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2027 The Splendors of Italy Tour with Michael Phillips

12 Days 11 Nights

Join our tour host Michael Phillips on one of our most popular tours and discover the timeless beauty of Italy. This unforgettable journey takes you to many famous Italian destinations, with highlights including Venice, Florence, the stunning Cinque Terre, and the magnificent Rome!

Experience the Wonders of Italy!

Begin your adventure in Venice, where you’ll glide along its famed canals on a gondola ride, explore narrow sidewalks, and admire hand-blown glass on the charming islands of Murano and Burano. Experience the magic of this floating city, steeped in history and romance.

Next, we travel to the breathtaking Cinque Terre, a collection of five colorful seaside villages perched along the rugged Italian Riviera. Here, you’ll take in spectacular coastal views, wander through charming streets, and experience one of Italy’s most picturesque and unique landscapes.

We make our way to the picturesque hills of Tuscany, where we’ll visit the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and discover the remarkable artistry and history behind this iconic landmark. While in Florence, we will encounter many great works of art, including a favorite stop to see Michelangelo’s iconic statue of David.

Travel through the medieval town of Siena as we make our way to Rome, Italy’s captivating capital. Discover the grandeur of the Colosseum, the splendor of the Trevi Fountain, and countless other landmarks that echo Rome’s illustrious past.

Italy promises to captivate every visitor. Whether it’s your first trip or your tenth, there’s always something new and special awaiting you. Come and fall in love with Italy on this incredible tour!

Tour ID# 9227D02

To book this tour contact your favorite Morris Columbus Travel Advisor or the Group Tour Manager listed below:

Sarah Wangsgard, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6473

Highlights

  • 1 tour-bus experience for the whole tour
  • Special Tour Director on for the whole trip along with local guides for in-depth location detail and history
  • Advance timed entry tickets to attractions included = less time waiting in lines

Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Friday, April 2, 2027 - DEPART USA - VENICE

    Today we depart the US and fly overnight to Venice, Italy. See you soon!

    Meals: In-flight

  • Day
    2

    Saturday, April 3, 2027 - VENICE

    Welcome to Italy! When you arrive at Venice Airport, you'll be greeted by your local guide, meet our coach, and then head to the hotel with your luggage. From there we will drive into the city and board our vaporetto for the trip into the center of Venice. We will have a short walking tour to acquaint ourselves with the city as well as a visit to the Basilica. Then we will have a bit of free time before a welcome dinner in the city. Return to hotel.

  • Day
    3

    Sunday, April 4, 2027 - VENICE

    We will drive to the port and board our vaporetto and travel to the island of Murano to visit a glass blowing operation. From there we will continue on to the delightful island of Burano to see lace-makers at work. We will have free time in Burano for shopping, exploring and lunch. After lunch, we will return to Venice for a visit to the Doge’s palace and a gondola ride. We will then have free time in the city before returning to our hotel.

  • Day
    4

    Monday, April 5, 2027 - VENICE - BOLOGNA - SPEZIA

    We will start our day’s journey with a visit to Bologna and its immense and amazing Cathedral. We will have free time for exploring and lunch in this gastronomic center of Italy. After lunch we will travel to Spezia where we will spend the next two nights.

  • Day
    5

    Tuesday, April 6, 2027 - CINQUE TERRA

    Today we will visit the five villages of Cinque Terra utilizing the train that runs from Spezia every 20 minutes through this beautiful and storied part of the Italian Coast. We will start with a visit to Riomaggiore and its picturesque harbor. After some free time, we will ride the train through Manarola and Corniglia and then stop in Varnazza, considered by most to be the most picturesque of the five villages. We will visit the Doria Castle for both historical context and the views and then have free time for exploring and lunch. In the afternoon we will take the train to Monterosso. The brave cane hike rather than ride the train!

    In Monterosso there will be time for exploring and visiting the only real sand beach in Cinque Terra. This evening, we will have a wonderful seafood dinner in Monterosso and a sunset boat tour to see the villages from the water.

  • Day

    6

    Wednesday, April 7, 2027 - SPEZIA - PISA - FLORENCE

    We will bid farewell to Cinque Terra and travel to the famous city of Pisa where we will have time for exploring and lunch. From Pisa, we will drive to Florence and begin our time there with a visit to the famous overlook to get a view of the city. We will then go into town and have a short walking tour. Then off to our hotel where we spend the next two nights.

  • Day
    7

    Thursday, April 8, 2027 - FLORENCE

    This will be a day filled with the wonders of Florence. We will start at the Academia to see Michaelangelo’s David. From there, we will continue into the city to see the Medici tombs at San Lorenzo. Then we will have some free time for exploring and shopping. In the afternoon we will visit the magnificent Uffizi Gallery, certainly one of the greatest museums in the world. Then we will have the evening free for exploring this wonderful city. Dinner on your own.

  • Day
    8

    Friday, April 9, 2027 - FLORENCE - SAN GIMIGNANO - SIENA - ROME

    Today we will visit two wonderful cities. First San Gimignano famous for its towers and its gelato. We will the drive into Siena where we will have some free time for exploring and lunch followed by a short walking tour and visit to the cathedral. We will depart Siena and drive into Rome.

  • Day
    9

    Saturday, April 10, 2027 - ANCIENT ROME

    Today our focus will be ancient Rome. We will visit the Colosseum and the Forum and then walk into the city to see the amazing Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. The afternoon and evening will be yours for exploring, shopping, and dinner on your own.

  • Day
    10

    Sunday, April 11, 2027 - POMPEII

    We will depart early for a day trip to see the ruins of Pompeii. We will have a group lunch together after leaving the ruins and will then return to Rome for dinner and overnight.

  • Day
    11

    Monday, April 12, 2027 - ROME: VATICAN MUSEUM, ST. PETER'S, FAREWELL DINNER

    This morning we will visit the Vatican museum as well as St. Peter’s. The afternoon will be free for exploring, last-minute shopping and packing. In the evening we will have a special farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

  • Day
    12

    Tuesday, April 13, 2027 - TRAVEL HOME

    Bidding arrivederci to the Splendors of Italy we will sadly board our flights home.

    Meals: On-flight

Cost Includes

  • Deluxe Motor Coach Transportation
  • Group transfers
  • Morris Murdock Escort Michael Phillips and Local Tour Manager
  • Hotel accommodations in moderate 4-star hotels
  • Sightseeing tours as outlined on the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to sites
  • Gratuities for any included Meals
  • All breakfasts
  • Welcome & Farewell dinners included and 2 additional dinners
  • Whisper sets throughout the tour
  • Porterage and city taxes

Cost Excludes

  • International Airfare to Venice home from Rome - Group Air TBA out of Salt Lake City
  • Additional transfers when not arriving or departing with group
  • Sightseeing not included on the itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature (i.e., phone calls, room service, internet, etc.)
  • Travel insurance (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
  • Gratuities to Tour Manager, local guides and driver
  • Meals not covered on program

About Michael Phillips

A veteran traveler and tour guide, Michael Phillips has designed and led tours the world-over and is always excited to have his groups learn and experience something new and exciting. The world is a beautiful place and each time we travel we are exposed to the wonders that await around every corner.

Michael is Senior Principal Consultant with the RBL Group. He works globally and has taught, trained, and lectured throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Known for his dynamic teaching, lecturing, and group facilitation, Michael has designed and taught courses for every level of learner, from grade-schoolers through graduate students, working professionals and retirees. Prior to his consulting career, Michael was a professor at Brigham Young University. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Michael is the author or editor of more than 35 books, articles and reviews and has served on the boards of several associations and foundations. He is married to Rebecca Wright Phillips and they have three children.

Pricing Information

Pricing:

  • Double Occupancy - $5779.00 per person
  • Triple Occupancy - $5779.00 per person – ask for availability
  • Single Rate - $7249.00 for private room

Payment Terms:

  • Deposit of $500 per person is due at the time of booking
  • Full Payment due January 4, 2027
  • This tour required a minimum of 25 travelers to guarantee the advertised price *Ask about details

Please see our cancellation policy:

If a participant needs to cancel their reservation, written notice must be provided. Cancellations within seven calendar days of booking (if not past the final payment date) will receive a full refund, excluding airfares, which follow the airline’s policy. Cancellations after the seven-day grace period incur a 50% penalty on the deposit until the final payment date, and cancellations after the final payment date are non-refundable, including for unused portions of the tour.

Morris Murdock Escorted Tours has been fulfilling travel dreams for our clients for over 65 years. Morris Murdock Escorted Tours, was the first tour operator to offer LDS faith-based and Church History escorted tours. Since then, we have expanded our offerings to include cruises, humanitarian, shopping and other types of tours with hand-picked tour guides and tour directors that are experts in their field or celebrities with an attachment to the destination or tour's theme.

(800) 809-9910
563 W 500 S, Suite #180, Bountiful, UT 84010

groups@morrismurdock.com

See it online https://mmetours.com/trip/2027-the-splendors-of-italy-tour-with-michael-phillips/