Jewels of Italy

Buongiorno! Rome kicks off your epic Italian trilogy. 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, meet 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. 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. Get to grips with the city's main attractions, joining a Local Guide. View St. Peter's Square before crossing the Tiber to see the mighty Colosseum and the countless other ancient sites that featured prominently during the days of the powerful Roman Empire. There’s even time for a leisurely stroll to one of the city’s thronging piazzas to people-watch or to join a Choice Experience dinner in a Roman trattoria. Embrace life lived the Italian way – to the fullest.

• Rome City Tour

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 with the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa. You’ll have time for souvenir shopping before continuing to Florence. This evening, there’s an opportunity to head into the Tuscan countryside for dinner on an unforgettable Choice Experience.

• See Pisa's Landmarks

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 Guide 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. If you’re in the mood for some shopping, consider buying some of the high-quality leather goods or shop for 18-carat gold jewellery. Later, why not visit San Gimignano as part of a Choice Experience? This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

• Florence City Tour

Your week in Italy continues with a journey across the dramatic Apennine Mountains to Verona, a city shaped by Roman legacy and elegant piazzas. View the vast Roman Arena, where open-air concerts are still staged centuries after it was built, and stroll through Piazza Bra or along Verona’s historic shopping streets. Continue on to Venice for the next two nights, where time on your own offers the chance to explore the islands of the lagoon or soak up the romance of the canals with a crisp glass of Aperol Spritz. Alternatively, consider a Choice Experience taking a water taxi into Venice followed by a gondola ride through its narrow waterways. Salute!

• Verona Orientation

Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square, in the heart of Venice. All the main attractions such as the Basilica are within walking distance of this area, so you can snap away to your heart’s content. Spend your time wandering the narrow streets of Venice, or ‘calli’ as the locals call them, then watch talented master craftsmen at work at a Venetian glassblowing workshop. To round your day off nicely, why not consider a Choice Experience of a cruise across the lagoon to the colourful island of Burano, famous for its brightly painted houses and laid-back island charm?

• Venice Orientation
• Learn about the History and Ancient Skills of Venetian Glassblowing

Brief and jam-packed, this memorable encounter with Italy’s favourite cities has been brimming with culture, history and culinary delights. For now, it’s arrivederci, but not farewell forever as you say goodbye to your Travel Director and newfound friends.