7 days A Taste of Italy ( 2018 )
You’ve heard about Italy—its mouth-watering cuisine, excellent wine, fabulous art, splendid beauty, ancient ruins, extraordinary statues, and remarkable architecture—and now it is your turn to experience it. On this Italy guided tour, get a taste of what the country has to offer and explore its most famous cities: Rome, Florence, and Venice. Have your camera ready as you discover the historic sites of Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel, world-famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings. You’ll see ancient buildings and ruins, and you’ll be able to imagine what life was like thousands of years ago.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY | Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Dinner |
| 2 | ROME | Guided sightseeing includes inside visits to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, and monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà. Then, drive to the Roman Forum and see the amazing Colosseum, where gladiators once fought. An optional walking tour with a Local Guide is available to further explore famous sites for those who wish to see it all. Breakfast. |
| 3 | ROME–SAN GIMIGNANO–FLORENCE | This morning, drive through Umbria along the Highway of the Sun north into Tuscany and its hill-clad vineyards. On your way to San Gimignano, the medieval hilltop town with its tower houses, enjoy a Chianti WINE TASTING, followed by lunch. Then, time to walk through the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next is Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Breakfast. Lunch. |
| 4 | FLORENCE | During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David, admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE, and take pictures of Ponte Vecchio. Time to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry, sold by the ounce. Breakfast. |
| 5 | FLORENCE–VENICE ISLAND | A spectacular drive through the wooded Apennine Hills brings you to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE, a favorite location for many movies, and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER fashion delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner, and receive an exclusive gift, just for you! Breakfast. |
| 6 | VENICE ISLAND | Immerse yourself in the wonderful atmosphere of Venice. Wander through the narrow streets, discover Rialto Bridge, and top it all off by enjoying a farewell drink at famous CAFFÈ FLORIAN while musicians entertain you. Later, why not join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano, followed by a delicious meal of local specialties? Breakfast. |
| 7 | VENICE ISLAND | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Breakfast. |