Italy: Italian Art

Airport Transfer

On-ground Briefing & Orientation Walking Tour - The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems, nearby pharmacies, markets, ATMs, etc. Additionally, an in-depth safety briefing will be provided for what to do in case of an emergency.

Welcome Dinner - The group will be taken for an authentic dinner with a wide variety of menu options to cater all diets.

Tour the Forum, Palatine Hill, Colosseum - The Foro Romano (Roman Forum) is located just to the west of the Colosseum and is the truly ancient city of Rome – the very place where history took place, with processions, criminal trials, elections, and intrigue all happening here. It was the site of the original Senate, and where Caesar’s body was brought following his assassination. The ruins of some of Rome’s most important ancient structures can be found at or near the Forum. The Colosseum, the world-famous icon, is an ancient amphitheater dating from AD 70 and is the unmissable sight of Rome. The flat-topped Palatine Hill that rises above the Forum is where the emperors built their palaces (and indeed “Palatine” is the source of the word “palace”.

Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli - San Pietro in Vincoli is a Roman Catholic titular church and minor basilica in Rome, Italy, best known for being the home of Michelangelo's statue of Moses, part of the tomb of Pope Julius II.

Guided Tour of Capitoline Museum - This is the oldest public museum in the world founded in 1471 by Sisto IV.

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Guided Tour Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica - The Vatican Museums are the public museums of the Vatican City. They display works from the immense collection amassed by the Catholic Church and the papacy throughout the centuries, including several of the most renowned Roman sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. St. Peter’s Basilica is the jewel of Vatican City. Dominating the skyline of the area, the Basilica is spread over a massive 23,000 square meters of land.

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Walking Tour of Rome - Campus Martius I - See San Luigi Dei Francesi, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and more.

Guided Visit of Villa Borghese - This is one of the world’s most beautiful art museums hosting the works of extraordinary artists such as Bernini, Caravaggio, Canova, and Raffaello.

Free Day in Rome

Train to Pompeii (approx 2.5 hrs)

Guided Visit of Pompeii - The life of the ancient city of Pompeii and of its inhabitants ended abruptly in 79 AD, when, following the eruption of Vesuvius, it was covered under about six meters of ash and lapilli. The excavations of the city, which began in 1748 and still in progress, have brought to light this important archaeological site which, in 1997, became one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Return to Rome (approx 2.5 hrs)

Bus to Assisi (approx. 3 hrs)

Assisi Center Walking Tour - See the Duomo di San Rufino, Basilica di Santa Chiara (St Claire) and the lovely main square, and Piazza del Comune. Enjoy clear views of the massive 14th-century fort, Rocca Maggiore, which sits on top of the hill. As you walk with your guide, hear about the history and cultural treasures of Assisi.

Group Dinner

San Francesco Church Tour - Visit the stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica di San Francesco (Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi).

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Train to Florence (approx 3.5 hrs)

Florence Walking Tour - See the Duomo, Baptistery, Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato, Piazza della Signoria, Loggia dei Lanzi, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti.

Monuments Visits - Get inside access in the main monuments of Duomo Square: the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto's Bell Tower, Brunelleschi's Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata.

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Uffizi Gallery - The Gallery entirely occupies the first and second floors of the large building constructed between 1560 and 1580 and designed by Giorgio Vasari. It is famous worldwide for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the Modern period).

Galleria dell 'Accademia - The Accademia Gallery collection includes priceless masterpieces and works of art in its various halls spread over two floors.

Free Day in Florence

Basilica di Santa Croce - The Basilica di Santa Croce is the principal Franciscan church in Florence

Bargello National Museum - The National Museum has its setting in one of the oldest buildings in Florence that dates back to 1255. Initially the headquarters of the Capitano del Popolo (Captain of the People) and later of the Podestà, the palace became, in the sixteenth century, the residence of the Bargello that is of the head of the police (from which the palace takes its name) and was used as prison during the whole 18th century.

Train to Siena (approx. 1.5 hrs)

Siena Walking Tour - Historical & Cultural Walking Tour of Siena - See the Piazza del Campo, Fonte Gaia, The cathedral of Siena, Torre del Mangia, Piccolomini Altar (Michelangelo), & Piccolomini Library (Pinturicchio and Raphael).

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Return to Florence

Visit San Marco Museum - Museo Nazionale di San Marco is an art museum housed in the monumental section of the medieval Dominican friary dedicated to St Mark, situated on the present-day Piazza San Marco, in Florence.

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Santa Maria Novella -The first great basilica in Florence, and is the city's principal Dominican church.

Brancacci Chapel - The Brancacci Chapel is a chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence, central Italy. It is sometimes called the "Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance" for its painting cycle, among the most famous and influential of the period.

Group Dinner

Train to Venice (approx 2.5 hrs)

Venice Walking Tour: Includes Madonna dell’Orto, San Zanipolo, & Rialto Bridge.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi Lookout Point

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Piazza San Marco: Basilica di San Marco - The Basilica of San Marco is now and has always been the center of public and religious life in Venice. This basilica has a very special historical interest since it was here where the Dukes of Venice were consecrated.

Doge’s Palace - The Doge's Palace is one of the symbols of Venice. The palace has been used for everything from the residence of the Doge to the prison of the Venetian republic.

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Visit Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari - The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of the largest churches in Venice. The Basilica is commonly known as the Frari. It’s plain and expressionless exterior contrasts with its majestic interior. The construction of the church took nearly 100 years to build and was completed in the mid-fifteenth century. Its bell tower dates from the fourteenth century and is the second tallest campanile in Venice.

Free Afternoon & Cultural Immersion

Train to Milan (approx 2.5 hrs)

Free Day in Milan

Farewell Dinner and Program Closing

Airport Transfer

Depart Milan, Italy for Home