Insider's Italy

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Venice

Arrive in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, and transfer by private motor launch to the Lido. Spend the afternoon exploring the city's winding streets and canals.

Day 3: Venice

Consisting of an archipelago carved by nearly 150 canals into 118 different islands, the incomparable city of Venice contains a wealth of sights. Arrive in St. Mark's Square where you can see the Basilica of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the old prisons of Venice to the interrogation rooms of the neighboring Doge's Palace. You'll then learn more about one of the most famous Venetian exports during an authentic glassblowing demonstration, before enjoying views up and down the Grand Canal as you stop for a photo at the iconic Rialto Bridge. During your time in Venice, you'll also ascend to the top of the iconic St. Mark's Campanile—as the tallest building in the city, with a belfry that offers 360-degree views, you'll have a stunning perspective of the square and beyond, plus a unique appreciation for the incredible feat of human ingenuity and engineering involved in making Venice what it is. Then explore more at your own pace with unlimited access to the entire canal network and smaller islands using your vaporetto pass. You'll feel like a local in no time.

Day 4: Florence

Drive to Maranello, where we'll get your engines revving with a tour of the Ferrari Museum. Next you'll enjoy a Balsamic vinegar tasting—visit a four-generation farm and production facility near Modena to learn about the family's process for making and aging the famed Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena before tasting a few of the varietals. Continue to Tuscany and its magnificent capital, Florence. Tonight perhaps stroll out to see the iconic Ponte Vecchio, with its bustling gold shops all lit up at night.

Day 5: Florence

During today's sightseeing tour a local guide provides commentary while showing you Brunelleschi's splendid Duomo, Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce (where many illustrious Italians, including Michelangelo and Galileo, have been buried) and the Piazza della Signoria—the political center of the Renaissance city. Also, breeze by the crowds with your own timed entrance to the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. There is no shortage of wonderful places to eat in Florence, and you'll get to dine like (and with) the locals using our insider tips and restaurant vouchers.

Day 6: Rome

Journey to Orvieto. Once a major center of the Etruscan civilization, the city is perched high on a plateau of volcanic tufa stone and is known form its gothic Duomo, whose dramatic outline is visible for miles around. Visit the Duomo and Capella San Brizio before heading underground on a guided cave walk through the secret labyrinth of tunnels carved into the soft rock beneath the city's streets. Once you emerge above ground, you'll head to Rome. Your tour manager will introduce you to Rome with an evening walking tour that winds past the imposing illuminated columns of the Pantheon and into the ever-lively Piazza Navona.

Day 7: Rome

Rome is called “The Eternal City” because the ancient Romans believed that no matter what empires rose and fell, Rome would endure forever. Today's sightseeing tour introduces you to every phase of Rome's legendary history with a panoramic drive of the city. In addition, your local guide accompanies you through the incomparable Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and continues to St. Peter's Basilica. In the evening try your hand at an Italian tradition with a pizza making lesson and dinner. Pay close attention to the pizza chef's presentation on how to lay out the dough for a perfect pie, top it with ingredients in the Roman style and finish it off in the oven. Work in teams to assemble and cook your own creations as you enjoy an authentic, brick oven pizza dinner.

Day 8: Rome

Mingle with locals and experience a true slice of daily Roman life during this morning's Rome market tour. Learn how to shop for the best of the produce varieties and traditional foods, and sample some of the wares. Then visit the famous Colosseum, a nearly two thousand year old Roman emblem.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Further immerse yourself in the culture and wonders of la dolce vita with an extra night in Rome, including the services of your ACIS Tour Manager.