Italy

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Arts, Italian, Religion

Journey throughout Italy to experience the various regions, each one more extraordinary than the previous. We begin in Milan, the fashion and design capital of Italy. You’ll visit some of the city’s leading fashion houses, including Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada. You’ll also visit the Gothic Duomo of Milan and the Santa Maria delle Grazie covenant, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper”.

Venice is only a short train ride away, which gives you the option to explore the architecture from the Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods – and boat along the canals, walk through the narrow streets, and discover tiny shops and cafes that form part of the magnificent buildings.

A day trip to Verona, famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet”, will not disappoint. You’ll visit the “Casa di Giulietta”, or House of Juliet with its balcony, and have the option to watch an opera at the ancient Roman amphitheatre.

We move next to Tuscany, to one of the most beautiful cities in the world – Florence – to experience its extensive contributions to the history of art. Florence is a city brimming with palaces, museums, and basilicas filled with artworks of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto & Brunelleschi. You’ll visit the cafes, shops and markets and awe at the city’s impressive architecture.

On this program you’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the oldest organic farms in the hills of Tuscany to take part in a fun cooking class with a local chef. And of course, you’ll be eating the 4 course meal that you prepare with your own hands! You’ll then head to Siena, a short drive away, to walk off the meal and explore the stunning medieval city.

A day trip from Florence takes us to Pisa to visit the iconic Leaning Tower and picnic by the Arno River. We then move to Rome, to enjoy this bustling metropolis and walk through the historic Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum of Imperial Rome. We’ll visit the Vatican Museums and see the Sistine Chapel! We’ll also enjoy some of the best gelato in Italy!

Our final destination is in the southern part of Italy where some of the best pizza in the world is made in Naples. We stay in Sorrento, a picturesque town on the shores of the Mediterranean sea. We take the opportunity to tour the Amalfi Coast with its brightly accented cliff top homes, to swim in the turquoise sea, sunbathe on the spectacular beach of Positano, and wander through quaint hillside towns. If you want to explore the island of Capri and its radiant Grotta Azzurra (or Blue Grotto) for the day with our group, it is only a short boat ride away!

Nearby, we visit Pompeii, an incredibly preserved archaeological site thousands of years old. You’ll have the option to hike up Mount Vesuvius near the Bay of Naples, to view the enormous crater which spewed the lava that covered Pompeii and other cities in 79 A.D before we end this incredible adventure in Italy.

You’re sure to be amazed by the rich art, architecture, cuisine, and culture of Italy!