Italy’s Great Cities: Rome, Florence and Venice

Begin your journey in the Eternal City of Rome, a crumbling classic of romance and relics, where every sculpted cheek comes with a story. History is everywhere: be it the glory of the Colosseum, the tombs of ancient emperors, or churches lavished with masterpieces. Transfer privately to your hotel, where you join your Resident Tour Director for dinner.

Begin the day with early access to the Vatican Museums, before visiting St. Peter's Basilica. Discover the Eternal City, starting at the Palatine Hill, where your local guide brings to life the city's origin. Pass the Arch of Constantine to visit the mighty Colosseum, opened in AD 80.

Explore the Montemartini Museum, set in a building that once housed Rome's first electric power station, to view a grand collection of classical statues depicting early Roman life, all displayed in thought-provoking juxtaposition with the extraordinary industrial architecture surrounding them. Pause in Rome's Eataly emporium to taste local specialties. Following an afternoon of exploring on your own, get a hands-on feel for an Italian culinary tradition, when you take part in a pizza-making class in a top Roman neighborhood pizzeria.

Drive to Florence, roaming through the sun-splashed Tuscan countryside. Along the way, stop at a distinctive winery for a guided tasting of Brunello di Montalcino and a light lunch. Continue to Florence and your historic hotel in the city center.

Walk the lively streets of Florence with your local guide, an art specialist, who accompanies you to fascinating sites, including the Accademia, where you behold striking masterworks such as Michelangelo's incomparable David. At the Cappella di San Luca of the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, meet with a restorer working on the precious Renaissance art housed within. Indulge in a hands-on Tuscan cooking experience at the Florence University of the Arts. Start with a talk on Tuscan cuisine followed by a cooking lesson in Tuscan dishes that completes this mouthwatering foodie moment.

An express train takes you across the Apennines to the valley of the Po and onward to Venice. Cruise by water taxi along the Grand Canal and then board a gondola for a quintessential Venetian experience. Break for lunch before visiting St. Mark's Square; St. Mark's Basilica, with its unforgettable mosaics; and the Doge's Palace.

Spend the morning on one of these Design Your Day activities.Visit One of the City's Last Gondola Workshops to learn about this time-honored boat-building craft.Marvel at the Textile Weavers of Tessitura Bevilacqua and take a walking tour of Venice's historic Jewish ghetto.Explore Sites Featured in Famous Films, visiting the shooting locations of scenes from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Italian Job and others.Follow up your exciting experience with an afternoon at leisure, free to relax or further explore the city. Tonight, have a cocktail overlooking the Venetian Lagoon, setting the mood for your farewell dinner.

After breakfast, privately transfer by boat to the airport for your flight home.