8 days Venice, Florence & Rome (2017)
History, culture, art and romance await to be discovered on this wonderful introduction to a country you are sure to fall in love with. Take in a Venetian adventure that includes St. Mark’s Square. Stroll the streets of Bologna on a “foodie” tour and taste cheeses, cured meats, bread, chocolate, gelato and more. Savor an expert-led walking tour of Florence. Visit the Academy Gallery to view Michelangelo’s David. Discover Classical Rome and explore the famed Colosseum with a local expert. Enjoy a free day to experience all that Rome has to offer. Dine in true Italian-style with wine included at every dinner.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overnight Flight. ( Not Included ) | Join us for a fabulous Italian adventure, featuring the magic of Venice, Florence and Rome. Come along with us and embrace the history, culture, art and romance of this incredible country. |
| 2 | Venice, Italy - Tour Begins | Welcome to Venice, often called La Serenissima (the most serene) of cities. This evening, meet your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner. Dinner High Hotel Santelena |
| 3 | Venice | Explore enchanting Venice with its 117 tiny islands surrounded by a latticework of 150 canals and 400 bridges. Your Venetian journey opens on Murano Island* for a glass-blowing demonstration. Then we make our way to St. Mark’s Square, the city's lively hub. A local expert will guide you on a walking tour through the area highlighting St. Mark’s Basilica and the Clock Tower with its famous Moors. The remainder of the day is yours to independently explore the hidden spots of this charming city; perhaps you will take an optional gondola ride. The locals say the best way to get to know Venice is to ‘get lost’ here. Breakfast Hotel Santelena |
| 4 | Venice - Bologna - Florence | Travel the beautiful Veneto and Emilia Romagna regions to Bologna, Italy’s foodie capital. Join a local expert on a leisurely paced walking tour highlighting the culinary side of this historic city. Explore one of Bologna’s oldest food markets and check out traditional food shops. Discover Bologna’s culture, architecture and history as you enjoy tastings of cheese, cured meats, bread, chocolate, gelato and more. Then sit down for lunch at one of Bologna’s traditional restaurants. Later we continue to Florence – the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance.” Breakfast & Lunch Astoria Firenze |
| 5 | Florence | Meet a local expert for an introduction to this city that is a work of art all its own. On a walking tour your guide will highlight the Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistry. You also visit the Piazza della Signoria with its impressive Palazzo Vecchio. Later, discover the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s magnificent sculpture of David. The remainder of the day is yours to continue exploring Florence’s cultural riches. Tonight, enjoy regional Italian cuisine at a local restaurant. Breakfast & Dinner Astoria Firenze |
| 6 | Florence - Rome | Today we journey to Rome. This afternoon, a locally guided tour of Classical Rome features such sights as the Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus and the Arch of Constantine. During an in-depth visit to the Colosseum, your guide recounts its rich history. The catacombs, burial place of early Christians, the mythic Pantheon, and Piazza Navona are also featured. Breakfast High Mediterraneo Hotel |
| 7 | Rome | Enjoy a full day at leisure to bask in Rome’s cultural treasures independently. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer suggestions. Perhaps a trip to Vatican City, with an optional tour to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, will be on your personal sightseeing list. Gather tonight to toast the end of your Italian adventure at your farewell dinner. Breakfast & Dinner Mediterraneo Hotel |
| 8 | Rome - Tour Ends | Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many fond memories of incredible Italy. Breakfast |