VENICE, TUSCANY, &
THE ETERNAL CITY OF ROME

Day 1

ARRIVE VENICE (D)

Upon arriving at Venice Marco Polo International Airport today, our local representative will help you arrange transportation to our hotel outside Venice. Later this evening, you'll rendezvous with other travelers for a “get-acquainted” dinner in anticipation of an unforgettable walking adventure in Venice, Tuscany, & the Eternal City of Rome.

Day 2

ACTIVITIES IN VENICE (B,D)
Venice, City of Canals Walk 5 km, rated 1+

After a short drive, we'll spend the entire day exploring Venice, fabled city of winding canals and picturesque pedestrian bridges. A walk through the unique Venetian ambiance past all the highlights is the best way to get oriented—St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge, and more. Following lunch and free time, you're invited to join us on a traditional gondola ride through the canals of Venice.

Day 3

VENICE—CINQUE TERRE (B,D)
Altavilla Vineyards & Vistas Walk 10 km, rated 2+

First stop today is in the village of Altavilla for a delightful nature walk in central Italy. After the walk, we'll continue across the boot of Italy to a magical region on the Ligurian Sea, the Cinque Terre. Our hotel for the next two nights is in Monterosso al Mare, northernmost of the villages of Cinque Terre, and the only one accessible by car.

Day 4

ACTIVITIES IN CINQUE TERRE (B,D)
Cinque Terre Riviera Walk 5/10 km, rated 2+/4 (non-sanctioned)

The protected stretch of rocky coastline along the Italian Riviera shelters the five villages of the Cinque Terre. Even now, the only way to experience these dramatically situated hamlets is by boat, train, or on foot. We'll use the train and an unforgettable walk along time-worn coastal footpaths to explore this charming cultural window into rural Italy.

Day 5

CINQUE TERRE—FLORENCE (B,D)

Our first stop today is in Pisa to admire the tenacity of its famous leaning tower. From Pisa, we continue to Florence, the fabled City of the Renaissance. You'll have the late afternoon free to explore this charming medieval city to which so much of Italy's history and artistic genius can be traced.

Day 6

ACTIVITIES IN FLORENCE (B)

This morning's guided walking tour of Renaissance Florence reveals the delights of this art-lover's mecca. We'll imbibe the spirit of Michelangelo and Da Vinci at sites like the Duomo (cathedral), the adjoining Baptistry, and the impressive Vecchio Palace—center of Renaissance-era authority for the powerful Medici family. Following free time this afternoon, an optional visit to the Accademia provides a not-to-be-missed opportunity to view Michelangelo's masterful David.

Day 7

FLORENCE—BOLSENA (B,D)

The Uffizi Museum, one of the world's finest displays of Renaissance art, introduces us to the works of masters like Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. Leaving Florence, the pastoral panoramas of Tuscany and Umbria beckon with landscapes that inspired Michelangelo. An afternoon to explore Siena reveals the Tuscan charms of this well-preserved medieval city-state.

Day 8

ACTIVITIES FROM BOLSENA (B,D)
Civita Village with a View Walk 5 km, rated 2+ (non-sanctioned)

Today's first stop is enchanting Orvieto, a beguiling medieval hill town dripping with the warmth and grace of small-town Italy. Tiny Civita, an isolated island of ancient stone villas perched precariously atop an eroding pinnacle of sandstone, is linked to the “mainland” only by a footbridge—our point of access for today's walk.

Day 9

BOLSENA—ROME (B,D)
Bracciano Lake Town Walk 10 km, rated 2+

On previous trips, our Italian walking friends created wonderful memories of the warm Italian spirit in Bracciano, a quaint, medieval town set above a lovely lake by the same name. We're anxious to share their company once again on today's walk before continuing to Rome for three nights in the Eternal City.

Day 10

ACTIVITIES IN ROME (B)
Eternal City of Rome Walk 10 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned)

This morning, we'll be enlightened by a tour of the Vatican Museum—including the incomparable Sistine Chapel—and a visit to St. Peter's Basilica. The afternoon walk takes us past many of Rome's wonders including the architectural masterpiece known as the Pantheon; the Ancient Forum, where many victorious returning Roman generals were feted and Julius Caesar was laid to rest; Trevi Fountain, the best place to deposit your wishing coins; and, of course, the massive Colosseum.

Day 11

ACTIVITIES FROM ROME (B,D)
Roman Aqueduct Walk 10 km, rating not available

Our coach will take us outside of Rome this morning for a walk in a location to be announced. Discussions with our friends from Bracciano are ongoing, but we anticipate another memorable cultural experience—the type that can only be experienced on a Walking Adventure. A final afternoon free to enjoy Rome precedes tonight's farewell dinner.

Day 12

ROME—USA (B)

We'll return home from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport this morning with new friendships and fond memories of all the places we've seen and people we've met as we strolled the romantic cities and picturesque countryside of Venice, Tuscany, & the Eternal City of Rome.

Day 1

ROME—MALTA (B,D)
Marsascala to Marsaxlokk Seacliffs Walk 10 km, rated 2

A morning flight from Rome takes us to the fabled island of Malta in the middle of the Mediterranean. This tiny nation of Malta claims one of the world's highest population densities and a melting pot heritage representing nearly every important period of the Mediterranean's long and tumultuous history. An afternoon sea cliffs walk offers stunning maritime panoramas and a charming market at walk's end in Marsaxlokk.

Day 2

ACTIVITIES ON MALTA (B,D)
Ancient Gozo Walk 10 km, rated 3

After a short ferry crossing, we'll arrive this morning at neighboring Gozo, the second of Malta's two major islands. Along with timeless, picture-perfect, sun-bleached vistas, today's walk takes us to temple ruins that are considered among the oldest in the world, predating even the pyramids of Egypt.

Day 3

MALTA—ROME (B,L)

Our morning tour of Valletta includes a visit to the Palace of the Grand Masters, headquarters of the Knights of St. John, and site of one of the most impressive armories in Europe. Following a visit to ancient Mdina (founded by the Romans), we'll return to the airport for an evening flight to Rome and our last night in Europe. We leave this intriguing island nation marveling at a culture that combines influences from every major Mediterranean civilization for the past 5000 years.

Day 4

ROME—USA (B)

Departing Rome this morning, we savor our memories of the history, culture, and scenery of Malta and return home with a new understanding of its role as a crossroads of cultures.