The best of Italy escorted tour

Arrive in Venice Mestre, a well-connected mainland town just across the lagoon from Venice. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. If you arrive early, take the opportunity to settle in and explore the surrounding area at your own pace.

In the evening, meet your tour leader at the hotel for a short welcome briefing, where you’ll receive useful information for the days ahead. If your flight arrives later, don’t worry—the details will be provided upon arrival at the hotel. Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off for a guided walking tour of Venice, the legendary City of Canals. Stroll through its atmospheric streets as your guide brings the city’s history, culture and artistic heritage to life. Discover emblematic neighborhoods, local markets and the iconic Rialto Bridge.

After the tour, enjoy an included cicchetti tasting experience, Venice’s traditional small bites, in a local bar near St. Mark’s Square. The rest of the day is yours to continue exploring at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride* and a half-day excursion to Murano and Burano**. Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.

Optional Gondola Ride Experience: Take part in one of Venice’s most iconic traditions with a shared gondola ride through its charming waterways, including the Grand Canal.

Optional Half-Day Murano and Burano Excursion: Discover two of the most beautiful islands in the Venetian Lagoon, accompanied by your tour leader. Enjoy free time in Murano and Burano and learn about their traditional crafts, from Murano glassmaking to Burano lace.

Full Venice Experience Package: Make your day in Venice even more memorable with this specially priced package, combining two classic Venetian experiences: a shared gondola ride and a half-day excursion to Murano and Burano. Please note that the gondola ride is shared with other travelers and subject to weather conditions.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Venice Mestre behind and travel by bus to Verona, a city known for its romantic atmosphere, elegant squares and Shakespearean legacy. Your tour leader will accompany you into the historic center, passing landmarks such as the Arena before giving you free time to explore at your own pace. During this time, you may choose to visit Juliet’s Balcony, stroll through Piazza delle Erbe or simply enjoy the city’s cafés and historic streets.

Enjoy an included Spritz experience at a central bar, featuring a short demonstration and tasting of this classic Italian aperitivo. You may also choose to join an optional guided walking tour of Verona* or enjoy a typical local lunch** before continuing to Florence.

Upon arrival, stop in Piazzale Michelangelo, which provides uninterrupted views of the city, the River Arno, the world-famous Ponte Vecchio, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It's the perfect place to pause, take photos, and enjoy the sunset.

Overnight stay in Florence.

Optional Walking Tour of Verona: Stroll through Verona’s historic center with a guide, from Piazza Bra and the Roman Arena to Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori and Juliet’s House. Admission tickets to museums or attractions are not included.

Optional Typical Local Cuisine Lunch: Take a delicious break in Verona and enjoy a relaxed lunch featuring two courses of traditional local cuisine and water. A perfect way to savor the flavors of the region before continuing your journey through Italy. 

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, enjoy an included half-day excursion to Pisa, one of Italy’s most iconic cities. Take a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli and admire its extraordinary monuments, including the world-famous Leaning Tower from the outside.

Return to Florence where you will take a guided walking tour from Piazza della Repubblica and Ponte Vecchio to Piazza della Signoria and the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Art lovers may choose to visit the Uffizi Gallery* in the afternoon, while food lovers can end the day with an optional traditional Florentine dinner** featuring local specialties and the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Overnight stay in Florence.

Optional Uffizi Gallery Visit: Explore one of the world’s most important art museums, home to masterpieces by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and more. This activity can be purchased up to 30 days before departure and is not available on Mondays.

Optional Traditional Florentine Dinner: Enjoy a local dining experience featuring Tuscan starters or pasta, Florentine steak served family-style, dessert, water and a glass of Chianti wine.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Florence and journey through the rolling landscapes of Tuscany to San Gimignano, a hilltop town famous for its medieval towers and postcard-worthy skyline. Enjoy free time to wander its cobbled streets, browse artisan shops and take in the countryside views.

Continue with an included Tuscan wine tasting at a local winery before traveling to Siena, one of Tuscany’s most beautiful medieval cities. Enjoy free time to discover highlights such as Piazza del Campo, the cathedral and the winding streets of the historic center. Later, continue by bus to Rome, the Eternal City. Overnight stay in Rome.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, uncover the power and grandeur of Ancient Rome on a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. With skip-the-line entrance included, step inside the legendary Colosseum and imagine the epic spectacles that once filled this ancient arena.

Continue through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill as your guide reveals stories of emperors, temples, marketplaces and daily life at the heart of the Roman Empire. The tour ends at the Colosseum area, leaving you free to continue exploring Rome at your own pace. In the evening, you may choose to join an optional Baroque Rome by Night tour with dinner*. Overnight stay in Rome.

*Optional Baroque Rome by Night & Dinner: Experience Rome after dark, when its squares and fountains glow under the evening lights. See landmarks such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona before ending the evening with a typical Roman dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure in Rome, a city where ancient ruins, lively piazzas and world-famous cuisine come together at every turn. Visit the Vatican, wander through historic streets or simply slow down with an authentic Italian gelato.

To make the most of your final full day, we recommend joining an optional guided visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel*, a hands-on pasta and tiramisu class in Trastevere** or an authentic Roman dinner***. Overnight stay in Rome.

*Optional Fast pass Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel: Discover the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Square with a guide. The tour is not available on Sundays, and St. Peter’s Basilica may be closed on Wednesday mornings or due to events.

**Optional Pasta & Tiramisu Making Class in Trastevere: Learn how to prepare fresh pasta and tiramisu in a charming Roman-style venue, guided by an English-speaking host. Includes lunch or dinner with wine.

***Optional Traditional Dinner in Trastevere: Savor a traditional Roman dinner in the historic Trastevere neighborhood, including an appetizer, first or second course, dessert, coffee and water.

Important: You can choose only one between the Traditional Dinner or the Pasta and Tiramisu making class. Vatican museum is compatible with either of them.

Breakfast at the hotel*. At the indicated time, transfer from Rome hotel to the airport for your return flight.

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day.