July 11th – 19th

9 Days – 8 Nights

Italy’s treasures come packaged in a country of majestic mountains, placid lakes, idyllic islands, splendid cities and wonderful walled villages. An ideal climate plus warm and gracious people make Italy a perfect destination to visit. On this tour, visit Italy’s most magical cities: Venice, Florence and Rome. Built on over 100 islets, linked by 400 bridges, Venice is the only city in the world built entirely on water. Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its palaces, churches and museums overflow with masterful paintings and sculptures. The Eternal City of Rome, sprawling among its seven hills, is fascinating for both its ancient and its modern wonders.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Rome

Arrive Rome in the morning (remember you are flying home from Venice (VCE) and take the provided shuttle to the Hotel Trevi. Time to relax or start your explorations before our singles vacation begins. Tonight, meet your Italian travel leader and other fellow travelers at 7:00pm. After introductions walk to a local restaurant for an optional dinner.

Day 2: Rome

Put on your walking shoes for a full day of exploring Rome and enjoy the views from the open top bus. Pass by the Circus Maximus. an oblong arena where events like chariot races, games, and other performances were held in Ancient Rome and the Pantheon. Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome, then climb the famous Spanish Steps. Tour the most important wonders and sites of Ancient Rome including the Colosseum, which is probably the most impressive building of the Roman empire and the Forum which is the center of the Empire. The monuments and structures have fallen into ruins, but even today they are an imposing and beautiful sight. Tonight enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Rome

Today we visit Vatican City and tour the Vatican with a licensed guide. Within the walls of the city are St Peter’s Basilica, St Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums, the residence of the Pope and offices of the Catholic Church. Explore the Vatican Museums, which houses over 9 miles of the most extensive collection of art in the world. Brilliantly decorated and lined with masterpieces, the museums are brimming with treasures and history. Experience Michelangelo’s famous Creation of Adam with your own eyes as we explore the Sistine Chapel and wander Raphael’s Rooms. St Peter’s Basilica – is the center of Christianity. The opulence of the building’s interior bears testimony to the wealth of the catholic church in the 16th century. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to enjoy the museums and shops of Rome.

Day 4: Rome – Florence

View the Italian countryside as we travel from Rome to Florence by bus. Arrive in Florence and check into the Hotel Albani Firenze. Time for a quick bite before our afternoon walking tour with our tour leader. Discover the birthplace of the Renaissance and watch as the rich tapestry of Florentine history and culture unfold. Get up close with Florence’s distinctive skyline feature, the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiori and visit Florence’s spacious Piazza della Signoria, long been one of the city’s main meeting points. Today, the Palazzo Vecchio houses a museum, the town hall and in front a copy of Michelangelo’s famous “David” statue. To one side of the Palazzo is a fountain with a huge statue of Neptune. We will stroll across the ancient Ponte Vecchio bridge that dates back to the 14th century. The three-arched bridge is picturesquely lined with jewelry shops and market stalls, and the decorative central arches are picture-perfect spots for snapping photos of Florence. The Piazzale Michelangelo overlooks one of the most famous and magnificent views of Florence.

Day 5: Florence – Siena – Pisa – San Gimignano

Let’s leave the city of Florence and explore the Tuscany countryside on our full day tour. We arrive in Siena, which sits over three hills and its center is the huge Piazza del Campo, where the Roman forum used to be. After touring Siena, you will understand why Italians can eat so much, and not get fat, when you see old women carrying groceries up long streets with 30-degree inclines.

Our next stop is San Gimignano, a small walled medieval hill town in Tuscany, famous for its many towers. Stroll along the cobblestone streets of the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano and don’t miss the amazing views.Grab a bite to eat, maybe take a dungeon tour or shop at one of the unique merchants.

A photo opportunity of the renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa is a must so get your cameras ready. Standing in a large green expanse, Piazza del Duomo houses a group of monuments known all over the world.

Day 6: Florence

Day at leisure to explore Florence on your own or with some of your new single friends. Time to visit the Uffizi Gallery, which houses the world’s most important collection of Florentine art or the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David. You can spend the day strolling the narrow streets, admiring the architecture and statues or enjoy shopping the stalls of the many markets. Make sure you try some Gelato!

Day 7: Florence – Venice

Another chance to admire the beautiful Italian scenery as we travel by train from Florence to Venice this morning.Then view the splendid palaces, churches, bridges and gardens along Venice’s Grand Canal as we transfer by boat to the All’Angelo Art Hotel.

Venice is like an open-air museum and consists of 117 bodies of land connected by more than 400 bridges over its 150 canals. The Grand Canal is like the main street, cutting through the center of the city. Its small, traffic-free streets along the winding canals make for a great walking tour where we will find many magnificent churches and palaces, lively squares, and unique shops. Our walking tour highlights all the important monuments, from San Marco Square to the Rialto Bridge. Learn the history behind the famous landmarks, including the basilica’s Byzantine heritage and the adjoining prisons of the Doge’s Palace.

Day 8: Venice

This morning we visit one of the most famous buildings in Venice, the Doge’s Palace. Inside the palace we will see amazing Italian Renaissance art, majestic staircases, the Doge’s apartments and the government chambers.Then walk across the world-famous Bridge of Sighs, built to connect the palace to the network of prisons established by the Doges. Our tour ends with a walk around the eerie New Prisons before bidding our guide a fond farewell outside the palace.

A trip to Venice would not be complete without a gondola ride by a traditionally dressed gondolier. Sit back on your seat and soak up the gorgeous scenes as our gondolas bob along some of Venice’s prettiest waterways. Dip into romantic side canals and drift along a stretch of the Grand Canal past exquisite mansions and landmarks.

The rest of the day is at leisure for last minute exploring, shopping or relaxing before our Farewell Dinner!

Day 9: Depart Venice

Enjoy a final breakfast with your new single friends then say Arrivederci to Italy as you check out of our hotel and walk a short distance to the pier for the water shuttle to the airport for your flight home.

*** Please Note: There are many walking tours on this singles vacation and most streets in Italy are cobblestone. Our hotels are located about a 5 minute walk from the train and boat stations and each person is responsible for their own luggage.