Great Italian Cities

Day Stops

• Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
• 00120, Vatican City

Hotel(s)

Grand Hotel Palatino Rome

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, join your Local Specialist for a very special experience in the smallest nation on earth - Vatican City. Explore the extraordinary collections of the Vatican Museums and stand beneath Michelangelo’s sublime ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, admiring the artistry of great masters and walking in the footsteps of popes who have found peace within the walls of this enclave for centuries. Visit the expansive St Peter’s Basilica.

Day Stop

• Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

Hotel(s)

Grand Hotel Palatino Rome

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day to explore Rome your way, or consider an Optional Experience delving into the tragic history of Pompeii - the Roman city frozen in time by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Your Local Specialist will bring the ancient story of this city to life before you return to Rome, passing by the Abbey of Monte Cassino, the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War.

Day Stops

• Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
• 06081 Assisi, Province of Perugia, Italy
• Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Hotel(s)

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Journey north through the rolling hills of Umbria to the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi. Here your Local Specialist will reveal the story of this most venerated figure on a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, the final resting place of this famous saint and home to a wonderful series of frescoes by Giotto. Later, continue your journey through the scenic Tuscan countryside to Florence. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a Be My Guest experience against the backdrop of picture-perfect olive groves and vineyards.

Day Stop

• Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Hotel(s)

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely encounter with the artistic and architectural marvels of Florence during your walking tour with a Local Specialist. Visit the striking Piazza della Signoria with its impressive sculptures and palazzi. Amble through the charming cobblestone lanes to the multi-colored marble Duomo and Baptistery, before admiring the scenic view of the Ponte Vecchio straddling the Arno River. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city’s historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Spend the rest of the afternoon sauntering through the historic center of Florence, shopping for high-quality leather for which the city is famous, or admiring the artistic contribution of the Medici at every turn.

Day Stops

• Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy
• Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy

Hotel(s)

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence

Meal(s)

Breakfast

After a morning at leisure in Florence, cross the fertile Arno Valley to Pisa and join a Local Specialist to visit the Square of Miracles, home to the incredible Leaning Tower and the iconic marble cathedral. See the ornate Baptistery and the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery built on sacred soil brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusades.

Day Stops

• Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy
• Bologna, Metropolitan City of Bologna, Italy
• Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

Hotel(s)

Hotel Principe Venice /Hotel Amadeus Venice

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Travel north, through the Apennines, to the medieval city of Bologna, perhaps best known for the delicious pasta sauce that bears its name. Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist includes views of the Kissing Towers, which lean towards each other, seemingly poised to embrace. Then it's off to the romantic island city of Venice with its rich cultural and artistic heritage. Spend time at leisure gliding along its enchanting canals in a gondola or wander through the city's labyrinthine lanes, over bridges and into quiet campi.

Day Stop

• Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

Hotel(s)

Hotel Principe Venice /Hotel Amadeus Venice

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Savor the iconic and unexpected highlights of Venice as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square to admire the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian churches, Customs House, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace. This afternoon, your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will see you enjoy one of the city’s last remaining studios where you’ll gain insights into the delicate Venetian art of glassblowing. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure admiring this city on water or consider an Optional Experience to the island of Burano where colorful fishermen’s homes line the canals.

Day Stop

• Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

Hotel(s)

Hotel Principe Venice /Hotel Amadeus Venice

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Sites made famous in poetry, song and prose are explored today when you join a Local Specialist for a walking tour from your hotel along the canals to the famous Rialto Bridge, where all the flavors of Italy come to life at a centuries-old food market. Amble through the narrow calli of Venice and admire the beautiful architecture, walking over the Rialto Bridge before spending the rest of the day visiting the sights of your choice. Your love affair with Italy's great Italian cities comes to an end this evening as we enjoy dinner.

Day Stop

• Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

Meal(s)

Breakfast

For now, it's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and newfound friends who have shared in the memorable sights, sounds and flavors. Departure Transfer Arrive at Marco Polo Airport at 08:00, 09:30