Italian Tapestry

Welcome to Venice! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Italian Beauties Enjoy a private boat ride before meeting your Local Guide for a fascinating sightseeing walk. Hear about Venice’s colorful history as you admire St. Mark's Square and the ornate façades of the Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Meet a local glassblower to discover how the world-famous Murano glass is created. [LOCAL FAVORITE] Appreciate Venice from a different perspective during a traditional gondola ride with music. Free time this afternoon and evening to meander along the canals and through the typical Venetian “calli and campi” (alleyways and squares). LOCAL FAVORITE EPIC RIDE Centuries ago, gondolas were the main form of transportation in Venice, powered by a gondolier with a single paddle to navigate the canals of this historic city. Today, Venetian gondoliers continue generations of family tradition to squire visitors through the iconic waterways while passengers are serenaded with romantic Italian ballads.

Sweet & Sour in Modena Back to mainland Italy for a drive across the River Po into Emilia-Romagna, often considered the epicenter of Italian gastronomy. A real treat today, with a [LOCAL FAVORITE] balsamic vinegar tasting at the renowned Acetaia Leonardi of Modena. Later, continue across the Apennine Mountains to reach Florence. (B) 214 mi / 345 km LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Creating classic Balsamic Vinegar requires the patience learned through four generations of devotion and respect for the 18th-century traditions at Acetaia Leonardi farm. The farm sits on 27 acres of vineyards where Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes are grown to produce this delicate balance of sweet and sour Modena specialty.

Fine Art in Firenze Florence is one of Italy’s most celebrated cities. Meet your Local Guide for a visit of the Academy of Fine Arts, to see Michelangelo’s David statue, followed by a walk through the historic center, stopping to admire and learn more about the cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the massive bronze doors of the Baptistry’s “Gates of Paradise,” and the sculptures of Signoria Square. Enjoy some free time before departing for Siena. (B) 62 mi / 100 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE Those lucky enough to visit the Tuscan capital are witness to some of the world’s most magnificent art. Home to a wealth of Rennaissance masterpieces, Florence is famous for Michelangelo’s Marble Masterpiece, David, standing ready for battle in the Academy of Fine Arts. Outside, the Piazza del Duomo and Signoria Square offer spectacular sights of Florentine Gothic and Renaissance art, architecture, and monuments.