Highlights of Italy

Departing at 7:15 AM from Massimo D’Azeglio Hotel by a deluxe coach, you will arrive in Assisi where you can explore this tiny town, surrounded by walls built in the Middle Ages at your leisure. Make time to visit the Basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Ciambue, and to have lunch (not included). Board the bus for Siena, a medieval town surrounded by ancient walls that is known for the Palio, an annual summertime horse race around Piazza del Campo. Next, you will continue on to Florence, where you will check into your hotel before enjoying dinner and a well-earned night of rest.

Important Note: Airport transfers are not included. We suggest arriving in Rome one day in advance (not included) to accommodate the early departure on day 1 for sightseeing purposes.

Overnight in Florence

Meals: Dinner

After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “cradle of the Renaissance, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-Roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free “comune” and was further refined by the renaissance. You will be fascinated by its numerous monuments, churches, and buildings, such as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cross a small piazza to see the campanile tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the baptistery, with its bronze doors that Michelangelo dubbed the “gates of paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch in a typical Tuscany restaurant in Santa Croce Square. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical marine republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Square of Miracles, which houses the Duomo, the Leaning Tower, and the baptistery.

Overnight in Florence

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. There, you will wander through the city’s 38 kilometers worth of elegant arcades (or porticos), for which Bologna is famous. From Piazza Malpighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore (Neptune Square and Major Square) in the heart of the city, where you will find Neptune fountain; King Renzo Palace; Podestà Palace; and the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world. In the afternoon, continue toward Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio basilica. Later, you will arrive in Venice, world-renowned for its classic gondola boats and its elegant, refined art. Check-in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Venice

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy your transfer to Piazza San Marco,
and visit the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the
Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past, the
legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. After the walking tour, allow
us to treat you to a spritz or a prosecco, as a delightful
conclusion to your visit to the highlights of Venice, in the
company of your tour leader. While you sit comfortably
and savor your drink, you will also have the opportunity to
enjoy a taste of the famous "cicchetti," a Venetian variation
of tapas (light lunch). Spend the afternoon roaming along
Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel.
Overnight in Venice
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Once you eat breakfast, depart from Piazzale Roma to Tuscany, known for its romantic churches and castles and its delicious wines. You will proceed to val di chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich with history and art. Known for its “nobile” wine, which can be purchased in wine houses in town, Montepulciano is also the host of an annual jazz and wine festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included, spend the afternoon getting to know Montepulciano at your own pace, free wine tasting in many shops and free time for shopping. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome, where the tour will conclude.

Note: Transfer to the airport is not included. 

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch