Reflections of Italy

What's Included

• Guided Tour of Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica

  Set out on a locally guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.

• Boat Trip to Murano Island

  Enjoy a boat trip to Murano Island for a glass-blowing demonstration.

• Visit to a Historic Winery

  Visit a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region.

• Chef-led Cooking Class

  Enjoy a chef-led cooking class with lunch in a historic castle.

• Welcome Dinner in Rome

  Get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner featuring regional specialties.

• Farewell Dinner at Lake Como

  Celebrate the end of an unforgettable trip with a farewell dinner at your hotel.

What's Not Included

• Optional Dinner in Rome

  Optional dinner in a popular restaurant in Rome, indulging in a hearty meal accompanied by wine and local entertainment.
  
  

• Optional After-hours Tour in Florence

  Optional after-hours tour of the 14th-century Certosa monastery, followed by dinner featuring local wines, Tuscan food, and live entertainment.
  
  

• Optional Serenaded Gondola Ride in Venice

  Optional tour featuring Venice's most famous pastime – a serenaded gondola ride.
  
  

Experiences

Enjoy a boat trip to Murano Island for a glass-blowing demonstration.Explore Cortona, the postcard-worthy village that serves as the setting for Under the Tuscan Sun.Step to the front of the line to see Michelangelo’s famous statue of David.

Options

Rome: Roman Serenade Enjoy a pleasant serenade with dinner in Trastevere, a charming, bohemian district where Rome’s locals often frequent. Indulge in a hearty, traditionally Roman menu, complete with wine. As you savor the delicious tastes of Italy, talented performers entertain you with folk songs. This lively, fun-filled evening will be an unforgettable part of your visit to Rome and an engaging immersion into Italian culture. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.


Gratuities are included.

Florence: Tuscan Feast This evening, set off on a scenic drive to nearby Galluzzo, famous for its Carthusian monastery which rests upon one of the beautiful hills surrounding Florence. Prior to dinner, enjoy an after-hours visit to this 14th-century monastery – La Certosa.* Revel in the beauty that lurks inside and experience the monastery’s magnificence as you learn about monastic daily life. Then your evening of fun continues at one of the area’s most popular dining establishments. Experience an authentic and traditional dinner served family-style! Savor local wines and Tuscan food and enjoy the entertainment. It’s a memorable – truly Italian – evening out that you won’t want to miss! Duration approximately 4.5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

*Visit to the monastery may not be possible when weddings are taking place. Gratuities are included.


Venice: Venetian Serenaded Gondola Cruise Experience the romance that can only be found in Venice – La Serenìssima – while traveling on its famous waterways. Partake in one of Venice’s most famous pastimes – a gondola cruise. Take a pleasant stroll toward the Grand Canal to board your gondola. As you relax in your elegant watercraft, your gondolier navigates the Grand Canal as well as smaller side canals. Admire the scenery as you listen to the melodic voice serenading you in true Italian style – just like in those romantic Italian movies! Duration approximately 1 hour(s). Transportation is not included A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

This option operates weather-permitting.
Duration of the gondola cruise is approximately 30 minutes. Gondolas hold 5 to 6 guests. Transportation is not included and in most cases not required as the start of this excursion is usually within walking distance.

Culinaries

Visit a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region.Enjoy a chef-led cooking class with lunch in a historic castle.Dine on regional delicacies and fine Italian wines.

Must See

Behold medieval Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis.Enjoy a scenic journey through Tuscany’s graceful low-lying hills.Set out on a locally guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Choice Highlights

Rome Rome is the capital of modern Italy and the historical home of one of the great civilizations in history, the Roman Empire. The historical city was founded in 753 BC and has grown to a size of over 3 million inhabitants today. The city is home to major monuments like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and many more. The city was built on the seven ancient hills along the Tiber River. Today it is a collection of neighborhoods with vibrant shops, restaurants and museums just waiting to be explored.

Vatican Museums The Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world. Inside the Vatican walls are the Papal Palace, St Peters Basilica, the curia of the Vatican state, extensive gardens and the Vatican Museums. The museums were founded in the early 16th century and house some of the most important masterpieces of the Renaissance. The collections are houses in a series of interconnected palaces that lead visitors through collections of ancient sculptures, frescoed maps, tapestries and ends in the highlight of any visit, the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel contains Michelangelo’s masterpieces, the painted ceiling and the The Last Judgement.

Sistine Chapel

St. Peter’s Basilica St. Peter's Basilica is an example of late Renaissance architecture and was designed by great architects like Raphael, Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Completed over the course of 120 years, St. Peter's is one of the largest churches in the world, and an important holy site for Catholics. The church is built over the burial site of Saint Peter and contains the tombs of numerous popes. The church is known for its mosaic decorations and grand dome.

Assisi Join us on a guided walking tour of the town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Here you'll discover a blend of Roman ruins, winding medieval streets and beautiful churches that make this a must-see destination. Once a pilgrimage site and historical treasure, Assisi offers you the chance to return to another time. With a history that stretches back to 1000 B.C. (predating the Roman Empire), the town rests among the gently rolling hills of Umbria. Marvel at the Basilica of San Francesco, find an out-of-the-way shop, look out at the stunning landscape, or sit and relax at a quiet café.

Perugia Perugia is the regional capital of Umbria. The architecture of the city reflects its medieval history, but it also is home to one of the few remaining Etruscan arches dating back to its prominence as one of twelve original cities in the Etruria confederacy. Today its notoriety comes from the two universities and Italy’s most famous chocolate company, Perugina. Perched on a hill, the city offers panoramic views over the Umbrian countryside and a vibrant city center with many shops, cafes and pedestrian areas to explore.

Cortona Cortona is an Etruscan city perched on the side of Tuscany’s low-lying hills. Take in the ornate facades and medieval architecture. Peek at the adjacent lake, situated off if in the distance. You might recognize the city as the charming setting for the book and film Under the Tuscan Sun.

Florence Florence is the regional capital of Tuscany and home to countless Renaissance masterpieces. The city developed great wealth during the late Middle Ages and was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance that produced great artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Brunelleschi and many others. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with numerous museums, stunning architecture and charming piazzas. The city offers something for everyone from culture, to great food and excellent shopping (like their famous gold or leather).

Michelangelo’s David The Statue of David by Michelangelo is one the most famous Renaissance sculptures in the world. The statue is housed in Florence’s Accademia Gallery along with other works by Michelangelo. The statue depicts the biblical hero David as a young man. It was commissioned at the turn of the 16th Century as part of a project for the Florence Cathedral, but it was instead placed in the public square. In the late 1800’s it was moved to its current home.

Chianti Winery & Cooking Class Tuscany is world-renowned for its rolling hills, country roads and of course, numerous vineyards. Tuscany's most famous export is unquestionably Chianti wine, and true Chianti can only be produced in a section of the country that stretches from Florence to Siena. On your visit to a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region, you'll enjoy a chef-led cooking class. During the tour, guests will learn about the wine making process from vine to bottle. After you've been educated on the intricacies of thsi fine grape, you can sit back and savor regional delicacies during a delicious lunch.

Venice Venice is the regional capital of the Veneto region in the northeast section of Italy. Venice has a unique design like no other city, built on over a hundred different islands in the center of the Venetian Lagoon. Early Venetians built their city on the islands to escape barbarian invaders. The islands of the city are separated by numerous small canals and connected by hundreds of small bridges. The city is famous for its romantic gondola-filled canals and ornate palaces that line the Grand Canal. The famous glass factories of Venice are located on Murano Island. Today the Murano Islands are home to a dwindling number of glass factories, whose artists are producing handmade Murano Glass.

Murano Island Murano is located in northern Italy and houses important attractions such as, the Church of Santa Maria e San Donato, the chapel of the Ballarin family, and artworks by Giovanni Bellini. The island is primarily known for their history in glass production. It became Italy’s glass art capital in 1291. The community of glassblowers was relocated by the government to Murano. Glass making originally began in Venice; however, because the houses were made out of wood, the government deemed it too risky because of the kilns constantly going.

Lake Como Originally a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy, it has been a popular place to retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, and since has become a popular tourist attraction for its artistic and cultural gems. It has become a venue for many watersports such as sailing, windsurfing, and kite surfing.

Mode of Transport

Travel through Italy with ease, starting with an overnight flight to Rome. Enjoy scenic journeys through Tuscany's hills, a ferry ride on Lake Como, and a boat trip to Murano Island. Experience the beauty of Italy's landscapes and waterways as you move from city to city.

Accommodation

Stay in comfort at the Grand Hotel Palatino in Rome, the Sangallo Palace Hotel, and the Hotel Albani in Perugia. Experience the charm of the Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal in Florence and the Hotel Barchetta Excelsior in Venice, ensuring a delightful stay throughout your Italian journey.