Welcome to Piraeus, the port city of Athens! As the birthplace of democracy, Athens is steeped in history, which you can discover for yourself at the Acropolis and National Archaeological Museum. Afterwards, take a stroll through Plaka, a neighbourhood teeming with cobblestoned streets, sidewalk cafes and tiny local stores.

Welcome to Argostoli! Capital of Kefalonia, here you’ll discover a slower pace of life than the more well-visited Greek Islands. Enjoy a stroll along the Botanic Gardens, row a boat into the spectacular underground Melissani Cave Lake or simply bask in the beauty of Kefalonia’s postcard-perfect beaches.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea.

Disembark Explorer of the Seas in Ravenna and be transferred to Mestre where you will enjoy a 1-night hotel stay to explore this exciting city.

Enjoy a Scenic Rail Journey from Venice to Milan today. On arrival in Milan make your way to the hotel to check in. Your tour director will be on hand to answer any queries you may have this afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure.

Hotel – Ramada Plaza by Wyndham or similar

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel this morning & then depart for Lake Como. Life on the Lake. Glide on the gorgeous waters of Lago di Como on your cruise to beautiful Bellagio – Lake Como’s most loved village with narrow streets and stunning views. A magical experience to take in Italy’s most famous lake. Return to the hotel in Milan this evening.

Hotel – Ramada Plaza by Wyndham or similar

Our guided walking tour in Milan includes sights; the Sforzesco Castle, the Galleria, La Scala Opera House, and the Duomo followed by some free time. Travel to Verona, setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Marvel at the ancient Roman Arena, built for gladiator fights but now still used as a popular venue for festivals and concerts; shop in Via Mazzini, or just wander the cobblestone streets of the city centre. Continue to your hotel in the Venice area where you will enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,D)

Hotel – Venice Mestre Area    Poppi Hotel or similar

Optional excursions available for purchase (only available to be booked on tour with your tour director)

Magic of Verona

Discover the magic of Verona on this guided introduction to one of northern Italy’s most popular destinations. Join an expert guide and begin with a coach tour highlighting the fortified Scaliger Bridge over the Adige River; medieval Castelvecchio (Old Castle); the Arco dei Gavi Roman arch; and more. Then, disembark and proceed on foot through the historical district to see highlights from “Romeo & Juliet”, including Juliet’s house and balcony, and Romeo’s house; as well as Piazza Erbe, the city Forum during Roman times; the Scala family’s 14th-century gothic tombs; and Piazza Bra with the massive Roman Arena, the third-largest in Italy

Venice is a place of unmatched beauty and a feast of fantastic sights. View the delightful crisscrossing canals, the gondolas, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. Your included orientation features a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and a visit to a Venetian glassblowing workshop. You’ll have time to explore at leisure on your own, or join one of our optional excursions, like a ride on one of the most iconic boats in the world, the romantic gondola. Otherwise, just relax, sipping a cappuccino or the typical Venetian drink called spritz at one of the many bars or cafes. (B,D)

Hotel – Venice Mestre Area   Poppi Hotel or similar

Optional excursions available for purchase  (only available to be booked on tour with your tour director)

Gondola – Serenaded Gondola Ride

No visit to Venice is complete without the quintessential ride on a Venetian gondola, and this memorable excursion is the perfect way to make the most of your time in Venice. Skip the lines and climb right aboard a traditional gondola, the city’s primary mode of transportation for centuries. As a skilled gondolier serenades you with heart-wrenching Italian ballads, you’ll glide along the labyrinth of watery byways past the famous monuments and landmarks, as well as along the Grand Canal, the “Finest Street in the World”.

Venetian Lagoon Cruise with Burano Visit

Get a unique perspective of the floating city—from the water! Enjoy a pleasant boat ride past the famous Lido and the islands of St. Giorgio, Sant’Elena, and Murano before arriving on picturesque Burano, renowned for its lace-making and brightly-painted buildings. Enjoy free time to explore the island on your own before returning to St. Mark’s Square by boat.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Florence. En-route we will enjoy a balsamic vinegar tasting at the renowned Acetaia Leonardi vineyard. Creating classic Balsamic Vinegar requires the patience learned through four generations of devotion and respect for the 18th-century traditions at Acetaia Leonardi farm. The farm sits on 27 acres of vineyards where Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes are grown to produce this delicate balance of sweet and sour Modena specialty. Continue to the hotel in Florence. (B)

Hotel – Wyndham Garden Florence (or similar)

Optional excursions available for purchase  (only available to be booked on tour with your tour director)

Dinner in the Tuscan Countryside

A lovely dinner in the Tuscan countryside awaits on this unforgettable excursion. Arrive at a typical restaurant surrounded by beautiful trees, where you will sample delicious Tuscan specialties. Fine Tuscan wine and live musical entertainment complete this perfect evening!

Hotel – Wyndham Garden Florence (or similar)

Today, discover the wonders of Florence, starting with a guided walking tour, featuring some of the city’s greatest attractions. See Piazza Santa Croce; world-famous Signoria Square; 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio with its collection of artistic masterpieces; Loggia dei Lanzi; the unique Duomo with Giotto’s Gothic Bell Tower and the Baptistry’s ornate bronze door known as the “Gate of Paradise.” (B,D)

Hotel – Wyndham Garden Florence (or similar)

Optional excursions available for purchase ( only available to be booked on tour with your tour director)

VIP Skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery Da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael, Titian, Michelangelo…this guided tour of the world’s foremost art gallery brings the masters to life. We’ll help you make the most of your time in Florence as you skip the long lines at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the city’s most popular attractions. From Rembrandt’s self-portraits to Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”, the greatest collection of Italian and Florentine art awaits!

Vistas of rolling hills, cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and charming villages form the backdrop as you journey into the heart of Tuscany. Stop in Pisa to enjoy a mini- train ride to the Square of Miracles and see the legendary Leaning Tower before continuing to Rome. (B)

Hotel –  Donna Laura Hotel or similar

Steeped in history, the “Eternal City” is vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. (B)

Hotel – Donna Laura Hotel or similar

Optional excursions available for purchase ( only available to be booked on tour with your tour director)

Morning visit to the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel

On this fascinating excursion with a local guide you can stroll through the Vatican Museum and marvel at Michaelangelo’s famous creation in the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museum houses over 2000 rooms and 9 miles of the most extensive collections of art in the world. The Museums are brilliantly decorated and brim over with treasures and history and the local guide will share with you the stories and secrets contained within the Museum’s walls. In the Sistine Chapel you can marvel at Michaelangelo’s masterpiece, which is perhaps the greatest example of art anywhere and certainly the largest contiguous body by one painter. There are also some lesser masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel which are also worth seeing.

Treasures of Rome and Dinner

Enjoy an orientation drive past highlights including the cylindrical Castel Sant’Angelo containing the mausoleum of Roman Emperor Hadrian; the Palace of Justice, seat of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Judicial Public Library; the Mausoleum of Augustus, a large tomb built by the emperor in 28 BC; the ancient 3rd-century Aurelian Walls; Villa Borghese with its expansive park, museums, lake, and fountains; the elegant Via Veneto, a famous street featured prominently in Fellini’s classic 1960 film “La Dolce Vita”; go down via Ludovisi and take a look at Piazza di Spagna and the Trevi Fountain before getting back on the bus at Villa Borghese (Piazzale Flaminio). Relax at a local restaurant for an included 3-course dinner with dessert, local wine, and authentic Roman atmosphere!