Buongiorno 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 March 19: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Thursday March 20: Venice

Benvenuti in Italia! 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. Your 24-hour vaporetto pass allows you to come and go throughout the city as you please—take the vaporetto to downtown Venice and begin exploring this magnificent city of canals and palaces. (D)

Day 3, Friday March 21: Florence

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 ride along the Grand Canal past singing gondoliers as you cross under the Rialto Bridge. 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. Then learn more about one of Venice's most famous exports during an authentic glassblowing demonstration before having time to 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 by the time you depart for Florence, known as the Cradle of the Renaissance. (B,D)

Day 4, Saturday March 22: Florence

During today's 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. In the afternoon partake in a Tuscan cooking lesson as you help one of the city's finest chefs prepare traditional Tuscan dishes before sampling the delicious results. After dinner perhaps see the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi illuminated or sample gelato at Vivoli. (B,D)

Day 5, Sunday March 23: Assisi

This morning journey to Siena, one of Italy's best-preserved hill towns, for a walking tour that shows you the green and white marbled Duomo and the famous Piazza del Campo. Continue on to Assisi and visit the incredible Basilica of St. Francis, home to Giotto's famous frescoes, and learn about St. Francis' founding of the Franciscan Friars. Enjoy time to experience more of beautiful Assisi like a local this evening after the day-trippers have left. (B,D)

Day 6, Monday March 24: Sorrento Area

Journey south toward the Bay of Naples and visit Pompeii. As your local guide provides commentary, learn how this famous city was perfectly preserved when the eruption of Mount Vesuvius covered it in ash in 79 AD. See the villas of ancient Roman holiday-makers and the chariot-grooved cobblestone streets. Then explore a working mozzarella farm and learn first-hand about how this creamy cheese is made, from ingredients to production to taste. Enjoy dinner on the farm before continuing to the Sorrento area for a night's rest. (B,D)

Day 7, Tuesday March 25: Rome

Today journey to Rome. Upon arrival visit the Colosseum for a guided tour 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. After dinner you'll be introduced to the Italian art of an evening passeggiata romana to the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. (B,D)

Day 8, Wednesday March 26: Rome

In the morning a local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. In the evening, we'll dine on authentic, brick-oven Roman pizza before taking a final stroll around Piazza Navona and gazing on the imposing, illuminated dome of the Pantheon to celebrate our last night in Italy. (B,D)

Day 9, Thursday March 27: 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)