Itinerary
- Day 1
Venice
You'll arrive in Venice and meet your group at 6 pm for the welcome meeting. If you get there early, the winding streets are right there waiting for you to explore. Hunt down the Bridge of Sighs, pop into Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop if you're into books, or take a gondola ride through the canals. Since you're staying in the heart of Venice, everything's basically on your doorstep.
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride through Venice canals
- Visit Bridge of Sighs
- Browse Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop
- Window shopping at Ponte di Rialto
- Glass Museum Murano
- Ca' Rezzonico Museum of Eighteenth Century Art
- Ca' D'Oro - Galería Franchetti
- Scuola Grande di San Rocco
- Museum of St Mark's Basilica
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs
- Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure
- Accademia Gallery
- St Mark's Basilica Treasury
- St Mark's Campanile
Landmarks Bridge of Sighs Ponte di Rialto Libreria Acqua Alta 
- Day 2
Venice to Verona to Lake Garda
After leaving Venice, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through Verona. You'll see Juliet's Balcony and the Arena di Verona, that Roman amphitheatre from AD30. While you're there, try to find Sfogliatine di Villafranca, a local crumbly puff pastry that's worth hunting for. Then it's time to train to Lake Garda, where you'll find a lakeside restaurant for dinner with your group.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk around Verona
- Visit Juliet's Balcony
- View Arena di Verona
Landmarks Juliet's Balcony Arena di Verona 
- Day 3
Lake Garda
You have the day to explore Lake Garda at your own pace. Wander around Peschiera del Garda, walk along the canals and rivers, relax by the turquoise waters, or check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site fortress. Later, as evening comes, grab a drink by the water and watch the sunset from the lakeside.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk around Peschiera del Garda
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Lake Garda
- Visit Peschiera del Garda fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Gardaland Park
Landmarks Peschiera del Garda fortress - Day 4
Parma
Parma is next, and if you love food, you'll find plenty here. Your leader gives you an orientation walk through the colourful streets first, then you're free to do your own thing. Sample traditional Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano, head to the Duomo di Parma to see the frescoed ceilings, or take a trip out to the Labirinto di Franco Maria Ricci if you want to try the world's largest labyrinth.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk around Parma
Optional Activities
- Visit Duomo di Parma
- Visit Labirinto di Franco Maria Ricci (approximately 1 hour from Parma)
Landmarks Duomo di Parma Labirinto di Franco Maria Ricci 
- Day 5
La Spezia
La Spezia is your base for the day, sitting right at the gateway to Cinque Terre on the Mediterranean coast. Spend time at the beach, soak up the sun, and have some seafood. If you want more, take a day trip to Portovenere (the 'sixth town' of Cinque Terre), where you can walk to the 12th century Doira Castle or visit the Grotta di Lord Byron. Ask your leader for local tips on what's worth your time.
Optional Activities
- Beach day at La Spezia
- Day trip to Portovenere
- Walk to Doira Castle (12th century)
- Visit Grotta di Lord Byron
Landmarks Portovenere Doira Castle Grotta di Lord Byron - Day 6
Cinque Terre
You're in Cinque Terre now, one of Italy's most beautiful coastal stretches. Your leader takes you on a hike through the historic walking trails with Mediterranean Sea views the whole time, and you'll pass terraced farms and coastal forests. After the hike, you can relax at a beach club, join a pesto-making demonstration, or take a coastal boat cruise instead.
Included Activities
- Leader-led hike through Cinque Terre
- Cinque Terre day pass
Optional Activities
- Beach club time
- 'Il Laboratorio del Pesto' making & demonstration
- Coastal cruise around Cinque Terre
Landmarks Cinque Terre 
- Day 7
Cinque Terre to Pisa to Florence
Leaving Cinque Terre behind, you'll head to Pisa. Visit Piazza del Duomo to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Battistero di San Giovanni, and Cattedrale di Pisa. Get that classic photo holding up the tower while you're there. Sample local salami, cheese, Tuscan wine, and Cecina Toscana flatbread for lunch. By mid-afternoon, you'll train to Florence for an orientation walk with your leader.
Included Activities
- Half-day trip to Pisa
- Orientation walk around Florence
Optional Activities
- Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Visit Battistero di San Giovanni
- Visit Cattedrale di Pisa
- Foodies walk urban adventure in Florence
- Optional food tour in Florence
- Happy hour experiences in Florence
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Battistero di San Giovanni Cattedrale di Pisa 
- Day 8
Florence
Florence is yours to explore today, and there's Renaissance art and history everywhere. Go to the Accademia Gallery for Michelangelo's David, or check out his replica in Piazza della Signoria instead. If you're up for it, climb the 463 steps of the Duomo for 360-degree views of the city. Hunt for wine windows (there are over 180 of them), those quirky holes in the wall where Florentines drank wine during plague times. Your day ends with a group sunset aperitivo in Piazzale Michelangelo.
Included Activities
- Sunset aperitivo in Piazzale Michelangelo
Optional Activities
- Visit Accademia Gallery to see David
- View David's replica in Piazza della Signoria
- Climb Duomo for 360-degree views (463 steps)
- Explore wine windows throughout Florence
- Bargello Museum
- Medici Chapels
- Uffizi Gallery
- Brunelleschi 3 Days pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Accademia Gallery
- Pitti Palace, Gallery of Modern Art & Palatine Gallery
- Giotto 3 days pass - Giotto Bell Tower, Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, and Santa Reparata
- Ghiberti 3 days pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo and Santa Reparata
Landmarks Accademia Gallery Piazza della Signoria Duomo Piazzale Michelangelo - Day 9
Florence to Rome
Rome is where you're heading after leaving Florence. Your leader takes you on an orientation walk to get you oriented to the capital city. See the Colosseum (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), walk through the Roman Forum (now home to a cat colony), or head to Vatican City to climb St Peter's Dome or visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Your leader can point you toward the best dinner spots to celebrate before your final night.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk around Rome
Optional Activities
- Visit Colosseum
- Explore Roman Forum
- Climb St Peter's Dome
- Visit Vatican Museum
- View Sistine Chapel
- Pantheon
- Christian Catacombs
- Keats-Shelley Memorial House
- Venezia Palace
- Galleria Borghese
- Castel Sant'Angelo
- Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Landmarks Colosseum Roman Forum St Peter's Dome Vatican Museum Sistine Chapel 
- Day 10
Rome
Your tour ends this morning, and it's time to say goodbye to your group. Rome has so much more to see if you're interested, so think about staying longer and contact your booking agent to extend your trip if you want more time here.
