Grand Tour of Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome

Our vacation starts when we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travelers Rome, still regarded by many as the center of the world. From the remains of the ancient Roman Empire to its Baroque fountains and cafés, there are endless places to experience in the 'Eternal City' and checking into our hotel, we have three nights here to explore.

2025 is an especially significant time to visit Rome, as it marks a Jubilee (or Holy Year), a religious event proclaimed by the Pope every 25 years. During a Jubilee year, the four major basilicas in Rome-St. Peter's, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls-open their Holy Doors, which are usually sealed. The next regular Jubilee will draw many Catholics from around the world to Rome to visit the Holy Doors and participate in various religious events and ceremonies. Tonight, we have dinner with the group. Overnight Rome.

• Dinner

This morning we are taken by coach for a tour of the Vatican City. As the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican is home to the Pope and an incredible vault of art and architecture. In the Vatican Museums, we see some of ancient Rome's most significant sculptures and some of the world's greatest Renaissance treasures. These include the breathtaking frescoes which cover the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo, Perugino, and Botticelli.

After the tour, you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon and evening. You can remain in the Vatican City complex for as long as you wish, or transfer back to the hotel and continue sightseeing this amazing city. Many great architects and artists of the Renaissance period were involved in creating this masterpiece and you have the option of climbing the cathedral dome, using a lift or the stairs. This evening is free to dine independently. Rome offers countless places to eat, often alfresco, where you can enjoy renowned Italian cuisine. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

This morning we're introduced to Rome's most iconic landmarks on a guided tour. We transfer by coach to the Colosseum, Italy's world-acclaimed classical site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Entry is not included but you could return to the site during your free time in Rome.

Beginning our tour, we see the impressive Roman Forum - once the powerful governing center of ancient Rome, the elegant Piazza Venezia and the Roman Pantheon - a stunning architectural masterpiece. We also visit the Trevi Fountain before a short break at Giolitti, the oldest gelateria in the city. Here we enjoy gelato at the same parlor that Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck visited in the classic film 'Roman Vacation'.

Our tour ends in Piazza Navona, an atmospheric square where you are free for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Before you leave the square, take time to admire the famous Fiumi Fountain, the 'Fountain of the Four Rivers' with a statue sculpted by Bernini. Tonight you dine independently, and there are countless eating places to discover in the city. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

We travel by rail to Florence, the Renaissance capital of the world, where we spend three nights. After checking into our central, stylishly decorated 4-Star hotel, there is time to relax over lunch before we set out on a guided tour of the city. Take in the striking terracotta-tiled Duomo, which dominates the center of Florence, and the ornate free-standing campanile tower designed by Giotto. We also pass the Santa Maria Novella Church and its piazza, the legendary Ponte Vecchio, the city's renowned medieval bridge now lined with jewelry shops. Other striking squares we encounter include Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Repubblica.

After the tour, you are free to return to our hotel at leisure. There is time to do some shopping or enjoy a drink in one of Florence's squares, before dinner this evening at a local restaurant. Overnight Florence.

Please Note - For departures May 11th and September 7th we will stay at the Hotel Indigo in Florence.

For departure September 21st we will stay at The Ambasciatori Hotel in Florence.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Explore Florence at your own pace today. The city is rich with Renaissance art, architecture, and piazzas. To see Michelangelo's statue of David, visit the original at the Accademia or view impressive copies at Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo. The Uffizi Gallery, a short walk from our hotel, offers an astonishing art collection, but it's best to book ahead to avoid long queues.

For lunch, head to one of the city's roof terraces or stroll through the tranquil Boboli Gardens, known for their Renaissance statues and beautiful views. To experience local life, visit the Mercato di San Lorenzo, Florence's largest market, offering fresh produce, leather goods, crafts, dining areas, and a Chianti wine booth. In the evening, choose from numerous dining options in Florence's central districts. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

This morning, we travel by rail through rural Tuscany's rolling hills and olive groves to visit two historic cities. In Pisa, a guided tour takes us to the famous Field of Miracles, where we see the iconic Leaning Tower and the stunning Romanesque Duomo. Next, we rail to Lucca, a beautiful walled medieval city perfect for exploring on foot. To avoid getting lost, grab a map at the Tourist Office.

Lucca's maze-like center features a Duomo, unique churches, and charming piazzas. Piazza Anfiteatro, once a Roman amphitheater, is surrounded by small restaurants and cafés. Inside the city walls, you can visit the botanical garden, art galleries, and Palazzo Pfanner's garden. For a great view, walk along the preserved city walls. We return to Florence by rail in the early evening, and you are free to dine independently this evening. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

After a leisurely morning, we board the train to Venice, known as La Serenissima in reference to its title as one of the 'Most Serene Republics'. On arrival, we are taken by private boat directly to the waterfront of our stylish 4-Star hotel on the island of Murano where we spend the next three nights. Your luggage will be transferred from Florence directly to the hotel. Away from the crowds of Venice, and with a more laid-back atmosphere, this picturesque island is actually a group of small islands joined by bridges, and it has a frequent ferry boat connection with the main island.

Renowned worldwide for its glass production heritage, Murano is more residential than the mainland and features traditional Venetian architecture with pretty canals of ochre-toned buildings. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore independently before we gather again for dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast

After a short boat ride, we explore Venice on a guided walking tour. Known for its intricate network of lagoons and canals, Venice has enchanted visitors for centuries with its romantic heritage. Our local guide takes us through hidden backstreets to the church where Vivaldi was baptized, the Bridge of Sighs, and St Mark's Square - the heart and soul of Venice for hundreds of years. Here, we admire St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, now a museum.

After the tour, discover more of the city at your own pace. Visit St Mark's Basilica or the Doge's Palace, wander through Venice's winding alleys, or relax at a café. You could also try cicchetti and a local drink like prosecco, Aperol spritz, or Bellini. Dining independently this evening, you could choose a restaurant on the main island of Venice before making your own way back to the hotel by ferry or water taxi. The ferry service is every 30 minutes and runs into the evening. Please check at the ferry points for the last departure time. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast

Today, explore Venice at leisure. You could climb the Campanile di San Marco for panoramic views of the city and its shimmering lagoons or visit the Basilica di San Marco for its Byzantine interiors. Venice has 170 churches and San Giorgio Maggiore is particularly beautiful with its stunning façade and Tintoretto artworks.

For art lovers, the Peggy Guggenheim Gallery in Dorsoduro offers canal views and a peaceful garden. This side of the island has a lot of character along with several waterside eating places, as do the districts of San Polo and Cannaregio. The ultimate Venice experience is a gondola ride through the city's luminous canals - gliding beneath ancient bridges, passing ornate Venetian palazzos and historic buildings. After your day of exploration, we are transferred by private boat for dinner in a popular restaurant this evening. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Saying arrivederci to Venice, our vacation ends this morning. Making your way home, reflect on our grand tour. In Rome, we explored iconic landmarks like the Vatican City and Colosseum and then moved on to Florence with its Renaissance art and architecture before three nights in Venice enchanted us with its labyrinthine canals and historic sites.

• Breakfast