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, Saturday February 14: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Sunday February 15: 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, Monday February 16: 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, Tuesday February 17: 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, why not visit the Pitti Palace and stroll through the Boboli Gardens? After dinner perhaps see the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi illuminated or sample gelato at Vivoli. (B,D)

Day 5, Wednesday February 18: 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, Thursday February 19: 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, Friday February 20: Rome

Today journey north to Rome. In the afternoon a local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. You'll enjoy timed entrances, meaning you can breeze right by the long lines facing other tourists. 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, Saturday February 21: Rome

Rome is called “The Eternal City” because the ancient Romans believed that no matter what empires rose and fell, Rome would endure forever. Today's panoramic drive of the city is a great introduction to the many phases of Roman history. Then go inside the iconic and historic Colosseum with a local guide (another line-avoiding timed reservation) 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 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, Sunday February 22: 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)