Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome and settle into your hotel. This evening you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers at a local restaurant serving Roman specialties. It's a good chance to get oriented and start connecting with the group before the real exploring begins.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, offering a perfect exploration of Lazio's typical flavours)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Room 007 Select, Rome)
- Day 2
Rome
A Local Expert takes you through ancient Rome, showing how people lived back then. You'll head to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, then cross the Tiber to see Circus Maximus and the Colosseum on a guided tour. Walking into the arena, you can almost hear the crowds cheering as your guide explains the gladiators and their world.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Room 007 Select, Rome)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City
- Visit Circus Maximus
- Guided tour of the Colosseum with Local Expert
- Explore Ancient Forum
Landmarks/POIs St. Peter's Basilica Circus Maximus Colosseum Ancient Forum 
- Day 3
Castel Gandolfo to Sorrento
You'll travel to Castel Gandolfo and explore Villa Barberini Gardens by riding an electric train through winding pathways. The mosaic flower beds and fountains line your route as you wind through the gardens. After that, you head south toward Sorrento with views of the Bay of Naples opening up along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Isabella, Sorrento)
Included Activities
- Explore Villa Barberini Gardens
- Ride electric train through garden pathways
- Marvel at mosaic flower beds and fountains
Landmarks/POIs Villa Barberini Gardens 
- Day 4
Capri
A boat takes you across the Bay of Naples to the Isle of Capri. You'll walk through the town's narrow alleyways and check out the exclusive boutiques while taking in views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Later a funicular railway brings you back down to the port, and then you return to Sorrento where the rest of the day is yours to do as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Isabella, Sorrento)
Included Activities
- Boat crossing to Capri
- Explore Capri town with Local Expert
- Funicular railway descent to port
- Return by jetfoil to Sorrento
Landmarks/POIs Capri 
- Day 5
Pompeii to Todi
You'll head to Pompeii and walk through the ancient Roman city with a Local Expert guiding you. From there, you travel inland to Todi, a hilltop town with views of vineyards rolling across the plains. You'll have free time to wander through Piazza del Popolo and experience the medieval feel of the place. Dinner comes with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fonte Cesia, Todi)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pompeii with Local Expert
- Explore Todi orientation and Piazza del Popolo
- Dinner at local restaurant with Orvieto Classico wine
Landmarks/POIs Pompeii Piazza del Popolo - Day 6
Todi
Your day in Todi lets you walk through the medieval streets and take in the historic architecture. The views of the Umbrian countryside from various spots in town give you a sense of why this place has such appeal. You can move through the town at your own pace and soak in the atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fonte Cesia, Todi)
Optional Activities
- Explore Todi independently
Landmarks/POIs Todi - Day 7
Assisi to Perugia
In Assisi you'll see St. Clare's Church and the Roman Temple of Minerva, then walk down Via San Francesco to the Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert. Next you head to Perugia for a guided walk through the Old Town where you'll come across the Collegio del Cambio, Priors' Palace, Cathedral, and Great Fountain. If you're interested, there's an optional dinner featuring traditional Umbrian cuisine paired with regional wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sangallo Palace, Perugia)
Included Activities
- Visit St. Clare's Church
- Visit Roman Temple of Minerva
- Walk Via San Francesco
- Guided tour of Basilica of St. Francis with Local Expert
- Guided walking exploration of Perugia's Old Town
- See Collegio del Cambio
- See Priors' Palace
- See Cathedral
- See Great Fountain in main square
Optional Activities
- Evening discovery of traditional Umbrian kitchen with regional wines
Landmarks/POIs St. Clare's Church Roman Temple of Minerva Basilica of St. Francis Collegio del Cambio Priors' Palace Perugia Cathedral Great Fountain - Day 8
Perugia
You'll join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at an artisanal loom-weaving workshop to meet Marta, a TreadRight Foundation grant recipient. She and her weavers show you how they keep the ancient craft of loom-weaving alive. The rest of your day is free, so you could head to Cortona if you want to see a recently found Etruscan Temple and walk around the historic town with views toward Lake Trasimeno.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sangallo Palace, Perugia)
Included Activities
- Visit artisanal loom-weaving workshop with MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
- Meet Marta and learn about ancient craft preservation
Optional Activities
- Visit Cortona, one of the oldest Tuscan hill towns
- Explore recently unearthed Etruscan Temple
- Guided exploration of Cortona's historic centre with views of Lake Trasimeno and Val di Chiana
Landmarks/POIs Cortona Lake Trasimeno 
- Day 9
Perugia to Radda in Chianti
You'll travel past Lake Trasimeno heading to Renaissance Florence. A Local Expert walks you through the marble cathedral, bell tower, and Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. After that you have leisure time in Piazza della Signoria, which is still the political center of the city and feels like an open-air gallery of Renaissance art. Later you drive through cypress-lined hills and Tuscan vineyards, stopping for a wine exploration focused on red wines before reaching your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Discover what gives a quality Chianti wine its signature cherry, plum, and earthy profile. Learn about the aging process of Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva and Gran Selezione and the Riserva, DOC and DOCG labelling)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cappuccina Country Resort & Spa, San Gimignano)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Florence cathedral, bell tower, and baptistery Gates of Paradise with Local Expert
- Explore Piazza della Signoria
- View Palazzo Vecchio fountains and sculptures
- Tuscan red wine tasting and education experience
Landmarks/POIs Florence Cathedral Florence Baptistery Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio - Day 10
San Gimignano
Siena offers Insight Choice where you pick between visiting the medieval Basilica of St. Domenico or trying panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. You'll then go to San Gimignano with its towers dominating the skyline, and locals call it the Medieval Manhattan of Tuscany. Sergio Dondoli, a master gelato maker, has award-winning flavors with innovative combinations that you can taste. The drive back to your hotel takes you through rolling hills and Tuscan vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cappuccina Country Resort & Spa, San Gimignano)
Included Activities
- Visit Basilica of St. Domenico in Siena with Local Expert
- Taste Panforte, traditional Tuscan dessert
- Explore San Gimignano hilltop town
- Gelato tasting at Sergio Dondoli's artisan parlour
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of St. Domenico San Gimignano - Day 11
Lucca
You'll travel to Lucca to see the churches, squares, and palaces that sit within medieval ramparts still surrounding the old town. A local specialty of freshly baked Tuscan bread is on the agenda. Later in the day you have a chance to head to Pisa if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa La Principessa, Lucca)
Included Activities
- Explore Lucca churches, squares, and palaces
- Walk medieval ramparts
- Taste freshly baked Tuscan bread
Optional Activities
- Explore Pisa
Landmarks/POIs Lucca Pisa - Day 12
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre, the Five Villages UNESCO World Heritage site, is on your itinerary today. A Local Expert meets you in one of the fishing villages and if weather cooperates, you'll cruise along the rugged coastline. The medieval quarter and popular sandy beach give you different ways to spend your time before you head back to your hotel in Lucca.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa La Principessa, Lucca)
Included Activities
- Visit Cinque Terre with Local Expert
- Explore picturesque fishing villages
- Cruise along rugged coastline
- Explore medieval quarter
- Access sandy beach
Landmarks/POIs Cinque Terre 
- Day 13
Parma
You'll travel to Parma, a university town known around the world for its local ham and cheese. Paolo, someone passionate about Italian food, will meet you. He'll walk you through how Parmigiano-Reggiano gets made and share why he loves this cheese so much. You'll taste samples paired with wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Starhotels Du Parc, Parma)
Included Activities
- Meet Signor Paolo at Ciaolatte Parmesan
- Learn Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese-making process
- Witness cheese aging process
- Taste Parmigiano-Reggiano with wine
Landmarks/POIs Parma - Day 14
Modena to Venice
You visit one of Modena's top balsamic vinegar producers for a master class on what makes this vinegar as pricey as fine wines. From there you drive through Soave vineyards and past Padua heading toward Venice. Musicians serenade you as you glide by gondola through atmospheric canals, passing water-lapped doorways and Rococo palaces.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice)
Included Activities
- Visit Modena balsamic vinegar producer
- Master class on balsamic vinegar production and value
- Gondola ride through Venice canals with serenading musicians
Landmarks/POIs Modena Soave Venice 
- Day 15
Venice to Burano
A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience takes you to a traditional glassblowing workshop to see how artisans create handcrafted glass while keeping traditional skills alive. You'll visit St. Mark's Square and see St. Mark's Basilica, then check out the Doge's Palace with the Bridge of Sighs beside it. By evening you'll cruise to Burano, known for its colorful houses, where you'll have dinner with wine and local specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sumptuous dinner with wine at Burano, sampling local specialities)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice)
Included Activities
- Visit traditional glassblowing workshop with MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
- Visit St. Mark's Square
- Visit St. Mark's Basilica
- Visit Doge's Palace
- See Bridge of Sighs
- Evening cruise through Venetian Lagoon islands to Burano
- Sumptuous dinner at Burano with wine and local specialities
Landmarks/POIs St. Mark's Square St. Mark's Basilica Doge's Palace Bridge of Sighs Burano - Day 16
Venice to Airport
Your departure transfer picks you up and takes you to Venice Marco Polo airport.
