Country Roads of Italy

You’ll arrive in Rome to streets layered with ancient ruins, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, each one carrying the burnished glow of centuries. After time to unpack, you step back out to restaurant chatter, polished stone and waiters weaving between trattoria tables along the street. This evening, you meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers over dinner at a local restaurant, sharing Roman specialities as you pass warm plates and savour the first forkfuls of the trip.

Today is devoted to The Eternal City. Join a Local Specialist to discover the modern-day city and how people lived in Ancient Rome. See St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City, then cross the Tiber River for a visit to the iconic Colosseum.

Venture to Castel Gandolfo to explore the artistic treasures of the Villa Barberini Gardens. Marvel at the intricately designed mosaic flower beds and fountains. After visiting the former papal gardens, continue south, where the sparkling turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea meet dramatic cliffs and fishing villages that shimmer along the coastline.

Discover the enchanting Isle of Capri, a jewel of the Bay of Naples rising dramatically from the Mediterranean’s shimmering blue waters. For more than 2,000 years, the island has drawn visitors to its shores, from Roman emperors such as Tiberius Caesar to celebrated figures captivated by its natural beauty and cosmopolitan charm. Stroll through Capri’s narrow alleyways and lively piazzas with a Local Specialist. As you explore, take in panoramic views over the water and the distinctive atmosphere that has made Capri one of Italy’s most enduringly alluring destinations. You may also choose to join an Optional Experience cruising across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Positano, with time ashore before returning to your hotel.

Journey to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii and explore this extraordinary site with your Local Specialist. Travel into the heart of Italy to enjoy free time in Todi, located on a hilltop pedestal overlooking a vineyard-covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation and admire the Piazza del Popolo where locals take their evening 'passeggiata'. Take in the flavours of the region and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine - a magical culinary experience!

Immerse yourself in the enchanting medieval town of Todi, where you can wander through picturesque streets, marvel at historic architecture, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding Umbrian countryside.

In Assisi, see St. Clare’s Church and the Roman Temple of Minerva. Continue to walk down the Via San Francesco and visit the huge Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Specialist. Journey to beautiful Perugia, the jewel of Umbria. Your guided walking exploration begins in the main street of Perugia's Old Town. See the Collegio del Cambio, the splendid Priors' Palace, the Cathedral and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the magnificent main square.

Time to explore more about this gem of a town. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit an artisanal workshop and meet Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Learn how Marta and her weavers are preserving the ancient craft of loom-weaving. With the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps visit Cortona, one of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany. On this Optional Experience, journey to a recently unearthed Etruscan Temple before a guided exploration through the town's historic centre with views of Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana. In the evening there is the option to discover the edible treasures of a traditional Umbrian kitchen, accompanied with wines of the region.

Journey past Lake Trasimeno to Renaissance Florence. On arrival, walk with a Local Specialist to see the marble-clad cathedral, bell tower and the Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. Afterwards, witness the intricate craftsmanship behind Florence’s famed leatherwork and gold during an artisan demonstration before enjoying time at leisure to explore Piazza della Signoria - still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at the fountains and sculptures along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Then journey through the rolling, cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany, where you’ll enjoy a delicious exploration of Tuscany's red wines, discovering their robust flavours and absorbing history before arriving at your elegant hotel.

This morning, explore Siena with your choice. Choose to visit the medieval Basilica of St. Domenico or alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Continue to the hilltop town of San Gimignano strikingly visible from every angle, its towers dominate the skyline and give it the nickname the Medieval Manhattan of Tuscany. Enjoy tasting the award-winning frozen delights of master gelato maker, Sergio Dondoli, whose great inventions include innovative and mouth-watering flavour combinations. Journey through the rolling, cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany as you return to your hotel.

Travel to Lucca to view the churches, squares and palaces, perfectly preserved within encircling medieval ramparts. Enjoy a sampling of a local specialty – freshly baked Tuscan bread. Later, you could take the opportunity to explore Pisa.

Get ready to explore the Cinque Terre, or Five Villages, which for years were accessible only on foot. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes. Join a Local Specialist in one of the picturesque fishing villages before cruising along the rugged coastline (weather permitting). You’ll have plenty of time to explore the medieval quarter and the popular sandy beach before returning to your hotel in Lucca.

Journey to the beautiful university town of Parma, world-famous for its local ham and cheese. Meet one of the locals, Paolo. Learn about the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano as Signor Paolo shares with you his passions for Italian food, especially excellent quality Parmesan cheese. Taste samples of the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano, accompanied by a glass of wine.

Visit one of Modena's top producers of authentic, traditional, artisan balsamic vinegar and take a master class to understand what makes this vinegar as expensive as top-rated wines. Continue on through the Soave vineyards past Padua to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. To the tune of accompanying musicians, you will be serenaded through the atmospheric canals as you glide by gondola past water-lapped doorways and Rococo palaces.

Enjoy a visit to a Venetian glassblowing workshop, where you’ll see how beautiful, handcrafted glass is made by expert artisans, preserving traditional skills. Visit St. Mark’s Square, where the city’s former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica, and admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. In the evening, cruise the islands of the Venetian Lagoon to arrive at Burano, famous for its candy-coloured houses. Sit down to a sumptuous dinner with wine, sampling the local specialities.

Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo airport.