Compare Bella Italia: Rome, Florence & Venice With Your Family by Road Scholar vs Premium Tuscany by Intrepid Travel

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
Arrival & Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location: Venice Meal: D Hotel: Hotel Abbazia

Activity note: The hotel check is at 3:00 pm.

Morning: The group leader will be in the lobby of the hotel to greet arriving travelers. Leave your luggage with the desk clerk and join the group leader for a walk in the neighborhood late morning to identify ATMs, pharmacies, stores, restaurants, etc. Guest check in is available from 2:00 p.m.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Check in and settle in. The Group Leader will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Please note that the order of visits and activities may be different from what is described in this preliminary itinerary. Except breakfast, meals will be plated (each dish served to guests by a wait staff) from a set menu unless otherwise specified. Water is included with all meals and other beverages such as soft drinks, wine, tea and coffee will be available for purchase unless otherwise specified. In Rome, transportation will primarily be provided by motor coach; in Venice by vaporetto, or public boat. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Before dinner, the group leader will greet everyone and lead introductions with a Welcome Cocktail (or fruit juice).

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant. Fixed menu, plated table service. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.

Day 3
Artisan Workshop

Location: Venice Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Hotel Abbazia

Activity note: Venice has no vehicular traffic. In addition to the Grand Canal, there are 177 smaller canals and about 400 bridges. Vaporettos (bus boats) travel up and down the Grand Canal as it winds from the Santa Lucia train station to Piazza San Marco. There are 15 stops along the route. All walks in Venice, even the shortest, entail crossing bridges, some of which have ramps and others steps. As the only alternative to walking, vaporettos are frequently crowded with both tourists and locals.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel. Each day the dining room is set up buffet style with fresh fruit, cereals, muesli, pastries, cakes, breads, a sliced meat and cheese platter, yogurt, jam and honey, juice, coffee, tea, whole milk, and water.

Morning: The Group Leader will distribute vaporetto passes that are valid for our stay in Venice. Especially for the kids: a workshop creating your own Venetian memento. The type of activity will be revealed closer to the departure date.

Lunch: At a local restaurant/pizzeria. Salad and choice of pizza. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We ride the vaporetto back to the stop nearest the hotel. In the meeting room a local expert presents Welcome to Venice, an introduction to the city known as the Serenissima, the 'Most Serene.' Neighborhood walk follows.

Dinner: At a local restaurant. Set menu, plated table service. Water and soft drink included; glass of wine for the adults.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Rialto Bridge, St. Mark's Basilica, Gondola Ride

Location: Venice Meal: B,L Hotel: Hotel Abbazia

Activity note: Getting on/off vaporetto. Walking up to 4 miles. Walks in Venice involve crossing multiple bridges that span the canals. The view from the top of the Rialto bridge is worth the effort of climbing up and down 40 steps. Assistance is offered getting on and off the gondola.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Explore Venice with a local expert who takes us on a special walk off the beaten path. The walk ends at the Rialto District, Venice's original food and fruit market.

Lunch: At a local restaurant. Fixed menu, plated table service. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Our exploration of Venice continues with an expert-led visit of Piazza S. Marco — St. Mark’s Square.The Byzantine style S. Mark's Cathedral was built during the 13 C. There are more than 45,000 square feet of mosaics adorning the church, giving the impression of streets of gold. On the second floor is the original "Quadriga" — a team of four gilded bronze horses that was looted from the fall of Constantinople. Replicas now stand in the elements above the entrance to the Basilica. The loggia has display cases with illuminated manuscripts and other documents related to the church. Then, experience Venice from another perspective on a gondola ride through the back canals of Venice.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy the food and restaurant/trattoria/café of your choice. The group leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Ducal Palace

Location: Venice Meal: B,L Hotel: Hotel Abbazia

Activity note: Getting on/off vaporetto. Walking up to 4 miles. Walks in Venice involve crossing multiple bridges that span the canals. The permanent collection of the Guggenheim museum is displayed on a single floor of the Palazzo Venier with a few steps at the entrance and leading to the wing with special exhibitions.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Having been surrounded by ancient and Renaissance masterpieces and structures, enjoy the modern art at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Relax in the courtyard of the Palazzo Venier on the Grand Canal while the docent introduces the life and times of the wealthy American collector. The adults will have a guided visit led by a museum docent. Especially for the kids: young visitors will have their own docent who facilitates the discovery of form and expression in modern art.

Lunch: At a local trattoria.

Afternoon: Vaporetto to St. Mark's Square. Expert-led visit of the Palazzo Ducale or Doge's Palace. Walk through the many rooms of the palace, seat of civic and political power. Doges embellished the Palazzo to demonstrate their wealth and importance. From the grand halls of the palace, the visit concludes with a walk through the narrow passages over the Bridge of Sighs to the Prisons. It is said that those condemned sighed at knowing it would be their last sight of the sky.

Dinner: On your own. The Group Leader will have suggestions.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check out and departure in the morning.

Day 6
High Speed Train to Florence, Renaissance Art
Location: Florence Meal: B,D Hotel: Hotel Albani

Activity note: Walking up to 4 miles. High speed train to Florence covers 160 miles and takes 1.5 hours.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Check out of your room. Our luggage will be delivered directly to the hotel in Florence by boat/van. We set out on foot for the train station. The high speed train to Florence reaches speeds reaching 120 mph. Short walk to the hotel.

Lunch: On your own. The Group Leader will have suggestions.

Afternoon: After checking in and settling in, an art historian presents Renaissance Art in the meeting room of the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant. Sample some typical Tuscan dishes. Fixed menu, plated table service. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: With the group leader, stroll the historical section of Florence to orient yourself on the layout of the city, locate landmarks, find ATM's and pharmacies.

Day 7
Free Time, Uffizi Gallery
Location: Florence Meal: B,L Hotel: Hotel Albani

Activity note: Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day. Sidewalks and streets in the pedestrian center are stone or cobblestone paved. Extended standing and unavoidable stairs in the Uffizi Gallery. Small elevator (cap. 4 persons) for disabled visitors may be available.

Breakfast: The buffet at the hotel choices include a hot egg dish, cereal, bread, pastries and cakes, cheese and cold cut platter, yogurt, fresh fruit and a selection of hot and cold beverages.

Morning: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Florence, or return to the hotel to rest. You can consult your list of suggested Free Time activities in your program materials.

Lunch: At a restaurant in the Piazza della Signoria. Fixed menu, plated table service. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We cross the piazza to the Uffizi for our reserved entrance to the Gallery. The visit is self-directed; stay as long as you want. At the end of the second corridor is a refreshment bar for snacks. The balcony has a wonderful view of Brunelleschi's Dome and the watch tower of Palazzo Vecchio.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 8
Duomo, The David
Location: Florence Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Hotel Albani

Activity note: Walking up to 5 miles over uneven stone paved sidewalks.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Set out on foot with the Group Leader to Piazza del Duomo where we meet our local expert and visit Santa Maria del Fiore, the magnificent cathedral of Florence. The expert-led visit continues to the Duomo Museum. The highlight of the collection is a Pieta' by Michelangelo and the original (newly restored) panels of the Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti. There is a model of the cupola that shows the ingenious way to disperse the weight of the brick structure.

Lunch: At a restaurant at the foot of the Duomo's cupola. Set menu, antipasto served family style, entree plated. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We set out on foot for the Accademia for our reserved entrance. We meet our expert who enhances our appreciation of Michelangelo's David, who stands steadfast under his own cupola. Some free time to visit the Accademia's small musical instrument collection or browse the bookshop. Walk back to the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant. Fixed menu, plated table service. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Explore Medieval Florence, Free Time
Location: Florence Meal: B,D Hotel: Hotel Albani

Activity note: Walking up to 4 miles over uneven urban stone sidewalks in the traffic-free heart of Florence.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Explore Medieval Florence with a local expert. The walk ends at the Mercato di San Lorenzo, Florence's colorful fresh produce market. A lively food court specializes in farm to table menus. Much variety of small plates, vegetables, pizza, pasta, snacks and beverages.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Free Time

Dinner: At a local restaurant. Set menu, plated table service. Water is included for all; a glass of wine for the adults and a soft drink for the young guests.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for the next day's departure for Rome.

Day 10
High Speed Train to Rome, Welcome to Rome
Location: Venice Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Hotel Pace Helvezia

Activity note: Getting on/off train. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day. We will be on our feet most of the afternoon Piazza Walk along uneven paths and original pavement of cobblestone.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Check out of the hotel. Your checked luggage will be sent by van and delivered to the hotel in Rome; keep your carry on bag with you. We set out on foot for the train station to board a high speed train to Rome; the trip is 1.5 hours. Coach or van to the hotel.

Lunch: At a nearby restaurant a set menu with plated table service. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Check in and settle in. At the hotel meeting room a presentation Welcome to Rome introduces you to the Eternal City. Neighborhood walk follows.

Dinner: At a local restaurant to sample Roman cuisine. Fixed menu, plated table service. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Especially for the kids but adults will enjoy the show as well: Walk to the Forum of Augustus. Learn about daily life in ancient times through a spectacular laser light show with English narration. The show begins at sunset and lasts about an hour. During the show we sit on bleachers in front of the suggestive ruins of the Forum. Walk back to the hotel.

Day 11
Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Mosaic Workshop
Location: Rome Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Hotel Pace Helvezia

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach or van; drop-off point for Vatican Museums is about 500 feet along stone paved sidewalks to entrance; standing in line while museum-issued listening devices are distributed; walking 2 long corridors (1/2 mile each); riding an escalator; climbing 3 flights of stairs: one at entrance, one to access corridor to Sistine Chapel, one to enter Sistine Chapel; marble floors; crowded conditions; extensive standing throughout field trip, no public seating.

Breakfast: Each day the buffet will have fresh fruit, cereal, sliced meat and cheese platter, deviled eggs or boiled eggs, yogurt, pastries, cakes, breads, jams, juice, coffee, tea, whole milk and water.

Morning: Coach or van to the Vatican Museums for our reserved entrance time. Meet the local expert who will lead us through some of the galleries in the vast collection where we will learn about singular artworks such as the Laocoon, Apollo Belvedere, and gilded Hercules. We walk down long corridors surrounded by precious artwork as we make our way to the main attraction, the Sistine Chapel. The visit continues to the "new" S. Peter's Basilica (only 500 years old) to see Michelangelo's Pieta' and works by Bernini.

Lunch: Walk to the Mosaic Workshop for a buffet lunch. Water and soft drinks are included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Especially for the kids: Inside S. Peter's Basilica, we learned this morning that what appear as paintings are actually micro-mosaics. Come to appreciate this art form as we create our own mosaic with instructors at a mosaic workshop. Keep your decorated piece as a memento. Coach back to the hotel.

Dinner: At a restaurant near the hotel. Water is included for all; a glass of wine for the adults. Other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 12
Forum and Colosseum

Location: Rome Meal: B,L Hotel: Hotel Pace Helvezia

Activity note: Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day; extended periods of standing; uneven paths, original cobblestone pavement. At Colosseum, steep, uneven steps to reach upper level; elevator available.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Walk to the Colosseum. Reserved entrance for expert-led visit of the Flavian Amphitheater, commonly known as the Colosseum, capable seating up to 50,000 people. Imagine watching gladiatorial games and the pageantry. Guided visit continues to Via dei Fori Imperiali.Our expert-led field trip will continue onward to the Roman Forum, which dates back to the 7th century BCE and was the religious and civic center of the city.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Piazza del Colosseo. Fixed menu, water and soft drinks included.

Afternoon: Coach back to the hotel. Free time.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 13
Piazza Walk, Farewell Dinner

Location: Rome Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Hotel Pace Helvezia

Activity note: Walks in Venice involve crossing multiple bridges that span the minor canals. The view from the top of the Rialto bridge is worth the effort of climbing up and down 40 steps.

Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Vaporetto to the Accademia stop. Having been surrounded by ancient and Renaissance masterpieces and structures, enjoy the modern art at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Relax in the courtyard of the Palazzo Venier on the Grand Canal while the docent introduces the life and times of the wealthy American collector. The adults will have a guided visit led by a museum docent. Especially for the kids: young visitors will have their own docent who facilitates young visitors' discovery of form and expression in modern art.

Lunch: At a characteristic trattoria near the museum. Set menu, plated table service. Water is included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Excursion to an artisan's workshop to learn about the carving techniques of making gondola oars and oar locks. Explore the area of the Rialto Bridge, Venice's original market area. Find many souvenir booths, food and fruit market. Some free time before dinner.

Dinner: Recap your adventures and share your favorite memories with your fellow participants at our Farewell Dinner at the hotel. Fixed menu, plated table service. Wine is included with this meal for the adults to toast new friendships.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check out and departure tomorrow.

Day 14
Program Concludes
In Flight B

Day 1 Rome

Welcome to Rome! Enjoy a complimentary transfer to your hotel and settle in. If you arrive with time to spare, the city’s magnificent buildings are best appreciated on foot, so perhaps wander in search of an espresso. Your Italian adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Once the formalities are out of the way, get your first taste of Italy over an included dinner with your group at an excellent local restaurant. Sitting down to dinner in Rome means experiencing generations of culinary know-how and timeless traditional recipes. Once your leader introduces you to some of Italy’s best dishes, you’ll understand why this country is so renowned for great food.

Day 2 Rome

From incredible ancient monuments to glamourous restaurants and boutiques, Rome is a city of great beauty and diversity. Today join a private guide for a trip back in time. Marvel at the Spanish steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona before reaching Campo de Fiori, where a local fresh produce market has been held since 1869. Join your tour leader for a quick stop at a local bar for a granita - an iced Italian espresso and a must when in Rome. Next, visit a local aristocrat at his home close to the Campo de Fiori. Much of the apartment is still in its original state and features a stunningly painted ceiling. Find art and artifacts casually displayed throughout the rooms and chat with the energetic owner before sitting down for an included lunch in the dining room. The afternoon is free for you to explore as you please – perhaps take the chance to follow in the footsteps of gladiators and Roman emperors with a visit to the iconic Colosseum. Please note that tickets should be booked in advance, and before the beginning of your trip.

Day 3 Siena / Monteriggioni / San Gimignano Region

Today you’ll take a private vehicle to the gorgeous city of Siena, where your leader will show you the most interesting sights on an orientation walk. At the city’s heart is Piazza del Campo – home to the biannual Palio horse race, and nearby is the stunning Siena Cathedral. Next you’ll visit Monteriggioni – a charming medieval walled town. Over a dozen towers are spread throughout the town, once used to defend Sienese territory from the Florentines. You will have time to explore this tiny hilltop spot before arriving at your Feature Stay accommodation near San Gimignano. This country hotel with cinematic views of a tree-studded landscape and a refreshing outdoor pool is a fine spot to unwind. Tonight, indulge in an included gourmet dinner at your hotel with your group – the food is made with local ingredients and pays homage to traditional Tuscan dishes, with a modern twist.

Day 4 San Gimignano Region

Start the day with a visit to San Gimignano – the 'Town of Fine Towers'. Explore the medieval Old Town centre and its fine Gothic and Romanesque architecture, with your leader on hand to answer any questions inspired by your explorations. This region is also renowned for its ancient Vernaccia grapes, which are the basis for one of Tuscany's finest white wines. Your group will visit a local agriturismo, where you’ll explore the vineyards and sample some of their celebrated wine, before enjoying an included lunch featuring regional cheese, fine olive oil and bruschetta. Return to your Feature Stay accommodation for another delicious dinner.

Day 5 Pisa / Lucca / Florence

Today you’ll visit Pisa. It’s not always possible to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa due to its precarious state, but as your leader shares the history of this legendary building, you will have the opportunity to photograph it from the ground. Your next stop is historic Lucca, one of Italy’s most beautiful but underrated cities, where you’ll take a short walk along the city’s beautifully preserved Renaissance walls. From here you’ll take the short journey to Florence where the evening is yours to walk the cobbled streets, eat gelato and soak up the unmistakenly Tuscan atmosphere.

Day 6 Florence

This morning join a private guided walk of Florence you will earn about its Glorious past and the notable families that made Florence an important centre for culture, economy and politics. Your tour includes a visit of the Galleria dell ‘Accademia, an art museum renowned for its collection of sculptures, including the iconic statue of David by Michelangelo. Enjoy a free afternoon at your own pace – ask your leader for some local tips on the best way to spend the day. Visiting the Uffizi while you are here is highly recommended – it is one of the oldest galleries in the world, and a building of great beauty. And be sure to head to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping views of Florence’s timeless skyline. Sample some of the culinary delicacies on offer from across Tuscany, with dishes known for their freshness, simplicity and quality. Olive oil, beans and herbs are a feature here. Two standout dishes of the region are bistecca alla fiorentina, a large steak sliced on the bone and shared between multiple diners, and ribollita, a simple, hearty soup of bread, vegetables, and beans. Panforte is the signature sweet treat.

Day 7 Venice

In the morning, head to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Venice. Upon arrival your leader will take you on an orientation walk so you can get acquainted with the city’s maze of canals and learn about its unique history, showing you some extraordinary views over the roofs of Venice. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore. The Grand Canal, the quaint shopfronts that line the Rialto Bridge and the Piazza and Basilica di San Marco are all worthy sights to visit, or simply meander around the tiny, cobbled streets and discover the beautiful markets, cafes, galleries and churches. A Venetian gondola ride down the canals is a must, as is a taste of the region’s dessert speciality, tiramisu. Later in the evening join your tour leader for a nice, included Venetian dinner.

Day 8 Venice

With no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end after breakfast. Those looking to extend their stay can arrange additional nights' accommodation at the time of booking the trip (subject to availability).