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Welcome to Venice! Upon arrival and after clearing immigration and customs, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore at your own pace. Stroll through Venice’s romantic alleyways, enjoy a quiet canal-side aperitivo, or simply soak in the enchanting atmosphere of this unique city.
Day 1 – Arrival in Venice – A City Like No Other
Your Accommodation
Hotel Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo Venice
The Albergo Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo overlooks the Orseolo Basin, one of the most famous and enchanting places of the old town center, an exclusive access to the splendor of Saint Mark's Square, just 50 meters away. Albergo Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo is 325 feet from the Correr Museum and 230 feet from the Bell Tower of St. Mark's Basilica. The nearest water bus stop is San Marco-Vallaresso, a 2-minute walk from the hotel. All rooms at the Albergo Cavalletto are classically furnished in Venetian style and include satellite TV and a minibar. Some rooms provide charming views of the gondolas in the Orseolo Basin. The bar and breakfast room also overlook the canal. The varied breakfast buffet includes fresh fruit, croissants, coffee and tea. The Cavalletto's elegant restaurant serves typical Venetian cuisine and is recommended by guide books.
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your local guide to begin a captivating tour of Venice—both by foot and by gondola. Your walking tour starts in the iconic St. Mark’s Square, where you’ll explore Venice’s most celebrated landmarks: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the Bell Tower, and the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy guided interior visits of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, delving into Venice’s rich history, opulent art, and vibrant culture. Marvel at the basilica’s shimmering golden mosaics, intricate marble floors, and the breathtaking Pala d’Oro, a masterpiece of Byzantine craftsmanship. Next, step aboard a traditional gondola for an unforgettable ride through Venice’s picturesque canals. Cruise past the grand Basilica della Salute, a baroque gem that changes appearance depending on your vantage point. Drift away from the bustling Grand Canal to discover hidden corners of Venice, gliding past elegant palazzos and the majestic La Fenice Opera House. Next, enjoy a Carnival Mask workshop, learning the ancient techniques as you create your own Venetian mask to take home. After the tour, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
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Breakfast
After breakfast, bid farewell to Venice as you travel across the scenic Po Valley and into the rolling hills of Tuscany. In Pisa, meet your local guide for a walking tour of the famous Field of Miracles. Marvel at the iconic Leaning Tower (exterior visit) and explore the stunning interiors of the 11th-century Cathedral and Baptistery. Continue to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Enjoy an orientation drive through the city with a scenic stop at Piazzale Michelangelo to admire panoramic views before checking in to your hotel. The evening is at your leisure.
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Breakfast
Venice to Florence via Pisa – Towers and Tuscan Charm
Your Accommodation
Hotel Atlantic Palace
Hotel Atlantic Palace, 4-star hotel in Florence in the heart of the city, the ideal place to spend a relaxing holiday or a profitable business stay in a refined environment, rich in history and tradition, which, at the same time, offers all the comforts. The common areas and the rooms are particularly welcoming: the Florentine style furnishings-with terracotta floors and ceilings with original beams give the emotion of an environment with attention to detail and capable of satisfying every need.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, meet your Tour Escort and journey into the heart of Chianti, Tuscany’s most beloved wine region. Begin at a historic castle winery in the Florentine Chianti Classico area. Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient cellars and gardens, followed by an exclusive tasting of four wines, organic extra virgin olive oil, and local specialties including handmade pasta, Tuscan herbs, and Cantuccini with coffee, served in the estate’s charming Hosteria. Next, visit the delightful medieval village of Greve in Chianti, birthplace of explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano. Stroll through its arcaded main square and explore artisan shops. Travel along the Via Chiantigiana, a scenic route lined with rolling vineyards and olive groves, to reach a family-run winery in the Sienese Chianti Classico. Here, a passionate winemaker welcomes you for a tour of the cellars and aromatic gardens, followed by another memorable tasting. End the day in Castellina in Chianti, a picturesque hilltop town of Etruscan origin. Walk the covered medieval street “Via delle Volte” and soak in the charm of its ancient stone houses, quaint shops, and peaceful squares.
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Breakfast, Lunch
Start your day with a guided walking tour of Florence, exploring the renowned Duomo Complex: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and more. Learn about the city’s influential residents, from the Medici family to Dante Alighieri. Visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring David and other Renaissance masterpieces. Wander through Florence’s historic center and admire its incredible blend of art and architecture. The afternoon, head to Lari, a lesser known Tuscan town located within castle walls. Its biggest draw is Europe’s smallest pasta factory, situated in its centre. It is so tiny, in fact, that if you blink you might miss it. Though mini, the Famiglia Martelli has been proudly making their pasta there since 1926. The family-owned and family-run factory specializes in five types of pasta: maccheroni (rigatoni), penne, fusilli (corkscrew pasta), thin spaghetti and thick spaghetti. The Martellis warmly welcome visitors for a tour. The walk-through gives insight into the art of making pasta, the original way. The process is a long one, as the semolina pasta is still made by hand and hung to dry. The brothers, who usually give the tour, emphasize that what they produce in a year a modern factory pumps out in five hours. At the end of the tour it is possible to taste the difference in their artisanal approach to one of Italy’s staple ingredients. Visitors can purchase a bag (or two, or more!) to take home as a souvenir.
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Depart Florence this morning and travel through Chianti's vineyards and past the peaceful Lake Trasimeno, steeped in Roman history. Climb into the Apennine Mountains to reach the serene hill town of Assisi. With your local guide, visit the Basilica of St. Francis and admire the magnificent frescoes by Giotto. Afterward, continue along the scenic Tiber Valley to Rome, the Eternal City.
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Breakfast
Florence to Rome via Assisi – From Saints to Caesars
Your Accommodation
Abitart
This hotel is located close to Trastvere's entertainment and leisure area. The famous Pyramids of Cestius, a surprising and quite remarkable monument for Rome, is just a few paces away. The closest underground station offers good connections to the world-famous Colosseum, the city's main shopping street and Rome's main train station (Stazione Termini). Newly opened in 2003, this and modern city hotel comprises a total of 65 rooms of which 8 are suites, spread over 7 floors. The stylish hotel comprises a lobby area with a lift as well as a bar and a restaurant with non-smoking area. Those arriving by car may take advantage of the hotel garage facilities (for an additional fee). The elegant and individually decorated rooms come with a private bathroom, a hairdryer, a direct dial telephone, a minibar, a TV, a hire safe, and centrally regulated air conditioning. There is a gym available for use.
Today, explore the heart of Ancient Rome. Start at the legendary Colosseum step inside the arena to relive the stories of gladiators and emperors. Continue to Palatine Hill, the mythological birthplace of Rome and later the home of its emperors. Walk through the ruins of the Roman Forum, once the center of public and political life, and hear fascinating tales—from Julius Caesar’s funeral to the lives of Vestal Virgins. After a break for lunch (on your own), delve into the spiritual and artistic heart of the Vatican. Visit the world-renowned Vatican Museums, a treasure trove of ancient and Renaissance art. Your guided tour culminates in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling will leave you in awe. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church. Marvel at Michelangelo’s poignant Pietà, Bernini’s soaring columns, and the Basilica’s magnificent dome. Conclude with a visit to St. Peter’s Square, surrounded by grand colonnades.
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Breakfast
After breakfast, leave the hustle and bustle of Rome for the day. 20 kilometers southeast of Rome the gentle Alban hills unfurl as a verdant tapestry, adorned with an array of vineyards. The grapes grow perfectly in the mineral-rich volcanic soil. The exquisite wines have been enjoyed in an area that has been a favored location for aristocracy to build its summer residences since the Renaissance. The resort town of Castel Gandolfo is considered one of the most scenic in Italy. It is located on lovely Lake Albano and is protected as a regional park, il Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani. Its papal palace has been transformed into a museum, so visitors can enjoy its beauty before doing a wine tasting or going on to see some of the other sites of historic and artistic interest that are interlaced in the area. Lunch included at a local winery with wine tasting.
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Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to Italy’s beauty, history, and irresistible flavors. With a heart full of memories and perhaps a suitcase filled with wine and pasta, transfer to the airport for your journey home.
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Breakfast
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