Visit the center of the Roman Empire and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring architecture and historic sites like the Colosseum, which is still the largest amphitheater in the world today and Palatine Hill, where the city of Rome was founded.

Hop on a train ride to Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and home to Michelangelo’s “David” and Boticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”.

Enjoy a gondola ride through the canals of Venice, “Queen of the Adriatic” (among many nicknames the city has), and a water bus trip to the islands of Murano and Burano, famous for their traditions of glassblowing and lace making respectively.

DAY 1 | THE ADVENTURE BEGINS, WELCOME TO ROME

Our Italian adventure begins with a shared transfer to the hotel from the Rome airport. Check-in begins at 2 pm, but if you arrive earlier, feel free to store your bags at the hotel and go for a wander. Perhaps check out the vegan menu and tiramisu at Rifugio Romano for lunch! Then, we’ll officially begin our tour with a welcome dinner so we can all get acquainted.

Meals included: Dinner

DAY 2 | ROME’S GREATEST HITS

Our first full day in Italy together is filled with Rome’s greatest hits! We’ll start with a three-hour walking tour that will take us to the embodiment of the Roman Empire today: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. As you look at these mighty monuments, feel the history and the awesomeness, as this may be the perfect time for that word! Take plenty of pics, and don’t worry, you’ll have free time to explore more later in the afternoon. You may want to use this time to plan your free afternoon the following day. In the evening, there will be a group dinner, and then the trip leader will take anyone interested on a stroll around the illuminated fountains and buildings.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

DAY 3 | OUR FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOODS & A COOKING CLASS

Today our guide will take us to her favorite neighborhood in Rome, Trastevere. Explore where there once was a Jewish ghetto, and discover a quaint, colorful residential area still mostly undiscovered by the crowds. After lunch at a traditional local spot, the afternoon is yours. There’s enough time to visit a few museums or take a tour of Vatican City or Villa Borghese, with its gorgeous gardens. We can help you purchase tickets, including skip-the-line ones so you make the most of your time. You may want to work up an appetite – this is the night we learn how to make pizza, and then feast on our hand-crafted work!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (pizza-making class)

DAY 4 | OFF TO FLORENCE!

After breakfast, on day 4 of our trip, we’ll depart Rome by train for Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, arriving in time for lunch. After lunch, we dive right in with a walking tour of this captivating city, visiting its many highlights, including its lively piazzas and lovely bridges as well as Florence Cathedral with its iconic dome structure and Michelangelo’s marble masterpiece, the statue of David. After our walking tour we’ll settle in at the hotel, and you can then join our group dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 | MEDEIVAL CHARMS & VINEYARDS OF FLORENCE

The following day features the medieval charms surrounding Florence. First, we will head by private van to Siena, which sits gracefully over three hills overlooking the famous Piazza del Campo. Known for its medieval art and architecture, legend has it that Siena was founded by Senius, the son of Remus, one of Rome’s founders. We’ll be on the lookout for statues of the she-wolf that allegedly suckled the founder’s father and his twin. Then we’re off to a beautifully scenic Tuscan vineyard for lunch before we head to San Gimignano, with its magnificent towers and panoramic vistas stretching across the valley. Your time is your own back in Florence, or you’re welcome to join our planned group dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast, Winery Lunch and Dinner

DAY 7: WELCOME TO THE FLOATING CITY

We’ll spend the morning on our train ride to Venice. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we’ll have a tasty lunch and then get familiar with the city on a walking tour through Venice's highlights and hidden gems. Take note of where you might want to explore more during your free time tomorrow afternoon! We will have dinner before we all head back to the hotel on Venice’s mainland.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9: VENICE ISLANDS, GLASSMAKING & GOODBYES

Our last full day in Italy will be spent on the famous islands of Murano and Burano, and we will reach them via private boat. 

Murano Island is famous for its glassmakers and their sparkling creations, and we’ll have the chance to visit some exceptional galleries. Burano is famous for its colorful houses and tradition of intricately designed lace-making. A special set menu lunch will be arranged for us. When we return to Venice Island, please join our last group dinner at a famous Kosher restaurant to swap stories and experiences before we head back to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner