Days 1 & 2 — Depart the U.S. / Arrive Naples, Italy

Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Naples. Upon arrival, travel to your hotel on the spectacular Amalfi Coast,  your base for exploring Italy’s Campania region. Dine at your hotel tonight, as you will throughout your stay here. (D)

Day 3 — Amalfi and Ravello

Set off on a morning cruise along the Amalfi Coast to the popular resort town of Amalfi (weather permitting). Here enjoy a brief walking tour before lunch on your own. Ascend to mountaintop Ravello, once the haunt of writers and musicians such as D.H. Lawrence and Richard Wagner. Visit Villa Rufolo, a 13th-century estate known for its gardens that cascade down the hillside. See artwork and artifacts on a visit to the villa, hear tales of its storied past, and take in incomparable views of the town and the sea beyond. (B,D)

Day 4 — Pompeii/Amalfi Coast and Sorrento

Today’s full-day excursion begins at Pompeii, one of the cities famously buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Excavations were only begun in 1748, and the site continues to reveal fascinating—and haunting—details of everyday life at the height of the Roman Empire. After lunch on your own, embark on a breathtaking drive along the Amalfi Coast to Sorrento, winding among the slopes high above the azure Mediterranean and stopping for photos along the way. Return to the hotel late this afternoon. (B,D)

Day 5 — Montecassino / Rome

Visit the town of Montecassino on your way to Rome today. The town’s abbey is the mother church of the Benedictine order and a center of medieval art. A German stronghold during World War II, the hilltop abbey was destroyed by Allied bombing then rebuilt as a replica of the 17th-century original. After a tour of the abbey, continue to Rome, the “Eternal City.” Arrive at your well-located hotel mid-afternoon and enjoy an informal neighborhood walk led by your tour director. (B)

Day 6 — Ancient Rome

Venture into the heart of ancient Rome this morning, exploring the 55,000-seat Colosseum, completed in A.D. 80 to stage gladiator spectacles.  Meander among temples and monuments of the Forum, ancient Rome’s political and legal center. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore on your own. Visit one of the city’s many excellent museums or basilicas, admire the architecture of the impressive Pantheon, or simply relax with an espresso in the beautiful Piazza Navona. Early this evening, head to the Borghese Gallery for a guided visit of its fabulous private collection. (B)

Day 7 — Vatican City and Rome

Spend the morning discovering the art and architecture of the Vatican. Take a guided tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica and the Vatican Museums, home to famous works such as Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture and the recently restored painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 8 — Rome and Orvieto

Journey north through rolling agricultural fields and rugged mountains dotted with timeless villages and medieval hill towns. In the late afternoon, arrive in Orvieto, perched high on a plateau above a vineyard-clad plain. After checking in to your hotel in the heart of the medieval quarter, take an informal walk through town. Later, attend a simple cooking demonstration followed by dinner at Zeppelin Restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9 — Orvieto

This morning, set out on a guided walking tour of this dramatically set city. In the medieval Duomo,  admire Luca Signorelli’s masterpiece, The Last Judgment and a frescoed chapel by Fra Angelico. Venture into the once-secret passages of Parco delle Grotte, a labyrinth of underground caves used since Etruscan times. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 10 — Orvieto and Assisi

Take a day trip to Assisi, a gem of an Umbrian town with inviting plazas festooned with flowers, white marble buildings, and a medieval atmosphere. Visit St. Clare Church and the renowned Basilica di San Francesco, the burial site St. Francis of Assisi and now a pilgrimage site that dominates the town. Inside, find Giotto’s priceless frescoes The Life of St. Francis. Take time on your own to stroll the fountain-splashed piazzas and enjoy local specialties for lunch. En route back to Orvieto, visit Deruta, known for its prized hand-painted Majolica ceramics. (B)

Day 11 — Siena and Tuscany

Travel into Tuscany and make your first stop at the medieval walled city of Siena. The fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of Europe’s most remarkable public squares and its distinctive, black-and-white marble Duomo is one of Italy’s finest. After a walking tour that includes an inside visit to the Duomo, where you’ll find masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello, enjoy free time to explore on your own. Then head to a Tuscan villa nestled in the Chianti hills—your home for the next three nights. (B,D)

Day 12 — Florence

A living monument to the Renaissance, Florence is the crown jewel of Tuscany. Experience this splendid city on a full-day excursion that begins with a morning walking tour. Visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to view Michelangelo’s sublime David, as well as his pieces for the papal tombs, and enter the revered Duomo to see its stupendous dome by Brunelleschi. Experience Florence as you wish during a free afternoon before returning to your hotel for dinner. (B,D)

Day 13 — San Gimignano

The hilltop town of San Gimignano is one of the symbols of Tuscany, known for the 13 watchtowers that have characterized its skyline since medieval times. Step back in time at San Gimignano 1300, an experiential museum that recreates medieval life in Tuscany. Enjoy lunch on your own in this World Heritage site. Stop for a tasting at a local winery on the way back to your hotel.  (B,D)

Days 14-15 — Venice

Head east today, traveling through the Veneto region to Venice and arriving early in the afternoon. After settling into your canal-side hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to discover enchanting Venice.  Gather the next morning for a guided walk through vast St. Mark’s Square and the surrounding neighborhood. Enjoy a final afternoon at leisure before bidding arrivederci to Italy at tonight’s farewell dinner. (2B,1D)​

Day 16 — Depart for home

Depart this morning for your connecting flights home. (B)