Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1 – ARRIVE ROME, WELCOME AND ORIENTATION
Upon arrival in Rome, you will be transferred to the hotel. After settling into the hotel, meet in the hotel lobby for a welcome and orientation meeting with your tour leader and fellow travelers.

Overnight: Rome
Note: Dinner is not included

DAY 2 – ROME (PIAZZAS AND FOUNTAINS WALKING TOUR)
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Enjoy walking tour of Rome, while learning about the culture, first Christians and history of Rome. Visit Piazza di Spagna, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona.

In the afternoon, we will take you to culinary place where you will be served authentic Italian cuisine of the best quality.

Overnight: Rome
Included: Breakfast

DAY 3 – ROME (COLOSSEUM AND ROMAN FORUM)
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

This morning we have a guided tour of the Colosseum, one of the most famous of Rome’s ancient monuments, and Circus Maximus, the place in Rome where the first Christians died.

We continue our walking tour of the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome, stopping to visit Milliarium Aureum, Via Sacra, Curia Julia, Temple of Peace, Arch of Titus and Arch of Constantine.
Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Rome
Included: Breakfast

DAY 4 – ROME (VATICAN AND VATICAN MUSEUMS)
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

This morning we have a guided visit of the Vatican Museums, followed by free time for individual exploration. Our tour takes us to the Christian Museum, Pius-Christian Museum, the rooms of Raphael and Sistine Chapel.

In the afternoon, we meet again to tour St. Peters Basilica where you will find the four places where God’s name appears in Tetragrammaton form and “Pieta”, the only work of Michelangelo actually signed by him.
Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Rome
Included: Breakfast

DAY 5 – ROME TO FLORENCE
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Travel in the morning towards Florence by fast train.

After check into hotel, we begin to explore Florence with a walking tour in the historic center of Florence (Unesco World Heritage Site). Our route will take you to the most important sights in the old town (Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria). The walking tour will help you to get a sense of Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance.

The evening is at leisure, and you may wish to visit the Mercato Centrale (part of the San Lorenzo Market), Florence’s historic food and produce market, a cultural center for culinary traditions throughout Italy.

Overnight: Florence
Included: Breakfast

DAY 6 – TUSCANY (SAN GIMIGNANO) Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Today we take an excursion by private coach to the beautiful walled town of San Gimignano (Unesco World Heritage Site). San Gimignano contains within itself the essence of Tuscany – a perfect combination of local art and architecture, which harmonizes perfectly with the variety of enchanting landscapes, flavours and tastes.

In the afternoon we visit the Guicciardini Strozzi winery, the oldest winery in Tuscany. Enjoy a fantastic winetasting experience.
Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Florence
Included: Breakfast

DAY 7 – FLORENCE
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Located in the heart of Florence, the Uffizi Gallery is one of the most important collections of Western painting in the world. The Uffizi Gallery hosts works of art by great Italian artists such as Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello.

After free time for lunch, we continue to the Rose Garden. The Rose Garden is the ideal place for a romantic promenade while enjoying a marvelous panoramic view of Florence.
Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Florence
Included: Breakfast

DAY 8 – FLORENCE TO VENICE
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Travel in the morning towards Venice by fast train. We arrive at our hotel and settle in before we begin our walking tour of Venice (Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco). Enjoy a gondola ride.
Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Venice
Included: Breakfast

DAY 9 – VENICE
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Today we gain a sense of the geography of the Venetian lagoon and the city’s appearance in its earliest days. We travel by ferry to the peaceful lagoon islands of Burano and Murano, whose fascinating history extends beyond glassmaking.

In the evening we enjoy farewell dinner in a fine restaurant.

Overnight: Venice
Included: Breakfast

DAY 10 – DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel and departures. Hotel to airport transfers are included and will be coordinated based on flight times.

NOTE: Our tour is physically active. We believe the best way to get to the heart of a city is on foot, surrounded by the people and the culture. For this reason, we do walking tours through most of the cities we visit. It will be a vigorous pace with a great deal of walking on ancient pavements, up and down stairs and hilly terrain. Expect to be on your feet, walking and standing, indoors and outdoors, and in all weather conditions. It is not recommended for physically challenged travelers who need assistance walking or those with limited stamina or mobility.

Included / Not Included

What’s Included

• Ground transportation via high-speed trains, air-conditioned vans and local public transport (subway and ferry)
• Airport/hotel transfers
• Accommodation (9 nights) at double/twin beds room in a 3/4 hotel: Rome 4 nights, Florence 3 nights, Venice 2 nights
• Entrance fees for scheduled touring sites: Colosseum and Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery, Gondola ride
• 9 meals – breakfasts (as noted on the day by day itinerary)
• Price includes the professional tour leader/driver and local guide at some sites

What’s Not Included

• Transportation for sightseeing and events not scheduled by BCT
• Meals other than breakfast noted as included in the day by day itinerary
• Drinks
• Personal expenses such as passports, laundry and phone calls
• Gratuities for tour guides/drivers

Pricing

All prices quoted below are in USD. You will choose the price applicable to you when you book your tour.*

NOTE: A 6% convenience (secure processing) fee will be added for reservations made online and a $30/person discount will be added. Booking over the phone, no convenience fee will be added, nor will you receive a $30/person discount.

All prices herein are per person and are subject to change without notice. 'Full Package' prices are especially subject to change due to the fluctuation in airfare. For Instance: Travelers can expect to pay additional airfare for summer tour dates if their tour includes New York. We will notify you three months, or less, before your departure of any additional fees. *Should the prices noted herein differ from that shown when booking your tour, the price you select on checkout will be the one that is validated.

Regarding Land Package Pricing:

Land Package prices signify that…
BCT will provide your transportation during the tour but you will be required to arrange your own transportation (be that airfare or train or car) at the beginning and after the tour.

Unless the arrival and departure hotels provide complimentary hotel/airport shuttle service Land Package travelers will need to arrange their own airport/hotel transportation. For Instance: On most NY trips the BCT-provided arrival/departure hotel(s) may provide complimentary hotel/airport shuttle service. However on many of BCT’s international trips arrival and departure hotels may not.

BCT is not responsible for any cost associated with the cost of your transportation (be that airfare or train or car) at the beginning and after the tour. Including penalties, fees, and/or rebooking costs when a trip is canceled or moved.
Click here to read about the advantages of booking a ‘full package' trip versus a ‘land package’ trip.