“Highlights of Italy”

Tuesday, April 21st – Your adventure begins with an overnight, international flight to the “Eternal City,” Rome, Italy.  Few cities in the world can equal Rome’s history, scenery, art, culture and food.

Wednesday, April 22nd – Welcome to Rome!  The excitement begins as we board our comfortable motor-coach with our local Italian Guide and spend the afternoon in the Vatican City.  You will visit the Sistine Chapel where you can gaze up at Michelangelo’s famous ceiling: the frescoes were refurbished several years ago to reflect their original vibrant colors.  We will also tour the magnificent treasures of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.  A welcome dinner is planned so that you can get to know your fellow travelers better.  (dinner included)

Thursday, April 23rd – Today as a group we will enjoy a full day touring Rome.  We will start our day visiting the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater in the Roman world, followed by our visit to the Roman Forum, one of the most visited sights in the world today, which was the political, administrative and religious center of Ancient Rome.  After some free time for lunch, we will enjoy Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, along with other tourist attractions in the heart of Rome.  (breakfast included)

Friday, April 24th – This morning after breakfast you have two options to choose from.  You may join our Italian Guide for a tour to the Pantheon and also visit Palatine Hill.  The Pantheon was built on the orders of Hadrian between 118 AD and 125 AD, it functioned as a temple to all the Roman Gods (and now functions as a church).  The temple was built to replace Marcus Agrippa’s temple which had burned down in 80 AD.  Palatine Hill is a very pleasant place for a quite stroll under the shadow of the trees and a great place to relax and enjoy a gelato.                                                                                                       

Your other option today is to spend the morning at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Rome Temple which was dedicated in 2019.                  We will assemble as a group after lunch where our first stop is the Arch of Constantine, which was erected in c. 315 AD, and commemorates Roman Emperor Constantine’s victory of the Roman tyrant Maxentius on 28th October 312 AD at the battle of Milvian Bridge in Rome.  We will continue to the Circus Maximus, which was a chariot racetrack in Rome first constructed in the 6th century BC and also used for Roman games and gladiator fights.  (breakfast included) 

Saturday, April 25th – We will enjoy a pleasant drive through the Tuscan hills as we make our way towards Florence.  We will first stop in San Gimignano, which is an Italian hill town in Tuscany, southwest of Florence. Encircled by 13th century walls, its old town centers on Piazza della Cisterna, a triangular square lined with medieval houses.  It has a skyline of medieval towers, including the stone Torre Grossa.  The Duomo di San Gimignano is a 12th-century church with frescoes by Ghirlandaio in its Santa Fina Chapel.  We will enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch followed by a walking tour exploring Piazza della Cisterna, Torres Grossa & Piazza Del Duomo with your guide.  You will find your Florence hotel to be very accommodating.  (breakfast & lunch included)

Sunday, April 26th – It will be our pleasure today to tour Florence, renowned as the “birthplace of the Renaissance.”  Our first stop will be at the Academy of Fine Arts with Michelangelo’s celebrated statue of David.  We’ll admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gates of Paradise,” and visit sculpture-studded Signoria Square.  You have time to check out the enticing shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry on Piazza Santa Croce.   Your afternoon is free at your leisure to continue shopping or perhaps pay a visit to the famous Uffizi Gallery.  (breakfast & dinner included)

Monday, April 27th – Today we will relish a  full day excursion to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  The Pisa Tower is one of the four buildings that make up the cathedral complex in Pisa, Italy, called Campo dei Miracoli or Piazza dei Miracoli, which means Field of Miracles.  Pisa got its name in 600 BC from a Greek word meaning “marshy land.”  In the evening we will enjoy a traditional Italian cooking demonstration for our group and after the presentation we will have the opportunity to enjoy the meal.  Buon Appetito!  (breakfast & dinner included)

Tuesday, April 28th – This morning we will travel to magical Cinque Terre.  Our first stop is La Spezia where we will take a ferry ride to see Cinque Terre from the water to get the best view of its fascinating architecture.  We will get off the ferry at Manarola (one of the five picture-book fishing villages) and have free time to explore and grab some lunch before returning back to Florence.  (breakfast included)   

Wednesday, April 29th – Today we will will enjoy a relaxing three and a half hour drive to Venice, the famous Italian city consisting of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges.  Upon our arrival we will have time to purchase lunch before we embark on a pleasurable gondola ride.  Are your ready to be serenaded?  (breakfast included).

Thursday, April 30th – Our local guide will share enchanting Venice with us as we visit legendary St. Mark’s Basilica.  We’ll wander around the mosaic-covered interior and see the Byzantine treasures while our local guide fills us in on how this collection came to be.  Then we’ll continue on to the 14th-century Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), a former residence of rulers and the old Venetian Republic, now a museum housing art treasures.  (breakfast included)

Friday, May 1st – Venice is famous for its UNESCO-listed lagoon, but the city’s islands are also renowned for their handicrafts.  It will be our privilege today to enjoy a cruise by private boat to Murano Island to watch a thrilling glass-blowing demonstration and also to Burano Island to visit a lace-making factory.  This will truly be a day to remember!  A nice farewell dinner is planned for the group.  (breakfast & dinner included)       

Saturday, May 2nd – We will transfer to the Venice Marco Polo International Airport for our flight back home as we reminisce about our glorious visit to Italy.  Arriverderci (until we meet again).  (breakfast included)