BEST OF ITALY

Available Dates

٠ September 23rd - October 2nd, 2026

Rome - Florence - Venice

Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1 – ARRIVE ROME, WELCOME AND ORIENTATION

After settling into the hotel, meet in the hotel lobby for a welcome and orientation meeting with your tour leader and fellow travelers.

Overnight: Rome
Note: Dinner is not included

DAY 2 - ROME - PIAZZAS AND FOUNTAINS WALKING TOUR
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Enjoy walking tour of Rome, while learning about the culture, first Christians and history of Rome. Visit Piazza di Spagna, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona.

Overnight: Rome
Included: Breakfast

DAY 3 – ROME - COLOSSEUM AND ROMAN FORUM
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

This morning we have a guided tour of the Colosseum, one of the most famous of Rome’s ancient monuments, and Circus Maximus, the place in Rome where the first Christians died.
We continue our walking tour of the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome, stopping to visit Milliarium Aureum, Via Sacra, Curia Julia, Temple of Peace, Arch of Titus and Arch of Constantine.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Rome
Included: Breakfast

DAY 4 – ROME - VATICAN AND VATICAN MUSEUMS
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

This morning we have a guided visit of the Vatican Museums, followed by free time for individual exploration. Our tour takes us to the Christian Museum, Pius-Christian Museum, the rooms of Raphael and Sistine Chapel.

In the afternoon, we meet again to tour St. Peters Basilica where you will find the places where God’s name appears in Tetragrammaton form and “Pieta”, the only work of Michelangelo actually signed by him.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Rome
Included: Breakfast

DAY 5 - ROME TO FLORENCE
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Travel in the morning towards Florence by fast train. Travel time is about 1,5 hours. Your hotel is in Florence is in walking distance of Florence Central Station.

After check into hotel, we begin to explore Florence. We will visit the Mercato Centrale (part of the San Lorenzo Market), Florence's historic food and produce market, a cultural center for culinary traditions throughout Italy.

The evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Florence
Included: Breakfast

DAY 6 - TUSCANY - SAN GIMIGNANO
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Today we take an excursion by private coach to the beautiful walled town of San Gimignano (Unesco World Heritage Site). San Gimignano contains within itself the essence of Tuscany - a perfect combination of local art and architecture, which harmonizes perfectly with the variety of enchanting landscapes, flavours and tastes.

In the afternoon we visit the Guicciardini Strozzi winery, the oldest winery in Tuscany. Enjoy a fantastic winetasting experience.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Florence
Included: Breakfast

DAY 7 - FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

This morning we enjoy the guiding tour of Florence. Our route will take you to the most important sights in the old town (Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria). The walking tour will help you to get a sense of Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance.

In the afternoon, we visit the Uffizi Gallery - one of the most important collections of Western painting in the world. The Uffizi Gallery hosts works of art by great Italian artists such as Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello.
Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Florence
Included: Breakfast

DAY 8 - FLORENCE TO VENICE
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Travel in the morning towards Venice by fast train. Travel time is about 2 hours. Your hotel is in Venice is in walking distance of Venice Central Station.
We arrive at our hotel and settle in before we begin our walking tour of Venice (Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco). Enjoy a gondola ride.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Venice
Included: Breakfast

DAY 9 – VENICE
Breakfast at the hotel
Daily text discussion

Today we gain a sense of the geography of the Venetian lagoon and the city’s appearance in its earliest days. We travel by ferry to the peaceful lagoon islands of Burano and Murano, whose fascinating history extends beyond glassmaking.
In the evening we enjoy farewell dinner in a fine restaurant.
Overnight: Venice
Included: Breakfast

DAY 10 – DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel and departures. End of tour.

All itineraries are subject to adjustment as required. Confirmed, final and detailed itineraries (and additional important travel details) are posted on your Personal BCT Travel Desktop, approximately one month from departure.