10-Nights Best of Italy - Explorations – Small Group from $5,299

Collette

OFFER ID 1612532

Best of Italy
Be whisked away into the beauty and history of Italy when you journey to Venice, Florence, and Rome. Journey to the wine-producing Romagna countryside for a relaxing two-night stay in a wine resort, and visit the Republic of San Marino, an enclave state of Italy. See how gondola oars are crafted before cruising the canals of Venice on one yourself. Witness a performance of Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons in the city he lived in. Explore Orvieto, an ancient Etruscan hilltop city. Try your hand at making Italian culinary classics before sitting down to dinner. Discover Rome’s artistic masterpieces. Come along with us and embrace the history, culture, art and romance of this incredible country.

10 nights from $5,299 per person

Valid for new bookings deposited Now – December 31, 2025 for travel anytime.

*Amenity is combinable with all other offers, promotions, or discounts, and is subject to availability and airline booking guidelines. Other restrictions may apply.

Itinerary

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Itinerary Details

Day 1 Overnight Flight
Join us for a fabulous Italian adventure featuring the magic of Venice, Florence and Rome. Journey to the wine-producing Romagna countryside for a two-night stay in a wine resort, and visit the Republic of San Marino, an enclave state of Italy. Come along with us and embrace the history, culture, art and romance of this incredible country.

Day 2 Venice, Italy
Hotel: Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze
Welcome to enchanting Venice (UNESCO) with its 117 tiny islands surrounded by a latticework of 150 canals and 400 bridges. This evening, meet your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner.(D)

Day 3 Venice
Hotel: Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze
This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour of Venice’s most iconic sights. Pause for the perfect view over the Bridge of Sighs and take in St. Mark’s Square, adorned with marbled palaces and gilded basilicas. Travel by boat to Murano** for an expert glass-blowing demonstration, a renowned tradition on the island. Following an afternoon at leisure, delve into Venice’s classical music heritage while attending a live performance of the Four Seasons* composed by the great Venetian Antonio Vivaldi.(B)

Day 4 Venice
Hotel: Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze
This morning, explore the traditional Venetian craftsmanship behind one of the city’s symbols: the sleek, iconic gondola boats. Visit a local Remèr oar-making workshop, one of only a handful still active in the city. Then, glide along the canals during a gondola ride.** The afternoon is yours to explore more of the floating city. Perhaps you’ll head out for your own treasure hunt in search of the city’s hidden gems such as the whimsical Scala Contarini del Bovolo or the imposing Arsenal where the Republic of Venice built its merchant fleet and its commercial fortune.(B)

Day 5 Venice - Romagna Countryside
Hotel: Borgo Conde Wine Resort, Romagna Countryside
Say “ciao” to Venice as you journey towards the Romagna region, famous for its epicurean lifestyle and its joie de vivre. Spend the afternoon exploring Ravenna (UNESCO). During the darkness that enveloped the last days of the Roman Empire, Ravenna emerged as a center of power thanks to its strategic position. The city’s rulers – the Byzantines, the Goths – adorned its churches with dazzling mosaics. During a guided walking tour, discover the city’s most illustrious monuments. In the late afternoon, continue to your hotel nestled among vineyards in the Romagna countryside and settle in for your two-night stay. This evening, be immersed in this bucolic setting during a wine-paired dinner at your wine resort hotel.(B, D)

Day 6 Romagna Countryside
Hotel: Borgo Conde Wine Resort, Romagna Countryside
Grab your passport*** and journey to the landlocked Republic of San Marino, the fifth-smallest country in the world. Perched at the top of Mount Titano, the old town of San Marino (UNESCO) gives visitors sweeping views over the Adriatic Riviera and the gentle rolling hills of the Romagna countryside. Explore the Old Town’s intricate system of fortification towers, walls, gates and bastions during time at leisure. This evening, wrap up your stay in the Romagna Countryside with a tour of your resort’s own winery, before joining the local chef for a hands-on cooking class centered on Romagna’s typical piadina flatbread, and pasta staples such as handmade tagliatelle. Then, sit back and enjoy the results of your work for dinner.(B, D)

Day 7 Romagna Countryside - Florence
Hotel: Grand Hotel Cavour
Today, travel to the Emilia region, Italy’s foodie haven. During an Impact Moment, meet students and teachers at a vocational high school**** dedicated to the culinary arts and agriculture. Here, Italy’s future chefs and farmers learn how to make Parmigiano Reggiano cheese according to traditional standards, dating back to the 1300s. Students also try their hand at aging balsamic vinegar, a generational process taking anywhere from 12 to 25 years. Enjoy a farm-to-table light lunch prepared by the culinary students using ingredients from the school’s farm. Later, continue to Florence (UNESCO), the “Cradle of the Renaissance” and your home for the next two nights.(B, L)

Day 8 Florence
Hotel: Grand Hotel Cavour
This morning, meet a local expert for a walking tour of a city that is a work of art all on its own. Your guide will highlight the Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistery. You’ll also visit the Piazza della Signoria with its impressive Palazzo Vecchio. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Florence’s cultural riches independently. Perhaps you’ll visit to one of the city’s many museums,***** such as the Uffizi or Academy Gallery, where Michelangelo’s David is kept.(B)

Day 9 Florence - Orvieto - Rome
Hotel: Ponte Sisto Hotel
This morning, traverse southern Tuscany, the ancient land of the Etruscans. This mysterious civilization predated the Romans, who assimilated them, erasing most of their way of life, even though many early kings of Rome were Etruscans. By all accounts, they were an advanced society and culture. One of the Etruscans’ most important cities was hilltop Orvieto. Here, it’s your choice! Join an expert local guide for an in-depth walking tour of the city -OR- enjoy free time to eat, drink, and dive into the local scene. Arrive in Rome (UNESCO) in the late afternoon and settle in for a three-night stay.(B)

Day 10 Rome
Hotel: Ponte Sisto Hotel
This morning, your extensive walking tour winds its way through Rome’s medieval district, which developed organically from the ruins of the ancient city. This neighborhood is a charming combination of narrow cobbled streets, dark tufa stone, and repurposed Roman ruins. Ascend to the panoramic terrace of the Vittoriano with a combination of stairs and elevator to take in one of the city’s most impressive views. Gaze upon the vestiges of the Roman Empire, from the Forum to the majestic Colosseum before making the most of a free afternoon in the Eternal City. This evening, explore Rome’s dynamic dining scene during a food tour** in the bohemian Trastevere district.(B, D)

Day 11 Rome
Hotel: Ponte Sisto Hotel
Delve into Rome’s second Golden Age on a walking tour exploring the city’s Renaissance and Baroque heritage alongside views of the Pantheon and the oval-shaped Navona Square. Then, it’s your choice! At your own pace, peruse the remarkable collection of antique Greek and Roman statuary of the Palazzo Altemps museum -OR- extend your walking tour and reach the banks of the Tiber River to admire the round-shaped Castel Sant’Angelo fortress. Standing tall above the river, this imposing castle sheltered popes and became the setting for Puccini’s beloved opera, Tosca. The afternoon is yours. Perhaps you’ll indulge in some shopping along Rome’s Cola di Rienzo street or make your way to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica.****** Gather tonight to toast the end of your Italian adventure during a farewell dinner.(B, D)

Day 12 Rome - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many fond memories of incredible Italy.(B)

Featured Destinations

Forli

Rome

Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one
of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded
in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always
been and remains the Eternal City.

Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art
flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman
legions swept outward, conquering all of Italy. These victorious armies then
swept across the Mediterranean and beyond to conquer most of the known world.
With Rome's establishment as capital of the western world, a new ascent to glory
began.

Today's Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious
parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafes and elegant shops, is
one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous
monuments is the Colosseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine
the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combats between
muscled gladiators and ferocious animals.

Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city's political and commercial
center. In later times, Rome's squares were enhanced with such imposing structures
as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di
Trevi. Join the millions who stand in awe of Christendom’s most magnificent
church and admire the timeless masterpieces of Michelangelo's frescoes in the
Sistine Chapel.

Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Grasp all you can during the short,
precious time you have available in the Eternal City. With so much to see and
do, a day or two will only allow you a sampling of the city's marvelous treasures.

Caution: As in many big cities and tourist destinations purse snatching
and pickpocketing is common. Valuable jewelry and excess cash are best left
in a safety deposit box in your hotel.

Shopping For most visitors shopping for beautiful Italian leather articles,
designer shoes, fashions for men and women, linens, knitwear, silk scarves and
ties is a favorite pastime. Except for tourist-oriented shops, the majority
of stores are closed on Sundays. Some of the department stores, such as Rinascente,
open in the late afternoon on Sundays.

Cuisine Rome's choice of restaurants is mindboggling as is the variety
of cuisine. Whether your meal is at a top-rated restaurant or a rustic trattoria,
you can be sure that you will enjoy your food, especially when accompanied by
wines from the hill towns surrounding Rome.

Other Sights Rome's attractions are endless, and depending on how much
time you have at your disposal a careful selection has to be made about what
to see. Be aware of horrendous traffic conditions and major construction work
all around the city in preparation of Jubilee 2000, the Holy Year. Some of the
sights not to be missed:

Piazza Venezia - This busy square is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio
Emanuele II Monument. The white marble structure was inaugurated in 1911 as
a symbol of Italy’s unification.

The Forum - Once the civic heart of ancient Rome, today the remains include
a series of ruins, marble fragments, isolated columns and some worn arches.

Colosseum - No visit to Rome is complete without a stop at this awe-inspiring
theater, which is among the world’s most celebrated buildings. Here ancient
Rome flocked to see gladiatorial contests and numerous other spectacles.

Trevi Fountain - Take a stroll to Rome's famous fountain. A spectacular fantasy
of mythical sea creatures and cascades of splashing water, the fountain is one
of the city's foremost attractions. Legend has it that visitors must toss a
coin into the fountain to ensure their return to Rome.

St. Peter's Square - Part of Vatican City, this square created by Bernini
is considered one of the loveliest squares in the world. Twin Doric colonnades
topped with statues of various saints and martyrs flank either side of the square.
In the center stands an 84-foot obelisk, brought from Egypt in 37 A.D.

St. Peter's Basilica - At the head of the square stands Christendom's most
magnificent church, which was begun in 1452 on the site where St. Peter was
buried. Throughout the following 200 years, such Renaissance masters as Bramante,
Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design and created an unparalleled
masterpiece. Of special note are Michelangelo's Pieta and the bronze canopy
over the high altar by Bernini. The immense dome was designed by Michelangelo.

Vatican Museum - To see this museum's immense collection would take days.
As you enter, there are special posters that plot a choice of four color-coded
itineraries. They are repeated throughout the museum and are easy to follow.
It is a good idea to pickup a leaflet at the main entrance and concentrate on
exhibits of major interest. Of course, the Sistine Chapel is a must. Most likely
you may have to wait in line to enter.

Florence

Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Excursions

Venice: Splendours of Venice Walking Tour - 4 hours

Venice: Venice for Art Lovers Walking Tour - 4 hours

Venice: The Roman City of Verona - 7 hours

Venice - St. Marks, Grand Canal and Murano - 6 hours

Venice: Lagoon Islands - 7 hours

The story of Murano and Burano

The Canal Grande cruise followed by a walking tour of Venice

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

09/20/2025 - 10/01/2025

from $5,799 per person

10/04/2025 - 10/15/2025

from $5,799 per person

10/18/2025 - 10/29/2025

from $5,799 per person

03/21/2026 - 04/01/2026

from $5,299 per person

04/25/2026 - 05/06/2026

from $5,699 per person

05/02/2026 - 05/13/2026

from $5,899 per person

05/21/2026 - 06/01/2026

from $5,899 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $5,299 per person

Length

10 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability and change without notice. Prices reflect land only accommodations, airfare is additional. Blackout dates/seasonal supplements may apply. Itinerary and map subject to change. Prices subject to availability and changes without notice. Some restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1612532

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