Taste of Italy

Day 1

ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY
Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Dinner

Day 2 ROME

Guided sightseeing includes inside visits to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, and monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà. Then, drive to the Roman Forum and see the amazing Colosseum, where gladiators once fought. An optional walking tour with a Local Guide is available to further explore famous sites for those who wish to see it all.
Breakfast

Day 3 ROME–SAN GIMIGNANO–FLORENCE

This morning, drive through Umbria along the Highway of the Sun north into Tuscany and its hill-clad vineyards. On your way to San Gimignano, the medieval hilltop town with its tower houses, enjoy a Chianti WINE TASTING, followed by lunch. Then, time to walk through the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next is Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.”
Breakfast
Lunch

Day 4 FLORENCE

During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David, admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE, and take pictures of Ponte Vecchio. Time to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry, sold by the ounce.
Breakfast

Day 6 VENICE ISLAND

A spectacular drive through the wooded Apennine Hills brings you to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE, a favorite location for many movies, and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER fashion delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner, and receive an exclusive gift, just for you!
Breakfast

Day 6 FLORENCE–VENICE ISLAND

Immerse yourself in the wonderful atmosphere of Venice. Wander through the narrow streets, discover Rialto Bridge, and top it all off by enjoying a farewell drink at famous CAFFÈ FLORIAN while musicians entertain you. Later, why not join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano, followed by a delicious meal of local specialties?

Day 7 VENICE ISLAND

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
Vacation Highlights
ROME
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica

SAN GIMIGNANO
[LF] Wine tasting and lunch; orientation

FLORENCE
Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David and Signoria Square

VENICE
Private boat ride, guided walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblower demonstration with exclusive gift; [LF] farewell drink at Caffé Florian
Headsets throughout the tour.

Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 lunch with wine tasting in San Gimignano; 1 special three-course welcome dinner with wine in Rome; farewell drink in Venice