Italy’s Big Three: Venice, Florence and Rome

To begin your overseas adventure, you’ll fly into the world-class city of Venice. Venice is only about three feet above sea level and is actually a series of small islands connected by canals and bridges. Your guide will lead you on a tour of a few of the most well-known sites in Venice today including St. Mark’s Basilica and Square, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Doges Palace, and the Basilica di Santa Maria. You’ll be treated to a delicious Venetian dinner before turning in to rest for a second big day in Venice.

Because Venice is made up of more than 100 islands, days trips for a different Venetian experience are easy. Consider spending your day on the small island of Venice Lido. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants on the island, and a long beach for relaxing. The vibe on Lido is much different than the frantic pace and crowds you’ll experience in the city center. 

Or maybe you’d prefer to stay in the city center of Venice. You can arrange for a gondola for a ride through the main canals of the city. The view of the city from the water is unique, and the gondolas offer the best view of two famous bridges – the Bridge of Sighs and the Ponte di Rialto.

Your group will board a train this morning for a roughly two-hour ride to Florence, the birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci. Your guide will give you an overview of the city before leading the group on a tour of the Florence Cathedral, also called the Duomo. This building dates back to the 14th century and is one of the most beloved structures in the world for its architectural and historical relevance. Climb the 400-plus steps next door at Giotto’s Campanile, a building even older than the Duomo, for an unparalleled view of the city.

Today you’ll continue your walking tour of Florence with a stop at Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that’s estimated to be more than 1,000 years old. Inside of this unique structure, you’ll find vendors, shops and artisans selling their wares. Next, the group will visit the Baptistery of St. John, the Uffizi Palace and art gallery, the Basilica di San Lorenzo and the Boboli Gardens. 

Spend your evening in Florence people watching in one of the city’s many piazzas. Find an authentic Florentine restaurant for supper or ask your guide for a recommendation. Get a goods night’s rest for your trip to Rome in the morning.

This morning you’ll board another train to head further south to the ancient city of Rome. Rome was officially established in 735 B.C., that’s almost 3,000 years of human civilization in one spot. As soon as you arrive, your guide will take you on a walking tour of some of the city’s most famous ruins. You’ll take in the Roman Forum, Trajan’s Column, Circus Maximus, Bocca della Verita and the Arch of Titus. You’ll also stop at the Colosseum, one of the city’s most famous sites. 

Next, you’ll stop at the Pantheon, a temple built more than 2,000 years ago to worship the Roman deities. The rest of the afternoon is yours to stroll through the city’s piazzas and see more of its living history.

Today the group will visit Vatican City, the international hub for the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican City is located in the northwest corner of Rome on a hill overlooking the Tiber River. It’s only about 100 acres in size but is a wholly independent functioning government. 

Here, the group will visit and tour St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Palaces, the famous Sistine Chapel, and so much more. You’ll spend the day in Vatican City before returning to Rome proper for a final meal before tomorrow’s departure. 

There is so much to see and do in Italy that visitors simply must return again and again to really get to know her. Today you’ll fly home with a deeper understanding of this ancient country and its role in the rise of western civilization.