Paris, Riviera and Rome

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: Paris

Your ACIS Tour Manager greets you with a Bienvenue! Paris, known as the “City of Light” for its role as a center of education and culture during the Enlightenment, greets you today. Discover the Métro or hit the cobblestone streets with your tour manager and try a café au lait. In Paris, there may be no better place to view the city than the Eiffel Tower, and you'll ascend to the top floor for breathtaking views. In the evening, see the City of Light from a totally different perspective on a river cruise on the Seine.

Day 3: Paris

Morning sightseeing with a local expert shows you the city's most impressive monuments, from the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées to the massive Les Invalides (where Napoleon is buried) to the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. Later, breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre and discover the many famous masterpieces that call it home. Insightful commentary from your local guide highlights the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo and more as you wander through the galleries. From its beginnings as a royal fortress to its current status as the world's most visited art museum, the Louvre has long been at the center of Parisian culture and home to a collection of 35,000 works of art from around the world.

Day 4: Nice

After our morning flight to Nice, you'll stroll through the city's splendid squares and the winding alleyways of old Nice. Enjoy time this afternoon to soak up more of the Mediterranean culture of the Côte d'Azur at your own pace. Then discover the city's hidden gems from a different perspective during a bicycle tour showcasing areas such as the port, Place Garibaldi, Place Massena and the Old Town.

Day 5: Nice

Take a scenic drive along the corniche to the village of Eze with its castle ruins and steep streets. Visit the Jardin Exotique, an amazing cliffside botanical garden, and tour the Fragonard Perfume Factory to learn about the town's fragrant history. During a perfume making workshop at Fragonard, learn what it's like to be an official “nose” and come away with a bottle of your own creation. Then return to Nice where the afternoon is yours to relax on the pebbly beach or explore more at your own pace. Perhaps visit the Palais Lascaris, an interesting museum housed in a 17th century Baroque building, or enjoy spectacular views from the Parc de la Colline du Château.

Day 6: Florence

This morning, travel from the French to the Italian Riviera. Bid adieu to France as you cross into Italy and arrive in Pisa. Visit the Cathedral and marvel at the iconic Leaning Tower(the Cathedral's bell tower) before continuing on to Florence.

Day 7: Rome

Find out why Florence is considered the “Cradle of the Renaissance” this morning. On your city sightseeing tour with a local expert you'll see first-hand Brunelleschi's Duomo, Ghiberti's Baptistry Doors and Piazza della Signoria—the political center of this great Renaissance city. Breeze by the crowds with your own timed entrance to the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. Later head south to Rome.

Day 8: 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 panoramic drive of the city is a great introduction to the many phases of Roman history. Our local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. The best part is that these are timed reservations, meaning you'll breeze right by the long lines facing other tourists. In the afternoon, you'll go inside the iconic and historic Colosseum with a local guide (another line-avoiding timed reservation) and learn the many stories of this nearly 2,000-year-old Roman landmark that's considered one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. Your ticket also includes entrance to the nearby Roman Forum if your group has time. Tonight, enjoy a pizza dinner the way it is meant to be: authentic and Roman. We finish the week by partaking once more in the fine art of the Italian passeggiata with an evening stroll to Piazza Navona.

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.

Enhance your European experience by starting your tour with two nights in historic London. Discover the city's past and present with included sightseeing before taking the Eurostar to Paris.