Day 1 Welcome to Rome
Get ready for a truly special year - 2025 is a Jubilee Year! This monumental Roman Catholic celebration happens just once every 25 years, transforming Rome into a vibrant hub of festivities from December 24, 2024, to December 31, 2025. With all the excitement in the air, your itinerary may be fine-tuned to ensure you soak up every magical moment in the Eternal City.
Your adventure through Italy’s most spectacular cities begins right here in Rome! Meet your fellow travellers and Travel Director over a delicious welcome dinner, then dive into la dolce vita with an orientation drive past the city's most iconic sights. Let the journey begin!
Hotel: Grand Hotel Palatino Rome
Dinner included.
Experience included: Rome Orientation
Day 2 Explore the Vatican City and Ancient Rome
Get ready for an unforgettable Dive Into Culture experience as you embark on a special sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist at the Vatican Museums. Marvel at the breathtaking masterpieces of legendary artists, said to have been touched by divine inspiration. Gaze up at Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring frescoed ceiling in the serene Sistine Chapel, and stand before his sorrowful Pietà inside the grand St. Peter’s Basilica.
Next, follow in the footsteps of gladiators, merchants, and emperors, crossing the Tiber River into Imperial Rome. Stand in awe before the mighty Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, and imagine the roar of the crowd as chariots raced to victory at the Circus Maximus.
The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace - wander through Rome’s charming streets, sip espresso at a lively café, or simply soak in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. For those who want more, an optional walking tour will take you through Rome’s enchanting squares, showcasing some of its most iconic fountains and monuments. However you choose to spend your time, la dolce vita awaits!
Hotel: Grand Hotel Palatino Rome
Breakfast included.
Experience included: Masterpieces of the Vatican Museums; Visit St. Peter's Basilica
Optional experiences: Piazzas and Fountains
Day 3 Rome, your way
Today is yours to explore Rome your way! Stroll through its charming streets, discover hidden gems, or savour a leisurely espresso at a local café.
Feeling adventurous? Join an Optional Experience to Pompeii, the once-thriving Roman city dramatically frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius' catastrophic eruption in 79 AD. With a Local Specialist as your guide, step back in time as you uncover the haunting yet fascinating ruins of this ancient world. On your way back to Rome, you’ll pass by the historic Abbey of Monte Cassino, a site of intense battles during World War II.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Palatino Rome
Breakfast included.
Optional experiences: Discover Pompeii; Roman Delights with Dinner
Day 4 Admire Assisi and onwards to Florence
Head north through the rolling hills of Umbria to the charming town of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. With a Local Specialist as your guide, uncover the inspiring story of this beloved saint as you visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Francis, his final resting place, adorned with stunning frescoes by Giotto.
Later, continue your journey through the postcard-perfect Tuscan countryside, where rolling vineyards and olive groves set the scene for your arrival in Florence. This evening, indulge in a Be My Guest experience, savouring a delicious dinner in a stunning countryside setting, surrounded by the timeless beauty of Tuscany.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Breakfast and dinner included.
Experiences included: Visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi; Dine with Count Fulcis near Florence
Day 5 Discover Renaissance Florence
Take a leisurely stroll through the artistic and architectural wonders of Florence on a guided walking tour with a Local Specialist. Step into history at Piazza della Signoria, where grand sculptures and elegant palazzi tell tales of the past. Wander along charming cobblestone streets to admire the breathtaking Duomo and Baptistery, their marble facades a masterpiece of color and design. Then, soak in the picturesque view of the Ponte Vecchio, the iconic bridge gracefully spanning the Arno River.
Discover the craftsmanship that has defined Florence for centuries with demonstrations of Florentine leatherwork and exquisite 18-carat gold jewellery. The rest of the afternoon is yours - browse for high-quality leather goods, wander through the city’s historic heart, or simply marvel at the artistic legacy of the Medici family that surrounds you at every turn.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Breakfast included.
Experience included: Florence City Tour; Florence Leather Demonstration
Optional experiences: Michelangelo's 'David' & Accademia; Discover Palazzo Vecchio; Visit To San Gimignano
Day 6 Discover Pisa’s Treasures
After a relaxed morning in Florence, journey through the lush landscapes of the Arno Valley to Pisa, where a Local Specialist will guide you through the breathtaking Square of Miracles. Stand in awe before the world-famous Leaning Tower, and admire the stunning marble cathedral that dominates the square. Explore the beautifully decorated Baptistery and the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery said to be built on sacred soil brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusades.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Breakfast included.
Experience included: Visit Pisa with a Local Specialist
Optional experiences: Dinner in the Tuscan Hills; Tuscan Dinner at Villa Machiavelli
Day 7 Onward to Bologna and Venice
Head north through the scenic Apennine Mountains to the medieval city of Bologna, famed for its rich culinary heritage - especially the beloved pasta sauce that carries its name. With a Local Specialist, explore the city's highlights, including the legendary Kissing Towers, which lean toward each other as if frozen in an eternal embrace.
Then, journey onward to the romantic floating city of Venice, a treasure trove of art, culture, and timeless charm. Enjoy some leisure time to glide through its dreamy canals on a gondola ride, or meander through the maze of narrow streets, crossing charming bridges and discovering hidden piazzas along the way.
Hotel: Hotel Principe Venice or Hotel Amadeus Venice
Breakfast and dinner included.
Experience included: Bologna City Tour
Optional experiences: Gondolas & the Grand Canal
Day 8 Cruise Venice’s Canals
Soak in the magic of Venice as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square, where history and beauty collide. Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, admire the elegance of Palladian churches, and take in the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the historic Customs House.
This afternoon, step into one of Venice’s last remaining glassblowing studios, where you’ll witness firsthand the delicate craftsmanship behind this centuries-old art. The rest of the day is yours—wander through the city’s winding canals, soak in its enchanting atmosphere, or join an Optional Experience to the colourful island of Burano, where vibrant fishermen’s houses reflect beautifully on the water. However you choose to spend your time, Venice promises to leave you spellbound!
Hotel: Hotel Principe Venice or Hotel Amadeus Venice
Breakfast included.
Experience included: History and Ancient Skills of Venetian Glassblowing
Optional experiences: Lagoon Cruise to Burano with Food and Drinks
Day 9 Experience Venice
Start your day with an inspiring MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as you meet Lagoon Conservationist Davide for a fascinating discussion on preserving Venice’s delicate ecosystem.
Then, step into the pages of poetry, song, and prose as a Local Specialist leads you on a walking tour through Venice’s enchanting canals. Stroll from your hotel to the iconic Rialto Bridge, where the vibrant centuries-old food market bursts with the colours and aromas of Italy’s finest ingredients. Wander through the narrow calli (streets) and admire the city’s stunning architecture before crossing the Rialto Bridge once more.
The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace - visit hidden gems, soak in the city’s timeless beauty, or simply relax by the canals. As evening falls, we come together one last time to toast to an unforgettable journey through Italy’s great cities over a farewell dinner. Salute!
Hotel: Hotel Principe Venice or Hotel Amadeus Venice
Breakfast and dinner included.
Experience included: Discover a traditional food market by the famous Rialto Bridge; Venice Without Plastic: A Step Toward Cleaner Waters
Optional experiences: Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica
Day 10 Farewell to Venice
It’s time to bid a heartfelt arrivederci to Italy and the wonderful friends who’ve joined you on this unforgettable journey, filled with incredible sights, sounds, and flavours. Until next time!
Breakfast included.
