Depart U.S.A. to Venice, Italy

Today we will depart the US and fly overnight to Venice, Italy. Our Italian experience will begin as we arrive at the Venice airport and are greeted by our local tour manager. We will take a short transfer to the mainland boat terminal for a private transfer to St. Mark’s square.  Here we take a delightful walking tour of the ‘City of Islands’. Along the way we will see St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Bell Tower, the Clock Tower and the Bridge of Sighs to name of few favorite sites. Our tour will conclude at the Doges’ Palace, which you can visit at your leisure. Enjoy a wonderful welcome dinner at a local restaurant before making the way to the hotel for check-in and overnight. 

Murano & Burano Island

After breakfast we will board our coach again to the boat terminal and board our private boat for a cruise past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena, and the famous Lido Beach Resort to Murano Island. Known worldwide for its colored glass, we will see mouth-blown glass-making in progress and enjoy a factory tour. Next stop is Burano Island. This picturesque island is famous not only for its lace, but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colors. We will enjoy this place before cruising back to the main island for some time at our leisure. Late afternoon we make our way back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. 

Venice - Florence

This morning we will leave Venice and begin our scenic journey to Florence. Upon arrival, we will stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, a beautiful square on top of a hill, offering the best view over Florence. After check-in, we will go on a walking tour of Florence, taking in all the amazing out-door art and sculptures along the way. Our guided tour will include the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore, known as the Duomo and the home for Giotto’s bell tower and Brunelleschi’s famous Dome. We will also see Michelangelo’s statue of David hosted by the Galleria dell’Accademia. Dinner on own and overnight. 

Carrara Quarry and Pisa 

Today will surely be one of the highlights of the tour as we make our way out of Florence to the mountains to visit the historic marble quarry in Carrara. We will enjoy a jeep ride up the hill to the quarry opening where Michelangelo and other famous sculptors of their day picked their marble that we still marvel at today. We will get to try our hand at the chisel as well as see many works of art. After a wonderful local lunch, we will continue to the city of Pisa and see the iconic “leaning tower” and tour of the city before returning to Florence. Dinner on own and overnight.

Tuscany

This morning we will drive through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to Siena. Notice the medieval ramparts where you are greeted with the Latin inscription 'Cor Magis Tibi Sena Pandit' (Siena opens its heart to you). We will walk through the maze of narrow streets; see the Piazza Del Campo where the famous 'Palio Horse Race' is held and the 13th century Cathedral.  On our way back to Florence, we will stop in San Gimignano, another beautiful medieval town famous for its unmistakable skyline. The town is known as the city of “hundred towers”. Today only 13 towers of the fourteenth century still remain. Return to Florence for dinner at hotel and overnight. 

Florence to Rome with Assisi

This morning we bid farewell to Florence and head south to Rome. Before arriving to the Eternal City, we will stop in the delightful town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Here we will have time to visit the St. Francis cathedral and the amazing frescoes by Giotto and the medieval downtown. Our visits in Assisi will include also the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli before continuing our journey to Rome. After check-in, dinner is on own. Overnight. 

Rome - Optional Visit to Rome Temple 

After breakfast, for those who wish, we will board our coach and transfer to the newly dedicated LDS Temple and enjoy attending a session and touring the grounds (Temple session arranged by Morris Murdock, exact date or schedule to be confirmed).  For those who do not wish to see the LDS Temple, optional alternative activities will be available. Afternoon we will explore the heart of Rome with a walking tour including the Spanish Steps, the iconic Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon which which was built over 2,000 years ago to honor Caesar Augustus and later converted to a Christian church, and the Piazza Navona, one of Rome's most beautiful and popular squares. Dinner on own and overnight.

Ancient Rome

Today, for those interested, we will attend a local Sacrament Meeting or other local church service before our visits to the famous sites of Ancient Rome. For those who do not wish to join the church service, optional alternative activities will be available. Afternoon, we arrive at the Colosseum grounds and walk underneath the Constantine Arch and then enter the huge arena dating from 79AD.  Next stop will be the Roman Forum, where the ancient market place seems to jump to life as we stroll through the ruins. Dinner on own and overnight.

Rome & the Vatican

This morning we tour the Vatican, the world's smallest independent state. Your guide will start with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums.  The highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's most famous paintings.  Then we explore St. Peter's Square, with Bernini's 284 columns, before entering St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom. This afternoon we will be free to enjoy the city of Rome on our own. Tonight, a farewell dinner is served at a local restaurant including live music entertainment. Return transfers from hotel are included. 

Return to the USA

Board your private coach to the airport for your homebound flight. Safe travels!