8 Day Escorted Tour of Assisi Siena Florence Venice Padua and Verona

DAY 01 (Saturday): ROME 

Arrive in Rome, the Italian capital, and receive transportation to your hotel. After checking in, you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure. Stroll the streets independently and explore some of the city’s treasures. If you arrive in Rome in the morning, we suggest visiting the Vatican Museums in the afternoon to admire the beautiful Sistine Chapel, among other artistic treasures (optional activity, guided tour with skip the line entrance reservations strongly recommended and can be arranged separately). Dinner is not included on this day, so consider a quaint café or authentic restaurant of your choosing. Overnight stay at your hotel accommodation in Rome's city center.

DAY 02 (Sunday): ROME

Start the day with a buffet breakfast served at the hotel. Around 9:00 a.m. you will depart for an English-speaking walking tour, a 3 hour excursion around the city’s most historic and popular areas. Rome is filled with history and culture, having stood the test of time since the height of the Roman Empire. More than 2,500 years old, it is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, and it retains much of its classical architecture and art. Today, Rome blends this amazing antiquity with modern urban conveniences and activity. This combination places Rome among the most interesting cities in the world. During the exploration, you will see the Largo di Torre Argentina, a typical Roman square that houses the remains of Pompey’s theater, as well as Campo de’ Fiori, named for the fields of flowers that once resided here and where a statue of Giordano Bruno stands watch. Next on the tour will be Piazza Navona, a Roman city square that was originally built during the 1st century AD and called the Stadium of Domitian; Piazza Navona was later built on top of the stadium. Afterwards, continue on to Palazzo Farnese, a late Renaissance palace that was originally constructed in 1514. The famous Pantheon, originally built as a place to worship pagan gods, as well as the Spanish Steps, a stairway of 135 steps and Europe’s widest staircase, will both be enjoyed along the journey. The completion of the day’s tour will be at the Trevi Fountain where legend holds that if a visitor throws a coin into the fountain, they will return to this beloved city.

DAY 03 (Monday): ROME, ASSISI, SIENA, FLORENCE

Prepare for the day with breakfast at the hotel. Then, depart from Rome at 7:00 a.m. and head for Assisi by motor coach. The walled town of Assisi was the home of beloved Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment. Here, you will see the beautiful Basilica of Saint Francis, which is actually composed of two churches and houses famous Renaissance art pieces, some of which by famed artists Giotto and Cimabue. The tour will then proceed to Siena, a medieval city that garners major attention twice a year for its Palio horse-race held in the main city square. After your time in Siena, you will travel to Florence where you will enjoy dinner and settle in for the night at your hotel in the city center.

DAY 04 (Tuesday): FLORENCE, PISA (Optional, not included)

Breakfast at your Hotel. Start the day with a guided trek around Florence, considered the Cradle of the Renaissance. Florence experienced centuries of great wealth, drawing tradesmen and creative thinkers of all types. Though Florence was originally built to be a garrison settlement for the Roman Empire, it experienced its greatest period of growth during the Renaissance. As such, Florence is home to a large variety of influences, both in architecture and culture. Ranking on the Forbes list of the most beautiful cities in the world, the entire city is a work of art. During your stay, you will see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and its amazing stained glass windows erected between 1434 and 1455. Across from the Cathedral is Giotto’s Bell Tower that houses seven beautiful bells. The tower was completed in 1359 and encases a stairwell of 414 steps, which once climbed, offers a panoramic view of Florence. The Baptistery of St. John is adjacent to the tower and is an octagonal baptistery that was completed in 1128, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city. Santa Croce, a 13th century Franciscan Church and the final resting place for Michelangelo and Galileo, will also be visited.

Day 05 (Wednesday): FLORENCE, PADUA, VENICE

Begin the day with a buffet breakfast served at the hotel before leaving for Venice via motor coach. Before arriving in Venice, you will stop by Padua, home of the breathtaking Cathedral of St. Anthony. Outside the Cathedral is Donatello’s “Gattamelata” statue portraying Erasmo of Narni, who was a fierce mercenary that fought for the many city-states of Italy before unification. Padua sits along the Bacchiglione River with multiple bridges that enter into the city and it is the setting for the Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.

Day 06 (Thursday): VENICE

The day starts off with a buffet breakfast at the hotel before leaving by boat for a tour of the Venice Lagoon. Sail across the tranquil lagoon and watch the islands as you float by peacefully. You will arrive in Murano, a small island with a population of around 5,000. Murano is famous for its exquisite glass, particularly, lit lamps and lanterns. Some of the glass factories on Murano have been around for over a century. While there, you will be able to observe this famous glass being made and have the opportunity to witness a glass-blowing demonstration. You will have a bit of time to shop at the eclectic boutiques for something unique to take home with you.

Day 07 (Friday): VENICE, VERONA, SIRMIONE (LAKE GARDA), LAKE COMO, MILAN

Begin the day with a buffet breakfast enjoyed at the hotel, then leave for Milan.

Day 08 (Saturday): MILAN or FREE TRANSFER TO ROME

Prepare for the day with a buffet breakfast offered at the hotel. Explore the second-largest urban area in Italy, with a population that rivals Rome in scope. Milan is a connected world city and the commercial and financial heart of the country. Resting near the foot of the beautiful Alps, Milan doesn’t retain the same level of Roman history that Italy’s other cities do, as the city was redesigned in the 4th century. However, there are still plenty of historic monuments to enjoy including the world’s oldest shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Galleria is fitted with a cast iron and glass roof that brightens the interior designs, showing beautiful detail in every direction. Other highlights of the tour include the Duomo and the Sforza Castle. The Sforza Castle is a 15th century castle that was erected atop a 14th century fortification. It had continuing construction through the 16th and 17th centuries and currently houses many of the city's art collections and museums. The Duomo took nearly six centuries to finish and is the fifth largest church in the world. Nowadays, Milan is also one of the most important fashion and design capitals in the world.

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