Wonders of Italy

Benvenuti a Roma! Open your heart to a whirlwind of fiery passion, antiquities and hearty flavours crafted by Italian mammas over centuries. Join your Travel Director for an introduction to the 'Eternal City' on an orientation drive to view some of the sights which await us tomorrow. Arrive at Basilica Santa Maria in Cosmedin for a private after-hours visit to the 'Mouth of Truth' without the crowds. See the church, crypt, and relics of the famous saint of love, Valentine. This evening, enjoy a light supper with your travel companions.

• Rome Orientation
• Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin Visit

Enjoy a guided visit to the Vatican Museums with a Local Specialist, including Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and the Pietà inside St. Peter’s Basilica. Then head into Ancient Rome to see the Circus Maximus and explore the Colosseum. This afternoon, take time to discover more of the city at your own pace. On some departures, access to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums may be restricted. You'll still enjoy the atmosphere of St. Peter's Square during your visit to the Vatican City, and if tickets are unavailable to the Vatican Museums, you'll instead explore the Capitoline Museums, home to iconic Roman art and archaeology.

• Visit St. Peter's Basilica
• Rome City Tour
• Study the Masterpieces of the Vatican Museums

Travel north to Lucca for a sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist to admire the 14th-century San Martino Cathedral and Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, built on the site of an ancient Roman arena. In your free time, relax in Piazza San Michele or ascend one of the city's ancient towers for panoramic views.

• Lucca Orientation

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 you will explore today on your included excursion. Join a Local Specialist and delve into daily life in these picturesque fishing villages. Later, visit Pisa and its UNESCO-listed 'Square of Miracles' to view the architectural feat that is the Leaning Tower.

• Cinque Terre Visit
• See Pisa's Landmarks

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. Enjoy 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 your leisure.

• Lunch with a Chianti and olive oil tasting
• Visit San Gimignano

Discover Renaissance treasures, extraordinary art and exquisite architecture in one of the cultural capitals of the world. Join a Local Specialist who will bring the legacy of the influential Medici family to life. Walk along narrow lanes into expansive piazzas, 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 the spectacular panorama from Piazzale Michelangelo. The rest of the day is yours to explore the 'Cradle of the Renaissance'. Visit the masterpieces of Michelangelo, wander through the architectural wonder of Palazzo Vecchio or shop for high-quality leather and gold.

• Florence City Tour
• Florence Leather Demonstration

Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers are remembered today during our jaunt to the romantic city of Verona where you'll view the 1st-century Roman arena, still used today to host spectacular operatic performances and wander along cobbled streets. Then, venture to Venice, spending your leisure time searching for hidden treasures. Watch the sun set over the Venetian lagoon or perhaps join an optional experience.

• Verona Orientation

This morning you’ll witness the traditional Venetian craft of glassblowing at a workshop. You'll watch master craftsmen use centuries-old techniques to shape the delicate glass pieces Venice is famed for. Perhaps you'll buy a souvenir to help preserve this local craft and remind you of a unique experience. You’ll then 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. Next up is a 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.

• Learn about the History and Ancient Skills of Venetian Glassblowing

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. Continue to your hotel in Assisi for your Stays with Stories experience – a fully renovated old Franciscan monastery.

• Stays with Stories
• Bologna Orientation

Discover the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi in his home town on the slopes of Mount Subasio. Join your Local Specialist for a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, renowned for its beautiful frescoes depicting the life of this beloved saint. Then, 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, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers and Travel Director.

• Visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
• Tivoli City Tour

It's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and your newfound friends after a memorable journey.