Italy 2026

Day 1:  Leave from the US

 

Day 2: Arrival and Recovery

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• Arrival and Lunch: Hotel check-in in Monti and (easily) find place to eat!.

• San Pietro in Vincoli: Walk a short distance to see Michelangelo's Moses, and the chains that held Peter as a prisoner in Rome.

• Colosseum Exterior, Imperial Fora, Monument to Victor Emmanuel II: Walk down the street to see the Colosseum and the Via dei Fori Imperiali illuminated at night and the “Wedding Cake” monument.

 

Day 3: Ancient Rome and Trastevere

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• Ancient Rome: Walk the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, exiting near the Palatine Hill.

• The Capitoline Hill:  Walk one block north to view the Vittoriano, climbing the stairs just past the monument to view the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius and enter the church of Santa Maria dei Coeli.

• The Velabrum: Head down the hill to the area of the Theater of Marcellus, the Bocca della Verita, and the Tiber River..

• The Jewish Ghetto: Step directly into the Jewish Quarter for lunch near the Portico of Octavia.

• Largo Argentina: Walk to Largo di Torre Argentina to view the foundations of Pompey's Theater and the site of Caesar's assassination.

• The Janiculum: Take a taxi from the Largo Argentina stand up to the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola.

• Trastevere: Walk downhill to the Tempietto del Bramante, continue into Trastevere to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, and finish at Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.

• Dinner in Trastevere:  Plenty of local restaurants to choose from.

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Day 4: The Vatican and the Sights of Rome

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• Esquiline Hill: Start your morning with the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the mosaics at Santa Prassede.

• The Vatican: Walk a few blocks to Termini train station and take the Metro to Saint Peter's Basilica.  Spend time in the Basilica.

• Piazza Navona: Walk across the Tiber (or taxi) to the Piazza Navona, and visit nearby Sant'Agostino and San Luigi dei Francesi.

• The Trevi and Aqua Virgo: Continue on to the Trevi Fountain, then walk to see the Roman acqueducts integrated into the city.

• The Ara Pacis: Walk northwest to the Ara Pacis museum to observe Augustan architecture - and propaganda!

 

• San Paolo fuori le Mura: If time, take a taxi to the church which is the final resting place of Paul the Apostle.

 

Day 5: Borghese Gallery, Departure, and Arrival in Florence

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• Morning: Arrive at the Galleria Borghese for some of the most beautiful sculptures in history.

• Departure: Take the fast train from Rome to arrive in Florence before dinner.

• Evening: Orientation in Florence and Dinner

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Day 6: Florence

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• Morning: Start the morning with Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, the San Marco monastery and the frescoes of Fra Angelico, and a quick stop to view a little known Renaissance Masterpiece, the Cenacolo by Andrea del Castagna.

• Lunch: Walk a short distance to the Central Market, the best dining option in all of Florence!

• Afternoon:  Visit the Medici church of San Lorenzo, the Duomo complex, including the Gates of Paradise, the statues of Orsanmichele, and Palazzo Vecchio.

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Day 7: Florence - Renaissance Sculpture and the Uffizi

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• Morning:  Spend the morning at the Museo del’Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum) examining the original masterpieces of the cathedral complex, including the actual Gates of Paradise and works by Michelangelo and Donatello.

• Late Morning:  The sculpture museum, the Bargello, where we will see the most important works of Renaissance sculpture

• Afternoon:  Take time to view the paintings at the Uffizi.

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Day 8:  Tuscany

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• Option 1 - Parma:  ​Under consideration.

• Option 2 - Fiesole: Take the short public bus ride up the hill to Fiesole. You can explore the Roman amphitheater and Etruscan walls.

• Option 3 - Arezzo: Under consideration.

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Day 9:  Florence

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• Morning:  View the Basilica of Santa Croce, including the frescoes of Giotto and the final resting place of Michaelangelo.  Also in the neighborhood, Casa Buonarotti (Michaelangelo’s childhood home).  Also, cross the Arno to see the magnificent frescoes of Masaccio in the Brancacci Chapel.

• Afternoon:  Across town visit Santa Maria Novella, and the beautiful facade and interior decorations.

• Evening:  Behind Santa Maria Novella is the Train station.  Return to Rome, stay at a hotel near the airport

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Day 10:  Return to the US.