From Rome’s monumental Colosseum to Florence’s architectural masterpieces to a Tuscany tour of medieval hill towns, this week in Italy is filled with special experiences. One of the highlights of our one-week Umbria, Lazio and Tuscany tour is exclusive, private after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel – a rare opportunity to contemplate the inspirational treasures, without the crowds! Three nights in the heart of Rome set the stage for viewing landmark sights such as the Roman Forum, or ornate architectural masterpieces such as the fountains at the center of piazzas. In Tuscany tour the countryside and preserved ancient hill towns like Siena; you'll also visit Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto. Art historians and local guides provide the inside story behind Florence’s art masterpieces, notably at the Uffizi Gallery.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Ciao bella Roma
Your one-week Umbria and Tuscany tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Hotel Majestic. A transfer is included from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino to Hotel Majestic. You'll understand why Rome is called the Eternal City from the first moment you arrive – past and present blend together effortlessly at every view. Get to know your fellow travelers this evening at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Majestic, Rome, Italy

Day 2: Private after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums
Take a walking tour of Rome, accompanied by a local guide, then spend some free as you please before a special visit to the Vatican. We have arranged for an after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums, including the Candelabra Gallery, the Map Gallery, and the Tapestries, as well as the Sistine Chapel (day of the tour may vary). This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the treasures of the Vatican without the crowds – where discoveries include the fact that the floor of the Sistine Chapel is almost as amazing as the ceiling! You'll view Michelangelo’s frescoes of The Last Judgment on the altar, and of course Genesis on the ceiling. There's a good chance that today will be one of the most memorable days on this Florence, Rome, Umbria and Tuscany tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Majestic, Rome, Italy

Day 3: A day well spent in Rome
First up is a view of the Roman Forum (from above), and a tour of the Colosseum, which opened in 80 AD for gladiator battles. You'll also view the art and architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica, and visit St. Peter's Square. The remainder of the day is clear to pursue whatever interests you most in Rome.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Majestic, Rome, Italy

Day 4: A little taste of the country life in Umbria
Travel north to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot plateau overlooking vineyards below. Enjoy lunch at a trattoria, and then see the Duomo of Orvieto, a notable Romanesque-Gothic cathedral built over a span of 300 years. Hit Yellow Roads once again, and journey to Perugia, capital of Umbria. Your home for the next two nights is a luxury hilltop hotel overlooking the Umbrian valley below, boasting some of the most remarkable views in the region.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia, Italy

Day 5: Medieval musings in Assisi
Visit Assisi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture. A highlight is the Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis, the beloved patron saint of animals. A local expert shares insights on the Basilica’s 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, then you'll have some time to stroll the cobblestone lanes on your own. Attend a wine tasting at the osteria of a famed winery before you return to Perugia, a city that has been ruled by the Etruscans and the Romans, and was once under direct control of the Papal State. Enjoy the pleasures of small-town Italian life this evening!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia, Italy

Day 6: In the heart of Tuscany tour Siena
Travel to Siena, and visit the Duomo, one of Italy’s great cathedrals, with scenes inlaid in the marble floors and sculpture by Michelangelo. See the Piazza del Campo where the Palio bareback horse race is held. Travel to Florence, where your first stop is at the Galleria dell’Accademia to see acclaimed words of art including Michelangelo’s marble statue of David. In the evening, hear a lecture by a local art historian.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, Florence, Italy

Day 7: A local expert talks art and architecture in Florence
A guided walking tour with a local expert takes you to the landmark sights in Florence, and precedes a tour of the Uffizi Gallery, one of Italy’s greatest art museums. Gaze in wonder at works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, and more. The rest of the day is free in Florence to explore this showpiece city of the Renaissance as you please. Join us this evening to share favorite moments of the week at a farewell cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, Florence, Italy

Day 8: Arrivederci Italy
This Umbria and Tuscany tour ends in Florence. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from Plaza Hotel Lucchesi to Aeorporto di Firenze. You should allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast

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