Spectacular Art Cities of Italy break with fantastic excursions

Excursions

Included Excursions

• Gondola ride •

See Venice like a local with a guided gondola ride through the city’s intricate canals, passing under small bridges along secluded waterways before cruising majestically down the Grand Canal. Look out for iconic sights like Mozart House and the renowned La Fenice Theatre, before gliding along the Rio delle Ostreghe, the most beautiful part of the Grand Canal. After reaching the Salute Church and Punta della Dogana, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the Doge’s Palace and of St. Mark's bell tower.

• Best of Florence walking tour •

Discover the cradle of the Renaissance on an immersive guided walking tour past Florence’s landmark sights. Starting in Piazza della Repubblica, you’ll stroll through some of Florence’s most characteristic streets towards the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo with its famous Porcellino statue, and continue on to the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s most iconic bridge lined with storied jewellery shops. After that, follow your guide past the Accademia dei Georgofili and Piazzale degli Uffizi to Piazza della Signoria, the city’s beating heart dominated by the imposing Palazzo Vecchio and magnificent Loggia dei Lanzi. Your final stop will be Piazza San Giovanni, home to the city’s majestic cathedral with its Brunelleschi-designed dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower.

• Colosseum and Roman Forum tour •

Walk in the footsteps of Roman emperors on a tour through the highlights of Ancient Rome. Before setting off, learn about the sites you’ll visit through an immersive multimedia video with ‘before and after’ images of these impressive sites. After that, you’ll start with skip-the-line tickets to the Roman Forum, where you’ll get to walk along the Via Sacra towards the place where Julius Caesar was cremated. Listen as your guide relates the city’s founding legends on Palatine Hill, before finishing with a tour of the Colosseum, learning about the legendary amphitheatre’s dramatic and bloody past.

Optional Excursions

• St. Mark's Basilica: Skip the Line •

Bypass the queues and discover the splendour of St. Mark's Basilica with skip-the-line access. Explore this magnificent example of Byzantine architecture, marvel at its intricate mosaics and stunning details, and delve into its rich history with a seamless and expedited visit.

• Sunset Florence boat ride on a Florentine gondola •

Experience Florence from a unique perspective with a romantic sunset gondola ride. Glide along the Arno River as the city's iconic landmarks are bathed in golden light. Enjoy the tranquil ambiance and picturesque views, creating an unforgettable Florentine memory.

• Afternoon pizza and gelato making cooking class •

Master the art of Italian cuisine in this fun and interactive pizza and gelato making class. Learn the secrets to crafting authentic Italian pizza from scratch, from kneading the perfect dough to selecting fresh toppings. Then, indulge your sweet tooth by creating creamy, classic gelato. Enjoy your delicious creations in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

• Doges Palace •

Discover one of Venice’s most iconic buildings with a guided tour of the glittering Doge’s Palace, a magnificent combination of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Once the residence of the city’s elected ruler (‘Doge’) and his counsellors, the palace was the epicentre of the Venetian Empire and its government, before being opened as a museum in 1923. Stroll through lavish chambers and stuccoed halls, marvel at masterpieces by Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese and Bellini as you learn about the city’s history and legends, and explore the eerie, narrow passageways leading to the famous Bridge of Sighs.

• Venice morning walking tour •

Admire Venice’s landmark sites with a guided walking tour of the city’s highlights. Your route begins in the legendary St Mark’s Square with its breathtaking Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Procuratie, before continuing to the squares of Santa Maria Formosa and Campo San Giovanni e Paolo, home to the ornate Pantheon church and magnificent Scuole Grandi. Listen to historical insights as you pass by Marco Polo’s House and the Malibran Theatre, before circling back to St. Mark’s via Mercerie.

• Tour of the Islands: Murano, Burano, & Torcello •

Discover the enchanting islands of the Venetian lagoon on a captivating tour of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Catch a glimpse of Murano's renowned glassblowing tradition, admire Burano's vibrantly coloured houses, and uncover the ancient history of Torcello, the lagoon's earliest settlement. A truly unforgettable Venetian experience awaits.

• Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, & Chianti with wine tasting •

Explore the Tuscan countryside with a full-day tour through some of the region’s most beautiful spots. Start with a scenic drive to Monteriggioni, a medieval walled town perched on a hilltop, before heading down to Siena for a guided tour past the Palazzo Pubblic, the city’s magnificent Gothic cathedral and more. After that, it’s off to the UNESCO-listed San Gimignano, a picturesque town known for its white wine, medieval streets and dreamy surrounding landscape. Your final stop will be a rustic wine estate in the Chianti area, where you’ll get to refuel on home-made snacks while sampling local wine and olive oil.

• Crypts and catacombs tour •

Descend into the depths of history on a chilling Crypts and Catacombs Tour. Explore ancient burial chambers and hidden passageways, uncovering the stories and secrets of those laid to rest centuries ago. Journey through these subterranean worlds, encountering fascinating historical insights and a touch of the macabre.