
Day 1 | Sep. 2.
Depart for Milan, Italy.
Day 2 | Sep. 3. Milan/Stresa
Upon arrival, transferA to Stresa and the Hotel La Palma. Tonight, attend a Welcome Reception and Dinner.
Day 3 | Sep. 4. Borromean Islands
Educational Focus: The Lakes District.
Excursion: Borromean Islands. Cruise Lake Maggiore to Isola Madre’s paradise of baroque splendor and botanical gardens. Then, embrace the rustic charm of the peaceful fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori. Finally, visit Isola Bella, the Beautiful Island, extolled by writers over the centuries. Explore its 17th-century baroque palace and summer house.
Local Flavor: Lunch is served at a restaurant on one of the islands.
Day 4 | Sep. 5. Stresa
Independent Exploration: Enjoy time for lunch at leisure.
Day 5 | Sep. 6. Milan/Venice
Excursion: Milan. Visit the Renaissance Santa Maria Delle Grazie and its rectory to see Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Visit the opulent 14th-century Duomo, a Gothic masterpiece.
Independent Exploration: Enjoy time for lunch at leisure. Continue to Venice by train. Check in to the Hotel Saturnia & International.
Day 6 | Sep. 7. Venice
Excursion: Highlights of Venice. Explore Venice’s maze of bridges and waterways. See St. Mark’s Square, the Campanile and the Doge’s Palace.
Independent Exploration: Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Venice.
Day 7 | Sep. 8. Florence
Board a train for Florence and the Grand Hotel Baglioni.
Excursion: Florence. Take in the sights of Florence, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Signoria, Old Palace and Ponte Vecchio.
Educational Focus: Renaissance Art.
Local Flavor: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8 | Sep. 9. Florence
Independent Exploration: Enjoy the morning at leisure.
Excursion: Accademia Gallery. A private guide will show you works by Italy’s most famous artists, including Michaelangelo and Botticelli.
Day 9 | Sep. 10. Chianti
Excursion: Chianti. Visit the classic Chianti towns of San Gimignano and Castellina.
Local Flavor: Enjoy lunch in Castellina and a wine tasting.
Educational focus: Contemporary Italy.
Day 10 | Sep. 11. Rome
Board a train for the Rose Garden Palace, your hotel in Rome.
Excursion: Ancient Rome in a Modern City. See the remnants of ancient Rome’s greatest monuments, the Colosseum and the Forum, that still stand proudly today. Continue to Piazza Navona, the elegant square built atop an ancient stadium.
Day 11 | Sep. 12. Rome
Excursion: The Vatican. Explore Vatican City, the world’s smallest sovereign state. Visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Independent Exploration: Your afternoon on this final day is at leisure. Enjoy a Farewell Reception and Dinner.
Day 12 | Sep. 13.
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to your gateway city.