London, Paris and Rome

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Tuesday July 5: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Wednesday July 6: London

Welcome to London! Meet your ACIS Tour Manager, relax, unpack and begin to explore the city's unique neighborhoods. Perhaps check out the street markets along Portobello Road in Notting Hill; explore the paths of Hyde Park or the mansions of nearby Belgravia; or visit museums in South Kensington. (D)

Day 3, Thursday July 7: London

This morning, learn about London's majestic past and fast-paced present on your guided sightseeing tour. See Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Along the way, our guide will point out more landmark sites like the Gherkin, the Shard, and the Cheese Grater—all new buildings changing the London skyline. Another highlight of the day is a tour inside St. Paul's Cathedral. Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece is an enduring symbol of London, seat of the Church of England and famed for its dome and Whispering Gallery. If you have time, your ticket includes access to climb to the top of the dome. The rest of the day for shopping at Harrods, visiting the British Museum or strollling the artsy South Bank. (B,D)

Day 4, Friday July 8: Paris

Enjoy scenes of the English countryside whizzing by your train window as you journey towards the English Channel on the Eurostar. You'll travel through the Chunnel and on to Paris, known as the “City of Light” for its role as a center of education and culture during the Enlightenment. After dropping your bags 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. (B,D)

Day 5, Saturday July 9: Paris

This morning, a local expert introduces you the city's most famous monuments—from the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame to Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides to the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées. 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. Then see the City of Light from a totally different perspective on a river cruise on the Seine. (B,D)

Day 6, Sunday July 10: Lucerne

Hop on the high-speed TGV train to zip through the French countryside and in a matter of hours and arrive in Lausanne, Switzerland. Depart for Broc where a quick stop for a chocolate tasting at a chocolate factory will surely be a highlight. Once everyone has had their fill, you'll continue on to picturesque, lakeside Lucerne. (B,D)

Day 7, Monday July 11: Lucerne

This morning ascend 7,000 feet by cable car and cog railway to the breathtaking heights of Mount Pilatus. Famed as the “dragon's lair” and towering over Lucerne, the summit is not for the faint of heart. In the afternoon, a walking tour of Lucerne introduces you to the wonderful paintings (unfortunately now just replicas) that line the ceiling of Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument carved out of sandstone. Tonight enjoy a merriment-filled traditional Swiss food and pastimes experience. Through food, stories, games, costumes and more, your hosts will have you engaging with centuries of Swiss cultural traditions. (B,D)

Day 8, Tuesday July 12: Florence

Drive south from Lucerne through the scenic Italian lake district before arriving in Maranello, where we'll get your engines revving with a tour of the Ferrari Museum. Continue to Florence to end your day. (B,D)

Day 9, Wednesday July 13: Florence

Find out why Florence is considered the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” 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. (B,D)

Day 10, Thursday July 14: Rome

On our journey toward Rome, first stop in Assisi to see the impressive Basilica of St. Francis, where you will see beautiful frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Then upon arrival in Rome, live la dolce vita as you visit one of the city's most historic gelaterias to see how the famous Italian-style ice cream is produced during a gelateria tour and tasting. Your learning will be rewarded with a sweet sample of your favorite flavor as well as one of the gelateria's iconic Sanpietrino treats. (B,D)

Day 11, Friday July 15: 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 skip 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 its many stories. 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 day by introducing you to the fine art of the Italian passeggiata with an evening stroll to Piazza Navona. (B,D)

Day 12, Saturday July 16: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)