14 Days Italy – Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany Trip summary: Day 1 – departure for Rome (overnight flight) Day 2 – arrival in Rome, transfer to the hotel Day 3-6 – visit Rome. Day 6 – departure for Florence by train Day 6-8 – visit Florence Day 8 – departure for Venice by train Day 9 – visit Venice Day 10 – departure for Siena, rent a car. Day 11 – stay in a Tuscany farmhouse. Day 12 – day at leisure. Day 13 – departure for Rome, drop-off the car. Day 14 – departure flight for US. Detailed description: Day 2 – arrival in Rome. Private transfer from the airport to the hotel. Rome, the "Eternal City," has been a sacred place and internationally important city since ancient times. Rome's history extends nearly 2,800 years, during which time it has been the seat of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire, the Papal States, the Kingdom of Italy and the Italian Republic. In the afternoon visit Trevi Fountain, since it is 10 minutes a walk from the hotel. The Trevi Fountain is the largest, the most famous and the most visited tourist monument in Rome. Don’t forget to drop the coin in to the water – an inevitable ritual that will help you return in Rome. Overnight.

Day 3 – Breakfast. Visit the Spanish Steps Elegance is without doubt the main feature of the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna - the frame offered by palaces in ochre color, the fountain of Bernini and the staircase on which stands the church of Trinità dei Monti. It is not by chance that high fashion designers like Gucci, Bulgari and Valentino have chosen to place their stores near this square. Perfect place to do some shopping. In the afternoon, half day walking small group Tour of Ancient Rome with English speaking guide. The tour includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Palatine Hill is the centermost of the famous Seven Hills of Rome. For centuries, the Forum Romanum was the site of the city's most important public buildings. By coach you will be then driven by the Circus Maximus and the Aventino Hill. Stop to admire the beautiful statue of Moses by Michelangelo located in the Church of St. Peter’s in Chains from where it will take us 5 minutes to reach the symbol of the eternal city: The Colosseum. Located just east of the Roman Forum it was built to a practical design, with its 80 arched entrances allowing easy access to 55,000 spectators. Day 4 – visit the Pantheon. With its thick brick walls and large marble columns, the Pantheon makes an immediate impression on visitors. But the most remarkable part of the building is the more than forty-three meter high dome. Your next stop is Castel Sant’Angelo. This Fortress was built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian in 2nd century, but it has also been a prison papal residence. It was used by former Popes who absconded there for protection in times of danger. Last for the day is Borghese Gallery and Museum. Villa housing 15th- to 18th-century artworks with pieces by Bernini & Caravaggio.

Day 5 – half day walking small group tour of Vatican Museums and St.Peter’s Basilica with English speaking guide. The tour includes Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica. The tour begins by coach passing through Piazza della Repubblica with the Fountain of the Nayads and following the ancient Aurelian walls which once surrounded the ancient city. From Piazza del Popolo where you will see an Egyptian obelisk dating back to the time of Ramses II. Finally, on arrival at the Vatican Walls, your guide will then lead you into the Vatican Museums taking the beautiful Spiral staircase and continuing through the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps before arriving in the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgement by Michelangelo, at the end of the tour time free to visit the St.Peter’s Basilica. Afternoon at leisure as requested. Day 6 – Departure for Florence by train. Private transfer from the station to the hotel. Florence is a display, an “al fresco”, of art and culture. This Italian city is famous worldwide for being the heart of the Renaissance period and the residence of fine arts and literature. One can find influential symbols of Italian and European culture in every corner of Florence. Afternoon - half day walk and talk small group tour of Florence with English speaking guide. A pleasant walk in Florence is just what you need to be introduced to the city and its splendor and secular heritage. During this walk, you will see Piazza della Signoria with the town hall Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo, the Baptistery with its ‘Gates of Paradise’, Giotto’s independent bell tower, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Santa Trinita and Orsanmichele Church, Pontevecchio Bridge and the secret Vasari Corridor, as well as famous shopping streets and the Oltrarno – the fourth and last district, the manual crafts neighborhood.

Day 7 – Cooking class – the best way to start the day! Meet the famous and charismatic Chefs and learn how to cook a nice Tuscan meal in the heart of Florence! The classes are offered in a fascinating cooking school, which boasts a typical Tuscan setting with wonderful marble kitchen islands to cook on. First step: little walk to the Central Market, grocery shopping! You will go shopping with the chefs at the central market picking up the ingredients for your lunch. Your menu may slightly vary depending on the season and the fresh ingredients available, but will usually be made of bruschetta, different kinds of fresh home-made pasta from scratch (i.e. tagliatelle and ravioli), sauces for the pasta, and a dessert. And then you will obviously eat the meal you prepared yourself, accompanied with two glasses of a selection of Chianti wines. Afternoon - Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace)/Accademia museum tour At the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio the copy of Michelangelo's David makes a beautiful presentation. Day 8 – departure for Venice. Private water-taxi from the station to the hotel. Detailed information about the transportation in Venice is enclosed separately. What can we say about Venice? As soon as you pronounce the name of this beautiful city, a multitude of words comes to mind, regardless of where you come from. Unique, marvelous, exceptional and incomparable! And what should you see in a city that has a myriad of attractions to offer, each one more beautiful than the other? The choice is really very difficult. Day 9 – start with a half day walking group tour of Venice, exteriors only, with English speaking guide. Itinerary includes: San Mark’s Square (Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Clock’s Tower), Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Campo SS.Giovanni e Paolo, Malibran Theatre. At 4.00PM you have your reserved Gondola ride. The gondola, the only boat in the world long well 11 meters and weighing more than 600 kg, maneuvered with lightness and ease by one person only and with only one oar, has become, for millions of tourists, the symbol of Venice itself.

Day 10 – departure for Siena. Your water-taxi will take you to the station from where you will depart to Siena by train. At arrival at Siena station your rental car is waiting for you. Driving the car you will have the unique chance to enjoy the incomparable Tuscany landscape. You next destination is one hour away – a Tuscany farmhouse. The Tuscan landscape is dotted with agriturismi that were once fortified farms, reminders of battles between Florence and Siena centuries ago. Many of these once-elegant old manor houses are still inhabited by aristocratic families, and are now run as B&Bs. You will spend the next few days in one of them. Sit down to a classic Tuscan table — simplicity, a sense of harmony, and no hurry... with a glass of good red wine. This is the best way to feel as a local. Day 11 – Wine tour tasting in one of Tuscany castles. Guided tour of the vineyards and the historic cellars of the castle and gardens, followed by tasting of three wines. In the afternoon you can visit any of the towns around. Day 12 – day at leisure as requested (suggestions to visit some small towns in Tuscany). Day 13 – departure for Rome, drop-off the car. Rome is a perfect opportunity to make shopping in the last day of your stay. Day 14 – departure flight for the US. You will receive description of the hotels and sites to help you make the right choice. The hotels are 3, 4 and 5*, breakfast included. Lunches and dinners could be arranged in restaurants at your choice. For each country more useful travel information is enclosed in the package: emergency phones and addresses, weather, time difference, communications, money, electricity, travel phrases and much more. All itineraries are fully customized matching your requirements, preferences and interests.