When you arrive you will receive a booklet of information about each of the places we will visit and maps highlighting the most important things to see. We will mail Rome information so you can look it over before you arrive. Our hotel is located in the charming Trastevere neighborhood just across the river from ancient Rome. We are just a block from the main square so if you arrive early enjoy a walk through this village within Rome.

Our tour begins at 2:00 in the hotel lobby with an orientation and a walking tour through Trastevere and ancient Rome.  First, we'll walk through unique and fascinating Trastevere. There are few hotels so it is full of locals. Our hotel is just around the corner from Piazza Santa Maria, the center of Trastevere.    Nestled within Rome - Trastevere is full of shops, wine bars and sidewalk cafes. People from all over Rome flock to Trastevere for meals and laid back atmosphere.  Staying  in Trastevere is a special experience most tourists miss.

We'll cross the Ponte Sisto Bridge over the Tiber River and enter ancient Rome. In Piazza Farnesse we will see the Farnesse Mansion (now the French Embassy), considered the nicest Renaissance palace in Rome.  Next is Campo Fiori with its colorful flower and produce market.  The market is open every morning  and  the outdoor cafes are always buzzing with activity. There is a statue of Giordano Bruno in the spot where  he was burned at the stake for arguing publicly that the universe did not revolve around the Earth. Next is the magnificent Piazza Navona, perhaps the best spot in Rome for watching people. It's three famous fountains, outdoor cafes and impressive churches and buildings make it the most beautiful and interesting piazza in Rome.  This grand piazza was once the "stadium" of the Roman Emperor Domitian.   Two thousand years ago chariot races were watched by over 30,000 people. Where the buildings are there was once seating. We can see the ruins from an area at the north end of the Piazza. In the 1500's the famous sculptor Bernini designed two of the three superb fountains that are the focal points of this very special square. This is where you'll find artists selling  their paintings,  gypsies selling their wares and  souvenir kiosks scattered everywhere.  Everyone has a camera in one hand and a gelato in the other. This is a great place to relax and enjoy the antics of street entertainers. "People watchers" will be mesmerized with the goings and comings of  tourists, gypsies, artists and  residents as they go about their lives in this amazing place packed so full of beauty and history.  You'll have time to shop or enjoy a gelato or a drink at one of the cafes before we head on. Piazza Navona is a place you'll  want to return to during your free time. 

Next we visit the Pantheon. Built 2000 years ago as a pagan temple the Pantheon was later consecrated as a Christian church and so it was not destroyed like most pagan monuments. Built by the Emperor Hadrian, it is a perfect example of classical architecture.  The dome is magnificent. It was built as an astronomical instrument to study the two equinoxes (March 21 & September 21) when day and night are of equal length. The artist Raphael is buried inside as are two Italian kings. The most famous work of art is the "Madonna of the Stone" by Lorenzetto. 

Around the corner is the beautiful church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.  This is said to be the one true Gothic church in Rome.  It was begun in the 13th century over the ruins of a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman god Minerva.  The statue to the left of the main altar "Christ Bearing the Cross"is by Michelangelo. The body of St. Catherine of Siena, is buried in the main altar (her head is in Siena). She is the patron saint of Italy and the EU.   Also buried here are  four popes and the Tuscan painter, Fra Angelico. Outside the church is the "Elephant" designed by Bernini in 1667 to display an Egyptian obelisk brought to Rome in the third century. Look closely and you can see that Bernini had never seen an elephant!

Finally, we will go by the ruins of a Roman temple at Piazza Largo Argentina near the place where Julius Caesar was assassinated. Cat lovers will notice that the ruins are now a refuge where hundreds of Rome's cats are free to roam and are cared for by volunteers. This is the final stop of today's tour. We'll all ride a tram back to Trastevere.  We should have some time to explore the area around our hotel, get a drink or just rest up for dinner.

ROME   ( Breakfast  included)

In Rome you are free to go off on your own or go with Larry or Jill to see special sites. Today we will have a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel (Euros 29.5 extra) for any of you who would like to join us.  You must let us know ahead so we can reserve tickets. Without advance purchase the line can be 4 hours long! After the two hour tour you are free to explore Rome on your own. We can help you plan your day. Castello San Angello is a short walk from the Vatican and has great views. Visit the apartments where the pope lived when Rome was under siege for 2 years. You may go back to Piazza Navona and relax watching street entertainers at a sidewalk cafe.  You may  choose to return to Trastevere and our comfortable hotel. Larry and I are never far away.  We are available to answer questions, point the way and help you decide what you want to see and do.  We will make sure you enjoy Rome to the fullest.

Meet at 6:30 in the courtyard for drinks before dinner.

ROME    ( Breakfast and  Night time driving tour included )

Today Larry will take those who sign up for the Galleria Borghese (Euros 9.5 plus Euros 5.0 for an audio guide). After the two hour visit and a light lunch at the gallery he will take a group to Ancient Rome. It is a short taxi ride to the Coliseum. You can enter the Coliseum or just walk through the ruins of the Roman Forums up the Capitaline Hill to the Campidoglio. There you can visit the Capitaline Museum, the beautiful church of Santa Maria in Arcolli or enjoy the views from the top of the Victor Emanuel Monument. Let us know your interest and we will help you get the most out of your time in Rome.  From the Campidoglio we will walk down Michaelangelo's steps and go through the Theater of Marcello and over the Tiber Island bridge back to Trastevere.

After breakfast our drivers will pick us up and take us to Bagnoreggio and then to an elegant country hotel and winery. It has been in the same family since 1933.  

Civita di Bagnoreggio is practically uninhabited today. It is widely referred to as the “dying city”. Five hundred years ago the soft rock under the city collapsed leaving the area at the top separated from the rest of the town.  In the morning fog it sometimes seems to float in the clouds. The old town perches on a volcanic outcropping which can only be reached on foot, across a pedestrian bridge. Today the village is inhabited by artists and craftsmen who are trying to rescue this beautiful town. 

We'll have time to explore the town and for a quick  lunch up top.  Our favorite lunch is a simple one with most of the cooking  done over open coals  in the fireplace.  

Civitella  di Agliano  (breakfast, excursion to Orvieto  & gourmet dinner with wine included)

After breakfast we will ride a short distance  to Orvieto arriving in time to shop at the weekly street market  in Piazza di Popolo.  It is  fun to experience a local market. Search out bargains and look at the things Italians consider essential for house keeping. We are always fascinated to find gadgets and cookery items and try to guess their use.  You'll also find clothing and household accessories. Jill loves the colorful Mediterranean style tablecloths.

Be sure to take a close look at the produce and meat offerings. Their freshness and presentation are outstanding.  This is where locals do their shopping.  Restaurants plan their menus and specials based upon what was fresh at the market. You will discover that what sets Italian food apart is the freshness of the food and the fact the the ingredients are always local  and "in season".

If you are interested in ceramics, Orvieto is the place to find it.  It's narrow streets are lined with ceramic shops so you can you can compare prices and designs.  If you see something you really love, we advise  you to buy it when you see it. It's all handmade and no two towns will have the same merchandise. 

MONTALCINO (Breakfast, lunch at a cheese farm with cheese tasting and wine,  gourmet dinner prepared by Anna with wine)

After breakfast we will drive to Montalcino through some of the most beautiful land in Tuscany. Keep your camera handy because you will want to take pictures of the famous Tuscan landscape with cyprus trees  lining the driveways of the many wineries and farms. 

Our first stop is Pienza, a pretty little town dotted with Renaissance monuments. It is known worldwide for its pecorino cheese.  It sits on a hill with sweeping views over the vast Val d'Orcia dotted with olive groves and farmhouses leading up to Monte Amiata. A sunny walkway takes you along one side of town with awesome views into the Tuscan countryside. There are shops selling delicious locally produced pecorino cheese and other Tuscan delicacies like  sausages and olive oil. There are charming places to enjoy a cappuccino or gelato or to just sit and enjoy this  increasingly popular and  pretty Tuscan hill town.

Today there is a cooking class led by Anna the head chef & owner of our hotel's restaurant.  The class will last about 2 hours in the morning and at the end you enjoy what you prepare.  Those who have signed up for Anna's class in the past have loved it. She is a "hands on" teacher and the lunch that follows is fantastic. You must  pre-book for this class  after you sign up for our tour.

MONTALCINO ( breakfast, excursions to San Antimo where you'll hear Gregorian chants, Bagno Vignoni and a  wine  tasting  are included )

VOLTERRA (breakfast, excursion to San Gimignano)

Volterra, our home for the next two nights, is a gorgeous mountaintop city.  Built on craggy bluffs for defense Volterra towers above the surrounding countryside. Don’t miss the Museo Diocesano with its fine collection with works by Signorelli and Fra Angelico.

Today we stay in  wonderful Volterra.  Sleep late if you like.  Just close your wooden shutters, put a "do not disturb" sign on your door and your room will be so dark and quiet you can sleep until noon. However we do recommend  the  lovely breakfast that awaits you downstairs.  If you get up early you will have plenty to explore in this beautiful city.  The choice is yours.

Volterra was one of the original  Etruscan city-states and there are lots of Etruscan artifacts in the city's archaeological museum.  The most well known is the  recently discovered  Ombra della Sera.  For years a farmer (not realizing what he had) used this relic as a fireplace poker after he found it in one of his fields. There is  also a  recreated Etruscan tomb there which is very interesting. Just around the corner from our hotel there are  Roman ruins of the amphitheater  you can explore.

The Etruria Restaurant in which we had dinner last night offers a cooking class today  for those of you who are interested.  You will need to sign up in advance.  Ask for more information.

Tonight is a free night for dinner.   Ask us if you want a suggestion.

FLORENCE   (Breakfast included ) (Museum admissions are not included in tour price, but we can get tickets for  the Uffizi  and the Accademia Museums if you'd like to bypass the long lines.)

This morning we drive to Florence and soon you'll find yourself in the city of the Medici and the birthplace of the Renaissance. It is the city of art and its museums are brimming over with  priceless  paintings and sculptures.  We'll be here for  three days which will give you  time to see the main sights and the top museums without rushing.   

Upon our arrival in Florence our driver will stop at the beautiful Piazzale Michelangelo. This  famous area overlooks  the Florence skyline with the Duomo in the background. This is where you’ll get your first look at the “David”.  In the middle of the parking lot there is an enormous replica of the original – this one in bronze.

After we settle in at the hotel Larry will lead an orientation walk around Florence.  Our four star hotel is  located in the very heart of the historic area, just off  Piazza Repubblica.  This location makes it easy to enjoy  Florence during the day and in the evening. You can enjoy an after dinner stroll  and experience Florence at night as well as when it is bustling with tourists during the day.

Florence is where the Renaissance happened. The wealthy Medici family funded some of the greatest art in all history. Their offices or “Uffizi” are now one of the greatest art galleries in the world. Lines are notoriously long so let us know if you want a reservation to enter the Uffizi. You can "pass to the head of the line."  Recorded audio tours are excellent and available at the door. They will tell you about all the masterpieces at your own pace.  

Florence’s second most popular museum, the Accademia, houses Michelangelo’s "David" and other Renaissance art. Before you reach the main hall with its star attraction, "David", you will walk through a corridor lined with Michelangelo's unfinished pieces.  

Florence is a shopper’s paradise.  Jewelry shops sparkling with gold and silver line the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. Our hotel is located between the streets lined with designer shops and the bustling street markets. You can choose to shop at  Gucchi, Ferragamo,Yves Saint Laurent or you can find great deals with the street market vendors.  Make an offer. Negotiating is half the fun! Last time Jill took home bargains in jewelry, tapestry pillow covers and a leather purse -  or two. 

This morning after breakfast we will drive to Venice. We will travel through the Po Valley (the breadbasket of  Italy), near Bologna and by Reggio Emilia and Modena. As we make our way to Venice.  This will be approximately a 3 1/2 hour drive plus a stop for lunch .

Upon arrival we will take a private water taxi along the Venice canals to our hotel. You will be given a three day pass that covers unlimited use of all vaporettos (the ferries that will take you all over Venice - even out to the islands). Venice is the city of water and bridges. There are 117 islands and over 400 bridges.  It is, possibly,  the most beautiful city in the world. It has an amazing history and  was never conquered by the Roman Empire.

The Venice hotel  is the most regal on our tour.  It is an amazing place - small and totally Venetian. The walls are covered with brocade, the chandeliers and mirrors are gorgeous. While the guest rooms are small they have immaculate and beautifully tiled and outfitted bathrooms.  The furniture is hand painted. The gracious staff (all from Venice) will welcome us before they show you your rooms.  The breakfast room is beautifully decorated and the Italian breakfast is exceptional. The hotel has a lovely location on a canal.

You  will have time to settle into the hotel before we gather for our orientation tour with Larry. He'll show you around Dorsoduro (by the hotel) and how to use the (vaporetto) water buses.  We will walk over the Accademia Bridge through fascinating neighborhoods to St Mark's Square. Finally, we'll ride the vaporetto from  St. Marks Square to the Rialto bridge. Venice is an easy city to explore once you get your bearings and understand how to use the vaporettos.

Today is a free day in Venice. Try to visit St Mark’s Basilica between 11:30 and 12:30 when special lighting is turned on to illuminate the brilliant mosaics. Saint Mark’s Square is the center of activity. For a great view take the elevator to the top of the bell tower. Just around the corner is the opulent Doge Palace which is a great tour. 

Venice is home to at least two very special art museums – the Accademia (religious art) and the Guggenheim (modern art). Both near our hotel.  The Rialto bridge is a well known symbol of Venice. It is the center of  Venice's open air markets and famous fish market. Consider a gondola ride at sunset. Maybe you’ll find a singing gondolier?