10 Day Affordable Italy with Pompeii

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Italy
Depart for Italy

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Venice
Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this magical city built over a hundred small islands and connected by 400 bridges. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend you select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Venice or Venice Lido
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - Venice City Tour
The discovery of Venice begins with a boat ride to the island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. Visit one of the factories to witness the art of glassblowing. Afterward, continue to the main Venice island and take a walking tour with your local guide through the maze of narrow alleyways and bridges before reaching St. Mark's Square. Upon reaching the square, view its prominent monuments from the outside including the Bridge of Sighs, the pink marble Doge's Palace, and golden Basilica of San Marco, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. It was built over several centuries in a fusion of Byzantine, Roman, and Venetian architecture. The rest of the day is yours to explore Venice at leisure, or participate in this afternoon's optional Gondola Ride, offering a different perspective of this unique city built on water
Optional: Gondola Ride (PM)
Overnight: Venice or Venice Lido
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Monday - Tuscany & Pisa en route to Florence
Depart Venice and travel through the stunning golden landscape of Tuscany, dotted with olive and fig trees. Visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for wine tasting paired with delectable local specialties. On to Pisa, to view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The monuments on the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Then, travel to the lively Renaissance city of Florence, with its priceless art and architecture for overnight
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Tuesday - Florence City Tour
Today, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence. View the magnificent Duomo, with its Brunelleschi-designed dome, the renowned "Gates of Paradise" of the Baptistery by Ghiberti, and Giotto's Bell Tower. You'll be enchanted as you walk through the open-air art museum of Signoria Square, with its Palazzo Vecchio, first residence of the Medici family that today houses the seat of the city government. Continue to the splendid Ponte Vecchio, also known as the "Old Bridge." Spend the afternoon at leisure in this spectacular Renaissance city to savor its unique atmosphere. Tonight, you are invited to participate in the optional Dinner at Tuscan Restaurant, which begins with a ride through the Tuscan hills and culminates with a typical dinner with wine and entertainment
Optional: Dinner at a Tuscan Restaurant (PM)
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Wednesday - Medieval Assisi City Tour en route to Rome
Depart Florence and venture on to the quaint medieval town of Assisi, perched high on a hill in the Umbria region with its rugged, winding streets and sacred shrines. Upon arrival, join your local guide for a walking tour of Assisi, best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy. The town is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture. Its main attraction is the 13th century Basilica di San Francesco, an artistic highlight of medieval Europe containing the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes. Afterward, continue to Rome, the astonishing city built on seven hills. Tonight, savor dinner together
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Thursday - Full day in Rome
Spend the morning on your own, perhaps choose to visit one of the numerous sites of the Eternal city. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or join the optional walking tour of the Eternal City's grand piazzas that includes the Spanish Steps, the legendary Trevi Fountain, view of the Pantheon, and the Baroque Piazza Navona
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (PM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Friday - Tour Ancient Rome
The historic tour of ancient Rome begins at the Roman Forum, walking through the uneven surfaces of the original central area of the city from which Rome developed. View the triumphal Arch of Constantine, erected by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's tenth year of leadership over the Eternal City. On to view the outside of the mighty Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire that seated over 50,000, where gladiatorial contests and public events were attended by the rich, the poor, and by the Emperor himself. Discover the delights of Rome this afternoon on your own
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Saturday - Pompeii Excursion
Depart Rome this morning on a full day excursion to Pompeii. Drive along the Sun Route motorway through the scenic regions of Lazio and Campania, rich in astonishing natural beauty. At a distance, you can view the magnificent Abbey of Montecassino perched high on the mountaintop (weather permitting). This was the scene of a huge battle near the end of World War II in which the abbey was completely destroyed, but has since been restored. As you pass the Bay of Naples, majestic Mt. Vesuvius marks the way to Pompeii, the city that was frozen in time under a thick carpet of volcanic ash almost 2,000 years ago. Explore Pompeii's original streets with its winding alleyways, steps, and inclines. View the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape beside their children and dogs, along with the preserved ruins of the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Spend time on your own for lunch before returning to Rome
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Sunday - Depart Italy
Arrivederci Roma! Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast