Highlights of Iconic Italian Cities: Rome, Florence & Venice

Once the epicenter of the ancient Roman Empire and now a city whose art and culture are revered globally, Rome is the beginning point for your Italian adventure. On arrival, make your way to our hotel, a four-star establishment with impeccable positioning near Rome's train station, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and many other attractions. Meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers in the lobby, and then get acquainted over your first meal together in this dynamic city. Overnight Rome.

• Dinner

Rome's story spans thousands of years and is told by the eclectic mix of architecture that lines its ancient streets. From ruins dating to the Romans to stunning reminders of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the city's structural tapestry is enthralling. Look upon some of its most popular features on this morning's guided city tour, beginning at the Colosseum. Enjoy time to wander around this iconic facility, following in the footsteps of the gladiators and spectators alike. From the Colosseum, we head toward the Trevi Fountain, pausing to grab a coffee in a local shop before continuing to the beautiful Piazza Navona. This piazza is set within the city center and is renowned for its gorgeous fountains.

Following the tour, you may continue exploring the Eternal City independently. Because this tour takes place during the shoulder season, there are fewer tourists to compete with and better photo opportunities around the city. Use these factors to your advantage and consider visiting Roman hotspots like the Pantheon or the Roman Forum, or venture to Vatican City to see the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums in all their glory. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

Travel by rail from one distinctive city to another, as today sees us to oceanside Venice. After breakfast, we make the short walk from our hotel to the train station and settle in for a cross-country journey to Northern Italy. Our hotel in Venice is located within the city proper and is, thus, easily accessible by foot as we arrive early this afternoon. After check-in, our adventures in the City of Water commence with a guided tour.

By boat, we travel to St. Mark's Square and join a local expert in exploring Venice. Our two-hour excursion features highlights such as the house where Vivaldi was board and the church where he was baptized, as well as city hallmarks, such as the Church of St. George of the Greeks, the breathtaking Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace, and the Basilica.

A true highlight of your time in Venice, your evening gondola ride is Venice at its best. Each authentic boat accommodates no more than five guests, so step aboard and sit back and relax as a gondolier weaves you through the narrow canals. Look upon old-world buildings and the romantic bridges crisscrossing the water. The gondola ride concludes as you arrive back at St. Mark's Square, and as you disembark, board another boat to travel back to our hotel. If you wish, you can continue exploring at leisure and transfer independently later tonight. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast

Immerse yourself in a destination that inspired Shakespeare and a place whose Roman ties rival those of Rome as we travel to Verona. We travel to this inland city by rail this morning and arrive in time for a guided tour. Headed by a local, this excursion ventures to the balcony where Romeo and Juliet famously declared their love and to the Roman Amphitheater. This arched structure is one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture - so much so that it is actually still in use! This fact is made all the more impressive when considering it is older than the Colosseum, built around 30 A.D. Enjoy some free time in the city to continue exploring at leisure. You may wish to venture to Piazza delle Erbe, the beating heart of Verona, to live as a local or grab lunch in a sidewalk café. The day wraps up on the rails, venturing into Tuscany to the beautiful city of Florence. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely morning to have breakfast at the hotel or grab an espresso amongst the bustling piazzas. Later this morning, join your fellow travelers and a tour guide in touring Florence. We first venture to Santa Maria Novella Square and look upon the exterior of the Gothic jewel that sits as its centerpiece. We continue from here to the medieval city center, where we visit Piazza del Signoria, Florence's main square. In addition to being a bustling hotspot, this piazza houses Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi, an arched gallery filled with gorgeous statues. The excursion wraps up as we wander through the Uffizi Courtyard, adjacent to Piazza del Signoria, and to the medieval Ponte Vecchio crossing the Arno River.

Following the tour, you are welcome to continue exploring Florence independently. Because you are already near it after our tour, you may wish to visit the Uffizi Gallery. The off-season is a wonderful time to peruse its galleries, as you have more time to pause and appreciate the works. You could also explore the Accademia Gallery to see some of Michaelangelo's most extraordinary creations, including David. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

The Leaning Tower, the Field of Miracles, and more lie ahead as we venture deeper into Tuscany to Pisa. It takes just an hour to reach Pisa from Florence when traveling aboard the nation's rail system, and on arrival, we are greeted at the station by a local guide. Look upon hundreds of years of architectural wonders as we stroll through the city and to Porta Nuova and Piazza dei Miracoli, one of the most impressive squares in the city, if not Italy as a whole. This walled pocket of the city is home to a collection of stunning Romanesque buildings, including the Duomo, the Baptistery, and the famous Leaning Tower. You then have a couple of hours to continue experiencing Pisa on your own. Piazza delle Vettovaglie, alongside the Arno, houses a fantastic local food market where you can shop for lunch, and Pisa's "Walking Street" is lined with unique shops and street performers. There are plenty of ways to experience the essence of Pisa.

We head back to the train station this afternoon and board the line bound for Rome. After a short walk to our conveniently located hotel and time to freshen up, join your Tour Manager and newfound friends at a local restaurant to celebrate a successful adventure over a farewell dinner. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A week of Italian explorations has opened your eyes to history-rich cities and some of the world's most iconic sites. There has been no shortage of breathtaking scenery or delicious food, and with memories of it all, your adventure concludes this morning. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Rome's train station or international airport at leisure for your return home. If you are not ready to say arrivederci to Italy, speak with a Rail Specialist about extending your stay in Rome.

• Breakfast