Day 1: Venice Arrival | Welcome Dinner
Meet your tour director at 5:30 PM for a welcome reception and take an orientation walk around the city known as the ‘Queen of the Adriatic.’ Spend time exploring on your own before gathering again for a welcome drink and dinner with your fellow travelers.(D)

Day 2: Venice Tour | Doge’s Palace | Gondola Ride
Take a walking tour of Venice, the most serene of cities, with a local guide. See its glorious architecture, and charming bridges and canals. Visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace and the acclaimed Piazza and Basilica of San Marco. Journey along the canals for a view of the city from a gondola. Delight in an evening of independent dining and exploration. (B)

Day 3: Bologna | Florence Dinner
Take a private group water taxi from your hotel to your coach and travel on to Florence. During your journey, stop for free time and lunch on your own in the lively, historic foodie city of Bologna. Arrive at your hotel outside Florence’s city center. Take a break, then depart for an orientation walk with your tour director and enjoy some free time in this beautiful city, the capital of Tuscany, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner with your group at a local Florence restaurant.
(B, D)

Day 4: Florence Walking Tour | The Accademia Gallery
Take a walking tour of Florence with a local guide and marvel at the sights of the city center such as the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria. Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture of David. Savor a local lunch in the heart of Florence. After lunch you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this magnificent city at your leisure.
(B, L)

Day 5: Orvieto | Roman Colosseum
You’re off to the Eternal CIty – Rome. Along the way, stop in the scenic hill town of Orvieto for a delicious tasting of its renowned local wine. Visit the Colosseum, imperial Rome’s iconic structure, built between 72 and 80 AD. This engineering marvel could hold up to 80,000 spectators for gladiator battles and dramatic productions. (Please note that on some departures, the Colosseum visit may be moved to day 6.) Imagine the ghosts of the Caesars in the ruins of the Forum, the ancient heart of the Roman Empire. Your hotel tonight is in Rome’s historic center.
(B)

Day 6: Independent Exploration | Vatican Tour
Discover Rome independently this morning, as you enjoy free time to explore. In the afternoon visit the Vatican for a guided tour of the Museums, with entrance to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. (Please note that the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica are sometimes closed by the Vatican, so visits are subject to availability.) Then it’s off to dinner in a local restaurant.
(B, D)

Day 7: Pompeii | Sorrento
Depart from Rome for the World Heritage site of Pompeii, a city frozen in time after a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Learn about the city’s rediscovery in 1748 and excavation on a guided tour of this archaeological treasure. Savor lunch at an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria before arriving at your hotel in Sorrento, a lively resort town since Roman times, now famous for stunning views of villas dotting the rocky cliffs along the coastline.
(B, L, D)

Day 8: Isle of Capri | Independent Exploration
This morning take a fast ferry across the Bay of Naples to the charming island of Capri. Enjoy the breathtaking sights of this beautiful island. You’ll explore independently today. Capri is beloved as a day trip destination for its Roman ruins and colorful Blue Grotto, as well as its wonderful beaches. Return to Sorrento, where you’ll dine in the hotel this evening.
(B)

Day 9: Independent Exploration in Sorrento
The day is yours in Sorrento. Discover why this beautiful town has been a draw for visitors since the days of the 19th-century Grand Tour, enchanting writers like Byron, Keats, and Dickens. You might people-watch on the Piazzo Tasso, explore antique stores and artisan shops, visit the public garden and the old churches, or just relax on the beach. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.
(B, D)

Day 10: Tour Ends in Sorrento
Your tour ends after breakfast in Sorrento(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner