Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Board your overnight flight from New York, JFK to Rome, Italy.

Day 2 - Rome
Arrive in Rome. After collecting your luggage and clearing customs meet your Travel Director, board your private motor coach and transfer to your centrally located hotel. After check-in, enjoy an orientation walking tour before your welcome dinner.

Day 3 - Rome
This morning a guided tour will introduce you to the sites of ancient Rome. Explore the Forum and Colosseum - one of the most impressive sights in Rome and one of the world’s most famous venues that would hold gladiatorial games and drama to battles of exotic animals and battleships. The building was completed in 80 A.D. and at its peak held 87,000 spectators. Later, see some of Rome’s most beautiful and iconic sites illuminated at night, such as the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

Day 4 - Rome
A local guide will introduce you to the smallest state in the world, Vatican City, situated in Rome. This is the home of the Pope, but also home to almost 1,000 other Vatican residents. You’ll visit Saint Peter's Basilica, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Gardens. Tonight, join an interactive cooking class and learn the traditional way to make pizza, and enjoy your creation for dinner! Later, visit the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.

Day 5 - Florence
This morning travel to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Take a walking tour with an expert local guide through Florence, see the highlights of this beautiful city, such as Florence’s cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, Ghiberti’s famous Baptistry Doors, Santa Croce and the Piazza della Signoria. Later, spend some time exploring the local markets, shops, gelaterias and cafes!

Day 6 - Florence
Today, take a day trip into the beautiful Tuscan countryside to visit San Gimignano, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is encircled by 13th-century walls, and is famous for it’s skyline of medieval towers, including the stone Torre Grossa. Visit the Duomo di San Gimignano, a 12th-century church with frescoes by Ghirlandaio in its Santa Fina Chapel, and then enjoy some free time to explore Piazza della Cisterna. Later this afternoon return to Florence, to visit the the Accademia, which exhibits the largest number of Michelangelo's sculptures in the world, including The David.

Day 7 - Venice Mestre
Today, travel from Florence to Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. This afternoon, start exploring the city during a walk along canals and bridges, such as the famous Rialto Bridge, and then take an iconic gondola ride through the city to see the city from the canals.

Day 8 - Venice Mestre
Today, join a local, expert guide for a sightseeing tour of Venice, which will include St. Mark’s Square where you can see the Basilica of St. Mark and the Doges Palace. In the afternoon, learn all about the art of Venetian glass-blowing in a demonstration by a local master. Tonight, join your farewell dinner!

Day 9 - Departure Day
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.