Rome and Tuscany Highlights Small Group Journey

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure until you meet your tour director and fellow travelers at your hotel. After a short briefing, walk to a nearby restaurant and enjoy a tasty welcome dinner. (D)

After breakfast, meet your guide for a tour of the Vatican. Your visit will be memorable. Your route includes all major sights as well as some unexpected surprises. See the Belvedere Courtyard with Apollo Belvedere & Laocoön and His Sons, the Raphael Rooms, the Galleries of the Candelabra, the Maps, and the Tapestries, the Sistine Chapel, the Pinecone Courtyard, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Exit the Vatican at St. Peter’s Square and enjoy the magnificent view of the imposing Cathedral. Return to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, meet your tour leader for a walking tour of the Baroque Town with Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna, the Italian Parliament, and the fascinating narrow streets of ancient Rome. (B)

You have a leisurely day to explore Rome on your own or consider joining an optional tour of the Colosseum, the Borghese Gallery, or to Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius. (B) 

After breakfast, meet your tour guide and depart for Florence. Enjoy a magnificent drive through the Tuscan countryside before reaching Siena, probably Italy's loveliest medieval city. Upon arrival in Siena, enjoy a wine & food experience in the heart of the old town. In the ancient times, there was only one city that competed with Florence for power and wealth: Siena. Here, you will enjoy a walking tour to discover Piazza del Campo, the main central square where the famous Palio horse race takes place every year. You will also explore quieter backstreets and learn everything about the Contrade, the 17 medieval city districts that compete in the Palio. Continue to Florence, where you will arrive late in the afternoon. If time permits, stop in Monteriggioni en route. (B) 

After breakfast, start your exploration of Florence from a lesser known and more picturesque side of the city. Visit the fresh market of San Lorenzo where it is possible to find food arriving fresh every day from the Tuscan countryside. It will be a great opportunity to taste many varieties of cheese, fruits, vegetables, breads. After some free time for lunch, meet your tour guide at your hotel to explore the heart of the town. Visit Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio (from outside), the cathedral with Giotto's bell tower (from outside), and the Ponte Vecchio. Finally, visit the Accademia and see Michelangelo's masterpiece - the statue of David. (B)

Today, discover a spectacular corner of Italy, famous for its panoramas, wine, food, beautiful sea, and hiking opportunities. Depart Florence early in the morning. During the ride, enjoy views of Tuscan hills until you will see the southern part of the Alps, that divide Tuscany and Liguria. Once in the Cinque Terre National Park, enjoy the most astonishing views as you explore the park by boat, train, and on foot along the fabulous trails on the cliff. Have a delicious lunch in a local restaurant on the sea where you will taste incredibly fresh seafood cooked the Ligurian way, accompanied by some great white wines typical of this region. Return to Florence in the late afternoon. (B,L)

Enjoy a morning at leisure. In the afternoon, meet your tour guide and travel through the rolling hills of the Chianti Wine Region until you reach a noble villa with a boutique winery on top of a hill. Upon arrival, a wine expert will welcome you and take you on a visit of a 500-year-old cellar, still used today for a very small, selected wine production and ageing. You will have a chance to taste all the different products of this boutique winery while learning about the sophisticated techniques of winemaking. At the end of the presentation, enjoy a fine dinner in a charming restaurant, where you will also learn more about wine pairing. You will taste 4 different wines, including the world renowned Supertuscan from the estate and a sweet typical dessert wine. The dinner includes a selection of local charcuterie and cheeses, paired with different jams and balsamic vinegar, two pasta dishes, a traditional meat dish, and a Tuscan dessert. Upon your return to Florence, stop at Piazzale Michelangelo for a breathtaking view of Florence, admiring all the lights of the city. (B,D)

You will be transferred to Florence airport for your return flight home. (B)