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. Afterwards, we’ll check in to the hotel and 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. 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

Enjoy breakfast in our Santa Margherita Ligure hotel before exploring 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 boat and 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 lean due to an unstable foundation, 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. This evening, 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

Prepare for a full day of sightseeing starting with the Piazzo del Duomo and Baptistery. We’ll make stops at Piazza della Repubblica, Strozzi Palace, Piazza Della Signoria, and Basilica di Santa Croce, burial place for Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. Wander the Ponte Vecchio Bridge and Oltrarno neighborhood, to discover artisan shops filled with artwork, antiques, jewelry, and Florentine mosaics. No trip to Florence is complete without visiting the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. Explore Florence’s culture, cuisine, and history at your leisure. Meals: B

We say goodbye to Florence and head to San Gimignano, a small walled medieval town perched between the rolling hills of Tuscany, surrounded by green fields and vineyards. Our next stop will be the hilltop town of Volterra where we’ll view the Piazza and Palazzo dei Priori, Palazzo Pretorio, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Etruscan walls and gates of the city. Conclude this enchanting tour with an alabaster carving. Enjoy a wine tasting followed by a Tuscan dinner. Meals: B, D

Today we visit the gardens of Villa Cetinale, considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy, filled with climbing roses, lilies, irises, and vine-covered pergolas. 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 Piazza del Campo. After some time at leisure in Siena, we will return to Castellani in Chianti for our overnight stay. Meals: B

Travel to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, and visit the Duomo di San Rufino, featuring the baptismal font of St. Francis, St. Clare and Emperor Frederick II. We continue to Rocca Maggiore, a grand castle perched above a walled hilltop overlooking the city. We travel to Rome where we can throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish. Visit the Spanish Steps and the Piazzadi Spagna, a favorite among tourists to sit and enjoy the views. End the night with a delectable dinner together in Rome. Meals: B, D

Travel to Vatican City where we’ll tour the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, and the Pieta. In the afternoon, we explore ancient Rome starting with the impressive Colosseum. Imagine yourself in Roman antiquity as you review the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns that surround the amphitheater. Continue to Palatine Hill, where Roman emperors once lived. Walk along the Via Sacra to the Roman Forum. Share a farewell dinner together. Meals: B, D

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