Day 1: Arrive Venice, Italy
Arrive in Venice and take a private launch to your hotel. Venice
is like no other city because it is made up of hundreds of islands,
some connected by bridges. The canals are its streets, and you can
get around either by water taxi or on foot. Even the fire engines
and police vehicles are boats that travel through the canals. This
evening, meet other travelling families during a welcome dinner at
the hotel.
Day 2: Venice
Take a walk with your guide through St. Mark’s Square, which
is filled with cafés, people and pigeons. Gaze at the Basilica, Bell
Tower and the pink-and-white marble Doge’s Palace — the former
seat of governmental departments and residence of the Doge,
ruler of the Venetian Republic. Beneath the Doge’s Palace lies a
reminder of its gruesome past: a maze of cells linked by corridors
and staircases, where countless prisoners met an untimely end. Stay
close to your guide as you explore — you wouldn’t want to be locked
in. Throughout your time in the city, look for the winged lion that
represents St. Mark — its symbol is emblazoned on the Venetian
flag. Spend the afternoon at leisure and take a gondola ride through
the canals tonight.
Day 3: Venice/Bologna/Florence
Drive to Bologna, where you learn the secret of making tortellini
during a family cooking lesson. After lunch, there is time at leisure
to explore Bologna, one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval city
centers. See the 14th-century Basilica San Petronio and the church
complex of Santo Stefano. Arrive in Florence at the end of the
afternoon.
Day 4: Florence
Set on the Arno River below the foothills of the Apennines,
Florence is a living legacy of the Renaissance. Walk through historic Florence, seeing palaces and the Duomo (Cathedral of
Santa Maria del Fiore), and stop at the famous Uffizi Gallery,
housing a magnificent art collection that includes works by Titian,
Caravaggio, Raphael and Giotto. The museums hold famous works
of art, but the historic streets and buildings, too, hold fascination
and cultural significance. Next to the Uffizi is the Palazzo Vecchio,
once the home of the Medici family. The tower’s patrol path has
been recently restored. Follow your guide along the path and learn
about the guard’s cunning plans to thwart invaders. Once you
conquer the path, you are rewarded with views of the city.
See many of the city’s age-old monuments, including one that
A&K Philanthropy is helping to restore. No tour of Florence is
complete without a visit to one of the city’s best gelaterie to sample
your favorite flavor. This evening is at leisure to relax or continue
exploring on your own.
Day 5: Florence/Pisa/Florence
In Pisa, visit the Baptistery and Duomo in the beautiful Campo dei
Miracoli (Square of Miracles). The famous Leaning Tower, started
in the 12th century, is also located there. When workers completed
the third floor, they noticed that the tower started to sink into the
ground, and construction ceased for 90 years. If you are ready for
the challenge, climb the 294 spiral steps to the top to look out over
the city. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Florence.
Day 6: Florence/Rome and Vatican City
Take a train to the “Eternal City” of Rome, where you witness over
2,000 years of history at every turn. Visit the Vatican and the Sistine
Chapel. Gaze up at the frescoed ceiling, which took Michelangelo
four years to paint; it is one of the most renowned artworks of the
High Renaissance period. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, built on
the site where Peter the Apostle — thought to be the first Pope —
was crucified and buried. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 7: Rome
Discover Ancient Rome, stopping at the Forum, its political heart.
Wander through 900-year-old ruins and see the triumphal Arch of
Constantine. Visit the storied Colosseum, imagining what it must
have been like in ancient times when gladiator fights and chariot
races brought spectators from all over. This afternoon, you can train
with Roman “gladiators,” who give you a glimpse into this amazing
time in history. Attend a farewell dinner, where you make your own
pizza.
Day 8: Depart Rome
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your homebound
flight.