Iconic Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome

 Your vacation begins today as you arrive in Rome, still regarded by many as the center of the world. From the remains of the ancient Roman Empire to its Baroque fountains and cafés, the "Eternal City" has endless places to experience, and after checking into the hotel for two nights, you can delve right into its many dimensions.

You might like to find a seat in one of the lively piazzas, getting a taste of local life while having a glass of wine or an espresso, or begin wandering along the city's ancient streets, where history and modern amenities collide. Of course, you could also get your first taste of sightseeing by seeking out some of the famed attractions for which the city is known.

Returning to the hotel this evening, meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers and enjoy your first dinner together in the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Rome.

Please Note - For departures  May 11th, September 7th and October 5th we will stay at The Hive Hotel in Rome

• Dinner

 Waking in Rome, we discover the city's iconic landmarks on a guided tour. Starting at the Colosseum, we view the exterior of this magnificent amphitheater before passing the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia and the Roman Pantheon. We see the Trevi Fountain, and after stopping for refreshments at Giolitti, the city's oldest gelateria, our tour ends in Piazza Navona - a lively square bordered by cafés and restaurants. From this point, you are free to experience Rome's beauty at your own pace for the rest of the day.   

Around 15 minutes' walk away are the acclaimed Spanish Steps. You could climb the steps to reach Pincian Hill and Villa Borghese Park, with its landscaped gardens and the Borghese Gallery. Across the historic Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II, which spans the River Tiber is St. Peter's Square and Vatican City. If you hope to visit the Vatican, we recommend booking ahead online. 

With no planned dinner tonight, you might like to seek out an alfresco eatery for a fresh pasta dish or a slice of pizza al taglio with a glass of wine. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

 Our journey into Italy continues by rail this morning, as we board the train to Florence, the Renaissance capital of the world. After checking in to our central four-star hotel, there is time to relax or to find lunch independently.    

This afternoon, we set out with a local guide. Our tour takes in the striking terracotta-tiled Duomo and the ornate free-standing campanile tower designed by Giotto. We also pass the Santa Maria Novella Church and its piazza and the legendary Ponte Vecchio, the city's renowned medieval bridge lined with jewelry shops. Florence has many grand squares, and among the ones we walk through are Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Repubblica.   

After our tour, you are free for the rest of the afternoon. You may be inspired to see Michelangelo's statue of David and can visit the original at the Accademia or view impressive copies at Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo. You could look around the market, Mercato di San Lorenzo, or enjoy an aperitif before we regroup for dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After breakfast at the hotel, today's excursion takes us on a trip to the walled medieval town of San Gimignano. Traveling by coach, our journey takes us south through classic Tuscan scenery, where the distinctive towers of this enchanting hilltop town soon appear in the distance.  

The delightful town of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and we discover why as we walk through its atmospheric streets with our local guide. San Gimignano is also known for its cured Golden Ham infused with saffron, pecorino cheese and white wine, and with free time over lunch, you may like to sample some of these delicacies in one of the inviting local cafès.  

We return to our hotel in Florence at the end of the afternoon, at which time you are free to spend the evening in Florence as you wish - perhaps enjoying even more enticing Tuscan cuisine for dinner. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

This morning, we travel by rail through rural Tuscany's rolling hills and olive groves to visit two historic cities. Our first stop is Pisa, where a guided tour takes us to the Field of Miracles to see the iconic Leaning Tower and the Romanesque Duomo, gleaming in white marble. Next, we continue by train to Lucca, a beautiful walled city perfect for exploring on foot. To avoid getting lost in the maze-like historic center during your free time, it may be wise to pick up a map at the Tourist Office. 

Medieval Lucca has a striking Duomo, several unique churches and spacious piazzas, including Piazza Anfiteatro, once a Roman amphitheater, now surrounded by small restaurants and cafés. Within the city walls is a botanical garden, art galleries and the Baroque garden of Palazzo Pfanner, featured in "Portrait of a Lady" starring Nicole Kidman. For views across Lucca's terracotta rooftops, you could walk along the wide city walls.

We return to Florence by rail in the early evening, and you are free to dine independently. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

Following a leisurely morning, we board the train to the Floating City of Venice, a timeless and alluring destination. We arrive in the early afternoon, and a private boat takes us directly to the waterfront of our stylish four-star hotel on the island of Murano, where we spend the next two nights. Your luggage will be transferred from Florence directly to the hotel.

Away from the crowds of Venice, and with a more laid-back atmosphere, this picturesque island is actually a group of small islands joined by bridges, and it has a frequent ferry boat connection with the main island. Murano is renowned worldwide for its glass production heritage, yet it is more residential than the mainland with traditional Venetian architecture and pretty canals of ochre-toned buildings.

The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore independently before we gather at our hotel for dinner this evening. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a short boat ride to the main island, we explore Venice on a guided walking tour. Our guide shows us the church where Vivaldi was baptized, the Bridge of Sighs, and St. Mark's Square - the heart and soul of Venice for hundreds of years. Here, we admire the ornate exterior of St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.   

With a free afternoon and evening, you could explore the Byzantine interior of the basilica or visit one of Venice's 170 churches. San Giorgio Maggiore is particularly beautiful, with its stunning façade and Tintoretto artworks. Of course, the ultimate Venice experience is a gondola ride through the canals.    

The Peggy Guggenheim Gallery offers an interesting collection, canal views and a peaceful garden. The district of Dorsoduro has small venues where you could try tapas-style cicchetti, maybe with a prosecco or Aperol spritz. With a Vaporetto pass, you can return to the hotel by water bus whenever you are ready.

We gather again this evening and enjoy our final dinner at the hotel. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our tour of Italy has introduced us to the country's most celebrated cities and iconic sights. In Rome, we saw famous landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. We then explored Florence, with its Renaissance art and architecture, before Venice enchanted us with its labyrinthine canals and historic St. Mark's Square.  

Upon checking out of the hotel in Venice this morning, your time in Italy comes to a close. Say arrivederci to romantic cities and authentic cuisine as you begin your journey home independently.

• Breakfast