Immerse yourself in the magic of Italy

Start your journey in Venice. Travel along Italy's boot to Ravenna, Michelangelo's Florence, Assisi and Caesar's ancient Rome. Capture the spirit and flavors of southern Italy- Sorrento, Pompeii, the sun-splashed beaches of Capri and the Amalfi Coast and fully experience Bella Italia.

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Venice
Considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice stretches across an archipelago of 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea and is connected by over 400 bridges. As no cars are allowed, we will take boats and also walk along the narrow maze of streets and bridges to see St. Mark’s Square with the Campanile, Doge’s Palace and flocks of friendly pigeons. Free time may find you gliding in a gondola past 12th and 18th-century marble palaces on the Grand Canal. Venice is famous for its ornate glass-work, known as Venetian glass. It is world-renowned for being colorful, elaborate, and skillfully made. We will take a private boat to the island of Murano to see how the most renowned type of Venetian glass is made.

Florence & Ravenna
Enjoy our special lunch in an old vaulted wine cellar in Ravenna, capital of the Western Roman Empire from 402- 476 AD. We continue on to Florence, Golden City of the Renaissance and birthplace of Michelangelo. Florence was originally established by Julius Caesar and has been the center of trade, finance, art and architecture since the Middle Ages. This protected UNESCO World Heritage Site is arguably the last preserved Renaissance city in the world. The crowning architectural jewel of Florence is the domed Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. Free time may find you at the famous Uffizi Galleries viewing works of Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello and Raphael or see Michelangelo’s famous “David” at the Accademia. An excursion through the rolling hills of Tuscany brings us to the picturesque town of Greve for wine, cheese and olive oil tasting at Castello da Verrazzano.

Assisi & Rome
Motor through Umbria to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Walk through this hilltop town carved from pink stone to view the unique double-tiered Basilica. Follow the Highway of the Sun to Rome, city of Caesars, Popes and fashion designers. See the glory that was Rome: Caesar’s Forum, the Colosseum where gladiators fought to the death, the Pantheon, originally built in 27 BC, and more. Across the Tiber River, we come to Vatican City, world’s smallest state, to visit St. Peter’s Basilica housing Michelangelo’s magnificent “Pieta.” Leisure time to explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel or sample delicious gelati at a lively piazza. We'll enjoy a lavish Roman Banquet as well.

Pompeii & Sorrento & Isle of Capri
Continue to Pompeii, the city that was buried in 79 AD by Vesuvius’ volcanic eruption. After lunch we travel the spectacular coastal road to Sorrento, perched on the cliffs above the blue Gulf of Naples, this is where Ulysses resisted the call of the Sirens in Homer’s “Odyssey.” On our next day’s excursion, a ferry boat brings us to the international vacation paradise “Island of Dreams,” Capri. Explore on your own the Blue Grotto’s iridescent waters, shop at chic boutiques or swim in the sparkling Mediterranean.