Climb aboard for our overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as we begin our adventure in breathtaking Italy. Meals: In-Flight

Arrive at the Milan airport where we’ll meet our local driver and tour escort. We start our Italian journey at the Piazza del Duomo with the impressive Galleria Vittori Emanuele and the splendid Duomo di Milano, a behemoth gothic cathedral with an elaborate façade. We’ll stroll among the cathedral's spires and take in the amazing views of the city. We'll have some time to relax before enjoying a welcome dinner together. Meals: D

Enjoy a guided walking tour through Genoa and discover why it remains an under-the-radar gem with its noble family palaces, splendid architecture, and frescoed ceilings. Take a boat cruise to experience Genoa's beautiful landscape from the sea. We travel south to the charming village of Santa Margherita Ligure with breathtaking views of the Costa dei Delfini, located on one of the most famous stretches of the Riviera. The seafront is the main attraction at Santa Margherita Ligure, with its beach, lively harbor and promenade, picturesque palm trees, grand buildings, and brightly colored houses. Meals: B, D

After breakfast, we'll explore Cinque Terre by train, boat, and on foot. Cinque Terre consists of five coastal villages dotted along the rocky coastline with terraced hillsides and vineyards sloping steeply down to the sea. Travel by train to the quaint villages of Riomaggiore, Vernazza and Monterosso, where we’ll soak up the atmosphere of these charming, pastel-colored villages with their beautiful scenery, little harbors, and outstanding seafood. After a splendid day, we return to Santa Margherita for the night. Meals: B

Known worldwide for its four-degree, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a fantastic photo opportunity. We continue to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance and home to some of the world’s greatest artistic treasures. We’ll enjoy a walking tour starting with the Piazzo del Duomo and Baptistery. We’ll make stops at Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Della Signoria, and Basilica di Santa Croce, burial place for Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. We become “true Italians” as we make authentic, fresh Italian pasta during a hands-on cooking class. Tantalize our tastebuds with a delicious meal of hand-made pasta dishes, appetizers, dessert, and wines. Meals: B, D

No trip to Florence is complete without visiting the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s famous statue of David. Enjoy some time for lunch before we leave for Castellani in Chianti. We’ll join a local guide to visit the hilltop town of Volterra to discover the Etruscan walls and gates, the Piazza and Palazzo dei Priori, the Palazzo Pretorio, and Cathedral of Santa Assunta. We’ll conclude this enchanting tour with an Alabaster carving demonstration and learn about this craft. Enjoy a delicious Tuscan dinner with your fellow travelers. Meals: B, D

Step back to medieval Tuscany as we visit Siena, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, known worldwide for the famous Palio horse race run twice a year in shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. The walking tour will also highlight the Fonte Gaia, the largest fountain of the city, and the impressive Piazza del Duomo, with the magnificent Cathedral, Crypt and lavishly decorated Piccolomini Library. After some time at leisure in Siena, we will return to Castellani in Chianti for a wine tasting including a sampling of cheeses and cured meats. 
Meals: B, D

Travel to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order here in 1208. We visit the Basilica di San Francesco, a treasure trove of paintings by Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti, Giotto and many others. Continue to the Duomo di San Rufino featuring the baptismal font of St. Francis, St. Clare, and Emperor Frederick II. After arriving in Rome and checking into our hotel, you'll have time to explore this ancient city on your own. We suggest throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, taking a walk to the Spanish Steps, or enjoying fresh made pasta and a glass of wine at a local restaurant. Meals: B

Travel to Vatican City to tour the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, and the Pieta. Highlights include the basilica’s dome designed by Michelangelo, Bernini’s bronze Baldacchino, the statue of the Pieta, and the Gallery of Maps. Explore ancient Rome starting at the impressive Colosseum wih its iconic Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns. Walk along the Via Sacra to the Roman Forum. Tonight, we will share a farewell dinner together.
Meals: B, D

After breakfast, we’ll travel to the airport where our flight home awaits. Meals: B