Great Italian Cities

Your journey begins with a motorcoach transfer from Central Penn to a local international airport for an overnight flight* to Rome, Italy.

*Group air schedule is in economy class. Seat assignments are controlled by the airline. Specific seat requests cannot be guaranteed. Air upgrades may be available and are by request only and are not guaranteed. Any air upgrades or deviations must be requested at the time of the initial deposit.

Set off on a truly bellissimo adventure through Italy’s most stunning cities, beginning in Rome, the legendary Eternal City. Meet your Travel Director for a wonderful welcome dinner, then ease into la dolce vita with an orientation drive showcasing Rome’s most breathtaking landmarks. Hotel: Grand Palatino (Dinner)

Begin your day with a Local Specialist as you explore Vatican City. Discover the impressive treasures of the Vatican Museums and gaze up at Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll see his famous Pietà. Later, cross the Tiber River into Ancient Rome to visit the Colosseum.

*Please note: On some departures, access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be restricted due to the Papal Audience. You’ll still have time to take in the atmosphere of St. Peter’s Square during your visit to Vatican City.  Hotel: Grand Palatino (Breakfast)

Spend the day at leisure discovering Rome at your own pace, or choose an Optional Experience to explore the poignant ruins of Pompeii, accompanied by a Local Specialist, uncover the stories of its past before returning to Rome, traveling past the Abbey of Monte Cassino, a landmark marked by intense battles during World War II. Hotel: Grand Palatino (Breakfast)

Travel north through the gentle landscapes of Umbria to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. With a Local Specialist, discover the life and legacy of this beloved saint during a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis. Continue onward through the beautiful Tuscan countryside en route to Florence. This evening, savor dinner at a Be My Guest experience, surrounded by postcard worthy olive groves and vineyards. Hotel: FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (Breakfast, Dinner)

Take a relaxed walking tour of Florence with a Local Specialist, immersing yourself in the city’s extraordinary art and architecture. Explore the magnificent Piazza della Signoria, renowned for its statues and historic palaces, then wander through quaint cobblestone streets to the vividly colored marble Duomo and Baptistery. Pause to admire the picturesque Ponte Vecchio spanning the Arno River. The afternoon is yours to enjoy: stroll through Florence’s historic heart, browse for the fine leather goods the city is known for, or admire the lasting artistic legacy of the Medici family at every corner. Hotel: FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (Breakfast)

Spend your morning at leisure in Florence before traveling across the lush Arno Valley to Pisa. There, join a Local Specialist for a visit to the famous Square of Miracles, where you’ll admire the remarkable Leaning Tower and the striking marble cathedral. Continue on to see the beautifully detailed Baptistery and the Camposanto, a grand cemetery said to be built from earth brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusades. Hotel: FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (Breakfast)

Head north through the Apennine Mountains to the medieval city of Bologna. On a guided tour with a Local Specialist, take in views of the iconic Kissing Towers, leaning toward one another as if in an embrace. Continue onward to Venice, the enchanting island city celebrated for its deep artistic and cultural legacy. Take part in an included excursion of taking a ride on the  Gondolas and seeing the Grand Canal. Enjoy free time to explore the maze like streets, crossing bridges and wandering into peaceful campi. Hotel: Amadeus, Principe (Breakfast, Dinner)

Experience Venice’s most iconic and surprising sights as you arrive by private launch into St. Mark’s Square. Take in views of the Bridge of Sighs, elegant Palladian churches, the Customs House, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the richly adorned Doge’s Palace. Later, visit one of Venice’s few remaining workshops to learn about the intricate craft of traditional glassblowing. The afternoon is yours to enjoy: wander through this floating city at your own pace or opt for an Optional Experience to the vibrant island of Burano, where brightly painted fishermen’s houses edge the canals. Hotel: Amadeus, Principe (Breakfast)

Join a dedicated lagoon conservationist for a thought‑provoking MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience focused on protecting Venice’s fragile environment. Later, explore landmarks immortalized in poetry, music, and literature on a walking tour with a Local Specialist, following the canals to the iconic Rialto Bridge. Here, centuries of Italian culinary tradition come alive at the historic food market. Wander through Venice’s narrow calli, admiring the city’s graceful architecture, and cross the Rialto Bridge before enjoying free time to discover sights of your choosing. This evening, celebrate the finale of your unforgettable journey through Italy’s great cities with a farewell dinner. Hotel: Amadeus, Principe (Breakfast, Dinner)

For now, bid a warm arrivederci to Italy and to the new friends who shared in its unforgettable sights, sounds, and flavors.  as we head to an international airport in Venice for a flight* back to Central PA. (Breakfast)

*Group air schedule is in economy class. Seat assignments are controlled by the airline. Specific seat requests cannot be guaranteed. Air upgrades may be available and are by request only and are not guaranteed. Any air upgrades or deviations must be requested at the time of the initial deposit.

**Itinerary is subject to change at any time without advanced notice and/or compensation.