Welcome to Rome! You will be greeted upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport, and escorted to your hotel for check-in. Judson and Mary will provide an afternoon walking orientation tour to acclimate the group to the Eternal City! We will end the evening with a multi course Welcome Dinner at a traditional Roman ristorante!

The Colosseum is a massive 2000-year-old stone structure that stands today as a monument to ancient Rome’s architectural and engineering prowess. The Forum was the nucleus of commercial affairs in ancient Rome, and was also the site of triumphal processions, elections, public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches! The Palatine Hill served as the home of Roman emperors.

Rome is a bucket list destination for many travelers, and there is nothing like exploring it on your own! If you prefer, you are welcome to join Judson and Mary as they walk to Roman must-sees such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona!

We will visit Vatican City, where entrance fees to the Vatican Museum are included. Take in one of the most impressive collections of art in the world, including map rooms, tapestry rooms, the magnificent Raphael Rooms, as well as the spectacular Sistine Chapel that is highlighted by Michelangelo’s ceiling and his Last Judgment. Also visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the western world. Highlights include The Pieta by Michelangelo, the tomb of St. Peter, and Bernini’s magnificent Baldacchino. Your afternoon and evening are free! We recommend you explore the relaxing, bohemian area of Trastevere located on the bank of the River Tiber, just south of the Vatican.

We will say farewell to Rome and take a coach to Tuscany for a winery tour and lunch. In the afternoon, we will make our way through the stunning Italian countryside to Ravenna, an off-the-beaten path Italian city that most visitors to Italy miss.

We will tour the beautiful city center of Ravenna in the morning. Vitale is one of the most important surviving examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is described by UNESCO experts as “the earliest and best preserved of all mosaic monuments, and at the same time one of the most artistically perfect.” Explore Ravenna on your own in the after-noon and evening.

We will take a coach from Ravenna to Bologna for a guided tour of the Bolognia city center, including Piazza Grande, the Duomo, the Asinelli Towers and the ancient market. After free time for lunch, we will continue by coach to Venice. The evening will be free for you to wander around in one of the most fascinating cities in the world on your own.

We will enjoy a morning guided tour of Venice, the City of Canals. We will stroll to the city square of Campo Santa Margherita, where we will see the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Entrance to St. Mark’s Basilica is included. We will finish the tour with a visit to Doge’s Palace. Your afternoon and evening will be free to explore on your own.

This day is for exploring Venice and the surrounding area on your own. Judson and Mary recommend visiting the islands of Murano, where you can watch centuries-old glassblowing techniques, and Burano, where you can marvel at the detailed stitches of exquisite lace. We will meet in the evening for a Farewell Dinner at a traditional Venetian ristorante.

A group transfer will be provided from our hotel to the Venice airport for return flights home, where you can begin sharing stories about your adventure with your family and friends!