Great Italian Cities

Visit Europe

Day 1

Welcome to Rome

You're in for a bellissimo journey through the spectacular cities of Italy, which kicks off in the 'Eternal City' of Rome.

Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a delightful dinner. Your introduction to la dolce vita begins with an orientation drive past Rome's most magnificent sights.

Day 2

Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City Dive Into Culture

This morning, join your Local Specialist for a very special experience in the smallest nation on earth - Vatican City.

Explore the extraordinary collections of the Vatican Museums and stand beneath Michelangelo’s sublime ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, admiring the artistry of great masters and walking in the footsteps of popes who have found peace within the walls of this enclave for centuries. Visit the expansive St Peter’s Basilica admiring the ethereal artistry of Michelangelo's Pietà. Cross the Tiber and venture into Ancient Rome.

Day 3

Rome Your Way

Enjoy a full free day to explore Rome your way, or consider an Optional Experience delving into the tragic history of Pompeii - the Roman city frozen in time by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Your Local Specialist will bring the ancient story of this city to life before you return to Rome, passing by the Abbey of Monte Cassino, the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War.

Day 4

Admire Assisi and on to Florence

Journey north through the rolling hills of Umbria to the birthplace of St.

Francis of Assisi. Here your Local Specialist will reveal the story of this most venerated figure on a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, the final resting place of this famous saint and home to a wonderful series of frescoes by Giotto. Later,  continue your journey through the scenic Tuscan countryside to Florence. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a Be My Guest experience against the backdrop of picture-perfect olive groves and vineyards.

Day 5

Discover Renaissance Florence

Enjoy a leisurely encounter with the artistic and architectural marvels of Florence during your walking tour with a Local Specialist.

Visit the striking Piazza della Signoria with its impressive sculptures and palazzi. Amble through the charming cobblestone lanes to the Multi-coloured marble Duomo and Baptistery, before admiring the scenic view of the Ponte Vecchio straddling the Arno River. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city’s historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Spend the rest of the afternoon sauntering through the historic centre of Florence, shopping for high-quality leather for which the city is famous, or admiring the artistic contribution of the Medici at every turn.

Day 6

Uncover Pisa’s Treasures Connect with Locals

After a morning at leisure in Florence, cross the fertile Arno Valley to Pisa and join a Local Specialist to visit the Square of Miracles, home to the incredible Leaning Tower and the iconic marble cathedral.

See the ornate Baptistery and the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery built on sacred soil brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusades.

Day 7

Journey to Bologna and Venice

Travel north, through the Apennines, to the medieval city of Bologna, perhaps best known for the delicious pasta sauce that bears its name.

Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist includes views of the Kissing Towers, which lean towards each other, seemingly poised to embrace. Then it's off to the romantic island city of Venice with its rich cultural and artistic heritage. Spend time at leisure gliding along its enchanting canals in a gondola or wander through the city's labyrinthine lanes, over bridges and into quiet campi.

Day 8

Cruise Venice’s Canals

Savour the iconic and unexpected highlights of Venice as you cruise by private launch to St.

Mark's Square to admire the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian churches, Customs House, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace. This afternoon, your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will see you visit one of the city’s last remaining studios where you’ll gain insights into the delicate Venetian art of glassblowing. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure admiring this city on water or consider an Optional Experience to the island of Burano where colourful fishermen’s homes line the canals.

Day 9

Experience Venice’s Food Market

Meet Lagoon Conservationist Davide for an engaging discussion on safeguarding environmental conditions in Venice during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Sites made famous in poetry, song and prose are explored today when you join a Local Specialist for a walking tour from your hotel along the canals to the famous Rialto Bridge, where all the flavours of Italy come to life at a centuries-old food market. Amble through the narrow calli of Venice and admire the beautiful architecture, walking over the Rialto Bridge before spending the rest of the day visiting the sights of your choice. Your love affair with Italy's great Italian cities comes to an end this evening as we enjoy dinner.

Day 10

Farewell Venice

For now, it's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and newfound friends who have shared in the memorable sights, sounds and flavours.

Dining Summary

3 Dinner (D)

9 Breakfast (B)

Be My Guest

Florence: Join Count Miari Fulcis for dinner at his 15th-century organic olive oil estate, used as a location for many famous films like 'Room with a View' and 'Tea with Mussolini', and enjoy eight generations of history with plenty of stories.

Dive Into Culture

Venice: Savour the vibrant atmosphere of Venice during a visit to a traditional food market in the shadow of the famous Rialto Bridge.

Iconic Experience

Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.

Rome: Be inspired by the magnificence of Michelangelo and da Vinci at the Vatican Museums.

Vatican: In the Vatican City visit St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.

Assisi: With a Local Specialist, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered to be one of the crowning artisitic achievements of 13th-century Europe.

Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.

Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.

Pisa: Visit Pisa's Square of Miracles with a Local Specialist. Learn about the history of the iconic Leaning Tower and see the ornate Bapistry and Cathedral. 

Bologna: Join a Local Specialist on an exploration of Bologna. See the medieval squares and red-bricked façades of this historic city.  

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Venice: Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. 

Venice: Meet Davide and the passionate team from Venice Lagoon Plastic Free for an eye-opening session on protecting Venice’s iconic lagoon. You’ll discover the dramatic impact of plastic pollution on wildlife and local life, learn practical ways to make a difference, and take home your very own tools for sustainable travel – including a reusable glass bottle. Together, you’ll help reduce plastic waste and become a part of the global movement for responsible tourism. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

Must-see Highlights

Fast Track Admission to the Vatican Museums

Explore Rome, Assisi, Florence, Pisa, Bologna and Venice

Visit the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and a glassblowing factory in Venice

View the ancient sites in Rome, Santa Croce Basilica and the Duomo in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and St. Mark's Basilica in Venice

Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice

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