Itinerary
- Day 1
Siena - Florence
You'll head out early this morning toward Assisi, where you can walk around the medieval hilltop town and check out the Basilica of St. Francis on your own schedule. After that, a coach takes you to Siena so you can see Piazza del Campo and learn about the Palio horse race tradition. Later you'll travel to Florence, check into your hotel, and have dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Assisi at own pace
- Visit Basilica of St. Francis
- Coach transfer to Siena
- Explore Siena including Piazza del Campo
- Coach transfer to Florence
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of St. Francis Piazza del Campo - Day 2
Florence
Following breakfast, you'll spend the morning seeing Florence's Renaissance landmarks like the Duomo, Giotto's bell tower, and the Baptistery. Then you'll head to Piazza della Signoria, walk through Palazzo Vecchio, and visit Santa Croce. The afternoon is yours to wander Florence on your own or take an optional trip to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and Square of Miracles if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit the Duomo
- Visit Giotto's bell tower
- Visit the Baptistery with famous bronze doors
- Explore Piazza della Signoria
- Visit Palazzo Vecchio
- Visit Santa Croce
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Pisa for tour of the Square of Miracles and Leaning Tower
Landmarks/POIs Duomo Giotto's Campanile Baptistery of Florence Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio Santa Croce Leaning Tower of Pisa Square of Miracles - Day 3
Bologna - Venice
After breakfast you'll leave Florence for Bologna. A walking tour takes you through the city center starting at Piazza Malpighi, then to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore. You'll see the historic Palazzo Podestà and the Basilica of San Petronio, which is the world's largest Gothic brick church. Later there's a street food exploration with light lunch at a local spot, and then you travel to Venice (Mestre) for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Light lunch at a local eatery sampling authentic Bologna culinary flavors)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bologna city center starting at Piazza Malpighi
- Visit Piazza del Nettuno
- Visit Piazza Maggiore
- View Palazzo Podestà
- Visit Basilica of San Petronio
- Street food experience exploring medieval streets and markets
- Light lunch at local eatery in Bologna
- Coach transfer to Venice (Mestre)
Landmarks/POIs Piazza Malpighi Piazza del Nettuno Piazza Maggiore Palazzo Podestà Basilica of San Petronio - Day 4
Venice
You'll take a water taxi to St. Mark's Square to see the Doge's Palace from outside and view the Bridge of Sighs. The tour leader will have a Venetian spritz or prosecco with you and you'll try cicchetti, which are Venetian-style tapas. Spending the afternoon, you can walk through Venice's canals at your own pace before heading back to your hotel in Mestre.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and light lunch)
Included Activities
- Water taxi to St. Mark's Square
- Visit Doge's Palace exterior
- See Bridge of Sighs
- Venetian spritz or prosecco tasting with tour leader
- Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) sampling and light lunch
- Afternoon leisure exploring Venice's canals
- Return to hotel by water taxi and local bus
Landmarks/POIs St. Mark's Square Doge's Palace Bridge of Sighs - Day 5
Montepulciano - Rome
Starting after breakfast, you'll head for Tuscany with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town known for its Nobile wine. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, and then you have the afternoon free to explore the town. Later you continue on to Rome for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Tuscan lunch at local restaurant in Montepulciano)
Included Activities
- Travel to Montepulciano
- Included lunch at local restaurant in Montepulciano
- Afternoon exploration of Montepulciano at own pace
- Coach transfer to Rome
Landmarks/POIs Montepulciano - Day 6
Rome
After breakfast, you'll spend the morning at the Vatican Museums with a tour through Raphael's Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, and you'll skip the line because of your skip-the-line access. The afternoon is free for you to explore Rome on your own, or you can join an optional Ancient Rome tour that visits the Colosseum and other historic sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning tour of Vatican Museums
- Visit Raphael's Rooms
- Visit Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line access
Optional Activities
- Ancient Rome tour including visits to Colosseum and museums (Accademia Gallery or Uffizi Gallery) - pre-booking advised
Landmarks/POIs Vatican Museums Raphael's Rooms Sistine Chapel Colosseum - Day 7
Rome
You'll have breakfast at your hotel and then explore Rome at your own pace. If you prefer, you can join one of the optional guided tours in the city or nearby areas. You'll return to your hotel for your last night in Rome.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided tours in Rome or surrounding areas
- Day 8
Sorrento
You're leaving Rome at 7:30 AM this morning and traveling through the Italian countryside. During the drive you'll see scenic coastal views with clear waters, citrus groves, and charming villages. You arrive in Sorrento and can walk through the vibrant streets, check out artisanal shops, and see historic landmarks. After checking in, the afternoon is leisurely, or you can take an optional Amalfi Coast excursion if you'd like, then dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic transfer through Italian countryside to Sorrento
- Explore Sorrento's streets, shops, and landmarks at own pace
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Excursion along the Amalfi Coast
- Day 9
Sorrento
Following breakfast, you'll head out to the island of Capri for the day. Weather and sea conditions permitting, you'll see the Blue Grotto on a small rowboat. You'll have free time to wander the island at your own pace. Later you return to your hotel in Sorrento for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Capri island
- Visit Blue Grotto on small rowboat (weather permitting)
- Free time exploring Capri at own pace
- Return transfer to Sorrento
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Blue Grotto - Day 10
Pompeii - Naples
After breakfast, you'll travel to the ancient city of Pompeii for a guided walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius erupting in 79 AD. Then you board a ferry from Naples to Palermo for an overnight voyage across the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Professional guided walking tour of Pompeii
- Explore preserved ruins of ancient Pompeii
Landmarks/POIs Pompeii Mount Vesuvius - Day 11
Palermo
You arrive in Palermo and transfer to your hotel. You'll rest up before having dinner as your Sicilian adventure begins.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to hotel in Palermo
- Dinner at hotel
- Day 12
Monreale
After breakfast, you head out on a morning excursion to Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for almonds, olive oil, citrus fruits, and Norman architecture. You'll visit the Cathedral of Monreale and browse for local food specialties and souvenirs. Later you return to Palermo for a walking tour of the Old Town, hearing about its 3,000-year history. You'll see Palermo Cathedral with its arches, cupolas, and mosaics from different cultural periods. Free time comes in late afternoon, then dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning excursion to Monreale
- Visit Cathedral of Monreale
- Shopping for local delicacessen and souvenirs
- Return to Palermo
- Walking tour of Palermo Old Town
- Visit Palermo Cathedral
- Afternoon free time
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of Monreale Palermo Cathedral - Day 13
Erice - Marsala - Agrigento
You'll start early with breakfast before heading to Erice, a charming medieval village on Monte San Giuliano with narrow, winding streets that haven't really changed since the sixth century. It's great for a quiet morning walk. Then you travel to Marsala, famous for its Marsala wine. There's a traditional tavern visit with regional specialties and light lunch. After that you continue to Agrigento to see the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site with Ancient Greek monuments including the Temple of Concord, Temple of Hercules, and Temple of Jupiter. You'll check in for dinner and the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Light lunch with regional delicacies at traditional tavern in Marsala), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit medieval village of Erice on Monte San Giuliano
- Morning stroll through Erice's historic streets
- Travel to Marsala
- Visit traditional tavern in Marsala
- Sample regional delicacies and light lunch
- Coach transfer to Agrigento
- Visit Valley of the Temples
- Explore Temple of Concord
- Visit Temple of Hercules
- Visit Temple of Jupiter
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Erice Valley of the Temples Temple of Concord Temple of Hercules Temple of Jupiter - Day 14
Ragusa
You'll have a hearty breakfast before heading to Ragusa. There you explore the historical center of Ibla with its baroque palaces and churches. You'll wander through the ancient charm of the old gate San Giorgio and the quiet Giardini Iblei. A leisurely walk takes you to Piazza Pola where the church of San Giuseppe sits. You can see the Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Church of the Souls in Purgatory, and Cosentini Palace, which shows Late Baroque architecture at its best. You return to the hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Ragusa
- Explore historical center of Ibla
- Visit baroque palaces and churches
- Explore old gate of San Giorgio
- Visit Giardini Iblei
- Stroll to Piazza Pola
- Visit Church of San Giuseppe
- Visit Cathedral of San Giorgio
- Visit Church of the Souls in Purgatory
- Explore Cosentini Palace
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of San Giorgio Giardini Iblei - Day 15
Noto - Syracuse - Taormina
After breakfast you travel to Noto, a charming fishing town known for its Baroque architecture. You explore the recently restored Cathedral of San Nicolò and take a leisurely walk through the town's atmosphere. Then you travel along the south coast to Syracuse on Sicily's southeastern tip. You cross one of the city's iconic bridges to reach Ortygia, the ancient heart of Syracuse, with Baroque churches and medieval palaces. Later you head to Taormina for your overnight stay and dinner at your centrally located hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Noto
- Explore Cathedral of San Nicolò
- Leisurely stroll through Noto
- Travel along south coast
- Journey to Syracuse
- Cross iconic bridge to Ortygia
- Explore Baroque churches and medieval palaces
- Travel to Taormina
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of San Nicolò Ortygia - Day 16
Taormina
After breakfast, you head off to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe and the highest mountain in Italy. You'll learn about volcanic activity and see the old lava fields and black magma rock. Weather permitting, you have the option to climb to the summit at 1800 m (5,905 ft). You return to Taormina in the afternoon for free time to explore this beautiful town located on Mount Tauro.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Mount Etna
- Learn about volcanic activity
- View old lava fields and black magma rock
- Optional summit climb to 1800 m (weather permitting)
- Return to Taormina
- Afternoon free time in Taormina
Landmarks/POIs Mount Etna - Day 17
Taormina
You'll have one final breakfast before the tour wraps up. An optional private transfer to Catania airport is available if you'd like to arrange it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Private transfer to Catania airport
