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From Rome's monumental Colosseum to Florence's architectural masterpieces to medieval hill towns, our one-week Florence, Rome, and Tuscany tour is filled with special experiences – including an exclusive, after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel – a rare opportunity to contemplate the inspirational treasures, without the crowds! Three nights in the heart of Rome set the stage for viewing landmark sights such as the Roman Forum, ornate architectural masterpieces such as St. Peter's and preserved ancient hill towns dotting the countryside like Siena, Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto. And art historians and local guides provide the inside story behind Florence's art masterpieces, before your guided visit to the Uffizi Gallery.

Day 1 Ciao bella Roma Meals D
Your one-week Rome, Umbria and Tuscany tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Hotel Majestic Roma. A transfer is included from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino to Hotel Majestic Roma. You'll understand why Rome is called the Eternal City from the first moment you arrive – past and present blend together effortlessly at every view. Get to know your fellow travelers this evening at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

Lodging Hotel Majestic Roma

Day 2 Rome & This exclusive after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums Meals B, L
Take a walking tour of Rome, accompanied by a local guide, then spend some free time as you please before a special visit to the Vatican. The tour operator has arranged for an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums, including the Candelabra Gallery, the Map Gallery, and the Tapestries, as well as the Sistine Chapel (subject to availability and day of the tour may vary). This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the treasures of the Vatican without the crowds – where discoveries include the fact that the floor of the Sistine Chapel is almost as amazing as the ceiling! You'll view Michelangelo’s frescoes of The Last Judgment on the altar, and of course Genesis on the ceiling. There's a good chance that today will be one of the most memorable days on this Florence, Rome, Umbria and Tuscany tour.

Lodging Hotel Majestic Roma

Day 3 A day well spent in the Eternal City Meals B
First up is a view of the Roman Forum (from above), and a tour of the Colosseum, which opened in 80 AD for gladiatorial contests, mock sea battles and other entertainment for the Roman masses. You'll also view the art and architecture of amazing St. Peter's Basilica, and visit St. Peter's Square. The remainder of the day is clear to pursue whatever interests you most in glorious Rome.

Lodging Hotel Majestic Roma

Day 4 A little taste of the country life in Umbria Meals B, D
Travel north through Lazio and Umbria to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot plateau overlooking vineyards below; enjoy a guided visit to the town's 14th-century Duomo, one of Italy's most renowned Romanesque-Gothic cathedrals, built over a span of 300 years. After time to explore and have lunch on your own in Orvieto, hit the Yellow Roads once again for a journey to Perugia, capital of Umbria. Your home for the next two nights is a luxury hotel set atop a hill in the historic center of the city, overlooking the Umbrian valley below and boasting some of the most remarkable views in the region.

Lodging Hotel Brufani Palace

Day 5 Medieval musings in Assisi Meals B, L
Embark on an excursion to hilltop Assisi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture, and renowned as the hometown of St. Francis, the beloved patron saint of animals. A highlight is the Basilica di San Francesco, built by St. Francis' followers and the saint's final resting place; a local expert shares insights on the Basilica's 13th- and 14th-century frescoes during your tour. Take some time to stroll the cobblestone lanes on your own, then attend a wine tasting and lunch at the osteria of a noted local winery before returning to Perugia, a city that has been ruled by the Etruscans and the Romans, and was once under direct control of the Papal State. Enjoy the pleasures of life in Umbria's capital, famed for its delectable chocolate, on your own this evening!

Lodging Hotel Brufani Palace

Day 6 A Tuscany tour from Siena to Florence Meals B, D
Traverse Tuscany's lush landscapes to Siena and visit its black-and-white Duomo, one of Italy's great cathedrals, with scenes inlaid in the marble floors and sculpture by Michelangelo. See the Piazza del Campo – where the famous Palio bareback horse race has been held twice every year for centuries – before continuing on to Florence. Your first stop in the "birthplace of the Renaissance" is the Galleria dell'Accademia, where you'll feast your eyes on acclaimed works of art including Michelangelo's marble statue of David. In the evening, a lecture by a local art historian helps you better appreciate the incredible artwork you'll see throughout the city during your stay, followed by dinner à la carte at your hotel – set within a historic 15th-century palace that once housed the Kingdom of Italy's Parliament.

Lodging Bernini Palace Hotel

Day 7 A local expert talks art and architecture in Florence Meals B, D
Stroll among some of Florence's architectural landmarks on an orientation walk with a local expert, prior to a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, the world's oldest art gallery and one of Europe's greatest art museums. Gaze in wonder at works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, and many more of Italy's most illustrious Renaissance artists. The rest of the day is free in Florence to explore this showpiece city of the Renaissance as you please. Join us this evening to share your favorite moments of your Rome, Umbria and Tuscany tour at our farewell cocktail reception and dinner.

Lodging Bernini Palace Hotel

Day 8 Arrivederci, Italy Meals B
This Umbria and Tuscany tour ends in Florence. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from the Bernini Palace Hotel to Aeorporto di Firenze. You should allow 3 hours for flight check-in.

FAMILY FRIENDLY DEPARTURES
June 17, July 8, July 22 and August 12 are special family-friendly departures of A Week In... Rome, Umbria & Tuscany; they include family-friendly activities that are available to all guests, whether traveling as a family or not.

INCLUDED
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tour Director are included. Transportation from Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) or Ciampino Airport or Rome Terminal (Roma Termini) Train Station to the Hotel Majestic Roma is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. If you are arriving into another local train station please retain a receipt from you transfer and submit it to your Tour Director for reimbursement. Transportation from the Bernini Palace Hotel to Florence Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze) or the local train station is also included when check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other guests.

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tour Director – A Week in… Rome, Umbria & Tuscany is conducted by a Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tour Director is a professional, fully trained employee.

Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.

No Options Sold – Your Tour Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

NOT INCLUDED
Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Train and airport transfers are included for these extended stays as described above under Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult Extend Your Trip in the Accommodations section above on this webpage and discuss it with your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Travel Protection Product section below on this webpage for more information.

Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary Your Tour Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.

Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tour Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tour Director and local drivers are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

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