Wallenpaupack Chorus sings in 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, Tuesday July 9: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Wednesday July 10: Rome

Benvenuti in Italia! Meet your Encore Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel in Rome, the Eternal City. Begin your sightseeing exploration right away with a guided tour of the Colosseum! Imagine the roar of spectators as they cheered on gladiators battling one another both on the ground and on water! Your Tour Manager will then take you on a walking tour to view the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. Check into your hotel and have dinner together. (D)

Day 3, Thursday July 11: Rome

After breakfast at the hotel, board the coach and depart to Vatican City. Your local guide will accompany you through the Vatican Museums today to see the Sistine Chapel and magnificent Raphael rooms. After having lunch on your own, head to St. Peter's Basilica, the largest and most prominent church of the catholic faith. Stroll across the Piazza San Pietro towards the dome, designed by Michelangelo and almost as large as that of the Pantheon. Today's highlight will be participation in celebration of Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at 6:00pm. Enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 4, Friday July 12: Florence

Depart Rome this morning and enjoy a lovely drive to Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis. Visit the Basilica where today you will have an impromptu performance. Continue on to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. Check into the hotel, and begin an informal walk through the city with your Tour Manager. You will become acquainted with Italy's 'open-air' art museum and see the architecture of Brunelleschi and Alberti along the way! This evening, enjoy some Tuscan culinary specialties with dinner in a restaurant. Afterward, you might wish to visit the Boboli Gardens for its panoramic views of Florence and the Tuscan hills - the ideal place to end your day! (B,L,D)

Day 5, Saturday July 13: Florence

Today's sightseeing tour with a local guide and headsets shows you the splendid Duomo, Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors, Santa Croce and the Piazza della Signoria, the political center of the Renaissance city. Also, enjoy a timed entrance to the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David. Have an afternoon at leisure before eating dinner together as a group. (B,L,D)

Day 6, Sunday July 14: Venice

Depart Tuscany this morning for Venice. Known as the Queen of the Adriatic, consists of an archipelago carved by nearly 150 canals into 118 different islands, and is simply incomparable. On arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy a free afternoon before having dinner together in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 7, Monday July 15: Venice

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, provided each morning of your tour. Meet your local guide for a city tour through downtown Venice, including St. Mark's Square and the Basilica. See the famous "Bridge of Sighs" which connects the Doge's Palace to the old prison. During your free time, you may wish to take a gondola ride through the city's beautiful canals or visit the Peggy Guggenheim museum. This afternoon, come together to rehearse for your final concert this evening which will take place at a the beautiful Scuola Grande di San Rocco at 8:00pm! (B,D)

Day 8, Tuesday July 16: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)