Your Host: Samantha Vellinga

DAY 1

Fly from the United States to Italy!

DAY 2

Upon arrival, stop at the historical centre to see some of the most famous city sights – Piazza Navona, Fountain di Trevi, Spanish steps. If the time permits, visit of Villa Borghese. Later, check in the hotel and overnight.

DAY 3

After breakfast we depart for Vatican City, to visit the splendid Vatican Museums with their world-renowned art collections and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, adorned with Michelangelo’s frescoes. We continue our tour with a visit of the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s

Basilica. Later, we proceed with visit of Castel Sant’Angelo. We have the remainder of the day to explore the wonders of Rome on our own or to go to the Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ with some free time to explore the visitor center. Return at the hotel for overnight. (B)

DAY 4
After breakfast we enjoy a guided tour of the “Imperial” Rome, visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum with Palatine Hill and the famous Arch of Constantine. After some free time for lunch, we also will visit Appian way and the catacombs of St. Sebastiano and St. Callixtus. Return back to the hotel. (B)

DAY 5

This morning, after breakfast we depart for Sorrento. En route we will stop and visit the Mt. Vesuvius, where you will have time to admire the spectacular views. Some free time for lunch will be provided. Our next stop will be Pompeii where a local guide will take you through this ancient city preserved in ash after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. It is a fascinating walk back in time. Later, continue to Sorrento for check-in and overnight. (B)

DAY 6

Have your breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the day on boat, exploring the beautiful Amalfi coast. Do not forget your cameras, since you will take some incredible pictures during this tour. We will stop in Amalfi and Positano with enough time to explore on own. Some time for lunch on own will be provided. Return in Sorrento late in the afternoon. Overnight. (B)

 

DAY 7

After breakfast we depart for Florence. Technical stops and time for lunch will be advised by your tour escort en route. Arrival in Florence in the afternoon. Check-in the hotel and free time for rest or to explore the city on own. Overnight in Florence. (B)

DAY 8

After the breakfast we enjoy of full day guided tour of the city, including Piazzale Michelangelo to admire wonderful panoramic views of Florence. Next, we will take a walking tour of the of the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore (exterior) in the old city center, including Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery with its bronze doors and the famous cupola by Brunelleschi. A short walk brings us to the Accademia Gallery which houses the statue of David by Michelangelo. We will also stop at the Central market where you will have some free time for lunch and shopping. A short walk through the heart of Florence brings us to the famous Piazza Signoria, where we can see the imposing Palazzo Vecchio (exterior) and the beautiful Loggia del Lanzi. Last visit today is in Uffizi Gallery – the most visited and famous museum in Florence. Return to the hotel. Overnight. (B)

DAY 9

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we depart for full day trip to Pisa and Lucca. First stop will be Pisa. After meeting your guide by the Porta Santa Maria archway, you'll enter the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, one of Tuscany's most important architectural complexes. Passing by the

austere walls of the Camposanto, or monumental cemetery, you'll discover the secrets of this iconic square. The first monument that you'll visit will be the Pisa Cathedral, also known as the Duomo. Inside, you'll learn all about the history of its construction, taking you back to the 11th century, as well as admiring the collection of artworks showcased in the central nave. You'll be left speechless by the mosaics, intricate paintings in the apse, detailed frescoes, marble sculptures and the impressive pulpit. Having explored the Duomo, you'll enjoy a guided tour of the exquisite Baptistery, dedicated to St John the Baptist and, alongside the other emblematic monuments in Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Did you know this is the largest Catholic baptistery in the world? Its dimensions are unbelievable! Your tour will come to an end in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the city's best-known monument and one of the most photographed places in all of Italy. As you marvel at its stunning architecture, your guide will reveal the mysteries of the bell tower... why is it leaning? What does it have to do with Galileo?

Discover the answers on the day! Continue to Lucca. Upon arrival in Lucca, meet your guide and will visit the Duomo di San Martino whose Romanesque façade is strikingly off-kilter: one of the arches in its portico is smaller than the others, cramped for room by the pre-existing bell tower. Next to the bell tower there is a column on which you find a sculpture of a labyrinth, a symbol of pilgrimage that pops up in other churches along the Via Francigena. The cathedral is home to

the sculpture of the Volto Santo (Holy Countenance) and the beautiful tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia. As you walk through the city streets, you will also come across the façade of the basilica of San Frediano, and then the piazza and sumptuous

church of San Michele. The capitals on the façade of this latter church are sculpted into portraits of Italian heroes, including Garibaldi. And on a walk-through Lucca, the discoveries do not end there. On top of the Guinigi tower - which is open to the public - you will find a little garden, full of trees, and an astonishing panorama over the whole Lucca plain. Return to Florence for overnight. (B)

DAY 10

After breakfast we depart for Venice. Check-in the hotel and some free time for lunch and rest. At the afternoon, we meet our local guide for half-day tour of the city of doges. Enjoy a leisurely outdoor stroll in front of the most characteristic sites in Venice. Your experienced

guide will escort you to all of these breath-taking constructions while letting you in on the city’s amazing history. See the magnificent Piazza San Marco and all of its main monuments, such as the Basilica or the opulent Palazzo Ducale. Later, move on to Santa Maria Formosa, where you will learn the history of this wonderful square. Discover the Pantheon of Venice, even Marco Polo’s House, near the Malibran Theatre. Return to San Marco through the Mercerie, the lively shopping district. The Doge’s Palace (skip the line) tour takes you into what was the epicentre of Venetian power. The reminder of the day is free. (B)

DAY 11

Meet your guide and enjoy a full-day tour to Murano and Burano and be amazed by the history of both islands. We will have a glass blowing tour to see the ancient technology for glass making that brought the world-famous glory of Murano Island. While there, we will visit the Church of Santa Maria and San Donato before to continue to Burano. Some free time for lunch here as well as time to explore the island on own. Return to Venice at the afternoon. Once there, we will have some time to visit The Jesuit Church, Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Return to the hotel for overnight. (B)

DAY 12

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport in Venice for your departure flight. (B)