Want the full Italian Experience? Explore the Vatican like a VIP, cruise Cinque Terre’s rugged coastline, get lost in San Gimignano’s quaint centre and discover the art of glassblowing in Venice. From Rome to Lucca and Bologna, the Wonders of Italy come alive over a glass of Tuscan Chianti.

Package Includes:

2 Countries | 12 Cities | 10 Breakfasts | 1 Welcome Reception | 3 Dinners

Accommodations: 

• Rome: Hotel II Cantico Rome 
• Lucca: Best Western Grand Hotel Guinigi Lucca 
• Florence: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
• Venice: Hotel Le Boulevard Lido
• Assisi: Hotel Cenacolo Assisi 
• Rome: Barcelo Aran Mantegna Rome

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Rome, Italy. Welcome a Roma! Open your heart to a whirlwind of fiery passion, antiquities and hearty flavors crafted by Italian mammas over centuries. Enjoy a leisurely first encounter with the 'Eternal City' before joining your travel companions and tour director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive to see the bustling cityscape.
• Day 2: Rome - Vatican City: Dive into Culture on an included sightseeing tour with a local guide at the Vatican Museums. Admire the works of great masters – the Bramante Staircase, magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and the sorrowful Pietà inside St. Peter's Basilica. In Ancient Rome, we pay tribute to the brave gladiators who fought for supremacy at the Colosseum during our included visit. We’ll see the Circus Maximus where chariots thundered to the applause of thousands before a free afternoon.
• Day 3: Lucca, Italy. Travel north to Lucca for a sightseeing tour with a local guide to admire the 14th-century San Martino Cathedral and Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, built on the site of an ancient Roman arena. Relax in Piazza San Michele or ascend one of the city's ancient towers for panoramic views in your free time.
• Day 4: Cinque Terre – Pisa – Lucca, Italy. A sea of pastel pink, yellow and blue houses cling dramatically to the Ligurian cliffs in the villages of the Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site, which we will explore today on our included excursion. Join a local guide and delve into daily life in these picturesque fishing villages. Later we visit Pisa and its UNESCO-listed 'Square of Miracles' to view the architectural feat that is the Leaning Tower.
• Day 5: San Gimignano – Florence, Italy: The gentle Tuscan landscape leads us to our next destination, the hilltop town of San Gimignano, famed for its stunning medieval architecture and historic towers, which stand today as a testament to the wealth and power of aristocratic families who lived here centuries ago. Then connect with locals with a ‘Be My Guest’ experience in a beautiful family-owned vineyard overlooking the rolling Chianti Hills. You will join the Lenzi family for lunch and wine and olive oil tasting on their farm located on the ancient road between Siena and Florence. Later arrive in Florence for an evening at leisure.
• Day 6: Florence, Italy: Discover Renaissance treasures, extraordinary art and exquisite architecture in one of the cultural capitals of the world. A local guide will bring the legacy of the influential Medici family to life. Walk along narrow lanes into expansive piazze, viewing the magnificent marble Duomo and a replica of the David statue in Piazza della Signoria. View the Ponte Vecchio, almost 700 years old, and admire spectacular panorama from Piazzale Michelangelo. You’ll also learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. The rest of the day is yours to explore the 'Cradle of the Renaissance'.
• Day 7: Verona – Venice, Italy: Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers are remembered today during our jaunt to the romantic city of Verona where we will view Juliet's Balcony and the 1st century Roman arena, still used today to host spectacular operatic performances. We venture to Venice next, spending the afternoon at leisure searching for hidden treasures. Watch the sun set over the Venetian lagoon.
• Day 8: Venice, Italy. Witness the centuries-old tradition of Venetian glassblowing that has been passed down from generation to generation. You’ll see St. Mark's Basilica, the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs next, imagining how prisoners felt when they gazed over Venice for the very last time before being imprisoned. Cruise by private launch to see the city's most iconic attractions before enjoying free time to explore the city on your terms. Wander through alleys, over ornate bridges and into quiet campi as you indulge your inner explorer and get lost in this enchanting city on water.
• Day 9: Bologna – Assisi, Italy. Travel through scenic countryside to the mystical town of Assisi, stopping en route in the city of Bologna to view its Kissing Towers that lean towards one another, seemingly poised to embrace.
• Day 10: Assisi – Tivoli – Rome, Italy. Discover the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi in his home town on the slopes of Mount Subasio. Then a local guide will take us on a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, renowned for its beautiful frescoes depicting the life of this beloved saint. We continue to Tivoli for a guided visit with a Local Specialist of the UNESCO-listed terraced hillside Renaissance gardens of Villa d'Este. Wander past bubbling fountains, manicured hedges and ornate statues as you soak up the tranquil atmosphere of this historic hill town. This evening we enjoy a special Farewell Dinner with our fellow travellers and Travel Director.
• Day 11: Rome, Italy. Your tour ends at Rome.