2020 Taste of Italy - 7 Days / 6 Nights / 10 Meals
Day 1: Venice & Welcome Dinner
Meet your tour director at 4:00 PM for a welcome drink, and take a one-hour orientation walk around the city known as the ‘Queen of the Adriatic.’ Spend a couple of hours exploring on your own before gathering again for an ample dinner with your fellow travelers. (D)
Day 2: The Sights of Venice & Gondola Ride
Take a guided walking tour of Venice, 'La Serenissima,' the most serene of cities, with its glorious architecture, and its charming bridges and canals. Visit the magnificent Doge's Palace and the acclaimed Piazza and Basilica of San Marco. Journey along the canals for a view of the city from a gondola - truly, an unforgettable experience. Delight in an evening of exploring and dinner on your own. (B)
Day 3: Venice, Bologna & Florence
Take a private water taxi from your hotel to your coach and travel on to Florence. During your journey you’ll stop for free time and lunch on your own at the lively historic foodie city of Bologna. Arrive at your hotel outside Florence’s city center. Take a break, then depart for a short orientation walk in this beautiful city, the capital of Tuscany, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner with your group at a local Florence restaurant.
(B,D)
Day 4: Florence Walking Tour & The Accademia Gallery
Take a guided walking tour of Florence and marvel at the sights of the city center such as the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria. Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture of David. Savor a local lunch in the heart of Florence, where the sauce is handcrafted with locally-sourced tomatoes. After lunch you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this magnificent city at your leisure.
(B,L)
Day 5: Orvieto & Rome
This morning you’re off to the Eternal City with a special and delicious stop in Orvieto for a local wine tasting. They say that all roads lead to Rome, and today yours will certainly do so as you are immersed in Italy’s natural beauty and surrounded by breathtaking vistas. Take an optional walking tour to the heart of Rome to see the towering Trevi Fountain and the picturesque Spanish Steps, then spend the evening exploring and dining as you please Your hotel is tonight is in Rome's historic center. .
(B)
Day 6: Rome & The Vatican
See the historic Colosseum, the iconic structure of Imperial Rome, and the ruins of the forum, the ancient heart of the Roman Empire. Take a short break for lunch before your visit to the Vatican, with a privately guided tour of the Museums and entrance to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.* Then enjoy dinner with your group in a charming Roman neighborhood. (*Vatican availability may necessitate adjustments in itinerary timing.)
(B, D)
Day 7: Tour Ends
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)
Insider tip: You can book pre-nights in Venice or post-nights in Rome if you want to extend your vacation! We’ve negotiated special rates with our hotels to make booking extra nights easy and affordable.
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019.
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Enjoy admission to the famed Accademia Gallery and marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece of sculpture, the David statue.
- Visit charming Orvieto on the way to Rome and indulge in a tasting of local wines.
- Step into the grandeur of the Vatican Museums on our privately guided tour with entrance to the Sistine Chapel.
Trip Highlights:
- Venice Gondola Ride
- Bologna
- Orvietto Wine Tasting
- Guided Tour of the Colosseum and Forum in Rome
- Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
- Pompeii
Dining Experiences:
- 6 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), and 3 dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Venice and farewell dinner in a charming Rome neighborhood.
Hotels:
IT-VEN-HBO | Venice (2 nights)IT-TUS-SHO | Florence (2 nights)IT-ROM-TRI or similar | Rome (2 nights)