9 Day Four Star Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail (New York)

Depart to Italy DAY 2, Tuesday - Arrive in Venice

Today, travel independently to Venice Santa Lucia Train Station, meet just outside on top of the staircase to begin a morning tour* of Venice. Start with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known for its artistic and colorful Murano Glassware, and witness a glass blowing demonstration. Return to Venice for a walking tour, beginning with an orientation of St. Mark's Square where you will learn about the Square's most prominent monuments including the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Doge's Palace, the Bell and Clock Towers. Proceed to Santa Maria Formosa Square and Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, the second largest square in Venice. Continue to the corner of Marco Polo's House and Malibran Theater. Then, return to St. Mark's Square through the Mercerie, a series of interconnecting streets that link Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square, and are the main streets in the city for shopping. The remainder of the day is at leisure or you may choose to enjoy an optional Gondola ride *This is a walking and orientation tour of Venice that does not include entry into any landmarks. Optional: Gondola Ride (PM) Overnight: Venice Meals: Breakfast

Travel to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, by high speed rail. After check-in, travel independently to the Perseo Statue inside the Loggia dei Lanzi in Signoria Square to begin your walking tour* of Florence in the open-air art museum. Admire the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Palazzo Vecchio before continuing to the splendid Ponte Vecchio. Walk to the magnificent Duomo, celebrated for its dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery's renowned "Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti. Florence is indeed the center of the world's finest art and architecture *This is a walking and orientation tour of Florence that does not include entry into any landmarks. Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast

Spend the entire day exploring Florence on your own, or choose to join the optional tour of the Accademia Gallery, where Michelangelo's David is housed; stand in awe of this glorious work of art. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the lively Renaissance city of Florence on your own Optional: Accademia Gallery (AM) Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast

Today, travel via high speed rail to Rome, the astonishing city built on seven hills. After check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy the ancient Roman architecture or dive into the sumptuous culinary delights which abound citywide Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast

Spend the entire day exploring "The Eternal City" at leisure. Perhaps, visit the Pantheon, a magnificent ancient temple, the world's best-preserved ancient monument, that was later converted into a church and view Raphael's tomb. From here, take a stroll to the nearby beautiful Piazza Navona, to get a glimpse of the famous fountains by Bernini. Perhaps, join the optional tour to Pompeii. Depart Rome this morning and drive along the Sun Route to Pompeii, passing by the bay of Naples and majestic Mt. Vesuvius. After lunch, visit Pompeii, the city that was frozen in time under a thick carpet of volcanic ash almost 2,000 years ago. Return to Rome later in the afternoon Optional: Pompeii and its ruins with Lunch from Rome Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast

Today, travel independently to Caffe Vaticano, opposite the Vatican Museum Entrance, to begin the guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's incomparable Sistine Chapel. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you will visit one of the most important art collections in the world. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries and the Geographical Maps before arriving to the famous Sistine Chapel with its great frescoes by Michelangelo. Stroll through St. Peter's Square, passing Bernini's famous colonnade to view St. Peter's Basilica. Afternoon is at leisure or choose to join the optional Ancient Rome tour to visit the fabled Colosseum and the legendary Roman Forum Optional: Ancient Rome (PM) Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast

Transfer independently to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast