Italy’s Cultural Treasures & Mediterranean Coastal Discovery

Welcome to enchanting Murano, one of Venice's 117 storied isles. Known for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition, Murano offers a peaceful introduction to the magic of the Venetian Lagoon. As arrival times will vary, today is yours to explore at your own pace.

This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Today, glide across the lagoon by motorboat to the center of Venice. With a local guide leading the way, walk among 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. After time to enjoy lunch on your own, dive into one of Venice's most whimsical traditions during a hands-on Venetian mask-making workshop.

This morning, explore the traditional Venetian craftsmanship behind two of the city's symbols: the fascinating blown glass typical of Murano, and the sleek, iconic gondola boats. 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. Or, consider an optional gondola ride to see the city from its most magical vantage point and fully appreciate the craftsmanship you observed at the gondola shipyards.

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 afternoon, continue to your hotel on the Adriatic coast and settle in for your two-night stay.

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 afternoon, discover how to make pasta staples such as handmade tagliatelle. Then, sit back and enjoy the results of your work for dinner.

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.

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. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Florence's cultural riches independently. Perhaps you'll visit one of the city's many museums, such as the Uffizi or Academy Gallery, where Michelangelo's David is kept.

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.

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 cobblestone 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.

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 with a challenging visit to the Castel Sant'Angelo fortress.

Standing tall above the Tiber 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 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 tour during a farewell dinner.

Your journey through Italy comes to an end after breakfast, leaving you with fond memories and newfound friends.

You have some time to enjoy Rome today. For centuries, Rome ruled much of Europe, building a vast empire from the power of emperors. More than 2,500 years of history live in the city's streets. Ancient structures recall those heady days when the cheers of 80,000 spectators roared from the Colosseum, citizens mingled in the Forum and senators asked the gods for guidance at the Pantheon. Along with the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, this rich pocket of Italy is one of the world's greatest repositories of history and civilization.

You'll need to make your own way to the port of Civitavecchia (Rome) in the afternoon, where you'll embark your Viking ship and settle into your stateroom.

Tuscany is known equally as the cradle of the Renaissance and a center of culinary delights and astounding wines. Throughout this emerald-green countryside dotted with cypress trees, endless delights unfold. Among them is Florence, a living museum of the Renaissance. Brunelleschi's famous Duomo dominates the medieval cityscape—an architectural achievement. Another Tuscan treasure, the Square of Miracles, unfolds in Pisa. Here, a trinity of masterpieces—the Leaning Tower, Pisa Cathedral and Baptistery—comprise some of Europe's finest art and architecture.

Tuscany is known for its scenic beauty and exudes a unique, rustic character. Vineyards, olive tree groves, wheat fields and endless expanses of farmland skirt the bases of medieval hill towns as they march across an undulating landscape of gentle hills. Fertile soils produce some of the world's finest wines, including Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. More than this, many consider Tuscany the birthplace of the original farm-to-table movement. Simple, honest food graces the Tuscan table, from creamy cheeses to thick Florentine steak grilled over a wood fire.

The chic city of Monte Carlo in the petite kingdom of Monaco boasts some of the world's most exclusive shopping and a beautiful old port. A fairy-tale aura has settled on this glittering city of the Grimaldi family, perhaps nowhere more elegantly than at the Prince's Palace, where the late American actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly presided with Prince Rainier III. Monte Carlo's medieval quarter perches on “The Rock,” an escarpment at the foot of the Maritime Alps, and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean and the harbor lined with mega-yachts.

Marseille is rich in historic treasures, nestled between the Mediterranean and rocky hills of limestone. Two 17th-century fortresses dominate the charming Vieux Port, or Old Port, the natural harbor that hosts all manner of watercraft, from sleek elegant yachts to old style fishing vessels. Its picturesque quay is one of the world's most romantic walks, lined with dozens of cafés and shops. Also worth exploring is the city center, graced by La Canebière boulevard. Linger in a café and sample the city's signature bouillabaisse made from freshly caught fish.

In a picturesque setting on France's southern coast, Sète is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural charm. Known as the “Venice of Languedoc,” its network of canals offers an alluring ambience, with boats bobbing in the water and colorful buildings lining the banks. Due to its booming fishing industry, Sète features an array of delicious seafood, centered around the town's bustling fish market, Les Halles de Sète. The best way to explore is on foot or by bicycle, where you can while away the time along the canals that link the Mediterranean to the Thau Lagoon.

The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city's Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square's perimeter.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.