Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome and get settled at your hotel. Later this evening, meet the group at a welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant. It's a good chance to get to know your fellow travelers before the tour really kicks off.
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant
- Day 2
Rome
Start with priority access to the Vatican Museums and a behind-the-scenes look at the Bramante Staircase. From there, you'll head to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. After crossing the Tiber, walk through ancient Rome to see Circus Maximus, the Arch of Constantine, and the Colosseum. If you have energy left, there's optional time to check out the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- In-depth visit to Vatican Museums with priority entry and behind-the-scenes access to Bramante Staircase
- Visit Sistine Chapel
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica
- View Circus Maximus
- See Arch of Constantine
- Exterior walk around Colosseum with Local Expert commentary
Optional Activities
- Visit Pantheon
- Toss a coin in Trevi Fountain
- Explore around Piazza Navona
Landmarks/POIs Vatican Museums Bramante Staircase Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Circus Maximus Arch of Constantine Colosseum Pantheon Trevi Fountain Piazza Navona - Day 3
Rome to Florence
Travel into Tuscany and stop at Machiavelli's estate for a private picnic with seasonal local produce. The drive through Chianti Hills brings you to Florence. You'll visit a leatherwork workshop and see a gold demonstration to understand the craftsmanship these areas are known for.
- Meals
- Lunch (Private picnic of seasonal produce on Machiavelli estate grounds), Dinner
Included Activities
- Private picnic of seasonal produce on Machiavelli estate grounds
- Visit local Florentine leatherwork workshop
- Gold demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Machiavelli Estate - Day 4
Florence
Choose your own activity today: either visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's David, or take a guided shopping tour through local market stalls. Either way, you'll walk to Florence Cathedral to see the multi-colored marble exterior, climb the bell tower, and check out the baptistery with Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Spend time at Piazza della Signoria to see Renaissance art. If you're interested, the afternoon is open for an optional trip to medieval San Gimignano.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking orientation to Florence Cathedral, bell tower, and baptistery with Gates of Paradise
- Visit Piazza della Signoria with Local Expert
- View statues including Neptune, Hercules and Cacus, and Palazzo Vecchio
Optional Activities
- Visit Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's David
- Guided shopping tour through market stalls for Italian souvenirs and leather goods
- Visit medieval San Gimignano
Landmarks/POIs Accademia Gallery Florence Cathedral Baptistery of Florence Giotto's Campanile Gates of Paradise Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio San Gimignano - Day 5
Florence to Venice
Head to Pisa and see the famous Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles, along with the baptistery and bell tower. From there, drive through the Apennine Mountains and Emilia-Romagna region, then through the Venetian Lagoon marshes before arriving in Venice. By evening, you'll have a celebration dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Orientation to Pisa including Leaning Tower, baptistery, and bell tower at Square of Miracles
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Pisa Cathedral Pisa Baptistery Square of Miracles - Day 6
Venice
Board a private boat that takes you past historic churches and 13th century palaces to St. Mark's Square. You'll see the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, then admire St. Mark's Basilica. Later, get on a traditional gondola for a serenade as you float through the canals. End the day at a traditional arts centre where you can watch skilled glassblowers crafting handmade glass.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Private boat tour to St. Mark's Square past historic churches and 13th century palaces
- See Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs
- Visit St. Mark's Basilica
- Traditional gondola ride with serenade
- Visit traditional arts centre to witness glassblowing demonstration
Landmarks/POIs St. Mark's Square Doge's Palace Bridge of Sighs St. Mark's Basilica - Day 7
Venice to Assisi
Journey to Assisi, a peaceful medieval town. Start by seeing the Church of St. Mary of the Angels in the valley below, then climb Mount Subasio to the upper town. A local expert guides you through the Basilica of St. Francis where you'll see Giotto's frescoes. Check into your hotel in the medieval old town and have free time to wander around on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Church of St. Mary of the Angels
- Visit Basilica of St. Francis with Local Expert
- See St. Clare's Church
- Visit cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Church of St. Mary of the Angels Basilica of St. Francis Mount Subasio St. Clare's Church - Day 8
Assisi to Sorrento
Travel south, passing through Cassino (a significant World War II battle site), then follow the scenic clifftop road down to Sorrento. This resort town overlooks the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Once you check into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax and get oriented.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Cassino Mount Vesuvius - Day 9
Capri
Take a hydrofoil across the Bay of Naples to Capri. You'll ride up to Capri town in an iconic open-top taxi and explore narrow alleyways with a local expert. Browse upscale shops and take in views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Return to Sorrento by funicular railway, and you'll have the rest of the day free. There's an optional trip to colorful Positano on the Amalfi Coast if you want to venture out.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hydrofoil cruise to Isle of Capri
- Ascend to Capri town by iconic open-top taxi
- Exploration of Capri town narrow alleyways with Local Expert
- Descend to port by funicular railway
- Return to Sorrento by hydrofoil
Optional Activities
- Visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast
Landmarks/POIs Isle of Capri Marina Grande Capri Town Positano Amalfi Coast - Day 10
Pompeii - Rome
Travel to Pompeii, the Roman town preserved by Mount Vesuvius's eruption in A.D. 79. Walk through cobbled streets with a local expert to see how ancient Romans lived. You'll visit the Forum, shops, and patrician villas with colorful wall paintings. Later, drive north back to Rome for an elegant four-course celebration dinner with local wine and a private performance of popular opera songs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Four-course Celebration Dinner with local wine and private performance of popular Italian opera songs at a Roman restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walk through Pompeii with Local Expert through cobbled streets and excavations
- Visit Forum at Pompeii
- View shops and patrician villas at Pompeii
- Four-course Celebration Dinner with local wine and private performance of Italian opera songs
Landmarks/POIs Pompeii Mount Vesuvius - Day 11
Rome
It's time to say goodbye to Italy. Departure transfers will take you to Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
