Italian Interlude

Your Italian Christmas trip includes guided visits to many of the historic cities of Italy. All the classics; Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice and Verona are included in your itinerary.  With 13 travel days and 11 hotel overnights you will have time to see it all!

Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation’s Italy trip are eagerly awaited every Christmas season. Reserve your spaces today!

Estimated Itinerary

21 December: Kaiserslautern - Pisa

After settling into your seat you will lean back and relax while your comfortable coach whisks you away to Italy. Don’t forget the essentials for your overnight ride. Blankets, pillows, power banks, snacks and drinks will all help make your journey more enjoyable. (Overnight Onboard)

22 December: Pisa - Lucca - Montecatini

Arrival in Pisa where you will have the opportunity for breakfast and sightseeing. Later on you will continue to the charming town of Lucca in the heart of Tuscany, before checking into your four star hotel and spa in the mountain resort town of Montecatini Therme for your first hotel overnight. (Overnight Montecatini)

23 December: Free day or Florence 

Today you can continue to enjoy Montecatini’s mountain vistas or join the group for a guided tour of the Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence.  The choice of how to spend your day is yours to make. (Overnight Montecatini). 

24 December: San Gimignano and Rome

After breakfast you will transfer to Rome, with a stop along the way in the “Medieval Manhattan”. San Gimignano’s well preserved medieval architecture and iconic skyline are one of the most popular locations in Tuscany.  After checking into your four star hotel in Rome, your evening is free for your choice of activities, but if you want to attend Midnight Mass you are advised to get a ticket in advance.  (Overnight Rome)

25 December: Free Day or Papal Blessing and Rome City Tour 

The papal blessing at St. Peters Square is always a must see occasion, even for non-Catholics, and today is your chance to see the Pope.  Although most of Rome is closed for Christmas today, this will give you the chance to take a city tour in the afternoon to familiarize yourself with the Eternal City’s most famous locations in preparation for your free day tomorrow.   (Overnight Rome)

26 December: Free Day

Almost every major museum in Rome will reopen today.  This is your free day in Rome and your chance to go inside the Colosseum**, the Roman Forum** and the Pantheon**. Remember to make dinner reservations for wherever you choose; although most museums will reopen today, many restaurants will remain closed for Boxing Day. (Overnight Rome)

27 December: Pompeii and Sorento

Along the route to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast you will visit Pompeii, one of the best preserved Roman cities before arriving in Sorrento this afternoon.  Your evening in Sorrento is free to enjoy however you wish. (Overnight Sorrento)

28 December: Free Day or Island of Capri

The choice is yours!  You can either spend your day exploring Sorrento or you can embark on optional excursion* to the Island of Capri, where Roman Emperors had elaborate palaces with stunning views of the Bay of Naples. (Overnight Sorrento)

29 December: Free Day or Positano

If you choose to participate in today’s optional excursion, you will visit the village of Positano. Featured in several films, including Only You and Under the Tuscan Sun, Positano’s beaches, cliffs, and historic sites attract tourists from around the world. To complete this idyllic picture, natural lemon, orange, and olive groves grow prominently across the seaside cliffs the town is built around. (Overnight Sorrento)

30 December: Assisi and Perugia

Today you will visit the city of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis.  In addition to the towns religious significance, Assisi also is home to two medieval castles, a Roman amphitheater and the Temple of Minerva.  You will spend tonight in Perugia, a hilltop city dating to the Etruscan period.   (Overnight Perugia)

31 December: San Marino 

On your way to Venice, you will visit San Marino, one of the smallest countries in the world located on the peak of Monte Titano.  In the afternoon you will check into your hotel on the mainland of Venice.  Tonight is New Year's Eve and your four star hotel’s location by the train station allows easy access to the main island where you can watch the fireworks celebrations light up St. Mark’s Lagoon.  (Overnight Venice Mestre)

1 Jan: Free Day or Venice 

This morning, you will return to St. Marks Square for an orientation tour followed by free time at your own leisure.  If you wish, your tour manager can assist with arrangements for a romantic and charming gondola ride* and/or a typical Venetian dinner*. (Overnight Venice Mestre)

2 Jan: Return Home

Make sure your phone and power banks are fully charged and get your camera ready.  Your return to Germany will cross the Swiss Alps and allow you to see panorama views of the mountains. You will arrive in Kaiserslautern this evening.

*Optional Excursion paid cash, on-site to Tour Manager
** Admission fees to any museums or locations not specifically listed in "Trip Includes" are not included.

Price:

• Double Occupancy: $2099 per person
• Single Occupancy: $2899
   
• Children under 12 with 2 paid adults in room configuration assigned by each hotel: $1649 per child
• Infants under 3 sharing existing bedding in single or double room with 1 or more paid adults: $399
   
• Due to the use of multiple hotels over the course of the trip, each with their own room inventories and configurations, it is not possible to guarantee specific room types larger than double rooms to any individual traveler/group of travelers, or to guarantee whether groups including children will be assigned to connected rooms, family rooms, or neighboring rooms.  
• Room assignments for families will be determined individually by the hotels based on their specific capacity and available room types.  
• Neither Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, nor the trip vendor guarantees that the room configuration requested by the customer will match the room configuration assigned by the hotel.

Trip Includes:

• Round trip bus transportation
• 11 hotel overnights in various 4 star hotels
  • 2 Hotel overnights in Montecatini Therme – Grand Hotel Tamerici & Principe**** or equivalent
  • 3 Hotel overnights in Rome – Cardinal Hotel St Peter**** or equivalent
  • 3 Hotel overnights in Sorrento – Grand Hotel Vesuvio**** or equivalent
  • 1 Hotel overnight in Perugia - Perugia St Gallo**** or equivalent
  • 2 Hotel overnights in Venice – Leonardo Royal Hotel Venice Mestre**** or equivalent
• Daily Breakfast
• Guided tour of Florence
• Guided tour of Rome
• Guided tour of San Marino
• Admission to and guided tour of Pompeii Archeological Site
   
• Admission fees to enter any museum, cultural or historic site not specifically mentioned in this "Trip Includes" category is not included.

Optional Excursions: (Paid cash directly to tour manager):

• Rome Dinner and Illumination walking tour: EUR 40 adults / 30 children under 12
• Island of Capri: EUR 80 / 65
• Guided Tour of Positano: EUR 69 / 55
• Gondola Ride in Venice: EUR 48 / 38
• Dinner in Venice: EUR 45 / 35

What to Bring:

• Comfortable, weather appropriate shoes and clothing
• Credit/Debit Card or Euro
• Powerbanks (ODR cannot guarantee availability of charging options on 3rd party contracted busses)
• Military ID and Passport

Departure: 6 p.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Pulaski Barracks, bldg. 2905

Return: Evening of 2 January, 2025