Art Treasures of Italy Tour

October 17-28, 2011 (10 nights, 12 days)

Itinerary

Monday, October 17 Departure US

Arrive at your gateway airport (JFK – ORD – DFW) at least 2-1/2 hours prior
to your scheduled flight time to check in for your overnight flight(s) to Venice, Italy.

Tuesday, October 18 Venice

Buon giorno and welcome to Italy! After claiming your luggage and clearing
customs, you will be greeted by your English-speaking Italian tour escort who will
accompany you throughout your trip.
Known for centuries as the Queen of The
Adriatic, Venice is one of the world's most unique
cities. It was first settled nearly 2,000 years ago as
a safe haven from barbarian invasions (thanks to
its protective lagoon). While its position as one of
the great European powers and trading centers of
the Middle Ages has waned in the intervening
centuries, Venice still possesses a hypnotic and
mysterious charm that continues to captivate
visitors. Divided into six districts (sestieri),
hundreds of canals and thousands of streets, the
city’s focal point is the Piazza San Marco. Upon arrival you will have a walking tour
that will include Piazza San Marco; San Marco Basilica; the graceful Bridge of Sighs; and
Piombi Prison. Continue through the labyrinth of narrow passageways and alleys to
see the “real Venice,” an enchanting city of meandering canals punctuated by
delicate bridges. You’ll have a guided tour of the 15th century Doge’s Palace (Palazzo
Ducale), resplendent with rooms decorated by master painters Titian, Tintoretto and
Veronese. Greg Athnos will lead a tour of the Basilica of San Marco, known for its
Byzantine influenced-architecture enriched with marble from cities conquered by the
once powerful Venetians.
The rest of the day will be at leisure.

Wednesday, October 19 Venice

This morning your visit will start at the
Accademia, with its treasures of Venetian Renaissance
and Baroque art. Following a lunch break, you’ll
then see the Frari Church, containing the tombs of the
great composer Monteverdi and the sculptor Canova,
along with the art of Bellini, Titian, and Donatello;
and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, entirely adorned
with the works of Tintoretto.
You’ll have free time today to pursue your own interests in Venice.

155 W. 72nd Street, Suite 302, New York, NY 10023

Tel: 212-580-0760 | Fax: 212-874-4554 | info@Concept-Tours.com
Thursday, October 20 Ravenna/Florence
Today you will transfer to Florence with a stop in
Ravenna, a city with ancient origins that is now a
UNESCO World Heritage site. You will see the early
Christian art in the Byzantine mosaics of San Vitale, Galla
Placidia, and Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. Continue to
Florence, with a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo on arrival to
admire the view of this splendid city. Check in to your
hotel, followed by a free evening.

Friday, October 21 Florence

Morning visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s sculptural masterwork,
David, along with many other masterpieces. This afternoon, you’ll visit the Bargello
Museum to see the finest collection of Renaissance sculpture in the world. Continue
to the magnificent Gothic church, Santa Croce. Built in 1294, it contains the tombs of
many celebrated Florentines including Machiavelli, Galileo, Ghiberti and
Michelangelo.
Evening at leisure.

Saturday, October 22 Florence

In the morning you will have a guided tour of
Santa Maria del Carmine’s Brancacci Chapel for the
works of Masaccio, the important link between Giotto
and Michelangelo. Greg will then lead a walking tour
ending at the Duomo with its magnificent Dome
(dedicated in 1436) and the Museo del Duomo. During
leisure time this afternoon you can visit some of
Florence’s other wonderful sights.

Sunday, October 23 Florence

Morning visit to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the greatest art museums in the
world, to view some of its priceless collection of Renaissance paintings (including
works of Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio).
The rest of the day will be free.

Monday, October 24 Rome

Morning transfer to your final tour destination, Rome. Having thrived for
more than two millennia, this vibrant city is rich
with historical wonders. Upon arrival you’ll
enjoy a panoramic orientation tour of the city
enroute to your hotel. This afternoon you’ll
have a guided tour of some of the wonders of
Ancient Rome, including the 2,000 year old
Colosseum, site of the gladiator fights and wild
animal hunts that took place in front of 87,000
spectators; and the Forum, a series of ruins that
echo the past glories of the Roman Empire. After
your tour, you may want to climb Palatine Hill for a stirring view of the remains of

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the Circus Maximus, which held over 20,000 spectators for the chariot races (depicted
in the Hollywood classic, Ben Hur) and the Appian Way (Rome’s ancient highway)
where the Caracalla Baths are located. You will also stop in S. Pietro in Vincoli to
admire Michelangelo's magnificent Moses.
This evening you’ll experience the magic of Rome by Night at the famous Piazza
Navona with a stop at the Trevi Fountain, whose water flows directly from the ancient
Acqua Vergine aqueduct (said to be named for the maiden who pointed out this pure
water source to thirsty Roman soldiers). Don’t forget to throw your coin in the
fountain to ensure your return to Rome!

Tuesday, October 25 Rome

This morning you’ll visit the Pantheon, one of
the world's most inspiring architectural designs, and
stop at the Chiesa dei Francesi. In the afternoon your
tour will continue to Trastevere across the Tiburtina
River. This lively area with Etruscan beginnings
retains its distinct and inviting character. The Piazza
Santa Maria in Trastevere pedestrian square is the
focal point; enjoy coffee or dine in one of the many
fine restaurants and listen to the street musicians
play. One of the oldest churches in Rome, Santa
Maria in Trastevere, is here. The Church's long history
and dazzling 12th-century mosaics make it well worth the visit.
Free evening.

Wednesday, October 26 Rome

Today you will visit Vatican City, the world’s smallest nation, for a tour of the
Vatican Museum’s remarkable wealth of treasures. The genius of Michelangelo is
indelibly preserved in the monumental ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the private chapel
of the Pope. Michelangelo also designed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Inside the
Basilica is the Pietà, the work which made a 21 year old Michelangelo famous.

Thursday, October 27 Rome

Morning tour to Villa Borghese. Today the villa is in the heart of Rome, but it
was built as the suburban residence of the Borghese family. It features a lake,
temples, fountains, statues and several museums. Palazzo Borghese has a collection of
sculptures with some important works by Canova and Bernini, including the latter's
Abduction of Proserpina by Pluto. Continue your day at the Priscilla Catacombs,
renowned for its remarkable early frescoes, including 3rd Century Old and New
Testament scenes. The balance of the day is free for final sightseeing and shopping
on your own.
Tonight, enjoy a festive farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant!

Friday, October 28 Return to U.S.

Depart from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport on your return flight(s) to the U.S.
Welcome home!

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Your Tour Leaders:
Gregory Athnos leads tours with a cultural theme of art and religion. As
Professor Emeritus and Director of Choral Activities at North Park University in
Chicago, he led many tours during his 32 years of teaching. Greg is in demand as a
lecturer on a variety of topics. Reviews for his teaching have drawn such comments
as “the subject came alive in his hands.” Greg’s degrees are from Northwestern College
in Minneapolis and the University of Michigan. He also studied Norwegian Folk
Music and its influence on Edvard Grieg at the University of Oslo. Greg has traveled
as conductor, guest clinician, and as lecturer both in music and theology, the latter
emphasizing the theological significance of the Art of the Roman Catacombs.

Dave and Barbara Leeman from Dallas, Texas are long-time friends of Greg
and his wife, Doy. They are both professional musicians. Dave has served as a
church musician in California, Oregon, Illinois and Texas over the past 40 years. He
is currently Director of Music at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Plano, TX, and is a
member of the Dallas Symphony Chorus. Barbara has been an integral part of Dave's
church ministries and is currently a music teacher in a private Christian school in
Dallas. Dave has led tours on two occasions to the Holy Land and offers pastoral
perspectives interwoven with music from the great hymns of the church reflecting
the experiences of the occasion. Each day will begin with a brief devotional time led
by Dave and Barbara.

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