Venice, Florence and the French Riviera

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 April 8: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Wednesday April 9: 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 a walking tour with your tour manager. Your 48-hour vaporetto pass allows you to come and go throughout the city as you please. (D)

Day 3, Thursday April 10: 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 and the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the old prisons of Venice to the palace''s interrogation rooms. 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. Entrance to the Campanile is included today. Your tour manager will help to arrange gondola rides today as well (cost not included). (B,D)

Day 4, Friday April 11: Florence

Depart for Florence today. Bring good luck to your time in the city and start to get a feel for its many famous products, by rubbing the nose of the famous bronze Porcellino and visiting one of the open-air markets. Depart for Florence today. The rest of day is free for exploration. In the afternoon you may choose to partake in an optional Tuscan cooking lesson as you help one of the city's finest chefs prepare traditional Tuscan dishes before sampling the delicious results. ($95 additional cost not included, this is a whole bus activity). (B,D)

Day 5, Saturday April 12: Florence

Find out why Florence is considered the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” On your city sightseeing tour with a local expert you'll see Brunelleschi's famed Duomo, Santa Croce, Ghiberti's Baptistry Doors and Piazza della Signoria—the political center of this great Renaissance city. Then breeze by the crowds with your own timed entrance to the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. Tonight dinner vouchers are included. (B,D)

Day 6, Sunday April 13: Nice

This morning, travel through the Italian Riviera to the French Riviera. Along the way we'll visit Pisa. Your stop here includes entrance to the ornate Cathedral of Pisa, part of a complex of buildings located on the Piazza dei Miracoli accompanying the iconic Leaning Tower (the cathedral's bell tower). Continue on to Nice, where this evening you'll stroll through the splendid Place Massena and compare it to the winding alleyways of old Nice. (B,D)

Day 7, Monday April 14: Nice

Begin your day with a visit to Confiserie Florian (pending availability) before discovering Nice's hidden gems from a unique perspective during a bicycle tour showcasing areas such as the port, Place Garibaldi, Place Massena and the Old Town. Then it's time to practice your sporting French vocabulary with local experts who teach you how to play the traditional French game pétanque. Similar to lawn bowling, the sport dates back to the early 1900s. (B,D)

Day 8, Tuesday April 15: Nice

The morning starts with a drive to Monaco, the glamorous playground of the rich and famous and home of the Grimaldi royal family. After visiting the Palace and the Oceanographic Museum there will be time for lunch on your own in the world-famous Monte Carlo. On your way back to Nice, you will travel along a spectacular corniche to Eze, a fortified medieval-age village perched high atop a rocky peak. There you'll enjoy sweeping vistas from the fragrant Jardin Exotique, a magnificent botanical garden, and tour the Fragonard Perfume Factory, where you'll learn about the centuries-old French art of making parfum. Return to Nice to spend your last afternoon on the French Riviera relaxing and enjoying the sun and sand. (B,D)

Day 9, Wednesday April 16: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)