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Slideshow: Rick Steves' Venice, Florence & Rome Tour, Day by Day
Italy's three greatest cities are like fine gelato — why settle for just one flavor if you can get three scoops at once? This tour takes you from Venice's timeless St. Mark's Square and Basilica to Florence's stunning Renaissance art to Rome's Colosseum, Pantheon, and ancient Forum, with plenty of neighborhood walks, memorable meals, and full-bodied Italian wines along the way. Join us on a colorful day-by-day preview of the Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days tour. Andiamo…
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Day 1: Welcome to Venice
We'll meet at our Venice hotel, deeply nestled amidst the canals, bridges, and alleyways of this magical, preserved-in-amber city. After introductions, we'll set off on an orientation walk and then enjoy getting acquainted over a traditional Venetian dinner together.
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Day 2: Historic Venice
Our local guide will join us this morning for a historical walking tour — with a modern Venetian's-eye view — through the backstreets of Venice, ending in St. Mark's Square. Along the way, we'll learn about the city's remarkable past and its challenging future. The afternoon and evening are free to visit the mosaic- and marble-filled St. Mark's Basilica, explore the imposing Doge's Palace, take in a church concert, waltz on St. Mark's Square, or pub-crawl your way through this unique city.
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Day 3: Venice's Accademia Gallery and Lagoon
This morning we'll have our first real brush with the Renaissance — Venetian-style — with a tour of the Accademia's treasure trove of great Venetian art, starring Titian, Veronese, Bellini, Tintoretto…and every shade of color imaginable. Then it's all aboard for a cruise into Venice's lagoon on our private boat. We'll visit your guide's favorite island, where you'll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own. After returning, we'll set you free to discover Venice's other famous sights and find dinner on your own in the tangled maze of alleys and trattorias. Tonight, we'll regroup for a classic, romantic gondola ride through Venice's moonlit canals.
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Day 4: Wonders of Renaissance Florence
We'll drive straight to Florence this morning and hit the ground walking with a Renaissance tour of the city's historic center. Our first stop will be at the beautiful Franciscan church of Santa Croce to admire the 13th-century frescoes by Giotto and pay our respects at the tombs of some of Italy's greatest minds, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. Later we'll learn about Brunelleschi's magnificent cathedral dome, Ghiberti's Baptistery doors, and other creations that helped define this world-changing era. Tonight we'll share a hearty Tuscan dinner together.
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Day 5: Backstreets of Florence
A local scholar will join us this morning as we take a walking tour of the backstreets of Florence, with some fascinating peeks into Roman, medieval, and 19th-century Florentine life along the way. After our morning explorations, we'll create today's tasty lunch during a fun and informative cooking class. Your afternoon will be free to see more of the city's museums.
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Day 6: The Uffizi and David
This morning we'll devote our time to the breathtaking Renaissance art of the Uffizi Gallery — home to the finest collection of Italian paintings anywhere — including works by Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. After some free time to make your own Florentine discoveries, we'll gather again this evening at the Accademia Gallery to marvel at the power of Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, David.
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Day 7: Wine Tasting, Rome at Night
Today we'll drive into the rolling hills of Umbria, stopping for a wine-tasting lunch at a family-run winery. We'll then make a beeline for Rome, where we'll take a neighborhood orientation walk on our way to tonight's dinner together. We'll end our day as any good Roman would — with a stroll through the historic heart of the city, lacing together the classy Piazza Navona and the splashy Trevi Fountain.
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Day 8: The Backstreets of Rome
This morning we'll take a more intimate look at Rome, with a Vespa-dodging walking tour through your guide's favorite neighborhoods. After roaming the colorful backstreets, your afternoon is free to explore the more of the Eternal City on your own. Consider joining the Jubilee Year crowds for a modern-day pilgrimage to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (reserve in advance) or simply soak up more of Rome's artistic, historic, and cultural heritage (don't forget to taste some refreshing gelato along the way).
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Day 9: Monuments of Ancient Rome
We'll spend our morning uncovering ancient Rome, starting with a tour of St. Peter-in-Chains Church (home to Michelangelo's Moses). Then we'll hear vivid tales as we take a walking tour around the outside of the larger-than-life Colosseum and through the birthplace of ancient Rome: the Forum, ending with a visit to the remarkably preserved, 2,000-year-old Pantheon. You'll be free this afternoon to visit the inside of the Colosseum on your own, wander through the nearby Palatine ruins, or climb to the top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument to enjoy a panoramic city view. Tonight we'll feast together at our farewell dinner, sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. Salute!
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Day 10: Tour Over After Breakfast
It's a breeze to reach Rome's airports by taxi or train. Your guide will help you with any post-tour planning, leaving you well-prepared for the road ahead. Arrivederci!
Ready to experience Italy's three greatest cities? Learn more at Best of Venice, Florence & Rome in 10 Days tour!