Itinerary
- Day 1
Venice to Murano
You'll arrive in Venice and transfer to Murano, an island known for its glassmaking heritage going back centuries. Once you get to your accommodation, the evening is open for you to settle in and walk around at your own pace.
Landmarks/POIs Murano - Day 2
Murano
Spend the day getting to know Murano on your own schedule. Walk through the island's glassmaking shops and studios, then take in the peaceful surroundings of the Venetian Lagoon. Later this evening, you'll meet other travelers for a welcome dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks/POIs Murano - Day 3
Venice
A motorboat will take you across the lagoon to central Venice for a guided walking tour. You'll see the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Square, and other key sights. After grabbing lunch on your own, you'll participate in a hands-on venetian mask-making workshop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Motorboat transfer across the lagoon
- Guided walking tour of Venice including Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Square
- Hands-on Venetian mask-making workshop
Landmarks/POIs Bridge of Sighs St. Mark's Square - Day 4
Venice
This morning focuses on traditional Venetian craftsmanship with stops at a glassblowing workshop in Murano and gondola shipyards to see how the boats are constructed. During the afternoon, you have free time to wander around and find hidden spots, or you can take an optional gondola ride through the city if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Murano glassblowing workshop visit
- Gondola shipyard visit
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride through Venice
Landmarks/POIs Murano - Day 5
Venice to Romagna Riviera
You'll travel from Venice toward the Romagna region. Once you arrive in Ravenna, a guided walking tour takes you through the city's UNESCO-listed sites and their Byzantine and Gothic mosaics. After that, you'll head to the Adriatic coast for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Ravenna monuments and mosaics
Landmarks/POIs Ravenna - Day 6
San Marino
Travel to San Marino, the small republic sitting on top of Mount Titano. Explore the Old Town's fortification towers, walls, and gates on your own to get those sweeping views over the Adriatic Riviera. Later you'll join a pasta-making workshop and eat the homemade tagliatelle you've prepared for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Handmade tagliatelle prepared during pasta-making workshop)
Included Activities
- Exploration of San Marino Old Town
- Hands-on pasta-making workshop
- Dinner featuring handmade tagliatelle
Landmarks/POIs San Marino Old Town Mount Titano - Day 7
Emilia Region to Florence
Head to the Emilia region, Italy's center for food lovers. You'll visit a vocational culinary school to learn how Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and balsamic vinegar are made. The culinary students will prepare a farm-to-table lunch for you, and then you'll continue on to Florence for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Farm-to-table light lunch prepared by culinary students using ingredients from the school's farm)
Included Activities
- Impact Moment: visit vocational culinary and agriculture high school
- Farm-to-table light lunch prepared by culinary students
Landmarks/POIs Florence - Day 8
Florence
A local expert leads a walking tour through Florence's art and architecture, including Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and the Baptistery. After the tour wraps up, the rest of the day is yours to explore independently. The Uffizi Gallery and Academy Gallery are both options if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Piazza del Duomo, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and Baptistery
Optional Activities
- Visit to Uffizi Gallery
- Visit to Academy Gallery (home of Michelangelo's David)
- Other museums and cultural sites
Landmarks/POIs Piazza del Duomo Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore Baptistery Uffizi Gallery Academy Gallery - Day 9
Southern Tuscany to Rome
Travel through southern Tuscany to see Etruscan ruins and history. At the hilltop town of Orvieto, you can either join a guided expert tour or spend time on your own. By late afternoon you'll arrive in Rome and check into your accommodation for a three-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Orvieto with local expert
- Free time in Orvieto to explore independently
Landmarks/POIs Orvieto - Day 10
Rome
Join a comprehensive guided walking tour of Rome's medieval district with its narrow cobblestone streets and Roman ruins built into later structures. You'll climb up to the Vittoriano's terrace for views of the Forum and Colosseum. The afternoon is free for your own exploring, then later you'll head to the Trastevere district for an evening food tour through Rome's dining scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Food tour in the bohemian Trastevere district)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Rome's medieval district
- Ascent to Vittoriano panoramic terrace
- Food tour in Trastevere district
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum Roman Forum Vittoriano Trastevere - Day 11
Rome
A guided walking tour covers Rome's Renaissance and Baroque sites, including the Pantheon and Navona Square. You can choose to visit the Palazzo Altemps Museum to see Greek and Roman statues, or extend the tour with a more difficult visit to Castel Sant'Angelo fortress. The afternoon is yours to see what you'd like, and this evening you'll have a farewell dinner celebrating the end of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Renaissance and Baroque Rome including Pantheon and Navona Square
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Palazzo Altemps Museum visit
- Castel Sant'Angelo fortress visit
- Shopping along Cola di Rienzo Street
- Vatican Museums visit
- Sistine Chapel visit
- Saint Peter's Basilica visit
Landmarks/POIs Pantheon Navona Square Palazzo Altemps Castel Sant'Angelo Cola di Rienzo Street Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel Saint Peter's Basilica - Day 12
Departure
Your Italian adventure comes to an end today, and you'll head home with plenty of great memories from the trip.
