Mainly 2–3-night stays in each location. Comfortable travel days with numerous stops. Requires 1-3 miles of walking per day that might involve some uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones and stairs.
Embrace excess on this leisurely jaunt through the highlights of Italy, beginning in Rome. Spend the day soaking up the vibrant atmosphere before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception. We enjoy a leisurely orientation through the city this evening, venturing into Ancient Rome as our journey through Italy begins.
Explore Vatican City this morning with a Local Specialist who will reveal all the highlights of St. Peter's Basilica. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit the awe-inspiring Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. We continue to Ancient Rome and admire the Circus Maximus, where exhilarating chariot races were once held. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore on your own. From Roman ruins to Renaissance palazzi - Rome has it all.
Discover why the Italians say 'it is sweet doing nothing', spending your day watching Rome's beautiful people embrace life lived to its fullest in the exquisite city. Delve into its treasures spanning millennia – the museums, churches, gardens and architecture that remain as enduring symbols of a powerful city. Or perhaps consider an Optional Experience to Tivoli, site of the magnificent Villa d'Este Gardens.
Today we pay homage to the thousands of brave souls whose final resting place is the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Cassino. Perched on the hillside, see the 6th-century Abbey destroyed during World War II, before venturing south to Pompeii, a city frozen in time. Join a Local Specialist through the excavations that yield the tragic story of a once vibrant city engulfed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Wander down the stone avenues past such sights as the Forum and Temple of Apollo. We arrive later at our hotel on the iconic Mediterranean Amalfi Coast where we'll dine tonight.
Indulge in a full free day at leisure. Consider joining an Optional Experience along the Amalfi Coast to the beautiful seaside village of Positano, a true painter's paradise. You could also choose to soak up the extraordinary beauty of the village of Ravello which has long inspired musicians, writers and artists. Smell the fresh scents of lemons as you relax in this picture-perfect setting. After a day of sightseeing, perhaps you could spend a relaxing evening sipping limoncello and watching the Mediterranean sky light up in glorious pinks, yellows and blues.
This morning we journey along the coast to the medieval town of Amalfi. See the 10th-century Romanesque Cathedral of Sant'Andrea and the Campanile, before setting sail to the glamorous island of Capri. On arrival, ascend to Capri town by funicular for a guided walking tour with a Local Specialist who will share views of the piazzetta - the heart and soul of this beautiful town. Later, we return to the mainland.
From the Amalfi Coast, we travel north through the rolling green and golden landscape of Umbria into scenic Tuscany before arriving in the Renaissance city of Florence. You’ll have a free evening to amble along the Arno River, admire the famous city skyline at night from Piazzale Michelangelo, or indulge in the finest antipasti in town.
Delve into the history of a city renowned for its art, architecture and cultural treasures. Join your Local Specialist for a walking tour, including views of the exquisite marble Duomo, Baptistery and Ponte Vecchio. Wander through the Piazza della Signoria, the center of Florentine political life since the 14th century with its prominent Palazzo Vecchio. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Join your fellow travelers this evening to Connect With Locals over a Be My Guest dinner set against the backdrop of Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.
After a leisurely start to the day, continue north, bound for Venice, the 'Queen of the Adriatic' and our home for the next two nights.
We cruise by private launch past many of the city's most prominent sights, enjoying views of the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace. Next up is an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you’ll witness first-hand the intricate craft of glassblowing. Watch how master craftsmen use the same techniques their forefathers did to shape the delicate glassworks for which Venice has become justifiably famous, perhaps choosing to buy a souvenir of your own. Inspired by the artistry you’ve just witnessed, you’ll soak up the pageantry and elegance of Venice on your own terms before enjoying a Farewell Dinner with our Travel Director and newfound friends to toast to the delicious flavors of Italy.
For now our leisurely encounter with an extraordinary destination has come to an end.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Inside the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (Available on Day 2)Join us for an extension to your included sightseeing tour, which gives you a chance to see the artistic masterpieces collected and commissioned by the Popes. With our Local Specialist, we'll visit the Tapestry Gallery, Gallery of Maps and the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo spent four years preparing the vault and altar wall, and we'll give you plenty of time to admire just how much painstaking work went into his creations.
Adult Price: €81 Roman Evening with Dinner (Available on Day 2)Tonight, spend a lively evening with us in Rome. After a short drive, we'll arrive at a characteristic trattoria to relax and enjoy a typical Italian meal, soaking up The Eternal City's unique atmosphere all the while.
Adult Price: €71 Tivoli and Gardens of the Villa d’Este (Available on Day 3)Enjoy the gardens and fountains of the famous Villa d’Este. We’ll see its grottos and pavilions, the Avenue of a Hundred Fountains, the Dragon Fountain and the Fountain of the Water Organ.
Adult Price: €51 Piazzas and Fountains (Available on Day 3)Discover the most charming areas in the city with a Local Specialist. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and beautiful squares of Rome's historic center, leading to highlights such as the Trevi Fountain, as well as hidden corners of the Eternal City.
Adult Price: €46 Explore Ravello (Available on Day 5)Join us on a trip to the balcony of the Amalfi coast. Ravello is perched high above the terraced groves with breathtaking views. Your Local Specialist will show you the gardens of the Villa Rufolo, which inspired Wagner, and you’ll have free time to visit the 11th century cathedral.
Adult Price: €46 Amalfi Coast and Positano (Available on Day 5)Join us as we take in delightful villages and spectacular scenery along the incredible Amalfi Coast. You’ll visit the celebrated town of Positano, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. There will be time to shop for local goods or enjoy a drink in a cafe overlooking the beach.
Adult Price: €66 Discover The Isle Of Capri (Available on Day 6)Experience the spectacular cliffs and famous turquoise waters of Capri during a relaxing cruise to the most beautiful part of the island, the southern side. View the beautiful grottoes and unique coastline before ascending to Capri town. This optional experience is weather dependent and may be replaced by a minibus tour of the Island with a visit to Anacapri and either the Villa San Michele or the Anacapri chairlift.
Adult Price: €52 Dinner on the Amalfi Coast (Available on Day 6)Come with us for a short drive to a restaurant we know and love on the Amalfi Coast. You'll get to try some locally-loved dishes and drinks, all served alongside Neapolitan hospitality and beautiful views.
Adult Price: €77 Dinner in the Tuscan Hills (Available on Day 7)This evening we'll take a scenic drive to experience a fun and relaxed evening at a friendly, typical restaurant in the countryside. The chef will delight our senses with regional dishes, made with freshly-bought ingredients from the local farmers' markets. Your delicious meal will be accompanied by excellent wines from the vineyards for which this area is so well known. In short, a Tuscan dream come true in an authentic setting.
Adult Price: €74 Tuscan Dinner at Villa Machiavelli (Available on Day 7)Through the Chianti hills, we'll drive past vineyards to a delightful hamlet. Our destination is the ancient stone house of Machiavelli, where the great political theorist wrote his immortal work, ‘The Prince'. After a welcome drink and a visit of the villa and its wine-cellars, we'll enjoy the best of Tuscan cuisine accompanied by great music and drinks, including of course, Chianti from the Villa's own vines.
Adult Price: €74 Visit To San Gimignano (Available on Day 8)Join us for a panoramic drive to the nearby hilltop town of San Gimignano. Magnificently preserved from the Middle Ages, this little town, known as the 'Medieval Manhattan', is one of the most beautiful in Italy - a true gem. You'll also be treated to a delicious local gelato.
Adult Price: €40 Michelangelo's 'David' & Accademia (Available on Day 9)Enjoy an insight into the world of Michelangelo and his masterpiece, David. We'll visit the Academy of Fine Arts and its Michelangelo collection, where you'll learn all about the life and works of this immortal Renaissance genius through the expert commentary of our Local Specialist.
Adult Price: €54 Discover Palazzo Vecchio (Available on Day 9)Marvel at the legacy of the Medici as you visit Palazzo Vecchio, the symbol of Florence's political power for over seven centuries. With our Local Specialist we’ll visit the wonderful "Hall of the Five Hundred", dedicated to the Medici popes. We’ll also visit rooms decorated with masterpieces by famous artists of the Renaissance like Michelangelo and Donatello.
Adult Price: €46 Lagoon Cruise to Burano with Food and Drinks (Available on Day 9)This afternoon, discover the Venetian Lagoon by private boat. You'll enjoy a delicious meal, with a selection of drinks, on the fisherman's island of Burano, famous for its multi-colored houses - a photographer's paradise.
Adult Price: €82 Venice's Secrets (Available on Day 10)Explore the hidden maze of streets which make up this unique city as your Local Specialist gives you a fascinating insight into Venice's past and present. You’ll discover tucked away squares and back streets local Venetians use to side-step the tourist throng and give you a sense of authentic life on the island of Venice.
Adult Price: €42 Gondolas & the Grand Canal (Available on Day 10)Join us for a breathtaking cruise by private water taxi along Venice's Grand Canal. You'll admire the magnificent palazzi, catching a glimpse of the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square. Later on, you'll glide gracefully on a gondola along Venice's dreamy, narrow waterways.
Adult Price: €85