Day 1– Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2 – Arrive Rome (2 nights)
Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy and the Eternal City! You will have time to relax and unwind before we meet with our Tour Director and fellow travelers this evening. Find out more about your tour and your traveling companions as you all enjoy a Welcome Drink together with your Tour Director. 

Hotel: Villa Pamphili (2 nights)


Day 3 – Rome sightseeing & at leisure
This morning we will enjoy an included sightseeing tour with a local guide using our effective audio system, which shows us the Forum, the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, and includes a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica. Then some time at leisure. Later, we enjoy an evening drive during which we discover a Hidden Treasure with our Tour Director before continuing to Piazza Navona where we will be treated to a drink or ice cream of our choice! Then time to try out the local restaurants and taste some of the Roman specialities. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4 – Rome – Greve in Chianti – Florence (4 nights)
This morning we travel into the northern Lazio region and continue over the border into the rolling hills of Umbria and into Tuscany where we visit the capital of its food and wine – the charming town of Greve. Here we visit a wine and olive oil outlet where we can taste a plethora of excellent Chiantis and extra virgin olive oils. On the town's main square are some of the finest food shops in Europe where you have the chance to taste the 'salumi'. Finally after an exhilarating drive through the Chianti hills we arrive at our hotel in Florence. This evening, over a glass of wine in a well known restaurant, we will have a short lecture on the basic principals of Italian cuisine and learn a few words of Italian in preparation for our shopping and cooking day! Tonight we will have dinner at the hotel. (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Croce Di Malta (4 nights)


Day 5 – Tuscan lifestyle experience
Our day begins first at a fruit and vegetable market where we buy fresh produce for our cooking lesson. Having selected the best produce available at this time of year, we will proceed to the restaurant where we have use of the kitchen and where we will all participate in the preparation of today's midday meal and the purchasing of the wine to go with it! After this Highlight Lunch enjoyed with the wines we have selected, we return to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast Highlight Lunch)

Day 6 – Florence sightseeing
After breakfast, we will enjoy a walking tour with a local guide, which takes us to the Accademia to see the recently restored 'David' of Michelangelo as well as Piazza Signoria and the multi–coloured marble Duomo. The afternoon is free to relax or to perhaps visit some of the other fine museums the city has to offer. This evening we enjoy a Tuscan style Highlight Dinner in a farmhouse restaurant. (Buffet breakfast Highlight Dinner)

Day 7 – Excursion to Pisa
Today we will travel to Pisa where we visit the Square of Miracles with its monumental cathedral and famous Leaning Bell Tower. Time to explore the other monuments in the square before driving to an authentic Tuscan restaurant, located amongst the olive groves, where we have the chance to taste the local produce as we enjoy a delicious lunch together. (Buffet breakfast 'Be my guest' Dinner)

Day 8 – Florence – Venice (Grand Canal) (3 nights)
Enjoy the morning at leisure with time to participate in various optional activities which you can book through your Tour Director. Choose from either more sightseeing in Florence or an excursion to San Gimignano, known as ‘a medieval Manhattan’ because of its many tall towers. Later, we will drive to Venice. This evening we have dinner at our hotel located by the Grand Canal the main thoroughfare of Venice! (Buffet breakfast Dinner) 

Hotel: Continental (3 nights)

Day 9 – Venice orientation & at leisure
After breakfast this morning our visit to the magical city of Venice would not be complete without an orientation cruise by private motor launch along the Giudecca and over to St. Mark's Square. Here we will witness a demonstration of the ancient art of Murano glass–blowing in one of the city's oldest workshops. Then there's time on your own to perhaps join the various optional activities on offer or to explore the labyrinth of streets and canals. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 10 – Secret Venice walking tour & visit to the market
Today with our local guide we enjoy a guided commentary using our effective audio system, which will bring the city to life, as we cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. We cross the Rialto and visit the colourful fish market, which has existed for centuries, and then enjoy a walking tour through the 'calle' seeing sites such as the house of Marco Polo and other curious as well as beautiful architectural works of art. The balance of the day is at leisure to perhaps take a trip to Burano and enjoy eating some of the local seafood. This evening we gather together with our Tour Director and fellow companions to celebrate our last night with a special Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast Farwell Dinner)

Day 11 – Venice (Island) – USA
This morning it is time to say ‘arrivederci Italia’ as our vacation comes to an end. There are airport transfers available to Marco Polo Airport, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)

Free airport transfers:
Transfers on Day 2 at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30, 15.30 and 18.45. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Venice Airport at 08.00.