DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Italy
Depart for Italy
DAY 2, Thursday - 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 Lido
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Friday - Boat Ride to Murano, Tour of Venice
The discovery of Venice begins with a boat ride to the island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. Visit a local factory 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 arrival, stop to view its most prominent monuments, the pink marble Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the golden Basilica of San Marco. The Doge's Palace was the official residence of the Venetian ruler. The Bridge of Sighs offers one of the most notable scenes of this Romantic city. Marvel at the 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 to 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 Lido
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Saturday - 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 a wine tasting paired with delectable local specialties. On to Pisa to view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Baptistery, the Duomo, the Monumental Cemetery, and its famous Leaning Tower, among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The four monuments on the extraordinary Piazza create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Then, travel to the Renaissance city of Florence, with its priceless art and architecture for overnight
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Sunday - Tour of Florence
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, the first residence of the Medici family which today houses the seat of the city government. Continue to Ponte Vecchio, also known as the "Old Bridge." Accademia Gallery tickets are included for an independent visit of one of Italy's most famous museums of art, allowing you to explore on your own*. Florence is indeed the center of the world's finest art and architecture. Spend the afternoon at leisure in this spectacular Renaissance city. This evening, travel through the Tuscan hills, where dinner with wine and entertainment awaits
*Because tickets to Accademia cannot be purchased for visit on the first Sunday of every month, entrance to Accademia is not included for the Mar 31, Jun 2 &30, and Sep 29 departures
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Monday - Medieval Assisi City Tour en route to Rome
This morning, depart Florence and travel to the small medieval town of Assisi, perched high on a hill in the Umbria region, with its rugged, winding streets, and sacred shrines. Participate in a walking tour of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its significant art and architecture and best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. Its main attraction is the 13th century Basilica di San Francesco, one of the artistic highlights of medieval Europe which contains the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto's amazing frescoes. Afterward, continue to Rome, the astonishing city built on seven hills
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Tuesday - Tour Ancient Rome
The historic tour of ancient Rome begins with a walk along the uneven and irregular paths of the Roman Forum, the original central plaza of the city from which ancient Rome developed. Next, 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. Tonight, embark on a scenic drive through the city before stopping for dinner at a local restaurant, complete with wine and music
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Wednesday - Full Day in Rome
Spend the morning at leisure, or join the optional walking tour of the Eternal City's grand piazzas that includes the Spanish Steps, the legendary Trevi Fountain, a view of the Pantheon, and the Baroque Piazza Navona. Tonight, explore on your own and choose one of the numerous restaurants offering delicious local cuisine
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (AM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Thursday - Pompeii Tour en route to Sorrento
Traveling south, you'll view the magnificent Abbey of Montecassino perched high on the mountaintop in the distance (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, the majestic Mt. Vesuvius guides your journey toward Pompeii. Visit the city that was frozen in time under a thick carpet of volcanic ash almost 2,000 years ago. Walk through the original sloping streets of Pompeii and view the tragic casts of people attempting to escape alongside their children and dogs, as well as the preserved ruins of the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Spectacular panoramic views and the sapphire blue waters of the Gulf of Naples welcome you to Sorrento
Overnight: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Friday - Full Day in Sorrento
A day at leisure in picturesque Sorrento awaits, strikingly beautiful with its seaside setting and soaring cliffs plunging into the sea. As you stroll along the coastal road and through the charming town, you'll understand why Sorrento has long been loved by poets and artists. Don't miss the optional full day tour to the enchanting and picturesque Isle of Capri by boat. Here, you'll walk through the narrow lanes of Anacapri, with its chic boutiques and shops offering tastings of the island's famous limoncello. Then, continue on to La Piazzetta, where everyone gathers to socialize, and to the Gardens of Augustus, a natural paradise from where you can see splendid views of the sea and the famous Faraglioni rock formations, one of the island's natural wonders. After a lovely day in Capri, return to Sorrento. Tonight, bid farewell to your Tour Manager at dinner
Optional: Full Day Capri
Overnight: Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11, Saturday - Depart Italy
Transfer to the airport in Naples for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability and are quoted in U.S. Dollars. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour
operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material
provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates
are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators.
Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices
on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors,
omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 888-942-3301 to
confirm availability and pricing.
