Begin and end this brilliant vacation in breathtaking Venice, a unique floating city of incomparable beauty. Familiarize yourself with the masterpieces of Italian art, culture, and beauty: Padua with the magnificent St. Anthony Basilica, Bologna with its charming Piazza Maggiore, and the tiny cliff-top Republic of San Marino. Also visit Urbino’s remarkable Ducal Palace, the medieval village of Gubbio, Assisi’s St. Francis Basilica and frescoes by Giotto, and Viterbo’s enchanting Piazza San Lorenzo. Spend three overnights in the “Eternal City” of Rome, then experience the Montecassino Abbey, fascinating Pompeii, and the lively seaside resort of Sorrento. Enjoy a boat trip to the glamorous isle of Capri and visit Orvieto with its outstanding cathedral, picturesque Tuscany, Piazza del Campo in Siena, delightful San Gimignano, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, renaissance Florence, Mantua with its Gonzaga family heritage, Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda, Romeo and Juliet’s Verona, and Vicenza’s famous Teatro Olimpico.

Day 1 Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT

Day 2 Sun. ARRIVAL IN VENICE AREA, ITALY

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this bustling city. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 3 Mon. VENICE AREA-PADUA-BOLOGNA-SAN MARINO

Start the morning with a drive into Padua, by way of the Brenta Riviera, to see its magnificent Basilica dedicated to St. Anthony. Next, south across the River Po to Bologna, the city with Europe’s oldest university. See its famous towers and the Piazza Maggiore. Head southeast for an overnight in Europe’s tiniest state, the Republic of San Marino. (B)

Day 4 Tue. SAN MARINO-URBINO-GUBBIO-ASSISI AREA

First to Urbino, epitome of the Renaissance with its magnificent Ducal Palace towering over the town. On to medieval Gubbio for a superb panoramic view from the Consul’s Palace. Continue across the Umbrian region to the Assisi area for an overnight. (B)

Day 5 Wed. ASSISI AREA-VITERBO-ROME

This morning travel to Assisi for the included visit of the Basilica and its remarkable frescoes. From the Apennines to Viterbo to admire the exceptionally beautiful Piazza San Lorenzo. Leave this walled medieval city to motor south to Rome for an evening arrival. (B)

Day 6 Thu. and Fri. ROME

Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Plenty of time to do your own thing or join one of the optional excursions. Day 6 (B,D), Day 7 (B)

Day 7 Thu. and Fri. ROME

Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Plenty of time to do your own thing or join one of the optional excursions. Day 6 (B,D), Day 7 (B)

Day 8 Sat. ROME-MONTE CASSINO-POMPEIISORRENTO

Deeper into the south today, making a first stop in Monte Cassino to view the monastery and abbey perched high above the valley. The monastery was the motherhouse of the Benedictines, founded in 529 and destroyed four times over the past centuries. The last time it was laid to ruin was in 1944 during the great Battle of Monte Cassino. Then on to Pompeii where time stopped with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. You can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum (entrance fees and Local Guide are included). Just a few more miles to Sorrento for the next two nights. (B)

Day 9 Sun. SORRENTO - BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI

A legendary island surrounded by rocky coastline, where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional island tour is available. (B,D)

Day 10 Mon. SORRENTO-ORVIETO-SIENA

This morning retrace part of the route bypassing Rome for a stop in Orvieto in the Umbrian region to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral, an excellent example of Italian gothic architecture. Next, enjoy the quite extraordinary beauty of the Tuscan countryside. By early evening you’ll be in Siena to visit this jewel of Tuscany. Sit in one of the cafés surrounding the Campo and admire one of Italy’s more unique squares, famed the world over for its Palio horse race. (B,D)

Day 11 Tue. SIENA-PISA-FLORENCE AREA

Drive this morning to San Gimignano, bristling with medieval fortress towers, the status symbols of nobility. Continue to Pisa with time to admire the Square of Miracles with its amazing Leaning Tower. More of Tuscany’s green and olive-studded hillside landscape before reaching the Florence area. End the day by joining the optional Tuscan dinner in a typical restaurant. (B)

Day 12 Wed. 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. Your included walking tour with a Local Guide features most of the city highlights. 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 13 Thu. FLORENCE AREA-MANTUA-SIRMIONE-VERONA AREA

A day filled with highlights. First to Lombardy for a stop in Mantua, at one time the kingdom of the Gonzaga family, who made it a seat of learning and the arts in the 15th and 16th centuries. Further north to the enchanting town of Sirmione, located on an islet on the edge of Lake Garda. A few more miles eastward to the Verona area for an overnight. (B)

Day 14 Fri. VERONA AREA-VICENZA-VENICE AREA

A wonderful opportunity to enjoy this Shakespearean region. Join the optional sightseeing tour of Verona and then motor to nearby Vicenza for the included sightseeing which will take in the main highlights and an inside visit of the famous Teatro Olimpico. Conclude the day with an evening arrival in the Venice area. (B)

Day 15 Sat. VENICE

Your 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. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip. (B,D)

Day 16 Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY (B)

PRICES
From approx $1,695 US per person double occupancy