7-Day Italy Highlights Tour Package: Venice to Rome**Florence | Cinque Terre | Pisa | Tuscany | UNESCO World Heritage**

Transfer to the hotel ON YOUR OWN. Meet the rest of the participants. Dinner and overnight.

Today we will first enjoy a walking tour of Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The historic center is situated in the middle of a lagoon, with a total of 118 small islands separated by canals and connected by pedestrian bridges. We will walk past beautiful monuments such as Palazzo Ducale, and the famous Bridge of Sights, then continue on St. Mark's Basilica for an exterior tour. Lunch at leisure (own expense). In the afternoon we'll take an excursion to Murano, Burano, and Torcello islands located in the northern part of the Venetian Lagoon. After sailing past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, a 16th century Benedectine church designed by Andrea Palladio and built between 1566 and 1610, the public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena and the Lido beach resort, the boat will arrive at Murano, known throughout the world for its glass making industry. We'll make a stop at one of the Murano glass factories. The second stop is the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace, but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colors. Then, after a short sail, we'll reach the quiet and sparsely populated island of Torcello, the first center of civilization in the estuary. Only the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its magnificent mosaics and the church of Santa Fosca remain as a testament to its former glory.

Depart for Florence. Lunch at leisure (own expense). Once in the city, we will enjoy a half day walking tour of Florence, beginning at Piazza San Firenze, home of the Bargello and the Tribunale Fiorentino, once a church and convent complex, now home to the Florence courts. We'll walk first to the Church of Santa Croce, home to many well-known masterpieces and burial place of some of Italy's most important luminaries. We'll then arrive at Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the city of Florence since ancient times. This plaza is famous for Neptune's Fountain, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the lovely Piazzale degli Uffizi, as well as the famous Ponte Vecchio.

Today enjoy a marvelous excursion to one of the most famous areas in Italy: Cinque Terre. We'll embark on a regular ferry bringing us to Monterosso, the largest town among the Cinque Terre. Your tour leader will guide you through the terraced vineyards and the ancient olive groves to arrive at spectacular panoramas. Then we'll depart for the charming town of Vernazza, characterized by narrow streets and a small square looking out over the sea. Then we'll return to Portovenere for the return ferry ride, with a stop in Pisa (en route to Florence) to admire the famous Leaning Tower (exterior view).

Excursion to the medieval city of Siena. The included walking tour of the city includes exterior views of the Cathedral, and the Piazza del Campo, the famed site of Palio di Siena, the horse races held twice a year. Afterward, enjoy some free time to continue exploring independently or purchase a meal. In the afternoon, we'll make our way to the walled medieval city of San Gimignano. Explore the area's impressive Romanesque and Gothic architecture, frescoes, towers, and more. Return to Florence.

Departing Florence, we'll make our way to the Chianti region to admire the famous Tuscany countryside, and taste the local wine (own expense). Continue to Assisi, a famous pilgrimage site. Stroll the maze of medieval streets, and visit the Basilicas of Santa Chiara and St. Francis to see one of Italy’s largest collections of church art. Accommodations for the evening are in Rome.

Breakfast at the hotel. End of our services. The display price does not included airport drop-off. Airport transfers must be arranged separately at your own cost.