Board your overnight flight to Venice today.

Welcome to Italy! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in. Later, meet your group at a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine. 

Sitting atop more than 100 islands, storied Venice is a lattice of historic churches and piazzas, all connected by hundreds of winding canals. Today, meet up with a local guide to get to know the Queen of the Adriatic and discover why the entire city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Step onto iconic St. Mark’s Square and into St. Mark’s Basilica—an opulent, domed church built in the 11th century to house the body of St. Mark the Apostle.
• View the stately Doge’s Palace. Now a museum, this masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture once served as both the residence of the Doge (or Duke, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice) and the seat of the Venetian government.
• Marvel at the attached Bridge of Sighs. Built in 1600 to link the New Prison to the Doge’s Palace, the Ponte dei Sospiri (as it’s known in Italian) drew its name from the legend that prisoners would sigh at their last view of Venice before descending to their cells.
• See a traditional glassblowing demonstration and learn about Venice’s most celebrated art form, whose roots in the city date back to the 10th century.

Then, laze a free afternoon away at a canalside cafe, watching gondolas float by—or add an optional excursion to board one yourself and embark on a canal cruise with your fellow travelers. (You can also enjoy a private float for two.)

Today, travel through the scenic Apennine Mountains to Florence—Tuscany’s capital and the world’s greatest treasure trove of Renaissance art and architecture. Then, get to know the city with a local guide.

This evening, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for an included dinner featuring Tuscan specialties and beer or wine.

The day is yours! Enjoy a free day in Florence or add an excursion to the Tuscan hill town of San Gimignano, where you can admire its UNESCO-noted historic center and dramatic skyline, punctuated by 14 soaring medieval towers. You’ll even stop by a winery to sample local varietals, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar before journeying back to Florence.

Depart for Italy’s capital, Rome, whose entire historic center—including the Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and more—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.

Please note: While sightseeing in Rome, travelers should feel comfortable walking on uneven and rocky pathways and steps. Shade and seating are limited, especially at venues such as the Colosseum and the Forum.

The day is yours to seize! Seeking a little extra grandeur? Add our guided tour of Vatican City to your day to experience the serene beauty of the Vatican Museum, as well as the Sistine Chapel’s venerated ceiling fresco. Then, top it all off by adding a pasta-making class and ending the evening dining on your own fresh, sauce-laden creation.

Please note: The Iconic Sights: Vatican City excursion may be offered on day 8, depending on the day of the week.

You won’t want to skip the guided tour of St. Paul’s Basilica—one of Rome’s four major papal churches. Add it to your itinerary to view the final resting place of St. Paul and take a subterranean journey through Rome’s ancient catacombs.

This evening, come together for an elegant four-course dinner—served with beer or wine—at a local restaurant and say farewell to your groupmates as you enjoy live musical entertainment.

Please note: The Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs excursion may be offered on day 7, depending on the day of the week.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay to visit the magical, terraced cliffsides of the Sorrento Peninsula.