Benvenuti in Italia

Day 2 VENICE

Benvenuti in Italia! Your Encore Experiences Tour Manager will greet you at Milan's airport and begin your journey to Venice. En route, visit the lovely city of Verona, setting of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Your walking tour with your Tour Manager brings you to see Juliet's balcony and the wonderful Roman arena still used to this day for summer concerts. Continue to "the Queen of the Adriatic," Venice, where you will check in to the Hotel Le Boulevard. Use your vaporetto pass for visits downtown, then enjoy a delicious welcome dinner together at a local restaurant. (All included lunches and dinners will offer two complimentary alcoholic beverages per person.) (D)

Day 3 VENICE

Today's sightseeing tour has been specially designed for your group to show you the life and work of Antonio Vivaldi, including sights such as the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari, and Ospedale Della Pieta. Here the famous musician wrote many works for the famed girls' choir and directed many himself. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Venice at your own pace. During your free time, you may wish to take a gondola ride through the city's beautiful canals or visit the Peggy Guggenheim Museum (under own arrangements). Your Tour Manager is available to assist you throughout the tour with suggestions, reservations and bookings. Meet your group this evening for dinner together at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4 VENICE

Board your motor launch this morning and reach Chioggia, a picturesque fishing town. There you meet a local chef who will lead you through the wholesale Fish Market, one of the most important in the country. Chioggia's Fish Market trades in both local as well as imported products which makes it particularly interesting to shopkeepers, even to those coming from distant areas.

At the end of the morning, the chef will take you to her restaurant for a lunch-time cooking class that highlights local recipes (vegetarian options available) followed by a delicious lunch together. In the afternoon, meet your bus and return to Venice where a motor launch will take you to Venice downtown. This evening is free for dinner on your own in Venice. Why not sit for drinks in St. Mark's square? (B,L)

Day 5 FLORENCE

This morning, say farewell to Venice and travel to Florence. En route, you will visit the idyllic towns of Padua and Bologna. Your walking tours with your Tour Manager will highlight Padua's Basilica of St. Anthony and the Scrovegni Chapel to see Giotto's magnificent frescoes, as well as Bologna's San Petronio and the ancient market. Continue on to Florence and check into the Hotel Adler. Tonight, enjoy dinner together as a group. (B,D)

Day 6 FLORENCE

Explore Old Tuscany today. First journey to the beautiful hill town of San Gimignano, famous for its stunning skyline of ancient towers and medieval architecture. Next, enjoy a private chianti wine tasting with light refreshments. Continue to Monte Oliveto Maggiore to hear Gregorian chants by the monks at vespers! Dine together at a local restaurant before returning to Florence for your overnight. (B,D)

Day 7 FLORENCE

This morning, enjoy a tour of the Conservatorio di Musica Luigi Cherubini for a private performance (program TBD). Enjoy a delicious lunch together at a Tuscan restaurant before a visit to the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's "David" and the incredible collection of sacred artwork. Your Tour Manager is available to take you to a local leather workshop or to suggest other interesting sights in Florence. Enjoy dinner on your own. (B,L)

Day 8 MILAN

Enjoy a full-day excursion to the birthplace of the Stradivarius violin, Cremona. Your walking tour with your Tour Manager comes to a grand crescendo with a private tour of the Museo del Violino where you will not only see masterfully crafted stringed instruments that date back to the 16th century, but your group will have a private recital performance on these famous strings! Complement this performance with a visit to a local luthier to see the amazing artform of string making. Continue to Milan, check into the Starhotel Ritz and enjoy a delicious dinner together at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9 MILAN

This morning after breakfast at your hotel, see Leonardo DaVinci's famed work "The Last Supper" (pending reservations). Then visit Ansaldo, where you'll have a guided tour of the facility where sets and costumes are designed for the famed opera house La Scala. Tonight, enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 10 MILAN

Today's excursion brings you to Lake Maggiore for a boat ride and visit to Isola Bella and Isola Maggiore. This afternoon, return to Milan where you will have an afternoon visit to see the world-renowned collection of Italian art at Pinacoteca di Brera. Celebrate your fabulous tour of Italy tonight with a special farewell dinner together. (B,D)

Day 11 DEPARTURE/ROME

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the Milan train station for your high speed train transfer to The Eternal City, Rome! Upon arrival in Rome, transfer by private bus to your hotel, The Ponte Sisto. Enjoy a walking tour of Baroque Rome with Ian Graham and a free evening and dinner on your own. (B)

Day 12 ROME (EXTENSION)

Enjoy a leisurely Sunday morning in Rome. At 12:30. Pre-registered participants who are signed up for today's guided visit of the Galleria Borghese will meet your guide and transfer bus at the hotel lobby. Transfer to the Galleria Borghese and get ready to lose yourself in the incredible collection housed in this gorgeous museum! Marvel at works by Caravaggio and Bernini and other masters. Post tour, transfer back to the hotel by private transfer and enjoy a free afternoon and evening in Rome. (B)

Day 13 ROME (EXTENSION)

After a free morning in Rome, Pre-registered participants will meet a local guide and your private motorcoach to transfer to the Vatican Museums for your guided tour that will include the vast collection of art housed at the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Gardens, and the Basilica of St. Peter. At the of your tour, transfer back to the hotel for a free afternoon and evening in Rome. (B)

Day 14 DEPARTURE (EXTENSION)

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)