Treasures of Italy ( 13 days )

Today, we delve into the heart of Rome, one of the oldest and most influential cities in Western civilization. Our city tour takes us to the iconic Colosseum, the ancient Roman forums, and the bustling squares and fountains of the city center. We conclude our tour at St. Peter's in the Vatican, the center of the Catholic Church, where you can visit the basilica and the museums. As evening falls, we'll head to Trastevere, a lively neighborhood renowned for its quaint restaurants.

Today, we journey through the enchanting region of Tuscany. Our first stop is Orvieto, a medieval city perched atop a mountain. We'll take a cable car to the city center, where you can admire the stunning cathedral and explore the network of underground tunnels. Next, we visit the charming town of Castiglione del Lago on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, followed by the historic city of Siena, known for its Piazza del Campo and Duomo. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to explore Siena at your own pace.

We depart from Siena and make our way to Monteriggioni, a quaint medieval village with cobbled streets and charming shops. Our journey continues to San Gimignano, a city famed for its tall medieval towers. After lunch, we head to Florence, arriving in the early afternoon. We recommend a visit to the Academy Gallery to see some of the city's finest art collections.

Start the day with a photo stop at the Michelangelo viewpoint for a panoramic view of Florence. A local guide will then lead us on a city tour of this Renaissance gem, showcasing landmarks like the Gothic cathedral, the ancient Stone Bridge, and the Signoria Square. The rest of the day is yours to explore further or relax at your leisure.

Today, we explore the beautiful Italian lakes region. We start with Lake Orta in Orta de San Giulio, a well-preserved medieval town. We'll take a train ride to the town center and a boat trip to the Island of San Giulio. Our journey continues to Lake Maggiore, where we'll stop in Stresa and have the option to visit the Borromean Islands and Isola Bella. After lunch, we head to the romantic city of Verona.

We leave Verona and head to Venice, arriving around midday. We'll take a boat trip to St. Mark's Square and enjoy a guided stroll around this captivating city. You'll also have the chance to admire the famous Murano glasswork. The rest of the day is yours to explore further, perhaps with a romantic gondola ride. We'll spend the night in the Mestre district.

Today, we leave Venice for Padua, a city of pilgrimage known for its Saint's Basilica. We then travel to the Adriatic coast to visit San Marino, a small independent country atop a fortified mountain. After lunch, we journey through the scenic mountain countryside to Gubbio, a beautifully preserved town, before continuing to Perugia.

We start the day in Perugia, also known as the City of Chocolate. A local guide will lead us through its stone streets and up its ramps to the city's squares. We then travel to Assisi, where you'll have time to visit the Basilica of St Francis and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we return to Rome.