The Trip

• Day 1: Canada - Rome (Italy)
• Day 2: Rome Arrival at Rome Airport. Meet and greet and transfer to the hotel. Free time for the rest of the day. Night in Rome.
• Day 3: Rome - Assisi - Sienna - Florence Departure at 7:15 a.m. from the hotel to the city of Assisi, by a luxury coach. Explore this small town surrounded by beautiful walls built in the Middle Ages, visit the Basilica of St. Francis, and have a lunch (not included). Depart by a deluxe coach to Sienna (UNESCO). Visit in the impressive city renowned internationally for the Palio, the horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Then, head to Florence to check-in at the hotel and enjoy dinner (included).
• Day 4: Florence Visit Florence, “the cradle of Renaissance”, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art has reached its pinnacle. Built on Etruscan-Roman foundations, the city prospered in the Middle Ages as a “free commune”, and was considerably refined during the Renaissance. Discover its uncountable monuments, churches, and buildings such as the Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo. Visit the majestic dome built by Filioppo Brunelleschi, the tower of Campanile (partly designed by Giotto) and the baptistery, with its splendid bronze doors, which Michelangelo imagined as the “gates of paradise”. In the heart of the city, guests can admire the Piazza della Signora, Palazzo della Signora (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. After lunch in a local restaurant (included), there will be free time to stroll the cobblestone streets of Florence and return at the hotel at the traveler’s convenience (return transport to the hotel not included). Visitors can take an optional excursion to Pisa, that will be proposed by the guide (approximately $68 per person, payable in cash on site). Pisa is one of the four main historical marine republics of Italy. Upon arrival, visitors can admire the Piazza dei Miracoli, which houses the Duomo, the symbol of Pisa—the Leaning Tower, and the Baptistery. Back in Florence, travelers will enjoy dinner at their convenience (not included), in one of the Italian restaurants located in Santa Croce. Overnight at the hotel in Florence.
• Day 5: Florence - Bologna - Padua - Venice After breakfast, departure to Bologna to discover the elegant city center with its “Porticos”, its shopping streets and more. From Piazza Malpighi, tourists will walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore (Neptune Square and Major Square) located in the heart of the city. They will then visit King Renzo Palace, Palazzo Podestà and the Basilica San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world. Bologna is a paradise for food lovers, where visitors can enjoy one of the delicious meals their taste buds crave for (not included). In the afternoon, departure to Padua where participants will admire the beautiful Basilica of San Antonio, one of the most visited churches by Catholic pilgrims in the world. Later in the evening, arrival in Venice. Dinner (included) and overnight at the hotel.
• Day 6: Venice After breakfast at the hotel, travelers can take a private water-taxi to Piazza San Marco. The Skip the Line ticket allows them to visit the splendid St. Mark’s Basilica. They can then take some time to explore the most iconic places of the “Floating City” like the Palazzo dei Dogi, the symbol of the city’s glorious past and the legendary ‘’Bridge of sights’’. Free time for the rest of the day. Return to the hotel for dinner (included) and a good night sleep. (Return transportation to the hotel not included).
• Day 7: Venice - Montepulciano (Tuscany region) - Rome After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany. This region is world-known for its romantic landscapes, churches, castles, and delicious wine. Then, visit Val Di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its famous “Nobile” wine, Montepulciano hosts the annual jazz and wine festival in July. Free time in the afternoon to discover Montepulciano and enjoy one of the free wine tastings offered in the different wine shops. In the evening, departure to Rome and night at the hotel (lunch and dinner not included).
• Day 8: Rome After breakfast, between 7:45 a.m. and 8 a.m., depart from the hotel for the guided tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters’ Basilica with the “Skip the Line” access. Upon arrival, the guide greets visitors and leads them into the museums, which are homes to the most important art collections in the world. Travelers will have the opportunity to walk through galleries filled with beautiful old tapestries and maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms, the amazing Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica—the biggest church in the world. The tour ends on St. Peter’s Square. Free time to explore for the rest of the day. A good way to reach major sites is to jump aboard the HOP ON HOP OFF – I LOVE ROME bus (not included – approximately $37 per person, to be paid on site, in cash). Night at the hotel.
• Day 9: Rome - Canada After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the return flight.