Itinerary

Day 1:
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Rome, Italy. Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)

Day 3:
Rome. Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Afterwards, relax or explore the city on your own. Later, you may wish to join an optional walk to Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, the Roman Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps, and finish with a Roman dinner party. (BB)

Day 4:
Rome. This morning follow your Local Guide and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. Then time to savor la dolce vita and enjoy independent activities. An optional excursion to Ostia Antica is available. (BB)

Day 5:
Rome–Siena–San Gimignano–Florence. First stop this morning is in Siena. Walk through ancient, narrow lanes to PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, site of the biannual Palio, Sienna’s spectacular medieval-style horse race. Then continue through unforgettable landscapes of gently rolling, vine-clad hills for a stop in hilltop San Gimignano, the most picturesque of Italy’s perfectly preserved medieval towns. Afterwards, on to Florence, the splendid capital of Tuscany and birthplace of the Renaissance. (BB,D)

Day 6:
Florence. Follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David and the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Afternoon for independent sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. Tonight, why not try the culinary delights of a fine Florentine restaurant? (Wednesday departures will have the program of days 6 and 7 reversed, as the Academy is closed on Mondays.) (BB)

Day 7:
Florence. Excursion to Pisa and Verrazzano Castle. A fast journey will bring you to Pisa. Here take your pictures of the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 12 feet out of the perpendicular. Today’s highlight: hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti at VERRAZZANO CASTLE; enjoy WINE TASTING and lunch before returning to Florence. (BB,L)

Day 8:
Florence–Venice. Morning drive through the wooded Apennine Mountains to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter its glittering maze of islands, canals, and bridges in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Then enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (BB)

Day 9:
Venice. Murano and Burano Islands Excursion. Start your day with an unforgettable Venetian LAGOON CRUISE to the islands of Murano and Burano. Glide past the islands of San Giorgio and Sant’Elena, and along the banks of the famous Lido. In Murano watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Then continue on to the picturesque fishing village of Burano, renowned for its bright pastel-colored houses and for its lace-making. Take pictures of traditional fishing boats, still used by the island inhabitants, and enjoy an included lunch. Return to Venice in the early afternoon. (BB,L)

Day 10:
Venice–Verona–Milan. Stop in Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet’s Balcony and stroll around the lovely market square. Don’t miss the Arena, an incredibly well-preserved pink marble Roman amphitheater. Built in the 1st century A.D., it is now the magical venue for world-famous opera performances. Then on to the dynamic city of Milan, hub of Italy’s economic miracle with its famous Scala Opera House, glass-domed GALLERIA, and magnificent GOTHIC DUOMO. An optional farewell dinner may be the perfect way to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (BB)

Day 11:
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

Dates & Prices

ROME
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum

SIENA
Orientation including Piazza del Campo

SAN GIMIGNANO
Orientation

FLORENCE
Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square

PISA
Picture stop at the Leaning Tower

VERRAZZANO CASTLE
Wine tasting and lunch

VENICE
Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs

MURANO AND BURANO
Lagoon cruise and island visits including a glassblowers'' demonstration in Murano and a lunch in Burano

VERONA
Orientation including Juliet’s Balcony and the Arena

MILAN
Orientation, visit the Galleria and the Duomo
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Rome, Italy. (Mon.) Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)

Day 3:
Rome. (Tue.) Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. This afternoon time to explore the city on your own, relax, or join your Local Guide for an optional walk that takes you to the magnificent marbled Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, the well-preserved Roman Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and finishes with a Roman dinner party. (BB)

Day 4:
At Leisure in Rome. (Wed.) Savor la dolce vita and enjoy independent activities. Take a stroll along beautiful Via Condotti, discover Rome’s hidden treasures at your own pace, or just sit on a terrace and watch people go by. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner with local specialties at one of Rome’s famous restaurants? (BB)

Day 5:
Rome–Verrazzano Castle–Tuscany. (Thu.) Travel north into Tuscany through the lush Apennine Mountains. Leave the highway and enter the Chianti wine area; visit VERRAZZANO CASTLE, where you will hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti; here enjoy WINE TASTING and lunch before you reach your hotel in Montecatini. (BB,L)

Day 6:
Tuscany. Excursion to Florence. (Fri.) All day is dedicated to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David and the magnificent CATHEDRAL. Admire Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Time for independent sightseeing and browsing through the shops. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. (BB,D)

Day 7:
Tuscany. Excursion to Lucca and Pisa. (Sat.) This morning visit first charming Lucca, a beautifully preserved medieval town. Next, continue to nearby Pisa to take your pictures of the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 12 feet out of the perpendicular, and balance of the day at leisure to relax at your hotel. (BB)

Day 8:
Tuscany–Padua–Venice. (Sun.) A scenic drive through the Apennine Mountains and the fertile Po area to Padua, city of St. Anthony, for a visit to the majestic six-domed BASILICA. In the afternoon a scenic drive following the Brenta Canal brings you to Venice. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. You may want to join an optional dinner tonight. (BB)

Day 9:
Venice. (Mon.) Highlights of your walking tour with a Local Guide are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the BYZANTINE BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Remainder of the morning and the afternoon to spend as you wish. (BB)

Day 10:
At Leisure in Venice. (Tue.) A full day to enjoy Venice at your own pace. This city has attracted and inspired photographers from all over the world because of its setting and translucent light. You may also wish to take an optional cruise through the lagoon, and have lunch on one of the islands. This evening an included farewell dinner at a local restaurant celebrates the success of your Italian vacation. (BB,D)

Day 11:
(Wed.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

Dates & Prices

ROME
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Colosseum and Roman Forum

VERRAZZANO CASTLE
Wine tasting and lunch

FLORENCE
Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square

LUCCA
Orientation

PISA
Picture stop at the Leaning Tower

PADUA
Visit St. Anthony''s Basilica

VENICE
Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration; farewell dinner at a local restaurant
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Thu.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Milan, Italy–Como. (Fri.) For air-inclusive travelers: included transfers to Como from Milan Malpensa Airport. For land-only travelers: transfers available to Como, ask your travel agent for details. Time to rest or start exploring Como, beautifully situated at the lake. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3:
Como. Lake District Excursion. (Sat.) A day dedicated to the most famous of the Italian lakes, Maggiore, with its mild climate and luxuriant, exotic vegetation. Enjoy a boat ride to ISOLA BELLA, one of the last privately owned islands open to visitors, to admire BORROMEO PALACE. Wander around the beautiful GARDENS and terraces, and visit the local market. Next, travel to the subtropical resort town of Lugano, in Swiss territory. Time for shopping under the arcades of Via Nassa, an espresso on flower-festooned Piazza Riforma, or a walk in the shade of Parco Ciani’s magnificent old trees. Mid-afternoon transfer back to Como. (BB)

Day 4:
At Leisure in Como. (Sun.) All day at leisure to relax or explore this beautiful resort on your own. Take a stroll along the lake, visit the 14th-century cathedral, browse through the little shops, or just sit on one of the lakeside terraces and enjoy the beautiful views. (BB)

Day 5:
Como–Dolomites. (Mon.) Leave the Lake District and drive into the Alpine region of South Tyrol, part of Austria until the end of World War I and where German is still spoken. Stay two nights in charming Bolzano. (BB,D)

Day 6:
Dolomites. (Tue.) Today’s orientation features Piazza del Duomo, the food market, and the beautiful main street with its arcades. You may wish to join an exciting optional excursion to the pretty town of Merano and one of Tyrol’s most famous castles. (BB)

Day 7:
Dolomites–Cortina–Venice. (Wed.) Enjoy a spectacularly scenic drive in the Italian Alps. Visit the jewel of the Dolomites: Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Olympic ski resort. Enjoy an orientation of this picturesque town before continuing to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. (BB)

Day 8:
Venice. (Thu.) Meet your Local Guide for morning sightseeing, featuring ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Remainder of the morning and the afternoon to spend as you wish. Perhaps a gondola ride? (BB)

Day 9:
At Leisure in Venice. (Fri.) A full day to enjoy Venice at your own pace. Simply relax at your hotel, stroll around the narrow streets, visit the bell tower, or you may want to join an optional lagoon cruise with lunch on the charming island of Burano. (BB)

Day 10:
Venice–Milan. (Sat.) An easy drive takes you to the commercial capital of Italy—Milan. Afternoon sightseeing with your Local Guide starts in the pedestrian area with a visit to the magnificent gothic DUOMO. Continue through the glass-domed GALLERIA to the famous Scala Opera House, then a short walk to the imposing SFORZESCO CASTLE. An optional farewell dinner may be the perfect way to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation. (BB)

Day 11:
(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

Dates & Prices

COMO
Welcome dinner; excursion to Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, Switzerland

LAKE MAGGIORE
Boat cruise to Isola Bella; visit Borromeo Palace and Gardens

LAKE LUGANO
Afternoon stop in Lugano, Switzerland

DOLOMITES
Orientation of Bolzano

CORTINA D’ AMPEZZO
Orientation

VENICE
Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration

MILAN
Guided sightseeing, visit the Duomo, the Galleria, and Sforzesco Castle