Day 1: Welcome to Rome

2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a centre of celebration between 24 December 2024 and 31 December 2025. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City. You're in for a bellissimo journey through the spectacular cities of Italy, which kicks off in the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a delightful dinner. Your introduction to la dolce vita begins with an orientation drive past Rome's most magnificent sights.

Included with trip: Rome Orientation - During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.

Arrival Transfer: Depart Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 09.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm
Welcome: Meet your Travel Director at 5pm
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Palatino Rome
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City

We embark on a very special included Dive Into Culture sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist at the Vatican Museums. Admire the astonishing works of great men who were said to have been inspired by the divine. See the magnificent frescoed ceiling painted by Michelangelo in the serene Sistine Chapel, and his sorrowful Pietà during our visit to St. Peter's Basilica. We tread in the footsteps of gladiators, slaves, merchants and royalty, crossing the Tiber River to Imperial Rome where we will see the ancient Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire. Imagine crowds of enthusiastic onlookers cheering their chariot racers to victory at the Circus Maximus before taking the rest of the afternoon at leisure, discovering more of the city or relaxing at a pavement café and watching the frenetic pace of Rome. This afternoon, choose to join an optional walking tour through Rome's enchanting squares to view some of the city's most iconic fountains and monuments.

Included with trip:
Study the Masterpieces of the Vatican Museums - Be inspired by the magnificence of Michelangelo and da Vinci at the Vatican Museums.
Visit St. Peter's Basilica - In the Vatican City visit St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Palatino Rome
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Rome Your Way

Enjoy a full free day to explore Rome your way, or consider an Optional Experience delving into the tragic history of Pompeii - the Roman city frozen in time by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Your Local Specialist will bring the ancient story of this city to life before you return to Rome, passing by the Abbey of Monte Cassino, the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Palatino Rome
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Admire Assisi and on to Florence

Journey north through the rolling hills of Umbria to the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi. Here your Local Specialist will reveal the story of this most venerated figure on a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, the final resting place of this famous saint and home to a wonderful series of frescoes by Giotto. Later, continue your journey through the scenic Tuscan countryside to Florence. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a Be My Guest experience against the backdrop of picture-perfect olive groves and vineyards.

Included with trip:
Visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi - With a Local Specialist, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered to be one of the crowning artisitic achievements of 13th-century Europe.
Dine with Count Fulcis near Florence - Join Count Miari Fulcis for dinner at his 15th-century organic olive oil estate, used as a location for many famous films like 'Room with a View' and 'Tea with Mussolini', and enjoy eight generations of history with plenty of stories.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Discover Renaissance Florence

Enjoy a leisurely encounter with the artistic and architectural marvels of Florence during your walking tour with a Local Specialist. Visit the striking Piazza della Signoria with its impressive sculptures and palazzi. Amble through the charming cobblestone lanes to the Multi-coloured marble Duomo and Baptistery, before admiring the scenic view of the Ponte Vecchio straddling the Arno River. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city’s historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Spend the rest of the afternoon sauntering through the historic centre of Florence, shopping for high-quality leather for which the city is famous or admiring the artistic contribution of the Medici at every turn.

Included with trip:
Florence City Tour - Join a Local Specialist to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
Florence Leather Demonstration - See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Uncover Pisa’s Treasures

After a morning at leisure in Florence, cross the fertile Arno Valley to Pisa and join a Local Specialist to visit the Square of Miracles, home to the incredible Leaning Tower and the iconic marble cathedral. See the ornate Baptistery and the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery built on sacred soil brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusades.

Included with trip: Visit Pisa with a Local Specialist - Visit Pisa's Square of Miracles with a Local Specialist. Learn about the history of the iconic Leaning Tower and see the ornate Bapistry and Cathedral.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Journey to Bologna and Venice

Travel north, through the Apennines, to the medieval city of Bologna, perhaps best known for the delicious pasta sauce that bears its name. Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist includes views of the Kissing Towers which lean towards each other, seemingly poised to embrace. Then it's off to the romantic island city of Venice with its rich cultural and artistic heritage. Spend time at leisure gliding along its enchanting canals in a gondola or wander through the city's labyrinthine lanes, over bridges and into quiet campi.

Included with trip: Bologna City Tour - Join a Local Specialist on an exploration of Bologna. See the medieval squares and red-bricked façades of this historic city.

Accommodation: Hotel Principe Venice/Hotel Amadeus Venice (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Cruise the Canals of Venice

Savour the iconic and unexpected highlights of Venice as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square to admire the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian churches, Customs House, St. Mark's Basilica and the ornate Doge's Palace. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to one of the city’s last remaining studios where you’ll gain insights into the delicate Venetian art of glassblowing. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure admiring this city on water or consider an Optional Experience to the island of Burano where colourful fishermen’s homes line the canals.

Included with trip: Learn about the History and Ancient Skills of Venetian Glassblowing - Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft.

Accommodation: Hotel Principe Venice/Hotel Amadeus Venice (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Experience Venice’s Food Market

Meet Lagoon Conservationist Davide for an engaging discussion on safeguarding environmental conditions in Venice during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Sites made famous in poetry, song and prose are explored today when you join a Local Specialist for a walking tour from your hotel along the canals to the famous Rialto Bridge, where all the flavours of Italy come to life at a centuries-old food market. Amble through the narrow calli of Venice and admire the beautiful architecture, walking over the Rialto Bridge before spending the rest of the day visiting the sights of your choice. Your love affair with Italy's great Italian cities comes to an end this evening as we enjoy dinner.

Included with trip:
Discover a traditional food market by the famous Rialto Bridge - Savour the vibrant atmosphere of Venice during a visit to a traditional food market in the shadow of the famous Rialto Bridge.
Venice Without Plastic: A Step Toward Cleaner Waters - Meet Davide and the passionate team from Venice Lagoon Plastic Free for an eye-opening session on protecting Venice’s iconic lagoon. 

Accommodation: Hotel Principe Venice/Hotel Amadeus Venice (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Farewell Venice

For now, it's time to say a fond arrivederci to Italy and newfound friends who have shared in the memorable sights, sounds and flavours.

Meals: Breakfast
Departure Transfer: Arrive at Marco Polo Airport at 8am, 9.30am

Prices

Dates

*Advertised price is based on 05 December 2025 departure and includes saving amount. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing. 

*Advertised price is based on 05 December 2025 departure and includes saving. Prices are correct as at 21 February 2025. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing. Other departure dates available at seasonal surcharge. Further conditions apply, for full details, please check with your RAC travel consultant at time of booking.

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