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By Madelyn Miller

SELECT ITALY PASS GIVES PREFERENTIAL ADMISSION TO THE CHURCHES OF VENICE,GALLERIA BORGHESE AND GALLERIA UFFIZI

Avoid Lines This Summer For $99

With record crowds expected this summer at Italy’s most important destinations, the Select Italy Pass puts visitors at the front of the line for the 14 historic churches of Venice, and a confirmed reservation for entry to the Galleria Borghese in Rome and Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence.  The Select Italy Pass is available for $99.

According to Select Italy president Andrea Sertoli, don’t expect to go to Italy and just walk into these popular sites.  Because of their importance, limited access and large crowds visiting these sites, advance reservations are a must.  The Select Italy Pass will give you preferential admission to the churches of Venice, and scheduled reservations to the Galleria Borghese and Galleria degli Uffizi.

The Galleria Borghese in Rome, in addition to its outstanding collection, is displaying Bernini’s masterpieces, returning to the Galleria after a 400 year absence. Cardinal Scipione Borghese, one of Rome’s most wealthy and powerful men in the 17th century, supported Bernini’s artistic genius and collected the most exceptional of his masterpieces. Until September 30, most of these masterpieces (including David, Pluto, Persephone, and Apollo) are back at the Borghese residence.

Due to the huge crowds for this exhibition, advance reservations are required for admission.   The Select Italy Pass provides reservations for a specific day and time for admission.

The 14 historic churches of Venice include:  The Basilica of San Marco;  I Frari;  San Giacomo dell’Orio;  San Polo; San Sebastiano;  Il Redentore; Sant’Alvise;  San Zaccaria;  La Madonna dell’Orto;  Santo Stefano;  Santa Maria dei Miracoli;  Santa Maria Formosa;  San Pietro di Castello;  and, Santa Maria del Giglio.  These churches feature an exceptional collection of masterpieces of paintings and sculptures from the 11th century onward.  They include paintings by Veronese, Tintoretto, and hundreds of masterpieces by Titian, Tiepolo, Bellini and other great Italian artists.

The Galleria degli Uffizi’s unique collection is the second most visited museum in Italy.  Thanks to the advance reservation system which better controls the flow of visitors, the number of people visiting the Galleria had increased 30% in the past year.

The Archdiocese of Venice and preservationists created CHORUS - The Foundation For The Churches of Venice to provide a long-term funding source for the preservation and restoration of the historic churches of Venice. Select Italy is the exclusive North American broker for the CHORUS Pass, as well as passes for the churches of Verona.  In Verona, the Associazione Chiese Vive was formed with the Archdiocese of Verona for the same purpose. In Venice and Verona, entry fees are charged separately at each church, making the advance-purchase passes a great way to save time while traveling.

The Select Italy Pass, or separate admission to these venues, is available through Select Italy, which may be contacted by calling (847) 853-1661, by fax at (847) 853-1667, or e-mail at selectitaly@compuserve.com.  Information is available on the web at http://atlantisweb.com/selectitaly.  

Images courtesy of Kulat Communications

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