Fashion
District on your way to La Scala, arguably the best opera theater in the world.
 Visit Castello Sforzesco
which contains 10 Musei Civici, allowing you to explore what interests you most.
Don't forget to view Da Vinci's 'Last Supper' housed in the nearby Chiesa di
Santa Maria delle Grazie. Have dinner and chill for the night in one of the
restaurant-clubs in the Porta Ticinese.
 We arrive in the city
where Romeo proclaimed: 'It is the East and Juliet is the sun,' so you must
definitely visit the Casa di Giulietta, as well as her tomb. After, make a stop
at the nearby Museo Degli Affreschi and then climb the 368 steps of the Torre
dei Lamberti for a spectacular view of 'fair Verona.' Top off the day with an
Italian Shakespeare performance at the Teatro Romano, or catch an opera during
the Verona Opera Festival.
 Once in Venice, visit
the Rivoaltus Legatoria for a one of a kind hand crafted leather journal. Then
check out the Collesione Peggy Guggenheim, have a picnic at the Giardini
Pubblici & Sant'Elena, and wander past the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge as
you walk to the Basilica di San Marco in the late afternoon. Stay awake for the
Festa del Redentore fireworks at 11:30.
 Get up early and visit
Murano, the cluster of islands home to Venice's glassmakers. Come back to view
the Gallerie Dell'Accademia and to take the campanile to the top of the Basilica
di San Giorgio Maggiore for a lovely view of the city. Then perhaps relax on a
gondola ride just before sunset. Break the romantic mood by heading over to
Bacaro Jazz for a bra-filled good time.
 Start your stay in
Florence with a visit to the Duomo, which you most definitely should climb.
Check out the free Orsanmichele and the famous bronze doors of the Battistero.
Enter the Accademia if only to view Michelangelo's two sculptures: David and the
Slaves. Cap the day with one of May Day Lounge's special 'banana cow' shots.
 Wake up early and ascend
the Campanile for another spectacular view of Firenze. Spend the rest of the
morning in the Uffizi, then head over to the Palazzo Vecchio after lunch for a
"Secret Routes" tour. End with a trek up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for a
beautiful sunset.
 Explore the Palazzo
Pitti with its Galleria Palatina and beautiful Boboli Gardens. If there's time
left, wander the remarkably untouristed Bargello, and if you can read Italian,
be sure to check out the Casa di Dante. Boogie down Wednesday night at
Florence's hottest club, Central Park.
 Assisi in a day; time to
run around like a crazy person. Start off with the Basilica di San Francesco and
St. Francis's tomb. Observe the beautiful frescoes in the Pinacoteca, and then
make your way to the Rocca Maggiore; its view is breathtaking. Lunch across from
the Templo di Minerva and wander the Foro Romano. Visit the Duomo di San Rufino
for more Roman ruins and then finish at the courtyard of the Basilica di Santa
Chiara.
 After the longest train
ride of the trip, it's time to take a relaxing stroll through the Fiera
Antiquaria Napoletana and gawk at things we're to poor to buy. Or if you really
want to pack Naples in, start by paying respect at Virgil's Tomb, then ascending
the Castel Dell'Uovo for a beautiful view. Throw in a visit to Napoli's world
famous Aquarium. Surround yourself with a garden for the night's drinking at
TintaDiRosso.
 Take a daytrip to Ischia
for its gorgeous Mortella Gardens, beaches, and hot springs; or a daytrip to
Capri for its stunning cliffs and the famous Blue Grotto. Party hard and
expensively with chic Italians at whichever island you end up.
 Wake up early in order
to see all of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. After lunch, brave the Catacombs
and subterranean alleys of Napoli. If your feet haven't given up on you yet,
check out the Museo di Capodimente before grabbing dinner. At night, checkout
club Rising South for one of its special summer events.
 Take another daytrip.
There's the volcano town, Herculaneum; the volcano, Mt. Vesuvius; or Campi
Flegrei with the Tempio di Mercurio near the Roman Baths, the Antro della
Sibilla (a cave gallery/ pizza oven), and the Flavian Amphitheater. End the day
with an opera at the Teatro San Carlo, whose acoustics are said to be better
than La Scala's.
 Back to Rome, so sad.
Exchange farewells and contact info while toasting each other with the new
Italian words you've learned.
 Board the flight back to Miami. Take a nap and reflect on the past three
weeks and a trip that you'll never forget.
|
