Classical Italy – Rome, Florence, Venice

Day by day Itinerary

DAY 1 / DEPARTURE FROM USA

Day 1 / Departure from USA.

DAY 2 / Arrival in Rome

Arrival at Rome FCO Airport. Transfer by private car and driver, from Rome/FCO Airport to hotel in Rome. Check in at the Hotel Dei Borgognoni (4 star) or Hotel Cecil (3 star). depending on the package selected. Afternoon at leisure.

DAY 3 / ROME

Ancient Rome Tour: Piazza Venezia, Rome Historical Centre with "The Vittoriano" the altar dedicated to the King Vittorio Emanuele II in 1911 - The Capitol Square with panoramic view of the Roman Forum and Palatine - The Roman Forums the political, military and social centre of the whole Roman Empire and the Arch of Constantine – Colosseum , the Rome's greatest amphitheater built by the Emperor Vespasian in 72 A.C.

DAY 4 / ROME

Vatican Museum Tour & St. Peter’s Basilica: The Vatican Museums representing the largest art collection in Europe with over 65.000 masterpieces.The Bernini Staircase of the XVI century - The Candelabra Gallery with frescos and statues - The Tapestry Gallery dating back to the XVI and XVII century - The Historical Maps, work of Ignazio Danti - The Sistine Chapel built in XV century by Pope Sixtus and adorned by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Perugino and Ghirlandaio - St. Peter's Basilica the largest Church all over the world, with millions of golden mosaics and several Tombs of Popes where lies the most important Statue of Michelangelo, "The Pietà".

DAY 5 / FLORENCE

After breakfast and checkout of hotel, take the High-speed comfort class train from Rome to Florence. Approximately one and a half hour later you will arrive to Santa Marina Novella train station in Florence. Check in at Hotel Kraft (4 star) or Hotel Alba Palace(3 star), depending on the package selected. Afternoon at leisure.

DAY 6 / FLORENCE

Guided Tour of Florence: Drive along the romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo: a stop to admire the wonderful panorama of the city, one of the most beautiful in the world. The tour will proceed by coach through the old city centre. Then walking guided visit of the outdoor Duomo complex: the Baptistery with its bronze doors including the famous Porta del Paradiso and the visit of the Cathedral with the magnificent Cupola del Brunelleschi and Giotto’s bell tower. A short walk through the historic streets of the heart of Florence brings you to the renowned Galleria dell’Accademia* where you can admire the famous David by Michelangelo and other works by the great artist. End of the tour inside the museum.

DAY 7 / FLORENCE

Excursion to Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti and Pisa with lunch in a Cianti Wine Farm: Depart for Siena, driving through the lovely Chianti vineyards, getting there while the town is still immersed in early morning drowsiness; the perfect time of day to wander around the pedestrian-friendly heart of this beautiful hilltop town, drenched in history. You will be introduced to Siena by a local Guide who will meet you to take you on a guided walking tour, tracing the history of Siena through its 13th century streets and squares, passing the oldest bank in the world, and the Piazza del Campo - site of the famous 600-year-old Palio horse-race, to the spectacular Cathedral. During your free time, stroll through Siena at your own pace, enjoy a drink, while soaking up the sun, or window shop. A short journey then takes us to a family run wine-farm in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Here we shall have a delicious, traditional Tuscan served with typical wines from our region. After lunch, San Gimignano is only minutes away. Considered one of the most beautiful medieval hilltop towns in Italy, this UNESCO World Heritage site is often nicknamed the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” because its famous tall, narrow towers create a skyline that looks a bit like a modern city. Here you have free time to explore the charming craftsmen’s shops along the cobbled stone streets and small squares, sample an award-winning gelato and thread your way between the town’s famous medieval towers. From San Gimignano, we drive past hilltop hamlets, or little churches, scattered over some of the most beautiful and enchanting countryside. The Chianti landscape features in much Tuscan art of the Renaissance and it hasn't changed much since the 14th century. We finally wind down the hillsides towards the coast, to Pisa, our last destination for the day. Getting off the coach, we reach the Field of Miracles, a green grass field dominated by the dazzling white buildings of the Cathedral or Duomo, the Tower and the Baptistery - exquisite examples of Pisan Romanesque architecture: the Leaning Tower is almost 56 meters tall (about 183 ft). Building began in the 1100s but took almost 200 years to complete! You are in one of the most renowned places in the world: revel in it, take creative photographs or wander off down the local streets.

DAY 8 / VENICE

After breakfast and checkout of hotel, take the High-speed comfort class train from Florence to Venice. Approximately 2 hours later you will arrive to Santa Lucia train station in Venice. Arrival transfer, by shared water taxi, from Venice/S Lucia Train Station to Hotel Locanda Vivaldi (4 star) or Hotel Santa Chiara (3 star), depending on the package selected. Afternoon at leisure.

DAY 9 / VENICE

Historical Venice Walking Tour: Enjoy a walking outdoors through the most characteristic and important places for the history of Venice. Our licensed guide will escort you through the millennium of life of the Serenissima Republic, recalling the past of this unique city. An essential tour for the understanding of Venice! You will visit Piazza San Marco - Origins, history and description of the main monuments: Basilica San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale. You will view Bell Tower, Clock Tower and Procuratie. Santa Maria Formosa - History and anecdotes related to this wonderful and characteristic square. Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo - The "Pantheon" of Venice, the Great School of Charity, the Captains of fortune. Marco Polo’s House and Malibran Theatre. Venice’s past and recent history cross each other in this beautiful corner of Venice.

DAY 10 / RETURN TO USA

Departure transfer, by water taxi shuttle, from Venice hotel to Venice/Marco Polo Airport for your flight back to USA.