DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Italy
Depart for Italy
DAY 2, Tuesday - 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 to select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Wednesday - Murano & Tour of Venice
The discovery of Venice begins on 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 reaching the square, stop to view its most prominent monuments, the pink marble Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and 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, that is 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
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Thursday - 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 lively Renaissance city of Florence, with its priceless art and architecture for overnight
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Friday - 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, first residence of the Medici family that 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 April 25th, entrance to Accademia is not included on April 21st departure.
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Saturday - 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, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture and best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, 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, Sunday - 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, explore on your own and choose one of the numerous restaurants offering delectable local cuisine
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Monday - 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, 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
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel entrances are not included. Should you wish to visit on your own, free time is allotted after 1PM
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (AM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Tuesday - Flight to Malta, Valletta Sightseeing
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Malta. On arrival, take a city tour of Valletta, the beautiful walled capital of Malta. The town was built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, and maintains the same historic feel with its majestic gardens and Baroque art and architecture. Balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: St. Julian's
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Wednesday - Full Day in Malta
Today is free to explore St. Julian's and its surroundings on your own, or take the optional tour to the island of Gozo*, Malta's sister island, where time stands still and traditions and customs form the daily life of the islanders. Gozo is greener, more rural, and offers beautiful scenic views, having most of the population still following their forefathers' trades of farming and fishing. During this excursion, visit the Temple of Ggantija, which is the only major prehistoric site on the Island of Gozo. The temple is among the oldest and best preserved in the world. Have lunch before returning to Qawra in the afternoon
*Operation of the tour is subject to weather conditions and will be advised locally.
Optional: Gozo Island
Overnight: St. Julian's
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Thursday - Mdina & St. Paul's Catacombs
Your day of exploration begins at the central part of the island in Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta. This walled city dates back to medieval prehistoric times and has witnessed Malta's major historical events, having a strategic position on one of the land's highest plateaus. During your walk in the silent city, view Mdina Cathedral and the imposing bastions that allow you to admire panoramic views of most of the island. Next, visit St. Paul's Catacombs, which feature an extensive underground system of tombs that date back to the 3rd century B.C. Tonight at dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Overnight: St. Julian's
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Friday - Depart Malta
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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