DAY 1, Wednesday - Arrive in Venice
Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this magical city built over a hundred small islands and connected by 400 bridges. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting at approximately 6 PM (exact time will be advised on tour arrival day), with your Tour Manager on the upcoming journey that awaits you in Italy, followed by a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2, Thursday - Venice City Tour
The discovery of Venice begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. While here, enjoy a visit to one of the factories to witness the art of glassblowing. Afterward, continue to the main Venice island and take a walking tour with your local guide through the maze of narrow alleyways and bridges before reaching St. Mark's Square. Upon reaching the square, stop to view its most prominent monuments including the Bridge of Sighs and golden Basilica of San Marco, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. It was built over several centuries in a fusion of Byzantine, Roman and Venetian architecture. Then, continue to visit the pink marble Doge's Palace, the official residence of the Venetian ruler; its facade is highlighted by a massive late-Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. The rest of the day is yours to explore Venice at leisure, or to participate in this afternoon's optional Gondola Ride, offering a different perspective of this unique city built on water
Optional: Gondola Ride (PM)
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3, Friday - Tuscany & Pisa en route to Florence
Depart Venice and travel through the stunning golden landscape of Tuscany, dotted with olive and fig trees. Visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for wine tasting paired with delectable local specialties. On to Pisa, to view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The monuments on the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Then, travel to the lively Renaissance city of Florence, with its priceless art and architecture for overnight
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Saturday - Florence City Tour
Today, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence. View the magnificent Duomo, with its Brunelleschi-designed dome, the renowned "Gates of Paradise" of the Baptistery by Ghiberti and Giotto's Bell Tower. You'll be enchanted as you walk through the open-air art museum of Signoria Square, with its Palazzo Vecchio, first residence of the Medici family that today houses the seat of the city government. Continue to the splendid Ponte Vecchio, also known as the "Old Bridge”. Florence is indeed the center of the world's finest art and architecture. Spend the afternoon at leisure in this spectacular Renaissance city, or participate in the optional guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery* that provides insight into the history of the structure and its collections. The tour highlights include exceptional examples of Florentine painting to help you better understand the works of the masters, including Giotto, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci. Tonight, you are invited to participate in the optional Dinner at a Tuscan Restaurant, which begins with a scenic ride through the Tuscan hills and culminates with a sumptuous dinner with unlimited wine and entertainment
*(Optional Uffizi Gallery Tour PM, US $62): available for purchase only in Italy from your Tour Manager. Tour Participation guarantees immediate entry to the Gallery, with no lengthy waits or lines. The museum has a limited maximum capacity and therefore reserves the right to restrict admission. In this case, we may not be able to offer the tour. Price is based on minimum number of passengers
Optional: Dinner at a Tuscan Restaurant (PM)
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Sunday - Medieval Assisi City Tour en route to Rome
Depart Florence and venture on to the quaint medieval town of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis—patron saint of Italy, and perched high on a hill in the Umbria region with its rugged, winding streets and sacred shrines. Upon arrival, join your local guide for a walking tour of Assisi, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture. Its main attraction is the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, an artistic highlight of medieval Europe containing the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes. Afterward, continue to Rome, the astonishing city built on seven hills. Tonight, savor dinner together
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Monday - Vatican Museums & Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
Today visit the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Stroll through one of the most important art collections of the world. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries and the Geographical Maps before arriving to the Sistine Chapel, with its great frescoes by Michelangelo. Continue to St. Peter's Square, passing Bernini's famous colonnade to view St. Peter's Basilica*, built on the burial site of Saint Peter, with the most famous Michelangelo's Pieta. Spend the afternoon at leisure or join the optional walking tour of the Eternal City's grand piazzas that views the Spanish Steps, the legendary Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the baroque Piazza Navona
*Due to Religious events, the opening times of St. Peter's Basilica are subject to change without notice. In these cases, you will visit the Vatican Library instead of the Basilica
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (PM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Tuesday - Depart Italy
Arrivederci Roma! Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
***End of Tour***
SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Walking tour of Venice including St. Mark’s Square, with its extraordinary treasures and architectural wonders
• Stop at a local farm in the Tuscan countryside for wine tasting and local specialties
• See Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli with its famous Leaning Tower
• Explore the Renaissance city of Florence with a guided walking tour
• Visit the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi
• Tour of the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s incomparable Sistine Chapel | 
