MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS
- Glide under bridges and along canals during a gondola ride in Venice.
- Embark on a walking tour featuring Florence's artistic and architectural gems.
- Discover the long-lost Etruscan civilization during a visit to Chiusi’s Labyrinth of Porsenna.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS
- Taste traditionally made Parmigiano cheese and Balsamic vinegar at a Culinary Arts vocational school.
- Experience the flavors of Trastevere – Rome’s medieval district – during a food tour dinner.
- Participate in a hands-on cooking class dedicated to Romagna’s tagliatelle pasta.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
- Let classical music transport you back in time during a concert of Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons.
- Explore the Po River Delta during a pontoon boat sailing of this UNESCO wetland region.
- Discover the craftsmanship behind the Venetian gondolas during a visit to a local Remèr oar-making workshop.
HOTELS
- Hotel Abbazia, Venice
- Grand Hotel San Marino, San Marino
- Grand Hotel Baglioni, Florence
- Ponte Sisto, Rome
INCLUDED
- 12 Days
- 11 Nights
- 10 Breakfasts
- 3 Lunches
- 4 Dinners
Overnight Flight
Join us for a fabulous Italian adventure featuring the magic of Venice, Florence and Rome. Journey to the wine-producing Romagna countryside for a 3-night stay in a wine resort, and visit the Republic of San Marino, an enclave state of Italy. Come along with us and embrace the history, culture, art and romance of this incredible country.
Venice, Italy
Welcome to enchanting Venice (UNESCO) with its 117 tiny islands surrounded by a latticework of 150 canals and 400 bridges. This evening, meet your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner.
Venice
This morning, explore the traditional Venetian craftsmanship behind one of the city’s symbols: the sleek, iconic gondola boats. Visit a local Remèr oar-making workshop, one of only a handful still active in the city. Glide along the canals during a gondola ride.* Then, join a local guide for a walking tour of Venice’s most iconic sights. Pause for the perfect view over the Bridge of Sighs and take in St. Mark’s Square, adorned with marbled palaces and gilded basilicas. Travel by boat to Murano for an expert glass-blowing demonstration, a renowned tradition on the island. This evening, delve into Venice’s classical music heritage while attending a live performance of the Four Seasons** composed by the great Venetian Antonio Vivaldi.
Venice - Po River Sailing - Republic of San Marino
Say ciao to Venice as you journey towards the Romagna region, famous for its epicurean lifestyle and its joie de vivre. Along the way, visit the Po Delta (UNESCO). Since ancient times, this delta has been the border between the Venice and Ravenna regions, once two independent states. These wetlands will give you a glimpse into what Venice and Ravenna looked like to ancient Roman settlers making their way here from the south. You’ll explore these wetlands by pontoon boat,* learning about how the ecosystem here actually aided the Romans in escaping the barbarians that harried them. You’ll also learn about local fishermen and farmers whose lives have changed very little over the last 1000 years. Take in the tranquil scenery before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, grab your passport*** and continue to the independent Republic of San Marino, an enclave of Italy. Settle in to your hotel for a 3-night stay.
Republic of San Marino
Spend the morning exploring the gentle rolling hills of the Romagna countryside during a visit to a local winery and its cellars. Bask in the bucolic landscape as you stroll by vineyards and olive trees. Then, roll up your sleeves and join the local chef for a hands-on cooking class centered on Romagna’s most typical pasta dish, tagliatelle. Enjoy the results of your work during a wine-pairing lunch. This afternoon, return to the landlocked Republic of San Marino, the fifth-smallest country in the world. Perched at the top of Mount Titano, the old town of San Marino (UNESCO) gives visitors sweeping views over the Adriatic Riviera. Explore the Old Town’s intricate system of fortification towers, walls, gates and bastions during time at leisure.
Republic of San Marino
Spend the day exploring Ravenna (UNESCO). During the darkness that enveloped the last days of the Roman Empire, Ravenna emerged as a center of power thanks to its strategic position. The city’s rulers – the Byzantines, the Goths – adorned its churches with dazzling mosaics. During a guided walking tour, discover the city’s most illustrious monuments including the mosaics that inspired Cole Porter’s Night and Day. Return to San Marino in the late afternoon for an included dinner.
Republic of San Marino - Florence
Today, travel to the Emilia region, Italy’s foodie haven. Meet students and teachers at a vocational high school**** for an Impact Moment dedicated to culinary arts and agriculture. Here, Italy’s future chefs and farmers learn how to make Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese according to traditional codes, dating back to the 1300s. Students also try their hand aging Balsamic vinegar, a generational process taking anywhere from 12 to 25 years. Enjoy a farm-to-table light lunch prepared by the culinary students using ingredients from the school’s farm. Later, continue to Florence (UNESCO), the “Cradle of the Renaissance” and your home for the next 2 nights.
Florence
This morning, meet a local expert for a walking tour of a city that is a work of art all on its own. Your guide will highlight the Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistery. You’ll also visit the Piazza della Signoria with its impressive Palazzo Vecchio. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Florence’s cultural riches independently. Perhaps you’ll visit one of the city’s many museums,***** such as the Uffizi or Academy Gallery, where Michelangelo’s David is kept.
Florence - Chiusi - Rome
This morning, traverse southern Tuscany, the ancient land of the Etruscans. This mysterious civilization predated the Romans, who assimilated them, erasing most of their way of life, even though many early kings of Rome were Etruscans. By all accounts, they were an advanced society and culture. On a guided walking tour of Chiusi, once part of the Etruscan Dodecapolis, you'll explore the town’s underground water system – which has so many twists and turns that it was nicknamed Labyrinth of King Porsenna. You’ll also visit the small archeological museum housing some of the most interesting artifacts archeologists found in the surrounding hills. Arrive in Rome (UNESCO) in the afternoon and settle in for a 3-night stay.
Rome
This morning, explore Rome's Christian heritage with a visit of the Catacombs. Then, delve into Rome’s second Golden Age on a walking tour exploring its Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Italy’s capital city. Perhaps you’ll stroll down the monumental avenue of the Imperial Forums for views of the Colosseum, or climb the Capitol Hill with its monumental piazza designed by Michelangelo.
Rome
Make the most of a free day in the Eternal City. Perhaps you’ll stroll through the Borghese Gardens for views of the city’s skyline or join an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica.****** Gather tonight to toast the end of your Italian adventure during a food tour* in Rome’s bohemian Trastevere district.
Rome - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many fond memories of incredible Italy.
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