This perfect 8-day Italian vacation covers Rome, Florence, and Venice with enough time to do your own explorations. Sightseeing with a Local Guide in all cities covers the must-see sights as, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome, Michelangelo’s celebrated David statue, the cathedral, and sculpture-studded Signoria Square in Florence, as well as St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, and the Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. The full day at leisure in Venice gives you the opportunity to join an optional excursion the island of Burano, and of course a special welcome dinner in Rome and a private boat-ride in Venice are included.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in Rome, Italy: Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine in one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)

Day 3 Rome: Sightseeing with your Local Guide this morning concentrates on ancient Rome: visit the COLOSSEUM Colosseum and the ROMAN FORUM , where Roman Legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (BB)

Day 4 Rome-Florence: Start with a guided visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL ,world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Next, visit monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. In the early afternoon drive along the Highway of the Sun north into Tuscany and its hill-clad vineyards which house the famous Chianti wine, to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. (BB)

Day 5 Florence: Follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David and the magnificent CATHEDRAL. Admire Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded Signoria Square. The afternoon is free. Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry sold by the ounce are attractive buys. You may wish to join an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant and try out the Chianti wines. (BB)

Day 6 Florence-Venice: Through the wooded Apennine Hills and the lush plains of the River Po, the largest river in Italy, to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the Bridge of Sighs, Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. (BB)

Day 7 At Leisure in Venice: A whole day to explore Venice on your own, join the locals, have a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe, or wander through the narrow streets and discover Rialto Bridge. To top it all, why not join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano, followed by dinner with local specialties to celebrate the success of your Italian vacation? (BB)

Day 8: Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)