A Taste of Italy Tour

Italy This perfect week-long vacation covers Rome, Florence, and Venice with enough time to explore on your own. Sightseeing with a Local Guide in all cities covers the must-see landmarks, like the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel in Rome; Michelangelo’s celebrated David statue, the Cathedral, and sculpture-filled Signoria Square in Florence; as well as St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. A special welcome dinner in Rome and a private boat-ride in Venice are also included, while a full day at leisure in Venice gives you the opportunity to join an optional excursion to the island of Burano.

Note:
This tour offers family-friendly departures with special activities and optional excursions perfect for families.

Day 1 (Fri.)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrive in Rome, Italy (Sat.)
Time to rest or start exploring the “Eternal City.” At 6 pm, 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 (Sun.)
Sightseeing with your Local Guide this morning concentrates on ancient Rome: visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (B)

Day 4 Rome–Florence (Mon.)
Start with a guided visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Next, visit monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. In the early afternoon, drive along the Highway of the Sun north into Tuscany and its hill-clad vineyards, which house the famous Chianti wine, to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” (B)

Day 5 Florence (Tue.)
During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit 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. The afternoon is free. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. You may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant and try out the Chianti wines. (B)

Day 6 Florence–Venice (Wed.)
Through the wooded Apennine Hills and the lush plains of the River Po, the largest river in Italy, 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 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. (B)

Day 7 At Leisure in Venice (Thu.)
A whole day to explore Venice on your own, join the locals, have a cappuccino at a sidewalk café, or wander through the narrow streets and discover Rialto Bridge. To top it all, why not join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano, followed by dinner with local specialties to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation? (B)

Day 8 (Fri.)
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)