A week is the perfect length of time to explore Italy at its finest! After a taste of Italy's capital, venture north of Rome and navigate your way through Assisi, Siena, Florence, Padua, Venice, Verona, Lake Como, Milan, Bologna, San Marino and Perugia. Your journey will transport you from modern highways and large cities to discover the real Italy, where ancient villages are just waiting to be explored.
Departing Rome, you will travel to Assisi and join the millions of pilgrims who arrive each year to pay homage at the home of St. Francis. Steeped in medieval tradition, Siena's Gothic buildings will also entice you.
Art and architecture, paintings and sculptures, museums and galleries - let the Renaissance-inspired city of Florence captivate you before you make your way to the Shakespearian city of Padua. The town was the setting for Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
Spend a leisurely day navigating the canals of Venice, composed of more than 100 tiny islets. Take a gondola ride or lose yourself down narrow winding streets. The city of Romeo and Juliet, lose yourself in the wonder of Verona, before witnessing the beauty that is Lake Como.
Marvel at Milan and be blown away by the artistic city of Bologna. Immerse yourself in this magnificent medieval town complete with charming squares such as Piazza Maggio and Piazza del Nettuno. Venture to San Marino, the world’s smallest and oldest independent Republic and discover all it has to offer.
The charming university town of Perugia is overflowing with stunning landmarks, notably the captivating Cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori. The perfect place to finish our grand tour of Northern Italy.
Day 1 Tuesday: Rome - Assisi - Siena - Florence
Early morning departure for ASSISI, the mystic town of Saint Francis still surrounded by ancient walls. Visit the Basilica of Saint Francis with its early Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Proceed on to SIENA, the beautiful medieval city renown for the Palio. The on to FLORENCE. Dinner and overnight..
Day 2 Wednesday: Florence
Buffet breakfast. Guided sightseeing tour of the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John, the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery housing the "David" by Michelangelo, and Santa Croce, the 13th century Franciscan church with Cimabue's famous crucifix. Rest of the day at leisure for optional sightseeing or shopping. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3 Thursday Florence- Padua - Venice
Buffet breakfast. Departure for Venice via PADUA, where you will visit the famous Cathedral of St. Anthony, guarded by Donatello's "Gattamelata". Continue on to VENICE, and upon arrival enjoy a guided walking tour of this unique city. You will see the Piazza and Basilica of St. Mark, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Prisons. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4 Friday: Venice
Buffet breakfast. Morning tour to a glass factory in Murano (optional shopping) by motorcoach. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5 Saturday: Venice-Verona - Lake Como.
Buffet breakfast. Morning departure for VERONA to see the town of Romeo and Juliet. Then continue on COMO. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6 Sunday: Como- Milan - San Marino
Continental breakfast. Departure to Milan and panoramic tour of the city. Proceeded on to San Marino via BOLOGNA, one of Italy's most important art cities. Visit this fascinating medieval town with its charming squares Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno. Proceed to SAN MARINO, the world's smallest and oldest independent Republic, founded in the year 301, as a Christian sanctuary. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7 Monday: San Marino Perugia- Rome
Continental breakfast. Departure to PERUGIA, the charming university town. Visit the impressing Cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori. Proceed to Rome. Upon arrival to ROME