A Grand Tour of Italy

Arrive in Rome and transfer on your own to the 4-star Hotel Massimo d'Azeglio, ideally located in the heart of the city. Known as the 'Eternal City', Rome is an endless treasure trove of historic, cultural and artistic delights. There is time to get acquainted with the city before meeting your Tour Manager fellow travelers at dinner this evening. Overnight Rome.  (D)

Enjoy a guided tour of Rome today, which introduces us to its most revered sights. See the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built in the Roman Empire, the Roman Forum, the center of Roman public life for centuries, and Trevi Fountain, a world-famous Baroque masterpiece. Pause en-route for ice cream at charming Giolitti, the oldest gelateria in the city, which dates back to the late 1800s. Purportedly a favorite of Pope John Paul II, Giolittai is also famous as the ice cream parlor which Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck visit in the 1953 film 'Roman Holiday'. The rest of your day is at leisure in Rome. Overnight Rome. (B) 

We venture off the beaten track today to see some of Rome's lesser known gems. First, discover the whimsical architecture of the Quartiere Coppedè district, an unexpected delight tucked away from Rome's more famous streets. A combination of historic architectural styles compete for attention here, and the dizzying blend of Baroque, ancient Greek, Art Nouveau, and medieval structures give the neighborhood a magical, otherworldly quality. Continue to the Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo, Hungary's 'national church' in Rome, dedicated to both Christian martyr St Stephen, and Stephen I, the first king of Hungary. This is one of Rome's most unique churches; dramatic frescoes line the circular walls of the interior, each depicting the death of a different martyr, which lends an eerie effect to the undoubtedly beautiful structure. Our final visit is to bohemian Trastevere, an authentic Roman neighborhood known for its incredible food, which we sample during lunch at a local restaurant.  This afternoon is free. Perhaps visit the Vatican City? The tiny principality includes captivating museums and the famous Sistine Chapel, with superb frescoes painted by Renaissance artists including Michelangelo and Botticelli. Overnight Rome. (B, L) 

Today we travel by rail to the beautiful city of Florence, the Renaissance capital of the world, where we spend 3 nights. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the city's treasures, including the Duomo with its iconic red-tiled dome and the Ponte Vecchio a 14th-century bridge that is home to 43 jewelers' shops. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Florence. (B, D) 

Today you are free to explore Florence at leisure. Much of the beauty of the city is found indoors, with a fifth of the world's Renaissance art on display in Florence, including 1,700 masterpieces in the famous Uffizi Gallery. Known as 'the heart of the Renaissance', this world-famous gallery features art by Botticelli, Giotto, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raffaello, to name some of the most famous. Otherwise, the Giardino Bardini, or 'Bardini Gardens' are a pleasure to visit. Overnight Florence. (B) 

Today we travel by rail (Standard Class) across the wonderful, rustic countryside of Tuscany, where rolling vine-covered hillsides stretch as far as the eye can see and acres of olive groves and row upon row of cypress, walnut and bay trees surround the railroad lines. We pass remote farmhouses and isolated villages as we head to Pisa, the city famous for its leaning tower. In Pisa, we enjoy a guided tour that includes the city's incredible Field of Miracles. Here we see the iconic Leaning Tower, and the marvelous white marble Duomo, one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture, with sublime Moorish mosaics.  Later we continue to the beautiful city of Lucca - a place of true beauty that has managed to escape the tourist crowds; one of Italy's best kept secrets. The heart of the city is filled with charming piazzas, small community churches and fabulous art galleries, linked together by narrow cobbled streets and intricate passageways, and we have time to explore the city at leisure. Splendid Renaissance architecture mingles with historic buildings from the Middle Ages, making the city a pleasure to explore on foot. Overnight Florence. (B) 

This morning we leave Florence by high-speed rail, traveling in Standard Class to the floating city of Venice. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel for three nights, the Hyatt Centric on the island of Murano. There is time for you to start your exploration before dinner tonight. Overnight Venice. (B, D) 

We enjoy a guided tour in the heart of Venice, beginning in St Mark's Square, which is dominated by the magnificent Basilica di San Marco and the venerable Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace. This afternoon you are free to soak up the atmosphere of this romantic city. For a bird's eye view of the city, take the opportunity to climb the Campanile de San Marco, which offers incredible vistas over the buildings clustered around the center and the shimmering lagoons further out. Overnight Venice. (B)

You are at leisure to further soak up the atmosphere of this romantic city. For a bird's eye view of the city, take the opportunity to climb the Campanile de San Marco, which offers incredible vistas over the buildings clustered around the center and the shimmering lagoons further out. Or, you could choose to take an enchanting gondola ride through Venice's iconic labyrinth of waterways. This evening, we head into the heart of Venice for a farewell meal in a splendid Venetian palace - a truly remarkable end to our adventures in Italy. Overnight Venice. (B, D) 

Your tour concludes after breakfast this morning. (B)