Day 1 – Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2 – Sun. ARRIVAL IN VENICE AREA, ITALY.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this bustling city. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 3 – Mon. VENICE AREA–PADUA–BOLOGNA–SAN MARINO.
Start the morning with a drive into Padua, by way of the Brenta Riviera, to see its magnificent Basilica dedicated to St. Anthony. Next, south across the River Po to Bologna, the city with Europe’s oldest university. See its famous towers and the Piazza Maggiore. Head southeast for an overnight in Europe’s tiniest state, the Republic of San Marino. (B)

Day 4 – Tue. SAN MARINO–URBINO–GUBBIO–ASSISI AREA.
First to Urbino, epitome of the Renaissance with its magnificent Ducal Palace towering over the town. On to medieval Gubbio for a superb panoramic view from the Consul’s Palace. Continue across the Umbrian region to Assisi for the included visit of the Basilica and its remarkable frescoes. (B)

Day 5 – Wed. ASSISI AREA–VITERBO–ROME.
From the Apennines to Viterbo to admire the exceptionally beautiful Piazza San Lorenzo. Leave this walled medieval city to motor south to Rome for an evening arrival. (B)

Day 6 – Thu. & Fri. ROME.
Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Plenty of time to do your own thing or join one of the optional excursions. Day 6 (B,D), Day 7 (B)

Day 7 – Thu. & Fri. ROME.
Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. Plenty of time to do your own thing or join one of the optional excursions. Day 6 (B,D), Day 7 (B)

Day 8 – Sat. ROME–MONTECASSINO–POMPEII–SORRENTO.
Deeper into the south today, making a first stop in Montecassino to view the monastery and abbey perched high above the valley. The monastery was the motherhouse of the Benedictines, founded in 529 and destroyed four times over the past centuries. The last time it was laid to ruin was in 1944 during the great Battle of Montecassino. Then, on to Pompeii, where time stopped with the terrible eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. You can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum (entrance fees and Local Guide are included). Just a few more miles to Sorrento for the next two nights. (B)

Day 9 – Sun. SORRENTO. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI.
A legendary island surrounded by rocky coastline, where the crashing sea has formed awe–inspiring caves. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional island tour is available. (B,D)

Day 10 – Mon. SORRENTO–ORVIETO–SIENA.
This morning, retrace part of the route, bypassing Rome for a stop in Orvieto in the Umbrian region to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral, an excellent example of Italian gothic architecture. Next, enjoy the quite extraordinary beauty of the Tuscan countryside. By early evening you’ll be in Siena to visit this jewel of Tuscany. Sit in one of the cafés surrounding the Campo and admire one of Italy’s more unique squares, famed the world over for its Palio horse race. (B,D)

Day 11 – Tue. SIENA–PISA–FLORENCE AREA.
Drive this morning to San Gimignano, bristling with medieval fortress towers, the status symbols of nobility. Continue to Pisa with time to admire the Square of Miracles with its amazing Leaning Tower. More of Tuscany’s green, olive–studded hillside landscape before reaching the Florence area. End the day by joining the optional Tuscan dinner in a typical restaurant. (B)

Day 12 – Wed. FLORENCE.
This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a whole day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic center so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Your included walking tour with a Local Guide features most of the city highlights. See the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the “Gate of Paradise.” (B,D)

Day 13 – Thu. FLORENCE AREA–MANTUA–SIRMIONE–VERONA AREA.
A day filled with highlights. First to Lombardy for a stop in Mantua, at one time the kingdom of the Gonzaga family, who made it a seat of learning and the arts in the 15th and 16th centuries. Further north to the enchanting town of Sirmione, located on an islet on the edge of Lake Garda. A few more miles eastward to the Verona area for an overnight. (B)

Day 14 – Fri. VERONA AREA–VICENZA–VENICE AREA.
A wonderful opportunity to enjoy this Shakespearean region. Join the optional sightseeing tour of Verona and then motor to nearby Vicenza for the included sightseeing, which will take in the main highlights and an inside visit of the famous Teatro Olimpico. Conclude the day with an evening arrival in the Venice area. (B)

Day 15 – Sat. VENICE.
Your included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by time at leisure, and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip. (B,D)

Day 16 – Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY.
(B)