7 days Taste of Italy 2024
Savor a sampling of Italy's greatest cities
Get your first taste of the delights of Venice, Florence, Rome, and more on this enchanting Italian tour. You'll get to enjoy the ancient ruins, architectural and artistic masterpieces, and of course, indulge in Italy's legendary food and wine.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Venice Arrival | Welcome Dinner | Meet your tour director at 4:00 PM for a welcome reception and orientation walk around the city known as the ‘Queen of the Adriatic.’ Spend time exploring independently before gathering again for a welcome drink and dinner with your fellow travelers. (D) |
| 2 | Murano Glass Factory | Venice Tour | Doge’s Palace | Gondola Ride | Take a scenic cruise around the Venetian Lagoon to Murano Island, known for centuries for its artisanal glass industry. Tour a factory and see a demonstration of the art of glass blowing. Cruise back to the splendid Piazza San Marco for a walking tour, with visits to Doge’s Palace and Basilica San Marco. Journey along the canals for a view of the city from a gondola. The evening is yours to explore and dine independently. (B) |
| 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 in Florence’s city center, then take an orientation walk with your tour director and some free time to discover this city, the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of Renaissance art and architecture. Enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner with your group at a local Florence restaurant. (B, D) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 7 | Tour Ends in Rome | Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) |