Indulge in Italy’s Finest Foodie Pleasures During This 9-Day Guided Tour
Live ‘la dolce vita’ during this 9-day guided tour of Italy. Explore the Vatican Museums, where your VIP pass gets you behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase. Walk the narrow cobblestone streets of Siena to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and see the Torre del Mangia, the second-tallest tower in Italy. Visit a family-run olive mill, where a third-generation olive maker will share how its olives become the decadent oil you’ll taste at the mill. In San Gimignano, eat the best gelato in the world – literally. You’ll meet a world champion gelato maestro who will welcome you into his ice cream parlour to indulge in his favorite flavors. Alongside a Local Expert, marvel at the cathedral at the center of Florence: Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, nicknamed ‘the Duomo’ for its awe-inspiring crown made by a master goldsmith.
Meet Artisanal Hand Weavers in Perugia
Meet Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Learn how she offers employment opportunities for local women and alongside her weavers, preserves the ancient craft of loom-weaving in an artisan workshop.
The workshop is owned by women and actively empowers women and girls through its education and training programs. Marta, and her students help to safeguard the unique patterns while contributing to the protection of Umbria’s cultural heritage.
Laboratorio Guidetta Brozzetti advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality and UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
Vatican Visit with Fast-Tracked Entry
Gain Fast Track access into the Vatican Museums and admire the famous Bramante Staircase. Witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and view the splendid dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Welcome to Rome
Welcome to Rome. Join your Travel Director to explore the Eternal City, passing the medieval buildings, renaissance palaces and baroque churches scattered throughout the city. Get to know your fellow travelers over a pleasant Welcome Dinner.
NH Roma Centro
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
Umbria and on to Perugia
Explore the Vatican Museums in the morning, where a local historian unveils the gems of the vast Papal art collection. Your special visit includes fast-tracked entry and behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase, a part of the Vatican normally closed to visitors. View the imposing Basilica of St. Peter, the largest in the world. Journey north to the Umbrian village of Baschi. Immerse yourself in the flavors and culture of the region and learn about the secrets of Italian food culture as you join Giovanni and his dog Chris for a truffle hunting session before being entertained by Chef Lorenzo with a fun pasta demonstration and delicious Highlight Lunch accompanied by Orvieto Classico wine. Join a Local Expert in Perugia to navigate the underground labyrinth of little streets, alleys and arches. Walk Corso Vannucci, resplendent in pale-pink stone, passing the princely Priors’ Palace, cathedral and finely sculptured Great Fountain in the main square.
Sangallo Palace Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Perugia Sightseeing & Free Time
During a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, visit an artisanal workshop to meet Marta, recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant, and her weavers. See how the fascinating art of loom-weaving textiles has been passed down through the generations and learn how this ancient craft is being preserved. Afterwards, you will be free to enjoy the many delights of Umbria’s capital city. For dinner, choose your ideal ambience and palate-pleasing menu from a hand-picked selection of Perugian restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening. Buon appetito!
Sangallo Palace Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Assisi, in Search of St. Francis
Journey to Assisi, one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval hilltop towns, set high up in the mountains and enclosed by fortress walls. In the valley, see the famous Church of St. Mary of the Angels, much venerated as the place of St. Francis’ death, then continue up Mount Subasio to the upper town. Step inside the massive, 13th century Basilica of St. Francis with your Local Expert to learn how Giotto masterfully painted frescoes that inspired a variety of Renaissance artists. Continue through the twisted groves that carpet the side of Mount Subasio.
Sangallo Palace Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Tuscany to Cortona, Siena and San Gimignano
Follow the shores of Lake Trasimeno to Cortona, one of the oldest hilltop towns in Tuscany. After free time to explore, continue to the narrow cobbled streets of Siena. Standing in the shell-shaped Campo, imagine the frenzied atmosphere of the biannual Palio horse race and see the superb 14th century Town Hall. Explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Cathedral. Alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Travel to your home for the next three nights, a delightful villa near the medieval town of San Gimignano.
Villasanpaolo
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
San Gimignano sightseeing and Free Time
In the morning, your Travel Director will show you San Gimignano’s medieval skyscrapers, serpentine streets and hidden squares. The town is also home to world champion gelato maestro Sergio Dondoli. At his artisan ice cream parlour on Piazza della Cisterna, the jaunty gelataio doles out his silky, frozen treats in a range of unique flavors for you to try. The rest of the day is at leisure; why not join an Optional Experience to Pisa and Lucca?
Villasanpaolo
Included Meals: Breakfast
Florence and Tuscan Countryside Experience
The morning is devoted to the Renaissance city of Florence. A fascinating walking exploration with a Local Expert takes you to the marble-clad cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome. See the baptistery with its beautiful Gates of Paradise and Giotto’s splendid bell tower. Walk on to Piazza della Signoria with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculptures, followed by free time to shop for top-quality Florentine leather or gold. Toast to your travels during a delicious Farm-to-Table Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy tasting flavoursome dishes prepared with locally grown ingredients, sourced from the farm or nearby Tuscan region. Relax as the pairing of home-made pastas with the farm’s own traditional Chianti wine rounds off your great Italian adventure.
Villasanpaolo
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Country drive to Ancient Rome
Leave behind the tower topped town of San Gimignano. Enjoy rolling Tuscan hills as you journey through the Italian countryside, making your way to Ancient Rome. On arrival, enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Hotel St. Martin
Included Meals: Breakfast
Arrivederci Roma
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
Included Meals: Breakfast
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