North-Central Italy 11 th: From the Renaissance art temple to the Tuscan countryside and the coast of Liguria, an Italian wandering through history, food and natural scenery.

Day 1 Arrive in Rome and stay at a historic landmark hotel

After you fly to Rome, a special car is waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel. Start your cultural journey through Italy by staying in a 16 th-century girls’ school converted into a design hotel, a historic building once owned by the prominent Borgesai family.

 



Day 2 One-day tour to the Vatican Hall of Art

Today we will immerse ourselves in the art of the Vatican. In the Vatican Museums (at least 2.5 hours), look up at Michelangelo’s Genesis and The Last Judgment on the dome of the Sistine Chapel, and enjoy paintings by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. Then step into St. Peter’s Basilica (at least 1 hour) and get a close look at the bronze canopy designed by Bernini and Michelangelo’s masterpiece “Sacred Memorial”.


At noon, enjoy lunch in a warm family restaurant, taste the seafood of the day from Normandy, France, and a glass of white wine to settle down your mood.


If you are energetic, the guide can also take you to visit the ancient churches with few tourists, and watch the precious wax figures of the 6 th century Our Lady and the 13 th century mosaic murals.

 

 


Day 3 Take a walk through Rome and taste the eternal city

In the morning, take a leisurely stroll through the ancient city of Rome, punch in landmarks such as the Wishing Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona, and taste authentic ice cream and espresso. Then visit Villa Farnesina and enjoy the beautiful murals created by Raphael.

 

In the afternoon, you can choose from the following three ways according to your interests:

○ Visit the Bogsay Art Gallery, enjoy Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings, and enjoy the panoramic view of Rome at the Pingqiu Observation Deck in the evening.

○ Visit the ruins of ancient Rome and Palatine Mountain, and walk into the underground area of the Colosseum to feel the tense atmosphere before the gladiators appear on stage.

○ Feel the romantic feelings of Rome in a retro roadster and follow classic scenes from Fellini’s Dolce Vita movie.

 


Day 4 Visit the ancient cliff city of Orvieto

Take a ride to the three thousand-year-old Orvieto, nestled on a cliff. Visit an ancient well built in the 16 th century with a depth of 53 meters, and a 13 th century church with frescoes of Revelation and Last Judgment painted by Sinolelli.


Then check into a Tuscan-style country hotel. In the evening, stroll to the charming mountain town of Pienza, and taste Prosecco sparkling wine, pecorino cheese and Tuscan-style beef and mutton in a local tavern.

 


Day 5 Tuscany Pastoral Time (choose one of three)

Today you can choose from one of the following three experiences according to your preferences:

○ Wine & Food Tour

Visit the famous wine city of Montepulciano and stroll through the vineyards to taste fine wines. Enjoy a Tuscan countryside seder in olive groves at noon.

 

○ Cycling around the countryside

Cycle on pastoral paths, through olive groves, vineyards and wheat fields, and visit village churches. Picnic in the woods by the lake at noon.

 

○ Visit monuments and hot springs (Saturdays only)

Visit the ancient tomb murals of the Etruscan civilization, and then experience the natural hot springs recorded in ancient Rome.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon and enjoy leisurely time.

 


 

Day 6 Medieval Twin Cities: Siena and Florence

In the morning, head to the famous medieval city of Siena, visit the Piccolomini Library inside the church, and enjoy the exquisite frescoes describing the life of the Pope. Have a drink by the shell-shaped field square, overlooking the beautiful scenery of the ancient city.

In the afternoon depart to Florence, the Renaissance capital. Visit the Old Palace and admire Michelangelo’s Victorious Genius with frescos depicting the triumph of Florence. Stroll through the Lord’s Square to see famous sculptures such as The Plunder of Sabine Women.

 


Day 7 Art pilgrimage, first encounter with the water city of Venice

In the morning, receive the top art baptism at the Uffizi Art Gallery (at least 3 hours), and enjoy the masterpieces handed down from generation to generation by Caravaggio, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.

In the afternoon, take a bus to Venice, transfer to a private speedboat directly to the hotel, and start the water city tour.

 

 


 

Day 8 Venice: Colorful Island and Main Island Style

Take a private speedboat to the colorful island of Burano and stroll among the colorful houses. Enjoy lunch at noon at the family restaurant that began in 1946.


In the afternoon, explore the main island of Venice and visit San Marco’s Cathedral and the Doge’s Palace. In the evening, stroll to Rialto Bridge, taste Cicchetti traditional snacks in the tavern, pair with local specialty wines, and feel the Venetian nightlife.


 

 

Day 9 A Taste-seeking Tour of Palma, the Food City

Take a ride to Parma, the capital of Italian food, and explore its world-famous cheese and ham culture:


○ Step into the cheese workshop and learn about the traditional craft of making Parmesan cheese.
○ Visit the 15 th-century Lord’s Castle and admire a restored version of the frescoes based on the Decameron.

○ Visit the private cellar with a history of more than 600 years and learn about the storage and ripening process of ham and cheese.


Tonight, stay in the castle tower in the secluded countryside, enjoy a quiet evening by the fireplace, and enjoy authentic Parma cuisine for dinner.


 


Day 10 Exploring Portofino, the “Italian Back Garden”

Take a bus to the exquisite and charming Portofino, a small port surrounded by mountains and seas that is loved by Italian natives. Enjoy lunch at an organic farm facing the sea. In the afternoon, you can choose to relax in the hotel, or hike through forests and cliff paths, visit an ancient monastery built in the 10 th century and hidden in the bay, and finally return by boat.

 


The 11 th day of the trip ended, and the return journey was full of memories

End this wonderful Italian journey through art, history and food, depending on your flight time.

 

 

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