Day-by-Day Itinerary

Arrival in Venice
Arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport and take a private water taxi to your hotel in the heart of Venice. Evening orientation walk through the city, including the Rialto Bridge area. Welcome dinner at a traditional Venetian restaurant.

Locations:Venice
Meals:Dinner
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Venice

Venice Museums
Morning guided tour of St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and St. Mark's Basilica with its golden Byzantine mosaics. Afternoon visit to the Gallerie dell'Accademia to see masterpieces by Venetian painters including Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese. Evening gondola ride through the canals.

Locations:Venice - St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, Gallerie dell'Accademia
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Venice

Florence
Morning high-speed train to Florence. Check into your hotel and enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic center, including the Cathedral Complex with Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, and Ghiberti's 'Gates of Paradise' at the Baptistery. Visit the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.

Locations:Venice, Florence
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Florence

Uffizi & Accademia
Full day dedicated to Florence's artistic treasures. Morning visit to the Uffizi Gallery with works by Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. Afternoon visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David and his unfinished 'Prisoners'. Evening at leisure to explore Florence's elegant streets and piazzas.

Locations:Florence - Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Florence

Pisa
Morning excursion to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and the monuments of Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), including the Cathedral and Baptistery. Return to Florence in the afternoon and visit the Medici Chapels with Michelangelo's sculptures and the Palazzo Pitti with its extensive art collections.

Locations:Florence, Pisa
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Florence

Bologna
Morning high-speed train to Bologna. Check into your hotel and enjoy a guided walking tour of this elegant city, known for its medieval towers, extensive porticoes, and the oldest university in the Western world. Visit the Basilica of San Petronio, Archiginnasio (the historic seat of the university), and the anatomical theater. Evening food tour to sample Bologna's renowned cuisine.

Locations:Florence, Bologna
Meals:Breakfast, Food Tour Tastings
Accommodation:Luxury hotel in Bologna

Rome
Morning high-speed train to Rome. Check into your hotel and begin exploring the Eternal City with a guided walking tour including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. Evening at leisure.

Locations:Bologna, Rome
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Rome

Vatican
Full-day guided tour of Vatican City. Visit the Vatican Museums with their extensive collection of classical and Renaissance art, the Raphael Rooms, and Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Continue to St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's baldachin. Afternoon visit to Castel Sant'Angelo, originally built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum.

Locations:Rome - Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Rome

Free Day in Rome
Day at leisure to explore Rome at your own pace. Optional activities include a visit to the Borghese Gallery with its superb collection of Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings, or the National Roman Museum. Alternatively, explore the ancient ruins of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill (additional cost). Farewell dinner at a traditional Roman restaurant.

Locations:Rome
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Rome

Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your departure flight. End of services.

Locations:Rome
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:None