“This was my first trip to Europe, as well as my first trip overseas.  I was so excited to see the Colossuem, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, all these amazing sites I had only experienced in books.  Our first stop was Rome, the Eternal City.  The first night was spent at a Welcome Reception where we got acquainted with our Tour Director and travel companions.  The next day, we explored St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.  It was a great overview of Rome and a great start to our Italian Holiday!  Next, we hopped aboard the motor coach to Venice.  Along the way, we stopped at the hilltop Mediterranean village of Assisi, where we took a walking tour and visited the Basilica of St. Francis.  Once in Venice, we explored St. Mark’s Square, watched a glassblowing demonstration at a local factory, and enjoyed a cruise through the Grand Canal.  I also tasted my first cannoli!  But my favorite part was our gondola ride through the city.  Our third and final stop was the beautiful city of Florence.  Here we visited the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Basilica of Santa Croce.  A few of us even climbed the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo, where we experienced an amazing view of the city.  After wrapping up the afternoon with some early Christmas shopping, it was time for Trafalgar’s exclusive “Be Our Guest” dinner at a local winery.  We met the chef, who served us an authentic Italian meal, including bread and oil, two kinds of pasta, wine, and tiramisu.  Finally, we headed back to Rome, where we got to gaze in awe upon Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.  We wrapped up the tour with a Farewell Dinner before saying “Arrivederci!” to Italy.  Overall, it was a very cultural, historical, and inspirational trip.  Definitely the trip of a lifetime”

– Tricia Robinson, Fox World Travel Appleton