Sacred Heart Academy's Italian Adventure

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 March 27: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Thursday March 28: 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. (D)

Day 3, Friday March 29: Venice

Consisting of an archipelago carved by nearly 150 canals into 118 different islands, the incomparable city of Venice contains a wealth of sights. Use your vaporetto pass to arrive in St. Mark's Square where you can see the Basilica of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the old prisons of Venice to the interrogation rooms of the neighboring Doge's Palace. You'll learn more about one of Venice's most famous exports during an authentic glassblowing demonstration, before enjoying views up and down the Grand Canal as you stop for a photo at the iconic Rialto Bridge. Head to an authentic cicchetteria to sample some traditional Venetian-style tapas before enjoying a Gondola ride, then explore more at your own pace with unlimited access to the entire canal network and smaller islands using your vaporetto pass. You'll feel like a local in no time. (B,D)

Day 4, Saturday March 30: Florence

We leave Venice this morning and travel to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. Once there, you will learn about Italy’s most famous frescoes during a fresco making workshop and test your skills against Michelangelo’s after learning the technique from a master. You will certainly gain a deeper appreciation of what he accomplished with the Sistine Chapel. (B,D)

Day 5, Sunday March 31: Florence

After Mass, today's sightseeing tour with a local guide shows you the splendid Duomo, Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors, Santa Croce and the Piazza della Signoria—the political center of this Renaissance city. Then breeze by the crowds with your own timed entrance to the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. (B,D)

Day 6, Monday April 1: Sorrento

Journey to Orvieto. Once a major center of the Etruscan civilization, the city is perched high on a plateau of volcanic tufa stone and is known for its gothic Duomo, whose dramatic outline is visible for miles around. Visit the Duomo, then begin your scenic drive down to coastal Sorrento, situated in the sheltered Bay of Naples under the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Fragrant orange and lemon trees abound. (B,D)

Day 7, Tuesday April 2: Sorrento

Today's excursion brings you by high-speed hydrofoil to Capri, the Island of Dreams. Arriving on the island, take the funicular past sub-tropical gardens to the main piazza. There is time to wander through the twisting lanes and shop in the tiny artisan stores that line the square. Return to Sorrento for a free evening. (B,D)

Day 8, Wednesday April 3: Rome

This morning head to Pompeii for sightseeing with a local guide. In 79 AD, nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the city in 23 feet of ash. You will see a perfect picture of life unearthed as it was nearly 2,000 years ago. Today's final destination is Rome. (B,D)

Day 9, Thursday April 4: Rome

After a free morning visit St Peter's before a local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel In the evening, try your hand in the Italian culinary arts with a pizza making lesson and dinner. Pay close attention to the chef's presentation on how to lay out the dough of a perfect pie, top it with ingredients in the Roman style and finish it off in the oven. You'll work in teams to assemble and cook your own authentic, brick oven pizza. (B,D)

Day 10, Friday April 5: Rome

This morning 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. In the afternoon you will live la dolce vita as you visit one of Rome'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. Later, you can perhaps mingle with café-goers around the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda. Tonight we'll provide restaurant vouchers and suggestions for our favorite trattorias so you can dine like (and with) the locals. After, we'll head out for a passeggiata romana around the Piazza Navona. (B,D)

Day 11, Saturday April 6: 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. (B)