Italy Bellissimo

Take time to embrace the Italian passion for life on this grand adventure that starts and ends in the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Spend the day exploring on your own before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening for a light meal and evening orientation drive.

Our captivating journey through Rome begins at the Vatican Museums where we join a Local Specialist to Dive Into Culture and admire Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and his sorrowful Pietà in St. Peter's Basilica. We visit the enduring symbols of Ancient Rome, including the Circus Maximus, before spending the afternoon at leisure. Soak up the coffee culture in one of Rome's lively piazze or discover the masterpieces of Rome in one of the city's many museums.

Venture south towards the ancient city of Pompeii which remains frozen in time since it was covered in ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius centuries ago. Here we join a Local Specialist who will share insights into the city's tragic history. Cruising across the Bay of Naples next, we arrive at the Isle of Capri, where we'll spend the next two nights in picture-perfect surroundings.

Explore the glamour of Capri on a walking tour with a Local Specialist that will include views of the marina. Venture to the heart of the island and the legendary piazzetta, where the locals come to people-watch. Spend free time shopping at elegant boutiques or perhaps join an Optional Experience to explore the rugged coastline and hidden grottos by private motor launch. Tonight, we dine at our hotel.

We sail back across the Mediterranean to Naples and venture north to the historic city of Perugia. Here we’ll discover Italy’s weaving tradition during an impressive MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at our visit to Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti, a TreadRight and JoinTrafalgar Heritage Initiative project. Explore one of the last remaining traditional wooden frame hand-weaving workshops in the country, before continuing to the ancient hilltop town of Assisi where tonight we stay at one of our hotels that overlooks the old town.

Join a Local Specialist and visit the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for Giotto's exquisite frescoes and 13th century stained glass windows. Continue north past hilltop medieval villages and through picturesque farming plains towards Venice, the 'Queen of the Adriatic'. Enjoy a free evening watching the sunset over the Venetian Lagoon or consider joining an Optional Experience before retiring at your Stays With Stories hotel, once a beloved home-away-from-home for Romantic poet, Robert Browning.

The Winged Lion of Venice is your constant companion as you cruise by private launch to your memorable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience bringing to life the 13th-century tradition of Venetian glassblowing. Watch the talented master craftsmen use the same techniques that have been passed down through the generations, perhaps inspired to buy a souvenir or two to remind you of your visit. Next, you’ll continue on to St. Mark's Square where you’ll view the Basilica, the ornate Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, so named because of the sound prisoners made as they took one last look at their beloved city from the bridge before meeting their fate. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore what was once the haunt of Casanova and Marco Polo, and you’ll want to relish every second experiencing life in this enchanting city.

This morning we travel to Pisa and to its Field of Miracles to view the famous Leaning Tower before arriving in the spa-resort of Montecatini Terme in Tuscany, your home for the next two nights.

Explore one of the world's most cultural cities today - the former home of great masters and a testament to the ambitious legacy of the Medici family. Your Local Specialist shares all the sights, including views of the magnificent marble Duomo and Baptistery. We visit Piazza della Signoria, the heart of this flourishing city with its statues and stunning palazzi then view the Ponte Vecchio. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Later, enjoy some free time to stroll around the city and embrace this Renaissance gem. This evening, we Connect With Locals at a Be My Guest experience with the Callistri family at their borgo in the Hamlet of Limonaia for a delicious Italian dinner, olive oil tasting and leisurely walk through their olive groves and lemon orchards.

We admire the medieval beauty of San Gimignano today, walking to the triangular Piazza della Cisterna, the hub of this historic town. See the extraordinary architecture of this hilltop 'medieval Manhattan', shop for local products or relax with a gelato at a pavement café. This evening, we celebrate a magnificent Italian adventure with newfound friends at a Farewell Dinner.

After breakfast, we say a fond farewell to Italy and prepare to return home after a memorable Italian journey of discovery.