Italy Family Holiday

Take a boat ride to central Venice and walk with your guide in St. Mark's Square, filled with caf?s, people and pigeons. Gaze at the Basilica, the Bell Tower and the pink-and-white marble Doge's Palace, once the seat of the main government departments and residence of the Doge, ruler of the Venetian Republic. Lavish frescoes, graceful staircases and gilded stucco work reveal the glory and opulence of this period. DESIGN YOUR DAY options fill the afternoon hours: learn the history of Venetian masks and paint your own or head to the Lagoon Island of Murano to see a master artisan at work creating dazzling glass objects. This evening, take a gondola ride along the canals. San Clemente Palace B L

The morning is yours to spend in Venice as you like. Explore one of the many museums, stroll across its famous bridges or revisit St. Mark's Square, known as "Europe's Drawing Room" for the curious and cosmopolitan visitors it draws. After lunch, depart by train for Florence. Dine tonight on traditional Tuscan cuisine in a local restaurant. Hotel Helvetia & Bristol B D

Set on the River Arno below the foothills of the Appennines, Florence has not changed much since the 16th century. See the Renaissance palaces, squares and the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), the famous landmark of Florence. The largest cathedral in Europe at the time of its construction (13th-15th centuries), it could accommodate 30,000 worshippers. Visit the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's David, and the famous Uffizi Gallery, housing a magnificent collection of art treasures that include works by Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael and Giotto. Then stroll through the city as you window shop, or relax at a caf?. This evening, dine ? la carte at one of A&K's recommended restaurants. Hotel Helvetia & Bristol B D

In Pisa, visit the Baptistery, Duomo and the famous Leaning Tower (actually the cathedral's bell tower), all in the beautiful Campo dei Miracoli, or "Square of Miracles." After lunch, return to Florence, stopping en route at Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views. Hotel Helvetia & Bristol B L

Travel by train to Rome. Known as "The Eternal City," Rome is Italy's largest city and one of the few places on earth where you come face-to-face with over 2,000 years of history at every turn. A visit to the Vatican includes the Sistine Chapel, its ceiling painted by Michelangelo from 1508 to 1512 and 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. Until recently the largest church ever built, St. Peter's still remains one of the most venerated sites in Christendom. The Vatican is the global capital of Catholicism and is Europe's only state to be governed by an absolute monarch, the Pope. It is also the world's smallest sovereign state. The balance of the day is at leisure. Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi B L D

Uncover ancient Rome this morning, with stops at the Forum, the political hearth of ancient Rome. Wander through the ruins of nearly 900 years of history, time permitting, and see the triumphal Arch of Constantine. View the Colosseum, Rome's most famous monument. Originally, it was home to many public spectacles that included gladiator fights and chariot races. After lunch on your own, take part in an exclusive training with Roman "gladiators." This evening's farewell dinner is at a lively pizzeria and includes a hands-on pizza-making demonstration. Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi B D

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a homebound flight. B