Tread in the footsteps of emperors – your first encounter with intoxicating Italy is the 'Eternal City' and its glorious past which you will have an opportunity to explore on your own before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception. This evening, we enjoy an enchanting antipasto of our Italian Discovery during an orientation drive past some of the city's most famous sights.
Our exploration of Rome begins at the Vatican Museums where we have priority admission, allowing entry to view the masterpieces collected by Popes throughout the centuries. Dive Into Culture during an included sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist, admire Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, and visit St. Peter's Basilica to see his famous Pietà. Crossing the Tiber, we venture to Ancient Rome to see where hundreds of thousands of spectators would cheer chariot riders to victory at the Circus Maximus. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the magnificent sights of what was once the capital of the world, or kick back in a piazza soaking up the aromas of fine coffee while you watch the world go by.
Today we drive north through rolling Tuscan landscapes to the Renaissance city of Florence. Beauty and artistry seep through the walls of the city’s exquisite palazzi, churches and bridges. Embark on a walking tour with your Local Specialist. Visit the Piazza della Signoria, which once lay at the heart of the flourishing Florentine Republic, then admire the exquisite marble Duomo and famous Baptistery renowned for its bronze doors with relief sculptures. Learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Later, enjoy some free time on your own before this evening, we Connect With Locals during dinner at a Be My Guest experience with Count Miari Fulcis on his 15th-century organic olive oil estate in the Tuscan hills.
A short journey brings us to Pisa and its Square of Miracles, home to the famous Leaning Tower, ornate Baptistery and Cathedral. We continue northwards, past the marble quarries of Carrara and the resort hubs of Portofino, Rapallo and Genoa in Liguria before arriving in sophisticated Turin. This afternoon, we venture through the grand boulevards of this aristocratic city during an orientation drive which will reveal the impressive Castello del Valentino and Po River, the longest in Italy.
We leave Turin and continue to the Italian lakes for a stop at Lake Como. Then it’s on to the economic powerhouse that is Milan, where we'll enjoy a walking tour with a Local Specialist to explore the city's spectacular sights. We view the ornate Duomo, one of the grandest Gothic cathedrals in the world, the ancient Galleria shopping arcade and the celebrated La Scala Opera House. This evening, join your companions for a delicious Regional Dinner at a local restaurant.
Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers feature on our stop in Verona where we'll view Juliet's Balcony and the 1st-century ancient Roman arena still in use today. Crossing the Veneto plains, we arrive in what was once the haunt of Casanova and Marco Polo, enchanting Venice.
Witness first-hand the exquisite tradition of Venetian glassblowing - a tradition that spans centuries. Your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps to preserve this age-old tradition passed down through the generations. You’ll be tempted to buy a souvenir to remind you of their skill and talent after watching them work their magic. Later, board a private launch and cruise to St. Mark's Square, the gateway of Venice and our introduction to such sights as the Doge's Palace and the Byzantine Basilica. Enjoy free time to explore Venice. Wander through the labyrinthine alleys, over its bridges and into quiet squares, seeking out a quiet bacaro for some of the famous refreshing Venetian Spritz, which the locals love to take the edge of the heat of the afternoon.
Visit the Renaissance city of Ferrara, before arriving in Bologna – perhaps more famous for its gourmet achievements than for being the site of the oldest university in Europe. Join a Local Specialist to explore the sights, including Neptune's fountain, the Kissing Towers and Piazza Maggiore. Of course, a visit to the home of tortellini, mortadella, tagliatelle and ragù would be incomplete without taking time to sample its delicious cuisine. Buon appetito!
Today, we cross the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the mystical town of Assisi. Come face-to-face with the legacy of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order, during a walking tour of his home town with a Local Specialist. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis and see his tomb, before returning to Rome past the scenic hill-town of Orte. Tonight, we celebrate a journey of discovery through Italy during a Farewell Dinner with our companions and Travel Director.
Our journey together has come to an end so, for now, it's a fond arrivederci to your newfound friends at the end of your memorable Italian holiday. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
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.
Available on Day 2
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 centre, leading to highlights such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, as well as hidden corners of the Eternal City.
Adult Price: € 37
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: € 62
Available on Day 3
Join us today for a visit to the Bargello museum, housed in one of the oldest and most intriguing buildings of Florence. As you'll learn from your Local Specialist, there was rarely a dull moment in this former barracks and prison! Learn how the Bargello has witnessed crucial episodes of history including fires, sieges and political executions. This fascinating building is now home to the National Museum and boasts awe-inspiring works by Donatello, Brunelleschi and Michelangelo to name but a few.
Adult Price: € 42
Available on Day 3
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: € 49
Note: This optional is subject to availability and involves reservations and entrance prepayments. If you decide to cancel this optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.
Available on Day 3
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: € 42
Available on Day 4
From its elegant cafes to its royal palaces and baroque churches, Italy's first capital has endless treasures waiting to be discovered. Your Local Specialist will reveal the secrets of its Savoy past on a passeggiata with a special surprise treat.
Adult Price: € 31
Available on Day 5
Enjoy views of elegant villas and gardens as you cruise with your Local Specialist along Lake Como, one of the most beautiful spots in the Italian Lake District.
Adult Price: € 45
Available on Day 5
A fantastic opportunity to take in some of the highlights of elegant Milan. Amongst other sights, we'll visit La Scala, the world's most famous opera house, where Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas and others have left their mark. Our wonderful Local Specialist will bring the city’s eventful past to life.
Adult Price: € 45
Available on Day 6
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: € 79
Available on Day 7
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-coloured houses - a photographer's paradise.
Adult Price: € 72
Available on Day 7
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 visit the majestic Basilica of St Mark, where you'll admire magnificent mosaics in one of the most ornate churches in the world.
Adult Price: € 38
Available on Day 8
Drive with us through the Bolognese countryside to reach our restaurant in a popular local winery. We will enjoy a delicious gourmet dinner of seasonal local specialties and a selection of wines from the Emilia-Romagna region, known as the gastronomic centre of Italy.
Adult Price: € 65
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