Jewels of Italy (Winter)

Buongiorno! Rome kicks off your epic Italian trilogy. After checking in to your hotel, spend the rest of the day relaxing or pound the pavements to discover why Rome so deserves its title, the 'Eternal City'. Later, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a glimpse into what lies ahead.

With so much to see and do, you could explore Rome for an eternity without getting bored. Get to grips with the city's main attractions, joining a Local Guide. View St. Peter's Basilica before crossing the Tiber to see the mighty Colosseum and the countless other ancient sites that featured prominently during the days of the powerful Roman Empire. There's even time for a leisurely stroll to one of the city's thronging piazzas to people-watch or to join a Choice Experience dinner in a Roman trattoria. Embrace life lived the Italian way – to the fullest.

A mesmerising journey through the rolling vineyards and olive groves of Tuscany awaits. Visit Pisa and its Square of Miracles, one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in the world. Yield to peer pressure and snap a few strategic photos with the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa. You'll have time for souvenir shopping before continuing to Florence. This evening, there's an opportunity to head into the Tuscan countryside for dinner on an unforgettable Choice Experience.

There are few cities in the world with an artistic legacy equal to that of Florence. Now's your chance to experience it in all its glory with your Local Guide at your side. Lace up your walking shoes and view the city's most iconic sights on foot – the Baptistery, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower and Ponte Vecchio. If you're in the mood for some shopping, consider buying some of the high-quality leather goods or shop for 18-carat gold jewellery. Later, why not visit San Gimignano as part of a Choice Experience? This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Your week in Italy continues with a journey across the dramatic Apennine Mountains to Verona, the home of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. View the vast Roman Arena, where concerts are still held centuries after it was built to entertain the citizens of this fair city. Juliet's Balcony is another highlight, revealing the tragic story of the Montague and Capulet family feud.

Your journey then continues to Venice for the next two nights. Time on your own means an opportunity to head out to the islands in the Venice lagoon and explore one of the world's most romantic cities, watching the busy traffic on its canals over a crisp glass of Aperol Spritz, or to embark on a Choice Experience taking a water taxi into Venice and a gondola ride along its narrow waterways. Salute!

Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square, in the heart of Venice. All the main attractions are within walking distance of the Piazza San Marco, so you can take snapshots of the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark. Spend your time wandering the calli (narrow streets) of Venice, then watch talented masters at work engaged in the same craft as their ancestors from centuries ago. Witness the creations of beautiful glass pieces during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Consider a Choice Experience cruise across the lagoon to the colourful island of Burano.

Brief and jam-packed, this memorable encounter with Italy's favourite cities has been brimming with culture, history and culinary delights. For now, it's arrivederci, but not farewell forever as you say goodbye to your Travel Director and newfound friends.