Highlights of Italy Featuring Tuscany & Venice

Wake this morning with history spanning millennia at your fingertips. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then set out into the city for your first tour of the day at the Colosseum. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, this was a place for gathering and entertaining, bravery and terror. Ancient gladiators fought to their death on the arena floor, battling each other and great beasts like lions. During our tour, enter the iconic facility to see its 50,000 seats where spectators sat, the tunnels the gladiators walked down to meet their fates, and the battlefield at the center of the arena. We have just over an hour to explore here before continuing our day with a 3-hour city tour.

Get to know the city of Rome one gorgeous piazza and timeless cobblestone street at a time. Sites dating to the Roman Empire, such as the Roman Forum, and the cornucopia of architectural styles capture your attention at every turn. See fountains, statues, magnificent chapels, and landmark sites as our expert guide unveils the best of Rome. As the tour concludes, you are welcome to spend the rest of the day continuing your explorations at your leisure. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

A holy city revered by lovers of art, religion, and architecture alike, Vatican City awaits our discovery this morning. Experience some of its most impressive features as we tour the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums, taking in the incredible scale of artifacts and artwork found throughout each building. Enjoy skip-the-line service and the chance to see the Pinecone Courtyard, Raphael's Rooms, and the Gallery of Maps, to name a few sites. Of course, no visit is complete without looking upon one of the world's most well-known frescos, "The Creation of Adam."

We return to Rome in time to transfer to the railway station, with Pisa as our destination. Our journey sees us through the olive groves and orchards of Tuscany to this historical city that is best known for its Leaning Tower but is filled with unique sites to explore. You have free time to get that iconic picture holding up the famous structure and to see the other buildings in the Piazza dei Miracoli before a coach picks us up and drivesus through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to Montecatini Terme. Beloved as a spa destination since the 16th century, Montecatini Terme is a destination whose history rivals its beauty. Overnight Montecatini Terme.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, transfer to Montecatini's train station to board the mid-morning train to Tuscany. Our destination: Florence. Beautiful buildings and ambiance unique to this part of the nation greet us as we arrive at Santa Maria Novella train station and dive right in on a guided tour of the city. Look upon landmarks big and small, including the city's centerpiece, the Duomo. The excursion begins in Santa Maria Novella Square, from which we venture through the city's medieval center to Signoria Square. Find yourself in awe as we pass sites like Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi and enter the Uffizi Gallery's courtyard. After taking in scenic views over the Arno River from Ponte Vecchio, your tour concludes, and you are free to continue exploring this atmospheric destination independently. Perhaps revisit the Uffizi Gallery to browse its exhibits or head to the Accademia Gallery, home to Michaelangelo's masterpiece, "David." Due to their popularity, we recommend pre-booking your admission ahead of time.

Another piece of Tuscany is yours to behold as we travel to Chianti by coach this afternoon and make our way to the impressive Castello Verrazzano. This property has been in use since the 10th century, and except for extensive restoration efforts in 1958, the castle and its grounds have remained virtually unchanged since 1170. We arrive in time for a tour and a regional wine tasting before dinner. Stroll through the well-manicured gardens and the wine cellars and notice features dating to the property's founding as you wander. After, relax while tasting the vineyard's organic wine selections, including whites, reds, and rosés, and dining in the onsite restaurant. An evening of locally sourced ingredients, quintessential Tuscan flavors, and great company concludes your day. Overnight Montecatini Terme.

**Please Note: For certain departures, will be visiting Villa Machiavelli instead of Castello di Verrazzano.Villa Machiavelli is set in 600 acres of flourishing vineyards and olive groves in the wine-making region of Chianti Classico. Just outside the city of Florence, this magnificent villa was built in the 15th Century by the Machiavelli family and showcases the Renaissance master, Michelangelo.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Set your sights on sparkling blue seas and colorful seaside villages as we visit Cinque Terre in the Italian Riviera. The Cinque Terre is a group of five quaint fishing villages perched high up on the cliffs: Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza. Their multi-hued buildings seem to stack upon one another, and their histories run just as deeply as their beauty. Perhaps the most unique factor surrounding these villages is their accessibility; the only way to reach them for many years was by ancient footpaths along the cliffs, boating through the bay, or the railway. Today, the villages are slightly more accessible, and we arrive by coach, traveling from Montecatini Terme to La Spezia and then to the Cinque Terre.

An expert guide awaits our arrival, ready to whisk us between these idyllic villages. Spend the day hopping by train and ferry between Monterosso, Vernazza, and Manarola, each boasting awe-inspiring ocean views and centuries of history. We return to Montecatini Terme by coach with the evening to explore at leisure. The golden hues of sunset are magical here, and you may wish to admire them while riding the funicular railway up to Montecatini Alto in the hills above the city. This medieval town is brimming with old-world charm, yet offers fantastic restaurants and plenty of interesting shops along its pretty streets. Overnight Montecatini Terme.

• Breakfast

Look upon the elegant buildings and lush surroundings of Montecatini Terme as we venture by rail from Montecatini to Florence's train station. Today's journey aboard Italy's rail network takes us across the country, past places like Bologna, Ferrera, and Padua, to the Floating City itself, Venice. With a location abutting the Adriatic Sea and a story spanning over 1,600 years, Venice has long been one of the most recognized cities in Italy. Its buildings, many of which are 800-plus years old, are spread amongst 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Even today, traversing this amazing city is best done by boat in its extensive canal system or on foot, crossing bridge after ornate bridge. We arrive this afternoon and are transferred to our hotel on Murano Island within the Venice Lagoon just this way - by boat. Once you have settled in, you have some free time to enjoy our hotel's amenities or explore the stunning backdrop this island provides before dinner at the hotel this evening. Perhaps stroll along its Grand Canal, taste the briny flavors of freshly caught seafood at a local eatery,or window shop while passing the numerous glass stores that line Murano's streets. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Find yourself immersed in the rich offerings of Venice as the group embarks on a walking tour of the city alongside an expert guide. This excursion highlights Venice's most beloved sights while providing stories and little-known facts as you explore. The scale of the buildings, especially considering most are built on a foundation of 1,000-year-old sunken logs, is sure to impress. As we walk through the city, notice the varied features of the footbridges and watch as traditional gondolas pass through the canals. Highlights of our tour include Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Campo Santa Margherita Square, the Marco Polo House, the Grand Canal, Doge's Palace, and St. Mark's Basilica.

Take the remainder of the day to sightsee independently - on foot or by traditional gondola. These long, narrow boats cruise the canals throughout the city, with independent gondoliers offering their services from morning until after the sun goes down. This is a great way to get between islands or relax in your downtime. Otherwise, you may wish to peruse the offerings of the Rialto Market, where fresh fish and produce abound, or seek out one of the shops selling authentic Venetian masks - the perfect souvenir. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast

A day of travel lies ahead as we depart Venice by train, venturing from one coast to another to the seaside gem of Naples. Our journey follows a southerly route that showcases the limitless wonders of Italy's interior as we pass through cities, villages, and vast expanses of the Italian countryside. Late this afternoon, we arrive in Naples, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, and are met by a coach at the station. Our first taste of the region comes at Agriturismo Galatea. This expansive farm has provided the Naples region with olive oil, lemons, succulent meats and cheeses, and more for over four generations. Dinner is served as we arrive at this little slice of Italian heaven and is complete with tastings of fresh mozzarella cheese and limoncello made with indulgent Sorrento lemons. Take some time to walk around the farm's impressive grounds and see just how expansive its offerings are before we complete our day's travels and head to Sorrento. Take the evening to get settled into this seaside destination, enjoying the amenities of your hotel and the picturesque views that only Sorrento offers. Overnight Sorrento.

Please Note: Lunch/early dinner will now be at Agriturismo Giardino di Vigliano instead.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Crystalline blue water, endless sunshine, and some of the most magnificent vistas you could ever imagine lie ahead as we explore the picturesque Amalfi Coast. Our coach greets us at the hotel this morning and transfers us to the port in Massa Lubrense, where we board a boat and cruise along the coast, soaking in the scenery and the ambiance as we move between destinations. We first visit Amalfi and enjoy two hours to soak in its beauty independently. Lounge on the beach or admire the contrast of the white buildings against the vibrant green mountain foliage and the brilliant light blue water. There is a 9th-century cathedral in the town center and tons of shops and eateries tucked within historic buildings.

Next, we cruise to Positano, a titan of the Amalfi Coast and one of its best-known destinations. As we arrive at the port, look up at the buildings, climbing layer upon layer toward the sky like a living birthday cake. Colorful stucco homes sit alongside steep and narrow streets. You have an hour to stroll along the pebbled beach and pop in and out of the numerous boutique shops. There are plenty of lookout points throughout the city to enjoy the scenery. We cruise back to Massa Lubrense and drive back to Sorrento. This evening, enjoy a pizza-making night at a local cookery school. Overnight Sorrento.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Colorful old buildings line the streets and invite you to explore in Sorrento. This resort town is brimming with activity, and some of the best places to soak in its essence are Old Sorrento and Piazza Tasso in the city center. Whether you grab a table at a sidewalk café and watch the local happenings or peruse the shops, there are many ways to fill your leisure time before we transfer by coach to Pompeii later this morning.

Preserved remains and layers of history are yours to discover as we embark on a guided tour of this one-of-a-kind destination. Alongside an expert, begin to unveil the secrets and lives of people in 79 A.D. before it all came to an immediate halt with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Our 2 1/2-hour excursion showcases the homes, bathhouses, religious establishments, and government buildings that once filled this city. As we walk, listen to stories from our guide and enjoy an up-close look at ruins preserved with incredible detail, thanks to the ash that rained upon the city with the volcano's eruption.

From Pompeii, we continue to Naples' train station and board a train bound for Rome. The trip takes just over three hours to complete, allowing us a last look at the Italian villages and countryside as we travel north back into the mecca of the ancient world, Rome. Check into your hotel on arrival, then join the group at a local restaurant this evening for a farewell dinner celebrating our time in this magnificent country. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your Italian adventure concludes this morning. You may transfer to Rome's international airport at your leisure for your return flight home.

• Breakfast