Italia Bella: Rome to Venice

BACK IN TIME TO ANCIENT ROME

Rome/Italy, Italy

Tour begins: 2:00 PM, Hotel Splendide Royal Roma. Welcome to Rome, where your tour of the ancient world (and beyond) begins; a transfer is included from Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino to Hotel Splendide Royal Roma.

Your adventure starts with a drive through the heart of the city to see real-life relics of Imperial Rome, once capital of the ancient world. See the Circus Maximus and other traces of the ancient empire. Walk through one of the Colosseum's 80 entrances, imagining what it was like for ancient gladiators and the Roman crowds who piled into this famous arena to see them, and pose for pictures with Roman Centurions. Join your fellow family travelers tonight for a welcome reception and dinner featuring authentic Italian fare that whets your appetite for a fun-filled Italy tour.

Dinner

Hotel Splendide Royal Roma

ST. PETER'S & VATICAN MUSEUMS AFTER HOURS

Rome/Italy, Italy

This morning, enjoy a guided visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Midday, just around the corner from Piazza Navona, you'll visit a 17th-century cooking school for a lesson in the making of gelato, an Italian staple.

After a free afternoon, join your group tonight for a Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums, full of fascinating history and artistic masterpieces. View Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel – which the artist originally resisted doing because he considered himself a sculptor, not a painter – without the usual crowds! (Subject to availability and day of visit may vary.)

Breakfast

Hotel Splendide Royal Roma

THROUGH UMBRIA & TUSCANY TO FLORENCE

Tuscany Coast, Italy

Discoveries abound on your Italy tour adventure today as your family sets off through rural Umbria and Tuscany. The first stop on your travels is walled Orvieto, perched on a volcanic plateau; a guided tour takes you under its cobblestone streets to explore the town's honeycombed medieval tunnels and caves dating back to the time of the ancient Etruscans.

Florence/Italy, Italy

Then it's on to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Upon arrival you'll be treated to a panoramic orientation of the city – from the inside of a vintage Fiat 500*! Arrive at your luxury hotel, steps away from the Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery, for a memorable three-night stay.

Breakfast, Dinner

The Westin Excelsior, Florence

THE CITY OF PISA AND THE FAMED LEANING TOWER

Pisa, Italy

An excursion from Florence takes you and your family to Pisa for a look at this maritime city's great medieval buildings – including a glimpse of the remarkable Leaning Tower and more of Pisa's "field of miracles," such as the Duomo and the Baptistry.

Florence/Italy, Italy

If you wish, you'll have an opportunity to climb the famed tower for the view from the inside (children 8 – 18 must be accompanied by an adult). After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Florence for an evening spent as you please, and have dinner as you please in one of this grand Renaissance city's many restaurants.

Breakfast, Lunch

The Westin Excelsior, Florence

THE UFFIZI, GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA & A NIGHT MAKING PIZZA

Florence/Italy, Italy

Today begins with a walk along the Arno, accompanied by a local guide. Learn about the "other side of the Arno"; the Ponte Vecchio; go through Piazza Santa Trinita and little alleyways where you'll get some insights into the tower houses – then on to Signoria Square with its towering Town Hall.

Great Renaissance art awaits as you join your local guide for a tour of one of the world's first, and best, art galleries – the Uffizi Gallery. After some free time, visit one of Italy's most famous museums, Galleria dell'Accademia – the oldest art school in the world, home to many famed paintings and Michelangelo's David.

Tonight, join your group for dinner and a hands-on pizza-making demonstration at a popular local restaurant in Florence.

Breakfast, Dinner

The Westin Excelsior, Florence

VIA HIGH SPEED TRAIN TO VENICE

Venice/Italy, Italy

A first-class rail journey aboard a high-speed train takes your family to Venice, a city of islands where the roads are paved with water. Have lunch at a local restaurant, followed by free time to explore as you please in St. Mark's Square.

Venice Islands, Italy

A canal boat takes you to your hotel, the San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice – named the #1 hotel in Venice as the winner of Condé Nast Traveler's 2018 "Top Hotels in Italy/Venice" Reader's Choice Award! You're in for a real treat – this beautiful, award-winning hotel is on its own private island, complete with a fantastic pool and walking trails. Embark on a true adventure this evening – a pirate boat excursion around Venice and the islands, with dinner and games.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice

ST. MARK'S BASILICA, DOGE'S PALACE AND TIME TO EXPLORE

Venice/Italy, Italy

One of the most iconic spots in Venice is St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace; the architecture beckons from St. Mark's Square and your visits inside reveal the secrets of the centuries – including the story behind the Bridge of Sighs.

If there is any city in Europe that is perfect for just wandering, seeing and experiencing, it is Venice – and you'll have the chance to do just that for the rest of the day. Follow the small, cobbled streets and alleyways to see where they lead, visit a museum or sample some gelato (served warmer and creamier than traditional ice cream).

Tonight, everyone meets again for a farewell party at your hotel on your private island in the Grand Canal... by the pool, weather permitting! A spectacular close to a fantastic week.

Breakfast, Dinner

San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice

HOMEWARD BOUND

Venice/Italy, Italy

Tour ends: Venice. Arrivederci! Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from San Clemente Palace Kempinski to Venice's Marco Polo Airport; allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.

Breakfast

• ALL guests must carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES or with a visa service, as these requirements may change. Guests without proper documentation may be denied entry and will not be entitled to a refund

• 60 days or more before departure: $350.00 per person
• 59-8 days before departure: $600.00 per person
• 7-1 days before departure: $900.00 per person
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price
• Any changes or cancellations to airline reservations made through Tauck either before or after departure are subject to the cancellation / change policies of the individual airlines. In n some instances these cancellation / change fees may be up to 100% of the ticket price.
• Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
• All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
• The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

• Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
• All prices are in US Dollars.
• A $350 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted all Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
• Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date.
• Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation.