Italy's Great Cities

Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Roman Holiday ROME Guided sightseeing includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Fontana di Trevi, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. * Take a scenic drive en route to Assisi. ASSISI Enjoy [LOCAL FAVORITE] wine tasting at a local Cantina. (B,D) 124 mi / 200 km * For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded. LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES For two generations, the same family has cared for hectares of fertile ground: an expanse of vines and olives, figs and fruit trees stretching through the valley to the foot of Assisi. Take in the scent of the excellent wine in this timeless cellar and experience a wine tasting in in this blissful vineyard in the Umbrian countryside.

Medieval Marvels ASSISI See the Basilica of St. Francis before a scenic drive en route to Venice. (B) 280 mi / 450 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi with a visit to the Basilica named after the deacon, friar, and mystic, who became one of the most venerated religious figures in Christianity. Revered for his love of the Eucharist and the Earth, Francis found communion with God through nature here in this Italian village where he lived and died. Marvel at the magnificent frescoes by Italian master Giotto that adorn the Basilica where the saint is buried.

Benvenuti a Venezia VENICE ISLAND Take a private boat ride on the canals, followed by a guided walking tour to see St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs, followed by a glassblowing demonstration. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Locals simply call Piazza San Marco “la piazza.” As paired with the smaller Piazzetta, it forms the social, religious, and political hub of Venice, which Napoleon called “the drawing room of Europe.” St. Mark’s Basilica dominates the square, offering visitors a spectacular view of the great arches, marble embellishments, and the Romanesque carvings of its façade. Also gracing the square is Doge’s Palace – a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. The enclosed Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace with the prison, is named for the prisoners breathing in their last view of the Rio di Palazzo on their walk to the prison’s interrogation rooms.

The Tilted Tower PISA See the Leaning Tower en route to Florence. (B) 280 mi / 450 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE See architecture gone askew from the viewpoint of the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. Take the ultimate selfie in front of the Leaning Tower with a tilt of the head or other popular poses to commemorate your visit to the site of medieval art in this beautiful piazza.

Fine Art in Firenze FLORENCE Guided sightseeing includes Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, at the Academy of Fine Arts, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gates of Paradise,” and Signoria Square. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 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.

Siena with Sugar on Top SIENA Your orientation walk includes Piazza del Campo. Taste the traditional sweets of [LOCAL FAVORITE] panforte and ricciarelli before returning to Rome. (B) 199 mi / 320 km LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES A mouth-watering mix of almonds, egg white, honey, sugar, and the pleasing aroma of almond paste are baked into each bite of ricciarelli. Doused with sugar, these oval shaped biscuits are sold by the dozens throughout Siena. Why not make it a baker’s dozen of delight with a slice of panforte? This chewy flourless cake is rich with candied fruit and almonds with a hint of spices. What was once a medieval delicacy prepared for monks and nuns in The Lands of Siena, panforte (strong bread) is now a sweet staple served in virtually every pastry shop you’re lucky enough to pass.

Arrivederci, Roma CASTEL GANDOLFO Take a guided visit of the Papal Palace and the Barberini Gardens. ROME Join a guided visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening. * (B,D) 50 mi / 80 km * For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded. TOUR HIGHLIGHT ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Enjoy an extraordinary, guided visit to explore the Papal Palace and beautiful Barberini Gardens. Stroll the spectacular grounds of the grand papal retreat of Castel Gandolfo, where Holy Fathers and world dignitaries walked and talked about faith and the world at large.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)