7 days Taste of Italy
Get your first taste of the delights of Venice, Florence, Rome, and more on this enchanting Italian tour. You'll get to enjoy the ancient ruins, architectural and artistic masterpieces, and of course, indulge in Italy's legendary food and wine. ITALY IS AN ACTIVE DESTINATION: Visiting Italy requires the ability to walk on cobblestones and uneven terrain, climb stairs and vehicle steps, and walk or stand for several hours at a time. Traffic restrictions often require coaches to drop off passengers a substantial distance away, with a 20-minute walk to the attraction. Some tours include activities in late evening. Typical tour days may require five miles of medium-paced walking.
Trip Highlights:
- Sistine Chapel
- Orvieto
- Michelangelo's David
- Venetian Gondola Ride
- Roman Colosseum
- Florence
- Bologna
Hotels:
- Hotel Bonvecchiati Venezia
- StarHotels Tuscany Florence Hotel
- The Tribune Hotel
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Venice | Arrival | Welcome Dinner<br /> Meet your tour director at 4:00 PM for a welcome reception and take a one-hour orientation walk around the city known as the ‘Queen of the Adriatic.’ Spend a couple of hours exploring on your own before gathering again for an ample dinner with your fellow travelers. |
| 2 | Venice | Walking Tour | Doge’s Palace | St. Mark’s Basilica | Gondola Ride Take a guided walking tour of Venice, 'La Serenissima,' the most serene of cities, with its glorious architecture, and its charming bridges and canals. Visit the magnificent Doge's Palace and the acclaimed Piazza and Basilica of San Marco.Journey along the canals for a view of the city from a gondola. Delight in an evening of exploring and dinner on your own. |
| 3 | Venice to Florence | Free time in Bologna | Florence dinner Take a water taxi from your hotel to your coach and travel on to Florence. During your journey you’ll stop for free time and lunch on your own at the lively historic foodie city of Bologna. Arrive at your hotel outside Florence’s city center. Take a break, then depart for an orientation tour and enjoy some free time in this beautiful city, the capital of Tuscany, and the birth place of the Renaissance. Enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner with your group at a local Florence restaurant. |
| 4 | Florence | Walking Tour | Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s David Take a walking tour of Florence and marvel at the sights of the city center such as the Duomo,Piazza Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria. Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture of David. Savor a local lunch in the heart of Florence, where the sauce is handcrafted with locally-sourced tomatoes. After lunch you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this magnificent city at your leisure. |
| 5 | Florence to Rome | Orvieto Local Wine Tasting | Roman Colosseum They say that all roads lead to Rome, so you’re off to the Eternal City with a special and delicious stop in Orvieto for a local wine tasting. Visit the historic Colosseum, the iconic structure of imperial Rome constructed between 72 and 80 AD. This engineering marvel could hold between 50,000 - 80,000 spectators of public spectacles, gladiator battles, and classical dramas. Imagine the ghosts of the Caesars in the ruins of the Forum, the ancient heart of the Roman Empire. Your hotel tonight is in Rome's historic center. |
| 6 | Rome | Independent Exploration | Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel | St. Peter’s Basilica The morning is yours to discover Rome in your own way. Enjoy some free time for lunch before your visit to the Vatican with a guided tour of the Museums with entrance to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilic (NOTE: The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica are subject to occasional closure by the Vatican. Itinerary timing could change on this day due to Vatican availability). Then it's off to your farewell dinner in a charming Roman neighborhood. |
| 7 | Tour Ends in Rome | Your tour ends after breakfast. PERX Plus: You can book pre-nights in Venice or post-nights in Rome if you want to extend your vacation! Ask your PERX Vacation Consultant about special rates on hotels to make booking extra nights easy and affordable. |