Jewels of Italy

Buongiorno! Rome kicks off your epic Italian trilogy – one that will scratch beneath the surface of Italy’s iconic cities. After checking in to your hotel, spend the rest of the day relaxing or pound the pavements to discover why Rome so deserves its title, the ‘Eternal City’. Later, you’ll meet up with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a glimpse into what lies ahead. There’s even time for a leisurely stroll to one of the city’s thronging piazzas to people-watch or to join an Optional Experience dinner in a Roman trattoria. Embrace life lived the Italian way – to the fullest.

With so much to see and do, you could explore Rome for an eternity without getting bored. Why not join Optional Experience to Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums? Get to grips with the city’s main attractions, joining a Local Specialist at the Vatican City, the world’s smallest country. Stand in St. Peter’s Square, sharing your space with devoted pilgrims. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and view Michelangelo’s greatest work, the sorrowful Pietà. Cross the Tiber next, to view the mighty Colosseum and the countless other ancient sites which featured prominently in the days of the powerful Roman Empire.

Set your sights firmly on Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and a city that has inspired poets, authors and artists for centuries. But first, a mesmerising journey through the rolling vineyards and olive groves of Tuscany awaits. Visit Pisa and its Square of Miracles, one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in the world. Yield to peer pressure and snap a few strategic photos featuring you and the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa, leaning precariously. You’ll have some time for souvenir shopping before continuing to Florence. This evening, there’s an opportunity to head into the Tuscan Hills for dinner on an unforgettable Optional Experience.

There are few cities in the world with an artistic legacy equal to that of Florence. Now’s your chance to experience it in all its glory with your Local Specialist at your side. Lace up your walking shoes and view the city’s most iconic sights on foot – the Baptistery, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Ponte Vecchio. You’ll visit Piazza della Signoria and witness a demonstration revealing the centuries-old Florentine trade of leatherwork, followed by some time to explore on your own. Later on, why not visit San Gimignano as part of an Optional Experience? If you’re in the mood for some shopping, consider buying some of the high-quality leather goods you’ve just witnessed or shop for 18-carat gold jewellery. This evening, you’ll enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Journey across the dramatic Apennine Mountains to Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. View the vast Roman Arena, where concerts are still held several centuries after it was built to entertain the citizens of this fair city. Juliet’s Balcony is a further highlight, revealing the tragic story of the Montague and Capulet family feud. Your journey continues to Venice, your home for the next two nights. Time on your own means an opportunity to explore one of the world’s most romantic cities, watching the busy traffic on its canals over a crisp glass of Aperol Spritz, or to embark on an optional gondola ride along Venice’s narrow waterways. Salute!

Cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square, in the heart of Venice. All the main attractions are within walking distance of the Piazza so you’ll have easy access to view the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark, which you could visit as part of an Optional Experience. Spend your time wandering the calle of Venice then watch talented master craftsmen at work engaged in the same craft as their ancestors from centuries ago. Witness the beautiful glass creations, that are characteristic of Venice, being made during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Consider taking an optional cruise across the lagoon to the colourful island of Burano.

Brief but jam-packed, this memorable encounter with Italy’s favourite cities has been brimming with culture, history and culinary delights. We hope you tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain to secure your speedy return to Rome, but if you didn’t, you’ll have a heart full of fond memories that will stay with you forever. For now, it’s arrivederci, but not farewell forever as you say goodbye to your Travel Director and newfound friends.