Bell'Italia

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, Wednesday June 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA for the land of La Dolce Vita.

Day 2, Thursday June 2: Venice

Arrive in Venice, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and enjoy a fast and fun transfer by private motor launch to your hotel on the Lido.Then start exploring this magnificent city of canals and palaces with your 48-hour vaporetto pass, which allows you to come and go throughout the city as you please. After lunch on your own, enjoy sketching and photography tips on the Grand Canal. Here, maybe choose to visit one of the famous Venetian museums such as the Gallerie dell'Accademia (pre-19c Venetian art) or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. (D)

Day 3, Friday June 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 before enjoying entrance to the Gothic Doge's Palace, including the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the old prisons of Venice to the palace's interrogation rooms. Then learn about the art of Venetian glassblowing with a demonstration by a master practitioner. Be on the lookout for souvenirs as you explore more of Venice's highlights with unlimited access to the entire canal network and smaller islands using your vaporetto pass and enjoy the afternoon by sketching and photographing the iconic Venetian gondolas floating on the canals. You'll be feeling like a local in no time. (B,D)

Day 4, Saturday June 4: Florence

After breakfast, depart for Ravenna to see its stunning Byzantine mosaics. Home to eight UNESCO Heritage Sites, within close walking distance, it is easy to satisfy any artistic curiosity about the beautiful artistry adorning this city. Ravenna also boasts contemporary mosaic walls and sculptures among its pastel-colored neighborhoods. After free time for sketching, photography and lunch on your own, continue to Florence, where your Tour Manager will take you on a walking tour to familiarize you with the capital of Tuscany, and one of the world’s best-preserved centers of Renaissance art and architecture. Tonight perhaps stroll out to see the iconic Ponte Vecchio straddling the Arno River, with its bustling gold shops all lit up and use evening city light to sketch and photograph. (B,D)

Day 5, Sunday June 5: Florence

During today's sightseeing tour a local guide provides commentary via personal headsets 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 entrances to the Accademia and the Uffizi. Tonight enjoy dinner vouchers. (B,D)

Day 6, Monday June 6: Florence

Explore more of old Tuscany today. First journey to Siena, one of Italy’s best-preserved hill towns, for a walking tour that shows you the Siena Cathedral with its black and white marbled interiors and take the short stroll to the Piazza del Campo with its extraordinary patterned stone walkways. Afterwards, indulge in a magnificent Tuscan style lunch at a countryside farmhouse, where you’ll learn about the traditions and cuisine characteristic to Italy’s rural way of life. You will continue next to explore San Gimignano, famed for its wines and amazing skyline of medieval towers. If there is time, sketch and photograph the surrounding countryside, before returning to your accommodations in Florence. (B,L)

Day 7, Tuesday June 7: Rome

Today drive to Cortona and enjoy views of the medieval buildings perched on the hillside overlooking the valley and explore remnants of the area’s Etruscan pre-Roman history. Enjoy an hour of sketching or photography time, or visit one of the local museums. After lunch on your own, depart for Assisi. Your Tour Manager will show you the stone cell where St. Francis of Assisi lived and founded the Franciscan order of Friars. In the Basilica of St. Francis, located above his tomb, you will enjoy beautiful restored frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue as well as other late medieval painters. After dinner continue on to Rome for the overnight. (B,D)

Day 8, Wednesday June 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, giving commentary via personal headsets. The best part is that these are timed entrances, meaning you'll breeze right by the long lines facing other tourists. Then 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. Tonight enjoy dinner vouchers. (B,D)

Day 9, Thursday June 9: Rome

Today is free for you to discover more of Rome’s wonders with your tour manager. Perhaps browse through remarkable art museums such as the Borghese Gallery (and gardens), Palazzo Massimo all Terme and Doria Pamphilj Gallery. Or, follow Bernini’s fountains on a walking excursion where you can toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your future return to Rome. Or you may opt to shop for last-minute souvenirs near the Spanish Steps before we meet for one last time to share our creative accomplishments. (B,D)

Day 10, Friday June 10: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)