Itinerary

Dates & Prices

• Rome
• Venice
• Verona
• Florence
• Assisi

Itinerary

Day 1:
Fri. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Sat. ARRIVAL IN ROME, ITALY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 3:
Sun. ROME. The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive, exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Time too for your own exploring, shopping, or just relaxing at a sidewalk café. (B)

Day 4:
Mon. ROME-PISA-MONTECATINI. Journey northward for a stop in Pisa to visit the famous Square of Miracles with the Leaning Tower. Then continue to Montecatini, in the heart of Tuscany, where you’ll spend the next four nights. It’s ideally located to explore the best of Tuscany. (B,D)

Day 5:
Tue. MONTECATINI. A day of leisure or an opportunity to join an included excursion to visit Siena and San Gimignano. Siena, without a doubt, is Tuscany’s most beloved and inviting city. A walk through its narrow streets lined with medieval palaces into the Piazza del Campo, which is shaped like a fan, is truly a memorable experience. San Gimignano, a hilltop town with more towers than churches, is uniquely situated among vineyards, olive groves, and the delightful Tuscan countryside. (B)

Day 6:
Wed. MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO FLORENCE. Enjoy a full-day excursion to the city known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Traffic is banned in part of the historic center, so visitors can wander at leisure and admire Florence’s timeless beauty. The included walking tour with a Local Guide will introduce you to the city’s highlights. (B)

Day 7:
Thu. MONTECATINI. A day to do as you please or join an optional half-day excursion to two of Tuscany’s best-known cities. First to Lucca, renowned for its narrow streets, quaint shops, and magnificent palaces and churches. Next, to Vinci, the birthplace of that true Renaissance man, Leonardo. (B,D)

Day 8:
Fri. MONTECATINI-ASSISI-ROME. Travel south today for a first stop in the walled city of Assisi, home of the mystical St. Francis. Marvel at the remarkable treasures of the magnificent Basilica. Leave this peaceful old town to head across the Apennines to Rome. Celebrate your last evening in Rome by joining the optional farewell dinner. (B)

Day 9:
Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Montecatini, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Assisi
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
ARRIVAL IN ROME, ITALY. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Day 3:
ROME. The ˝Eternal City“—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

Day 4:
ROME-SIENA. Journey northwest to the charmingly located city of Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral, an excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. By early evening you’ll be in Siena with time to visit this jewel of Tuscany. Journey northwest to the charmingly located city of Orvieto in the Umbria region to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral, an excellent example of Italian Gothic architecture. By early evening you’ll be in Siena with time to visit this jewel of Tuscany. Sit in one of the cafés surrounding the Campo and admire one of Italy’s most unique squares, famed the world over for its Palio horse race. (B)

Day 5:
SIENA-FLORENCE AREA. Drive this morning to San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s greatest attractions. Its medieval squares, town walls, streets, alleyways, and 14 towers make it unique. Next, into the very heart of the Chianti vineyards; watch out for names such as Castellina in Chianti, Badia, Gaiole, and Brolio, where classical Chianti wines are produced. Stop in Greve for some wine tasting at a local wine producer. Arrive in the Florence area in time to join the outing for an optional Tuscan dinner. (B)

Day 6:
FLORENCE. This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a whole day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic center so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Don’t miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide which features most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the “Gate to Paradise.” (B,D)

Day 7:
FLORENCE AREA-EXCURSION TO PISA-VENICE AREA. This morning, drive to Pisa for a visit to its Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 16 feet out of the perpendicular. Later, head across the wooded Apennine Hills into the farmlands of the Po Valley for two overnights in the Venice area. (B)

Day 8:
VENICE. Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 9:
VENICE AREA-ASSISI-ROME. An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then crossing the Apennines. Stop in Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous Basilica with its beautiful frescos by Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)

Day 10:
YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Orvieto, Siena, San Gimignano, Greve in the Chianti with wine tasting, Pisa, Assisi