Tripology

Historical and Educational Tours

Upon arrival you are met by our rep at Venice airport and enjoy a private transfer across the Bay of Venice on Luigi's boat. Upon arrival, check in, freshen up and take an orientation walk with your Tour Captain before Welcome Dinner Tonight.

Enjoy what many have not: 1st Class train travel from Venice to Florence in your small group! Porterage of bags is included. Upon arrival Florence, we arrive our hotel in the heart of the city.

This morning we enter deep into the heart of Tuscany with a stop in the hilltop village of San Gimignano - One of San Gimignano’s most impressive sights is the medieval skyline made up of 13 remaining towers dating back from the 11th century. San Gimignano rises on a hill dominating the Elsa Valley. The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle-Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim's route that crossed it. Once in San Gimignano, we enjoy a walking sightseeing experience with our local guide. San Gimignano also has several distractions for shopping – so dig in and enjoy! – from San Gimi we're off to Villa Dievole Estate for a tour of the cellars and a delightful wine tasting with appetizers. Experience the castle grounds with a tour of the cellars along with wine-tasting featuring palate-pleasing appetizers including pecorino cheese and bruschetta! You’ll get your fill of classic Chianti and Tuscan vino along with delicate cuisine. We overnight tonight in Cortona - absolutely beautiful!

After breakfast, enjoy morning in Cortona – is a small but fascinating city in the province of Arezzo , Tuscany , central Italy , situated on a commanding hill, and overlooking Lake Trasimeno . Its cyclopean walls, still in great part preserved, are said to be 3000 years old. It was one of the twelve cities of Etruria and is our host this morning as we observe Italian life in Tuscany! Depart 12:00 for departure for Rome – where all roads lead. We check into our hotel, the Hotel Homs or similar - about 2 minutes from the Spanish Steps.

After a great breakfast we begin our walking tour of Rome! We begin along the banks of the Tiber River in the heart of Rome. Your Tour Captain provides commentary at important points along the route including Castello San Angelo, the Justice Palace and finally arriving at St. Peter’s Square. We navigate along the outer perimeter of the square before meeting our local guide for admission and tour of Vatican City. Our 2 hour tour includes the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica – however, make note the Pope may close any of the Vatican at any time without notice for a variety of reasons. After exiting the Vatican via St. Peter’s square – smaller groups will take taxis to relocate to the Pantheon where you will enjoy a delightful lunch at one of the many restaurants in the Piazza (not included). After lunch, we continue our tour and go back in time as we visit the Roman Forum with admission to the Colosseum – one of the most impressive sights in the entire city of Rome – and did you know, all of Rome is a live archaeological dig? Literally, new discoveries are happening all of the time! Ask your Tour Captain about optional tours later today or tomorrow but join him tonight for dinner (optional).

Enjoy a free day in Rome to sightsee and explore on your own! Your Tour Captain will have a variety of activities you can opt for or you can explore on your own. Tonight, enjoy our farewell Gala dinner at an authentic Roman restaurant at the Spanish Steps with your Tour Captain. Our days have been filled with new sights, tastes and discoveries - tonight enjoy reflecting on the incredible journey we've had together!