Day 1 & Day 2— Depart the U.S. and arrive in Florence

Depart the U.S. on your transatlantic flight to Florence, Italy.

Upon arrival at Florence’s Peretola Airport, and after clearing brief immigration and customs formalities, you’ll be met and assisted with transfer to the PopArtment, your home-away-from-home apartment-hotel close to central Florence. Once at the hotel, each guest will receive a customized welcome package containing general information about Florence, as well as a map of the city. Your Smithsonian Journeys Resident Director will be with you in residence throughout your stay to handle all program logistics and will be available daily to assist with personal sightseeing arrangements, dinner reservations, shopping suggestions, and any other assistance you may require. Gather this evening for a welcome reception followed by dinner at the hotel. (R,D)

Day 3 — Florence

A full breakfast is served this morning at the hotel. Afterward, join fellow travelers for an informative welcome briefing. Later, set-out on a tram and walking tour led by an expert Florentine guide. Your tour takes you through the neighborhood around the hotel to the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, whose red dome is an iconic symbol of Florence, continue on and marvel at the bronze doors of the Baptistery of John. Walk along the Ponte Vecchio, the incredible bridge over the Arno River known for its gold and jewelry shops. Visit the Piazza Della Signoria, the political and historic heart of the city, and admire the stately Palazzo Vecchio and a precise copy of Michelangelo’s David.

After seeing the sights, stop for lunch in a popular local trattoria. Later this afternoon, get together in the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner to enjoy new friends and lively conversation. (B,L)

Day 4 — Florence

For those who subscribed to the Track 1.1 Language Option, visit your Italian language school this morning for an orientation of the facilities, a placement review and your first language class.

The balance of the day is free of planned activities. Later this afternoon, attend an informative talk by a local speaker about the Art of the Renaissance. Dinner this evening is served at a popular local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 5 – Florence

Track 1.2 Language Option students depart the hotel for language instruction. If you subscribed to Track 3.1 Arts and Architecture program visit the interiors of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistery, followed by an architectural walking tour through Florence. The balance of the day is free to explore on your own. Join fellow travelers this evening for dinner at a popular local restaurant. (D)

Day 6 — Florence

This morning, for those on the Track 2.1 Culinary Option enjoy a market experience in the San Lorenzo Markets. Select locally sourced ingredients then learn how to prepare typical Italian dishes. Afterwards, enjoy the luncheon spread you prepared. Track 1.3 Language Option participants depart the hotel this afternoon for language lessons. 

Day 7 — Florence

For those who selected Track 1.4 Language Option, there’s morning language instruction. Later, meet fellow travelers for a delightful lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, all participants will visit the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David and other remarkable museum collections. Later, join fellow travelers in the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner for camaraderie and lively conversation. (L)

Day 8 — Florence / Colle di Val d’Elsa / Siena

Depart on an excursion to the beautiful town of Colle di Val d’Elsa where you’ll have a guided walking tour of the quaint Old Town. After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to the World Heritage site of Siena. Like a crown atop three hills, the stunning city of Siena has remained remarkably unchanged throughout the centuries. Its streets wind through a city of majestic cathedrals, museums, and wonderfully preserved Gothic buildings. See the renowned Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Italy. Admire the 14th-century Torre del Mangia, the stunning bas-reliefs on the Gaia Fountain and the black and gold striped Duomo. There’s free time in Siena to explore on your own. (L)

Day 9 — Florence

The day is free of planned activities, so you can follow your own path and explore on your own. Join fellow travelers this evening for dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 10 — Florence / Cortona

Depart for a day in the quintessential Tuscan town of Cortona and discover its many artistic and architectural highlights.

Visit the Romanesque Cathedral and the engaging Etruscan Museum to see its fascinating collection of fascinating artifacts. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Cortona. (L)

Day 11 — Florence

For those who selected the Track 1.5 Language Option, there’s a morning language class. Later in the morning, make a visit to the elegant Caffe Gilli, a Florence fixture since 1733 that has long been a meeting place for the city's artists and intellectuals.  One of the directors will talk about coffee and how it is prepared and served. Enjoy an Italian espresso, cappuccino, or caffe latte with a pastry. For those enrolled in the Track 3.2 the Art & Architecture Option, visit Santa Maria Novella to view its many different chapels and vivid frescoes as well as the famous wooden Crucifix made by Brunelleschi, then, visit the Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella, one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, set up by the Dominican friars shortly after 1221 and still in use today.

Day 12 — Florence

For those who subscribed to Track 1.6 Language Option, there’s a morning language class. The day is free of planned activities so that you can explore on your own. In the late afternoon gather for a presentation by a local expert on Contemporary Italy. This evening, dine independently.

Day 13 — Florence

For those who selected Track 1.7 Language Option, there’s a morning language lesson. For those enrolled in the Track 2.2 Culinary Option, learn about different types of pasta and try your hand at making pasta and different types of sauces.

Day 14 — Florence

Track 1.8 Language Option participants depart the hotel for morning language lessons.

This afternoon, visit the iconic Uffizi Gallery, home to one of the most remarkable art collections in the world. Highlights include “Madonna di Ognissanti” by Giotto di Bondone, the “Battle of San Romano” by Paolo Uccello, and the “Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli. This evening, get together with fellow travelers for dinner at a popular Florentine trattoria. (D)

Day 15 — Florence / Chianti / San Gimignano

Between Florence and Siena, you’ll find quiet back roads, lovely hill towns, woodlands, and vineyards. This is home to Italy’s most famous red wine, Chianti. Travel to its heart to visit Castello di Monsanto built in 1750. Sample wines made from handpicked Sangiovese, Canaiolo and other varieties of grapes. Learn how the rooster became the symbol of the region and how the area got its name.

Enjoy a cooking demonstration and lunch, featuring Tuscan specialties, in Castellina. Later, explore the historic hill town of San Gimignano, a World Heritage site that is renowned for its 14 stunning medieval towers. (L)

Day 16 — Florence

The day is free of planned activities, so let your interests be your guide and explore on your own. For those who subscribed to Track 3.3 Art & Architecture Option, visit Michelangelo Square for a beautiful view over Florence and the Arno River. Next, continue to the Archeological Museum in Fiesole with its Etruscan and Roman artifacts including an Etruscan Temple and tombs as well as Roman Baths and a very well preserved Roman Theater. The excursion includes lunch at a restaurant in Fiesole.

Day 17 — Florence

Let your passions guide you and enjoy a day of personal discovery. Later, join friends in Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner for a drink and lively conversation. 

Day 18 — Florence / Lucca

For those who selected Track 1.9 Language Option, there’s a morning language class.

This afternoon travel to historic Lucca, once a fortress with enormous walls in the ancient Roman tradition and very narrow streets. Once the home to the famed opera composer Puccini, you'll visit the famous Romanesque Cathedral dating from the 11th-century that showcases a carving, said to be the true portrait of Christ. After some free time, dinner will be served at a popular restaurant in Lucca before returning to Florence. (D)

Day 19 — Florence

This morning there’s a Track 1.10 Language Option language class.

Afterward, enjoy the simple pleasure of pranzo or an Italian lunch with fellow travelers. For those subscribed to Track 3.4 Art & Architecture Option discover the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens. See the Palatine Gallery displaying a wide range of Renaissance and Baroque paintings then continue to the Royal Apartments, the residence of the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy families. (L)

Day 20 — Florence

For those who selected Track 1.11 Language Option, there’s a morning language lesson. If you enrolled in the Track 2.3 Culinary Option, you’ll learn how to make a traditional Italian four-course dinner or cena from antipasto to dolce or dessert. A dinner of the prepared dishes will be served in the school’s wine cellar. 

Day 21 — Florence

The day is free for independent activities. For those who selected Track 1.12 Language Option, there’s a morning language class and a Graduation ceremony at the school. This evening, gather in the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner for a drink and conversation. This evening, celebrate your Italian adventure with a farewell dinner at the splendid Grand Hotel Baglioni, offering unforgettable food, wine and a view overlooking Florence! (D)

Day 22 — Florence

Spend the day at leisure exploring independently. Celebrate new friends and all you have experienced and accomplished at this evening’s Smithsonian Journeys farewell reception at the hotel. (R)

Day 23 — Depart Florence for your U.S. Gateway City

Transfer to the Florence Peretola Airport for your return flight to the U.S. 

Please note: Itinerary sequence and/or scheduled events may change due to operational considerations. All excursions involve an element of walking, standing and climbing steps.