Travel-Learn Program

When: October 10, 2009 - October 18, 2009 (iCal)

Description

Relish the splendor of the beautiful Ligurian coast. From our home base in the Hotel Vis à Vis, embrace a colorful painter’s paradise among the winding streets of the seaside village of Sestri Levante. Lose yourself in the coastal scenery en route to Santa Margherita, where the Gothic church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia awaits. Cruise placid waters to the harbor of cosmopolitan Portofino and its Punta del Capo lighthouse. In Genoa, you’ll have the opportunity to discover Christopher Columbus’ House. Visit the Cinque Terre towns of Portovenere and Vernazza. Time has also been carved out for a review of marble sculpting in Carrara. Finally, explore the walled city of Lucca, with its sensational Duomo, the Church of San Frediano and the Church of San Michele.

Cost

From approximately $2595 per person (plus airfare)

Contact

Contact: For more information, contact Usha Sellers, Program Director, in the Office of Alumni Relations at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 1-800-THE-ALUM (1-800-843-2586) or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Departure

Depart for Florence, Italy. (Flight provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)

Day 2 - Florence / Sestri Levante

Upon arrival, transfer by motorcoach to the Hotel Vis à Vis in Sestri Levante. (Transfer provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.) The balance of the day is at leisure to settle in, relax, and explore.

This evening, gather for a welcome reception, followed by dinner.

Day 3 - Sestri Levante / Santa Margherita / Portofino

This morning, embark on a walking tour of Sestri Levante. Stroll along the winding streets to visit the Piazza Matteotti, with its Town Hall and Basilica of Santa Maria di Nazareth. Later, tour Santa Margherita, a town of flowers, swaying palm trees and hillside villas, and embark on a cruise to Portofino for panoramic views from the Church of San Giorgio, the medieval fortress of Castello di San Giorgio and the Punta del Capo lighthouse.

Day 4 - Genoa

Admire La Spianata di Castelleto and see the Renaissance palazzi on the Via Garibaldi. Stroll past medieval churches to the house believed to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Walk to Piazza Mateo, visit Palazzo Ducale, the Church of Gesù, and the black and white Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Following lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is at leisure to independently discover Genoa’s many charms.

Day 5 - Cinque Terre

Glide by boat to Portovenere and Vernazza, where we’ll see Genoese towers and the Gothic Santa Margherita d’Antiochia. Take a train to Riomaggiore and walk along La Via dell’Amore, a paved coastal trail. Following lunch in Vernazza, we will have time for independent exploration. Later, see Manarola’s vivid cliffside homes before returning to Sestri Levante by train.

Day 6 – Carrara

Visit a museum and local quarry where Michelangelo chose his prized marble. Enjoy a demonstration by a local sculptor and see the town’s Duomo. Study its rose window, a masterpiece in marble. Lunch will be in Carrara; afterward we return to Sestri Levante for an afternoon at leisure.

Day 7 - Lucca

Take a walking tour of the walled, tree-lined city of Lucca. See the Romanesque Duomo di San Martino with carvings by Nicola Pisano, the white marble chapels of the Church of San Frediano and the Church of San Michele.

Day 8 - Sestri Levante

Today is at leisure to explore or relax independently. This evening, attend a special farewell reception, followed by dinner.

Day 9 - Return Home

Transfer to the Florence airport for return flights home. (Transfer and flight provided for Air-Inclusive participants only.)