Seniors’ Getaway: Rome to Venice Tour

The smell of freshly baked Italian bread will be a welcoming wake-up call on the morning of day two. After a tasty breakfast at your hotel, you will be greeted by a local guide who will lead you on a tour of two of Rome’s main attractions: the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Dating back to the first century, the Colosseum will be impressive inside and out. Touring the levels of seating while listening to the history of this famous landmark will instantly transport you to ancient times when epic battles graced the floor of the arena. You will even get the chance to explore some of the tunnels and walk onto the floor of the battlefield just like the gladiators. Then, with a cup of espresso from a local cafe in hand, your tour will continue to the Roman Forum. The feelings of being back in time to the years of Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire will continue as you tour the many ruins of the Forum. The remains of various temples and houses will provide insight into Rome’s rich history.

When today’s tour concludes, you will have some free time before enjoying an exclusive, evening dinner cruise along the Tiber River. As the sun sets, you will board the boat and begin a scenic cruise along the river. With a delicious multi-course meal, live music in the background, and some of Rome’s attractions brilliantly illuminated as you pass, it will be the perfect way to spend your night.

The sounds of church bells ringing in the distance will signal the beginning of another day in Rome. The tour for the day will take you to the world’s smallest country: Vatican City. Despite its size, Vatican City will be filled with sights to see. The tour will begin in St. Peter’s Square where you will be fascinated by the number of columns and statues around its perimeter. You will then continue to the incomparable St. Peter’s Basilica. This gorgeous basilica features incredible works of art and a stunning dome. Michelangelo’s Pietà will be just one of the many timeless masterpieces that you will see before the tour continues to the Vatican Museums. Here, you will discover the different but equally intriguing areas of the museums, and you will especially enjoy the frescoes by the great artist Raphael. The Sistine Chapel will then be the final stop of your tour of Vatican City. The detailed and ornate ceiling that was masterfully painted by Michelangelo will be one of the most awe-inspiring and beautiful sights that you will ever see.

Still feeling a sense of wonderment from the sights of the Vatican, you can spend the evening at your own pace. Take a nighttime stroll, dine at a wonderful restaurant, or simply relax at your plush hotel as another fantastic day comes to a close.

On the morning of day four, you will leave the sights of Rome behind and depart via private transfer for the hills of Tuscany. After a scenic and picturesque ride, you will arrive in the hilltop town of Montepulciano. The town’s medieval buildings and quaint streets will provide the ideal atmosphere for a lunch and wine tasting at a local winery. Montepulciano wines are considered to be some of the best in Italy and are revered around the world. After a brief tour of the winery, you will dine on a delicious lunch with each course paired with local wines. The wines will perfectly complement each course, and you will savor each sip as you go. The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano will be especially memorable. This renowned wine is held to strict standards and is aged for a minimum of two years. With its distinct red color and combination of fruity and earthy notes, it will be easy to see why the Vino Nobile is so highly regarded. All the wine and food will create a paradise for your palate.

After the sumptuous lunch and while the taste of wine still delights your taste buds, you will continue your drive through the rolling hills where you will arrive in the capital of Tuscany and birthplace of the Renaissance: Florence. After checking into your lavish hotel, you can begin to explore the city. An evening walk around this amazing city will begin to give you a glimpse of everything Florence has to offer.

The smell of Italian leather will be in the air as you wake up this morning. After breakfast, you will set out for a private tour of the Duomo, which is Florence’s most magnificent Cathedral. The striking white, pink, and green marble that adorns the church will come into view as you enter the main square of Piazza del Duomo. While touring the gorgeous interior of the Cathedral, you can see its detailed frescoes and statues. One of the highlights will also be the opportunity to see the Cathedral’s stunning dome. Designed by the great Italian Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi, the large dome is still considered an engineering feat to this day. Back outside, you will marvel at Giotto’s impressive Bell Tower and the Baptistery before leaving Piazza del Duomo.

Your guide will then lead you on a short walk to Ponte Vecchio. One of the many cafes along the way will provide a tasty lunch before you arrive at Florence’s most famous bridge. Then, enjoy free time to discover the many jewelry stores and shops as you cross over the Arno River. The dazzling gold and silver pieces in the storefront windows will beckon you to try on a shiny watch or gorgeous necklace, which will make it difficult to choose just one souvenir. With the tour for the day concluded, you can explore more nearby stores to see luxurious leather goods and then feast on a delicious Florentine steak at a local restaurant. Totally content with the day’s events, you will sip on an evening coffee as you return to your hotel for the night.

Tours of the renowned Uffizi and Accademia Galleries will awaken your inner artist on day six. After breakfast, your private tour will begin at the Uffizi Gallery. Dating back to the 16th century, the Uffizi is home to some of the world’s best works of art. you will revel at the creations of great artists like Raphael and Caravaggio, and each painting will be more breathtaking than the last. Botticelli’s Birth of Venus will be particularly special, and you will appreciate the unique beauty and details that are present in the revered painting. The discovery of Renaissance art will then continue to the Accademia Gallery. Here, you can see more amazing art masterpieces as you are led around the rooms of the museum. The sculptures and statues will be so realistic that it will seem as though they are actually in motion. The culmination of your artistic journey will certainly be viewing Michelangelo’s David. The stunning statue is a perfect example of Renaissance art, and you will be in awe as to how Michelangelo carved a piece of marble into this magnificent sculpture. After the tour concludes and while still feeling that you are back in the times of the Renaissance, you will enjoy the last night in Florence.

With the sun shining brightly over the Duomo, you will depart Florence on the morning of day seven to begin your scenic ride to the antique city of Verona. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by an expert, local guide who will lead a tour of the city’s main attractions. One of the first sites that you will visit is the Roman Arena, which is located in the main square of Piazza Bra. Dating back to the first century, the Arena predates the Colosseum in Rome and is still well preserved almost 2,000 years later. The vast interior of the amphitheater with seating for 30,000 people will be an amazing sight, and you will quickly see why the Arena is still used today for musical performances. Back outside in the square, you can wander into a few of the many quaint shops before the tour continues to Piazza delle Erbe. Here, the tallest tower in the city, Torre dei Lamberti, will stand tall overhead as you make your way to the very special and nearby location of Juliet’s House. Shakespeare’s timeless love story will come to life you as see the charming house and the famous balcony. The final destination on your tour of Verona will be its beautiful Cathedral. The 12th-century church is wonderfully decorated inside and out. Viewing the Cathedral’s intricate frescoes and works by the great artist Titian will be the ideal way to conclude your visit to the city.

With the sights of Verona in the background, your private transfer will continue on your short ride to the enchanting city of Venice. As the boat leaves the mainland of Italy, you will feel the first cool breeze from the Venetian lagoon. Soon, you will arrive at your luxurious waterfront hotel to begin your stay in this magical city.

The sound of gentle waves brushing up against the hotel will be a serene and welcome way to begin our day. After breakfast, you will set out for a tour of Venice’s top sites. St. Mark’s Square will be remarkable, and the impressive bell tower, known as the Campanile, stands over 300 feet high above the square. You can ascend the tower for unrivaled views of Venice before entering the amazing St. Mark’s Basilica. With its mosaics, marble floors, columns, and endless amounts of gold, the Basilica will fascinate you at every turn. The tour will then continue to the nearby Doge’s Palace. Once the center of the Venetian Republic government, today the palace is a fascinating museum that is filled with wonderful works of art. Each room will be filled with ornate décor and spectacular paintings by artists such as Tintoretto and Bellini.

Feeling immersed in the splendors of Venice, you can delight in a lunch at one of the many cafes that line St. Mark’s Square before embarking on a private gondola ride around the city. The gondola will effortlessly glide around the canals and winding waterways as you absorb the sights from this unique perspective. In the evening, a fresh fish dinner paired with a glass of white wine will be a great way to enjoy the last night in Venice.

The morning sun will make the Venetian lagoon shimmer in the morning. There will be time for one last jaunt around the city, and you can take a scenic walk to see the Rialto Bridge. The ancient bridge will be a great way to take in the last sights of the Grand Canal before private transfers lead you back to the mainland of Italy and then to Marco Polo Airport for your return flight home. You will have experienced the best of Italy’s top cities during this marvelous trip and will yearn to return to this amazing country and all it has to offer.