10-Day Venice, Florence, Umbria, Rome with Pisa, Siena, Assisi, Pompeii

DAY 1 – Depart the USA

Depart the USA for Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2 – Arrive in Venice

Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 – Venice City Tour

Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its fine glasswork industry. Then, visit St. Mark’s Square to begin a guided walking tour of romantic Venice. View the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and visit the Doge’s Palace, whose facade features a massive late-Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. Take the remainder of the day to explore Venice on your own
Optional: Gondola Ride with Music (PM)
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 – Pisa Sightseeing En Route to Florence

Travel through the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Pisa. On arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza make for a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. En route to Florence, visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting with local specialties. Evening at leisure
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 – Florence City Tour

Today’s morning tour begins with a walk to the Duomo, celebrated for its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery’s renowned “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio, known as the “Old Bridge.” Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Florence. This evening, enjoy an authentic Tuscan dinner.
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 – Medieval Siena and Umbria

Delight in the scenery as you drive through the Chianti area, en route to Siena where you will take a step back to medieval Tuscany. The heart of the city, Il Campo, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its celebrated centuries-old Palio horse race takes place twice every summer, with participants riding bareback around the spectator-packed square, along with non-stop 24 hour celebrations. The city sits over three hills accented by the huge square where the Roman Forum once stood and dominated by the red Palazzo Pubblico and its tower. Stroll leisurely on your own before departing for Umbria. Enjoy dinner tonight at your hotel
Overnight: Torgiano
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 7 – Assisi, Vatican Museums & Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel

This morning visit the small medieval town of Assisi perched high on a hill in the Umbria region, with its Roman ruins, winding streets and sacred shrines. Assisi is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi – patron saint of Italy. Its main attraction is the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, one of the artistic highlights of medieval Europe which contains the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto’s astonishing frescoes. The town of Assisi has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture. Enjoy time on your own before departing for Rome. Upon arrival in Rome visit the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Stroll through one of the most important art collections of the world. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries and the Geographical Maps before arriving to the Sistine Chapel, with its great frescoes by Michelangelo.
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 8 – Tour Ancient Rome

This morning, a historic tour of “ancient Rome” takes you to the Roman Forum, the political center during the Roman Republic, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Rome

DAY 9 – Pompeii excursion from Rome

Depart Rome this morning on a full day excursion to Pompeii. Drive along the Sun Route motorway through the scenic regions of Lazio and Campania, rich in astonishing natural beauty. At a distance, you can view (weather conditions permitting) the magnificent Abbey of Montecassino perched high on the mountaintop, scene of a huge battle near the end of World War II in which the Abbey was completely destroyed, but now lovingly restored. As you pass the Bay of Naples, majestic Mt. Vesuvius marks the way to Pompeii, visit the city that was frozen in time under a thick carpet of volcanic ash almost 2,000 years ago. The tragic fossils of people attempting to escape, along with their children and dogs are still visible, along with the preserved ruins of the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Leisure time for lunch on own before returning to Rome. Tonight join a scenic drive through the city and dinner in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music.
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 10 – Depart for the USA

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 1 – Depart the USA

Depart the USA for Italy. The Rome to Venice tour begins in Rome. After overnight flight you will land Rome’s Fiumicino Airport on Day 2.

Day 2 – Arrive in Rome

Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel. You have the day to relax and maybe take a stroll around Rome’s ancient streets.

The tour begins this evening about 6PM with a meeting and included dinner with the tour director and your traveling companions.
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Dinner

Day 3 – Ancient Rome and Vatican Museum Tour with Sistine Chapel

The historic tour of ancient Rome begins with a walk along the uneven and irregular paths of the Roman Forum, the original central plaza of the city from which ancient Rome developed.

Next, view the triumphal Arch of Constantine, erected by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s tenth year of leadership over the Eternal City.

Then its on to the “King of Rome” sightseeing the Colosseum. This structure is the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. Here gladiators fought animals and naval battles were reenacted in from of 50,000 fans.

Spend the afternoon at leisure, or join the optional walking tour of the Eternal City’s famous piazzas. The Rome walking tour includes visiting the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

Later visit the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Stroll through one of the most important art collections of the world. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries and the Geographical Maps before arriving to the Sistine Chapel, with its great frescoes by Michelangelo.

Tonight, explore on your own and choose one of the numerous restaurants offering delicious local cuisine
Optional: Piazzas of Rome
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 – Rome Day Trip to Pompeii

Depart Rome this morning on a full day excursion to Pompeii.

Drive along the Sun Route motorway through the scenic regions of Lazio and Campania, rich in astonishing natural beauty.

Along the way you’ll be able to view from a distance the Abbey of Montecassino perched high on the mountaintop (weather permitting). This was the scene of a huge battle near the end of World War II in which the Abbey was completely destroyed, but has since been lovingly restored.

As you pass the Bay of Naples, the majestic Mt. Vesuvius marks the way to Pompeii, the city that was frozen in time under a thick carpet of volcanic ash almost 2,000 years ago. Walk through the original sloping streets of Pompeii and view the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape beside their children and dogs, along with the preserved ruins of the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum.

Spend the afternoon at leisure for lunch on your own before returning to Rome.

Tonight, embark on a scenic drive through the city before stopping for dinner in a local restaurant with wine and music.
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 – Umbria with Visit to Basilica of St Francis Assisi

Depart Rome this morning to visit the small medieval town of Assisi perched high on a hill in the Umbria region with its rugged, winding streets and sacred shrines. Participate in a walking tour of Assisi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture and best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi – patron saint of Italy. Its main attraction is the 13th-century Basilica of San Francesco, which contains the sacred relics of St. Francis and Giotto’s astonishing frescoes; one of the artistic highlights of medieval Europe.

Afterward enjoy time to stroll leisurely on your own before departing for Torgiano. Dinner tonight is included at your Torgiano hotel.
Overnight: Torgiano
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 – Siena and Florence

Delight in the scenery as you drive through the countryside en route to Siena, where you will step back into medieval Tuscany. The heart of the city is the stunning Piazza del Campo, the huge central plaza where the Roman Forum used to be. It is now the site of the famous Palio horse race, that takes place twice every summer to celebrate the holy apparition and assumption of the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the city. Time to stroll leisurely on your own before departing for Florence.

This evening, travel through the Tuscan hills, where a sumptuous dinner with unlimited wine and entertainment awaits
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 – Florence Walking Tour

Today, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence, the undisputed center of the world’s finest art and architecture.

Along the way you’ll Brunelleschi’s dome atop the Duomo, the renowned “Gates of Paradise” of the Baptistery by Ghiberti and Giotto’s Bell Tower.

You’ll be enchanted as you walk through the open-air art museum of Signoria Square, with its Palazzo Vecchio, first residence of the Medici family that today houses the seat of the city government.

Then continue to the splendid Ponte Vecchio, also known as the “Old Bridge”.

Spend the afternoon at leisure in this spectacular Renaissance city.

Day 8 – Visit Pisa and then travel to Venice

Depart Florence, traveling through the stunning golden landscape of Tuscany, dotted with olive and fig trees.

Visit Pisa and view the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery, and its famous Leaning Tower, among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. The monuments on the extraordinary Piazza create a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

Then continue to a traditional Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting paired with delectable local specialties before continuing on to magical Venice
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 – Venice Tour

The discovery of Venice begins on the Island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful glassware. While here, visit a local factory to witness the art of glassblowing.

Afterward, continue to the main Venice Island and take a walking tour with your local guide through the maze of narrow alleyways and bridges before reaching St. Mark’s Square. Upon reaching the square, stop to view its most prominent monuments, the pink marble Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and golden Basilica of San Marco.

The Doge’s Palace was the official residence of the Venetian ruler. The Bridge of Sighs offers one of the most notable scenes of this Romantic city. Marvel at the golden Basilica of San Marco, that is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It was built over several centuries in a fusion of Byzantine, Roman and Venetian architecture.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Venice at leisure, or to participate in this afternoon’s optional Gondola Ride, offering a different perspective of this unique city built on water.

Tonight, join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner
Optional: Gondola Ride
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 – Depart Venice

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Most flights from Venice Marco Polo Airport depart early in the morning.
Meals: Breakfast