Trip Itinerary
Day 0 Amsterdam
Day 1 USA/Rome:
Overnight flight to Rome. In-Flight Meal Included
Day 2 Arrive Rome:
After arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a Welcome Reception with your Tour Director. In-Flight Meal Included
Day 3 Rome:
A full day in Rome to enjoy this mecca of art and history! This morning experience a very special, privately guided tour with our local specialist guide, of the priceless collection of art and treasures found in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. See the beautiful frescoes created by Michelangelo, Perugino and Botticelli and marvel at the unique ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, surely one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the Christian world, and then continue to the famous Colosseum, site of gladiatorial combats and early Christian martyrdom, and the Roman Forum. Continue via the Circus Maximus before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Buffet Breakfast Included
Day 4 Rome/Pompeii/Sorrento:
Stop at the Abbey of Montecassino, then on to the Bay of Naples where our private guide shows us the archaeological treasures of Pompeii, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius over 2000 years ago. Our scenic drive continues to beautiful Sorrento where we spend 2 relaxing nights. This evening, we bring you closer to the locals with a special Explore and Discover event as we take dinner with a local family. Enjoy local wine and olive oil and practice your Italian language skills. Buffet Breakfast and Highlight Dinner Included
Day 5 Sorrento (Isle of Capri Included):
The highlight today is a guided visit to the legendary and idyllic Isle of Capri, once the summer home of Roman Emperors. Time to explore this enchanting island with white washed houses, orange and lemon trees, fashionable shops and restaurants. Weather permitting you may join an optional cruise around the island followed by lunch in a local restaurant. Later, our jetfoil will take us back to Sorrento. Buffet Breakfast Included
Day 6 Sorrento/Assisi:
Today, we journey north to the mystical city of Assisi, the pink-stoned city ringed by medieval ramparts, set in the heart of the Umbrian hills. The highlight of the day is a visit to the 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis, known for its beautiful fresco paintings. Your afternoon is at leisure to stroll along the cobblestone streets of this historic hilltop village. Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 7 Assisi/San Marino/Venice:
We continue north this morning along the sundrenched landscapes of the Adriatic coast to San Marino. This tiny republic, the smallest in the world, is known for its spectacular hilltop location. San Marino’s economy is primarily based on selling beautiful postage stamps and tempting duty-free shopping. Later, we continue on to a relaxing 2-night stay on the romantic Venetian lagoon. Buffet Breakfast Included
Day 8 Venice:
The finest way to absorb Venice’s unusual sights, sounds and unique Byzantine atmosphere is on an included cruise to St. Mark’s Square to view the Bridge of Sighs and Doges’ Palace. Visit a glass-blowing demonstration where you watch Venetian craftsmen fashion their delicate objects in an age-old manner and then relax as you explore the canals on a highlight gondola ride! Then, you are free to wander the narrow streets of Venice to shop or perhaps, join an optional tour to Burano, one of the many islands in the Venetian lagoon, and enjoy a memorable seafood dinner in a local restaurant. Buffet Breakfast Included
Day 9 Venice/Verona/Italian Lakes:
This morning we drive first to the cypress-clad hills of Verona to admire the Roman Arena that is still in use today and Juliet’s balcony from Shakespeare’s famous “Romeo & Juliet”. Time to stroll through the picturesque market square before heading across the plains of Lombardy for a relaxing 2-night stay in the spectacular Italian Lake District. Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 10 Italian Lakes (Lugano Included):
Today’s excursion takes us along the shores of Lake Maggiore, crossing over the border into Switzerland to the fashionable lakeside resort of Lugano. Here, you have time for shopping along Via Nassa, an espresso on the flower-festooned Piazza Riforma or a walk in the shade of Parco Ciani’s magnificent old trees. We return to our hotel by ferry across Lake Maggiore viewing the splendor of the Swiss Alps that surround us! Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 11 Italian Lakes/Pisa/Florence:
Traveling via Milan, we cross the Apennine Mountains en-route to Genoa, birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Then, we head south along the Mediterranean coast to Pisa to view the extraordinary Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and no less than 16 feet out of the perpendicular! Then, it’s on to a pleasant 3-night stay in Florence, capital of Tuscany and home of the Renaissance. Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 12 Florence:
Signoria Square, Santa Croce Basilica, the Baptistry and Piazza Michelangelo are all included visits on your panoramic sightseeing tour of the historic Italian city. Enjoy a highlight visit to the Accademia to view Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of David with our Florentine and Renaissance local expert. Time later to shop for gold and leather, or relax in one of the elegant sidewalk cafes on the Piazza della Republica. Buffet Breakfast Included
Day 13 Florence:
A relaxing day today. Enjoy a visit to the ancient village of San Gimignano, followed by a visit to the medieval Castle of Vicchiomaggio for a wine lecture and tasting of the fine local Chianti wines with homemade antipasti as part of our Explore and Discover series. Hear first hand from the locals how they produce this world renowned wine. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the undulating hills so reminiscent of “A Room with a View”. Buffet Breakfast Included
Day 14 Florence/Siena/Rome:
This morning we enjoy a pastoral drive south through Tuscany to Siena. Once a powerful republic, this city is renowned for the Palio horse race, which takes place in the main square every summer. Time to enjoy this hilltop town and visit the Cathedral before continuing south to Rome for the last night of our memorable tour where we enjoy a highlight Farewell Dinner. Buffet Breakfast and Highlight Dinner Included
Day 15 Rome/USA:
We bid farewell to Italy. Buffet Breakfast and In-Flight Meal Included