Welcome to Italy, a land rich in history, culture, art and romance. Your journey begins with an overnight flight. Tour Begins Begin in Rome, the “Eternal City.” This evening, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner featuring regional specialties. On a locally guided tour of the Vatican Museums* explore Papal palaces, halls and galleries housing priceless artifacts from ancient Egypt and Etruscan Italy, as well as statuary from classical Greece and Rome. Admire the Gallery of Maps and works by great Renaissance masters such as Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio. In the Sistine Chapel, marvel at Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling and brilliant Last Judgement. Next, wander through the towering columns of St. Peter’s Basilica, a daring feat of human artistry and engineering. Admire the baroque spirals of Bernini’s altar canopy and gaze up at Michelangelo’s dome – still the tallest in the world. Later this afternoon, take in views of the River Tiber, the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum during a panoramic drive back to your hotel. The evening is yours. Perhaps you’ll join an optional dinner in a popular restaurant, indulging in a hearty meal accompanied by wine and local entertainment. 

Ease your way into the local culture as your Tour Manager shares a few key Italian phrases. Travel to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Take in the old-world atmosphere on a guided walking tour of the old city, including the Basilica of St. Francis. Then you’re off to medieval Perugia, the historic capital of Umbria. With free time to explore, consider wandering along the Piazza IV Novembre or visiting medieval palaces and ornate cathedrals.  Head through Tuscany’s graceful low-lying hills to the Etruscan city of Cortona. Perched on the side of a hill, take in the ornate facades and medieval architecture. Peek at the adjacent Lake Trasimeno, situated off in the distance. You might recognize the city as the charming setting for the book and film Under the Tuscan Sun. End your day in Florence – the “Cradle of the Renaissance” – and visit the world-famous Academy Gallery* to see Michelangelo’s David. Experience Florence’s cultural treasures on a walking tour, passing by the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Piazza della Signoria. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll join an after-hours tour of the 14th-century Certosa monastery, followed by dinner featuring local wines, Tuscan food, and live entertainment. Start your day with a visit to a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region. In the shadow of its 12th-century castle, learn about Tuscan wines and enjoy a chef-led cooking class. Next, sit back and savor regional delicacies during a delicious lunch. This afternoon, journey through central Italy, crossing the wooded Apennine Mountains toward the Po River Valley. 

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PRICE INCLUDES:

Round Trip Air from Tallahassee Municipal, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges, Hotel Transfers; 12 meals.

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

Rome, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Assisi, Perugia, Cortona, Florence, Michelangelo’s David, Chianti Winery & Cooking Class, Venice, Murano Island, Milan, Choice on Tour