Depart the USA

Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour of Milan, visiting the Duomo of Milan, which started being built in 1386. It is the third-largest church in the world after St. Peter’s in Rome and after the Cathedral of Seville. Dinner and overnight in Milan

Tuesday, February 13 - Venice: Finale of Carnivale Travel to Venice, known for its winding canals and gondolas. Visit St Mark’s Basilica, a beautiful example of Italo-Byzantine architecture. Visit the Doge’s Palace, a symbol of the city’s power and wealth during the Venetian Republic. Purchase a Venetian Masque and enjoy the final day of Carnivale! Dinner and overnight in Mestre

Wednesday, February 14 - Valentine’s Day in Venice! Enjoy the bridges, architecture, museums, and food. In the evening, enjoy a romantic wine dinner at Osteria al Bacco for an additional charge, followed by a performance by a string quartet and a prearranged optional moonlit gondola ride. Overnight in Mestre

The elegant city of Florence is nestled between a line of hills and the banks of the Arno River. During your visit to Florence, enjoy the beautiful gardens and a leisurely stroll through the open-air markets. Every street, square, and winding alley is a showcase for Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance grandeur. Among Florence’s masterpieces, you’ll see the Piazza della Signoria with its Neptune Fountain and Vecchio Palace, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, which houses Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietá, the Baptistry, which features Ghiberti’s famous Gates of Paradis and the Academy, where you can view some of Michelangelo’s finished and unfinished work, including the awe-inspiring David. Overnight in Montecatini Terme.

This morning, travel to one of the most charming and picturesque of all the Tuscan hill towns, San Gimignano. Magical medieval towers dominate the town, once numbering more than 70, but only 14 towers remain today. Beautiful Siena is built across several hills and valleys. The focal point of the city is the shell-shaped town square, which is both a meeting place and marketplace. It is also the venue for the town’s famous horse race known as the “Palio.” Visit the Basilica of St. Catherine (which is also known as the Basilica of St. Domenico). St. Catherine spent a large part of her life inside the walls of this basilica. After, visit the Shrine of St. Catherine, which occupies the site of her family home. Overnight in Rome.

Experience the glory of Christian Rome today as you visit the Vatican, home to one of the greatest museums in the world. And, of course, tour St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s frescoes, now restored to their full, colorful glory. Tour the Catacombs of St. Sebastino and see some of the only surviving examples of early Christian art. In the 1840s, Pope Gregory XVI took steps to preserve the catacombs and their treasures. Visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, which stands over the place Constantine built the first church, which is over St. Paul’s grave. Overnight in Rome.

History is woven through the streets and neighborhoods of Rome as in no other city. Explore the many wonders of ancient Rome as you visit the magnificent Colosseum and the Pantheon. From the most sacred hill of ancient Rome, Campidoglio, view the Forum. See the Circus Maximus, the Arch of Titus, the famous Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Constantine, and the Victor Emanuel Monument. View the Monti Region, Rome’s most ancient neighborhood, which spreads over three of her seven hills. In the afternoon, explore the romance of Rome as you climb the graceful Spanish Steps and stop at the famous Trevi Fountain. Legend says those who toss a coin into the fountain will one day return to Rome to toss another into the waters of Trevi. Farewell dinner show at Le Terme del Colosseo and overnight in Rome

Return to NYC