Journey from the Amalfi Coast to the Adriatic, experiencing some of Italy’s most beloved cities and sites on a tour that includes Rome, Florence, Venice, and a stay in a lovely Tuscan villa.
Highlights of Italy
16 days from $6,474 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Journey from the Amalfi Coast to the Adriatic, experiencing some of Italy’s most beloved cities and sites on a tour that includes Rome, Florence, Venice, and a stay in a lovely Tuscan villa.
Tour Details
TOUR BROCHURE
brochureWHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Sharon W.I had always traveled independently so this was my first experience with a group tour. I picked well! This was a great experience with a wonderful group of people. I loved the combination of being "guided" and opportunities to go on my own at times.
- Michael Z.The Highlights of Italy tour met all of my expectations. We thoroughly explored the abundant art and architecture of the regions we visited. The Smithsonian Journeys Expert and tour director were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and friendly, and the other members of the tour were as inquisitive as I am.
- Gary M. & Nina B.It is because of exceptional customer service consistently provided by your company and your guides that we choose Smithsonian Journeys as our #1 tour operator. We’ve had the pleasure of traveling with you multiple times and haven’t been disappointed yet. So thank you for the fantastic tour and thank you for the excellent service you provide!! We always speak of Smithsonian Journeys with pride!
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
SPECIAL OFFER
This tour is specially designed for a small group of 16 to 24 Smithsonian travelers and offers outstanding travel value. Prices include airfare, airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees.
Overview
Set off on a grand tour of Italy’s most beloved sites, making your way from the spectacular Amalfi Coast to the canals of Venice. Encounter history and world-renowned art in the captivating cities of Rome and Florence, and follow guides into the storied walled towns of Siena and San Gimignano. Along the way, enjoy wine tasting and visits to lesser known sites; and stay in wonderful lodgings including a stunning resort on the Amalfi coast, a Tuscan villa in the Chianti hills, and a canal-side hotel in Venice.
Highlights Include
- Amalfi Coast and Pompeii: Take a cruise along the Amalfi Coast, explore gem-like hilltop towns overlooking the sea, and enjoy a coastal drive with spectacular views. Tour the stunning Villa Rufolo in Ravello, the excavated city of Pompeii, and the lovely Benedictine abbey of Montecassino.
- Rome: Capture the essence of ancient Rome with a tour of the Colosseum and the Forum. Step inside the Borghese Gallery to view masterpieces by Bernini, Titian, Caravaggio, and other major artists. Then spend a day at the Vatican, touring St. Peter’s Basilica; the Sistine Chapel; and the Vatican Museums, featuring works by Michelangelo and Raphael.
- Umbria and Tuscany: Stay in enchanting Orvieto, perched high above the surrounding landscape, and delve into art and culture. View Giotto’s renowned frescoes in the basilica at Assisi, and see how the traditions of hand-painted Majolica ceramics continue today in Deruta. In Tuscany, experience the World Heritage site of San Gimignano, and get an up close look at medieval life at the interactive exhibits of San Gimignano 1300. Continue to Siena to explore the fan-shaped Campo and see works by Michelangelo and Donatello at the Duomo.
- Florence: See Michelangelo’s David and other sculptures at the Galleria dell’Accademia and visit the revered Duomo, capped by the stupendous dome by Brunelleschi. Enjoy free time to explore the city's treasures on your own.
- Venice: From your base at a centrally located waterfront hotel, tour St. Mark’s Square and explore the museums and canals of this magical city at leisure.
- Sharon W.I had always traveled independently so this was my first experience with a group tour. I picked well! This was a great experience with a wonderful group of people. I loved the combination of being "guided" and opportunities to go on my own at times.
- Michael Z.The Highlights of Italy tour met all of my expectations. We thoroughly explored the abundant art and architecture of the regions we visited. The Smithsonian Journeys Expert and tour director were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and friendly, and the other members of the tour were as inquisitive as I am.
- Gary M. & Nina B.It is because of exceptional customer service consistently provided by your company and your guides that we choose Smithsonian Journeys as our #1 tour operator. We’ve had the pleasure of traveling with you multiple times and haven’t been disappointed yet. So thank you for the fantastic tour and thank you for the excellent service you provide!! We always speak of Smithsonian Journeys with pride!
To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
Itinerary
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)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)