Insider's France and Italy

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, Thursday March 21: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Friday March 22: 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. Venture out into the city and try a café au lait. After dinner your tour manager will show you the dazzling shops, cafés and bustling sidewalks of the Champs-Élysées before you ascend to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy the spectacular view of twelve of Paris's Grands Boulevards which extend from the monument like spokes on a wheel to the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. (D)

Day 3, Saturday March 23: Paris

Today's guided sightseeing tour shows you the magnificent Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides and 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. This afternoon, ascend to the top of the iconic Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views of Paris. (B,D)

Day 4, Sunday March 24: Provence

This morning enjoy a macaron class at the Atelier des Gâteaux before your afternoon high-speed TGV train to Provence. (B,D)

Day 5, Monday March 25: Nice

Explore beautiful Avignon on foot this morning. Entrance is included to the imposing Palais des Papes and the famous Pont Saint-Bénezet (feel free to dance sur le pont if you’d like). Then journey through the Provençal countryside to Aix-en-Provence where you’ll have a chance to Be Cézanne in the town in which he was born and lived. At a local atelier, learn about the great artist’s techniques and put your new skills to the test, re-creating one of his masterpieces. Continue to the glamorous seaside town of Nice. (B,D)

Day 6, Tuesday March 26: Nice

Stroll the city's splendid squares and the winding alleyways of old Nice on your morning sightseeing tour. Later, you'll drive along seaside cliffs to the village of Eze for a visit to the fragrant Jardin Exotique and the Fragonard Perfume Factory. During a perfume making workshop, learn what it's like to be an official “nose” and come away with a bottle of your own creation. Return to Nice for dinner. (B,D)

Day 7, Wednesday March 27: Florence

This morning travel to Florence. Upon arrival breeze by the crowds with your own timed entrance to the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. Tonight, we’ll stroll out to see the iconic Ponte Vecchio, with its bustling shops all lit up at night. The gold shops that line this famous bridge have plenty of beautiful things to tempt you. (B,D)

Day 8, Thursday March 28: Rome

Find out why Florence is considered the “Cradle of the Renaissance.”. During this mornings sightseeing tour a local guide provides commentary while showing you Brunelleschi's splendid Duomo, Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors, Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria—the political center of the Renaissance city. Afterwards journey south to Rome. where you'll go inside the iconic and historic Colosseum with a local guide ( 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. (B,D)

Day 9, Friday March 29: Rome

This morning is free for exploration. This afternoon visit St Peter's before a local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel this afternoon, rounding out your Rome experience. 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. (B,D)

Day 10, Saturday March 30: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)