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Chianti
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DAY 5 • Florence • Florentine leather workshop • Italian cooking lesson Explore legendary Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the Arno River and cradle of the Italian Renaissance, shaped by masters such as Dante, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. Begin at the Galleria dell’ Accademia to behold Michelangelo’ s David, along with other lesser-known sculptures. Continue on a guided walking tour through Florence’ s historic heart, including the Duomo complex, Piazza della Signoria, and the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge. Visit a traditional Florentine leather workshop to learn about this enduring craft, then conclude your day with a hands-on Italian cooking lesson and shared dinner. Meals: B, D | Hotel Albani Firenze or similar |
DAY 8 • Colosseum & Roman Forum • Hike in the Park of the Aqueducts Journey into ancient Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum, where crowds of up to 80,000 once cheered for bloodthirsty gladiatorial battles and spectacles. Continue to the Roman Forum, the empire’ s political and religious heart, exploring temples, monuments, and government buildings that echo centuries of Roman daily life and imperial ambition. Then, travel by metro to the Park of the Aqueducts for a hike among these ancient engineering marvels, an ingenious blend of form and function that transported water from miles away to bolster Rome’ s massive urban population. Meals: B, D | Kolbe Hotel Rome |
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DAY 3 • Venice • Gondola ride • Local home visit Begin your Venetian adventure with a guided walking tour, crossing the historic Ponte di Rialto to the lively Rialto Fish Market. Visit Teatro La Fenice, the famed opera house reborn from fire. In iconic Piazza San Marco, tour the Doge’ s Palace, marveling at its grand council chamber and armory. Conclude with a gondola ride along the Grand Canal, serenaded by a musician, then enjoy authentic local life as a resident welcomes you for coffee, tea, and conversation about daily life in Venice. Meals: B | Hotel Papadopoli Venezia or similar |
DAY 4 • Murano glassblowing experience • Kayak in Venice’ s canals • Train ride to Florence Travel by boat to Murano Island for a hands-on introduction to its centuries-old glassmaking traditions. We’ ll observe master artisans employing secretive glassblowing techniques that allegedly date back to ancient Roman times. Next, we kayak through Venice’ s canals, witnessing scenes of daily life that hide amidst the narrow waterways. Afterwards, we bid farewell to Venice and board a high-speed train to Florence, taking in stunning views of the Adriatic coast, Tuscany’ s misty hills, and classic Italian landscapes during the journey. Meals: B, L | Hotel Albani Firenze or similar |
DAY 6 • San Gimignano • Vespa motor scooter ride • Chianti winery visit Drive into the Tuscan countryside to explore the medieval hill town of San Gimignano with your Trip Experience Leader. Referred to by some as the“ Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” it is defined by 14 stone towers— remnants of an era when noble families competed for prestige. Walk sections of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage road to Rome, and enjoy a tasting at a local gelateria. Continue into Chianti to board classic Vespa scooters and ride along cypress-lined roads through watercolor hills dotted with vineyards, olive groves, and stone villages. The journey ends at a local winery for a tasting of Chianti wines and insight into its cherished winemaking traditions. Meals: B, L | Hotel Albani Firenze or similar
DAY 7 • Train ride to Rome • Vatican Museums Bid farewell to Florence as you board a highspeed train to Rome, the legendary“ Eternal City” and former center of the western world. Join your Trip Experience Leader for an introductory walk to iconic landmarks, including the Trevi Fountain, a Baroque masterpiece fed by an ancient aqueduct, and the remarkably preserved Pantheon, final resting place of Raphael and Italian kings. Our Roman holiday continues with a guided visit to the Vatican Museums, the heart of the world’ s smallest country. Explore centuries of papal art and treasures, culminating in the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’ s awe-inspiring frescoed ceiling remains one of history’ s greatest artistic achievements. Meals: B, L | Kolbe Hotel Rome or similar
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DAY 9 • Return to U. S. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: B
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www. oattravel. com / iyl
Customize your experience
ARRIVE EARLY & STAY LATER
We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before or after your trip. Prices shown include accommodations and private airport transfer.
• Arrive early in Venice before your main adventure from $ 450 per room, per night
• Stay later in Rome after your main adventure from $ 400 per room, per night
Rome
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