13 Day Best Of Italy & Venice River Cruise

Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival to the airport, you transfer will drive you to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is at leasure so settle in, relax and perhaps start exploring your sourrandings.

After a late breakfast and an easy morning, make your way to the starting point of your Imperial Rome & Colosseum guided tour (about 450m walk from your hotel). Your first stop is Piazza Venezia, where the Imperial Rome of Augusto meets the latest building as a majestic Altare della Patria. Continue on foot to the famous Piazza Del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo. From here you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. Back on the bus, we will then drive by the Circus Maximus and the Aventino Hill. From here it's a short drive to the main symbol of the Imperial Rome: The Colosseum. Skip the line and enjoy a guided tour of the inside and outside of the building.

Enjoy breakfast and, at the appropriate time, make your way to Rome's train station (located approximately 450 metres from your hotel). Board your train to Florence (about 1.45hr). Once at Florence train station, make your way to your hotel which, again it's located approximately 450 metres from the train station. A taxi or Uber will cost you approximately EUR 5-7. The rest of the day is at leasure.

Have breakfast and enjoy an easy morning. Early this afternoon, make your way to the starting of your Chianti & vineyards guided tour. Tuscany is world-renowned for its nature, small villages, vineyards and gentle hills. Your tour starts with a visit to a rustic wine estate, in the heart of the vineyards, where you will be greeted by the owners and led to their cellar to learn all the secrets of the Chianti wine making process.

After, you will be offered an appetizing snack based on “crostini Toscani” paired with locally produced olive oil. Along with the snacks, indulge their high-quality “Chianti wine”. Next, you will discover Greve village, where you will have free time to explore the town and its medieval buildings. In the heart of olive trees, gentle hills and vineyards, we will visit another enchanting wine estate together. By the end of the day, you will be a true Chianti wine expert!

Today is free for you to explore Florence at your own pace.

At the appropriate time, make your way to Florence train station and board your train to Milan. The scenic ride takes just under 2 hours. Once in Milan, make your way to your hotel which is located approximately 800 metres from the train station. A taxi or Uber ride will cost you between EUR 7-10. The rest of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, you will join a guided tour of Milan. Make your way to Sforza Castle, which is approximately 3k from your hotel - at taxi or Uber ride will cost you between EUR 15-20. Your tour will start at approximately 9am. Milan is one of the top fashion cities in the world and there is much more to see in this trendy, urban metropolis. It is also home to an incredible patrimony of art and culture which includes one of Leonardo DaVinci’s greatest masterpieces: the Last Supper. The tour finishes between 2-3pm.

Today you will join a guided tour of Lake Como & Bellagio. The starting point of your tour is Milan Central station which is within walking distance from your hotel. Led by your expert local guide, you will discover Lake Como in Italy's beautiful Lake District, just a short distance from Milan. Nestled between the huge snowcapped Alps that rise up from its shores, is fashionable lakeside town Como. After spending time shopping and dining, you will take a two-hour panoramic cruise on Lake Como to the enchanting village of Bellagio (summer only) or take the funicular to Brunate to admire a breath-taking view of the Lake (winter only).

At the appropriate time, make your way to Milan Central Train Station and board your train to Venice. The train ride takes approximately 2 hours. Once in Venice, make your way to your cruise which will be docked near St Mark Square. After comfortably settling into your cabins, you'll be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. The evening in Venice is free to do as you please.

This morning you have the option of exploring Venice on your own of perhaps joining any of the following activities. Thee optional tour operate at the same time so you can only choose one of them.

Optional tour - Saint Mark's Basilica - EUR 46 (booked on tour)

Saint Mark’s Basilica is considered a Byzantine masterpiece, and for that reason, it is one of the most important churches in the city. Construction began in 1063 as a Byzantine-style edifice, which over the centuries was accented with Gothic arches and mosaics. Having seen it throughout the decades as a backdrop to scenes in movies, visitors flock from all over the world just to stand in the spectacular square.

Optional tour - Following the steps of Casanova in Venice - EUR 75 (booked on tour)

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was born in Venice in 1725. Both his parents were actors, and he was the first of six children in the family. He entered the University of Padua at age twelve and graduated five years later with a degree in law. Over his lifetime, he was a lawyer, soldier, violinist, courtier, economist, philosopher, writer, and of course, a lover who got into sexual escapades resembling operatic plots.

While visiting Doge's Palace, our guide will evoke his intricate life, including his imprisonment in the palace in solitary confinement for "grave faults committed in public outrages against the holy religion.” He later escaped with the help of a renegade priest. Casanova's reputation remains until this day, and our guide will recount the most outrageous moments of this "adventurer's" life. Our guide will then take us on a walk through the city streets, passing by the Casino Venier and Casanova's house, finishing up at the Rialto Bridge. After our tour, you can return to the ship at your own pace.

Late in the morning, the ship will cruise through the Venetian Lagoon to Mazzorbo. After lunch, you will join a guided tour of Murano Island. A short boat ride will take you to the island of Murano. The largest island in the lagoon, Murano is famous all over the world for its unique glass. We’ll visit a glassblowing studio to see how it’s done. Take advantage of some free time afterwards to explore the island on your own. Murano is also known for its lovely churches and several remarkable palazzetto.

Today you will join a guided food tour of little-known neighborhoods in Venice! Venetian cuisine is brimming with variety and delicacies. It incorporates the diverse backgrounds of the Venetian population to propose the best the sea and land have to offer in the region. The Rialto Market in the San Polo District is the natural starting point for this tour. We’ll stroll among the vegetable and fruit stands and witness the fishmongers in action. After, we’ll leave the hustle and bustle of the crowds behind us and head over to the laid-back Cannaregio District to poke around at what it has to offer. At the end of the tour, we’ll take a seat in a typical osteria to snack on cicchetti, Italian tapas-like morsels.

This morning, the ship will cast off early for Chioggia.

In the afternoon, you will join a guided tour of Padua. The tour starts by transferring by coach from Chioggia to Padua. Best known in Christianity as the Saint Antoine of Padua city, it is also famous for its art. Giotto (1267-1337, painter, sculptor and Italian architect) gifted the city of Padua some of his masterpieces, enriching the artistic scenery of the city. We'll start off with a guided tour of the city by coach before visiting the basilica which holds the vault of Saint Antoine.

You'll be able to admire Donatello's bronze statue from the 15th century in the square before the basilica. This art piece was a major influence on sculptors of the Italian Renaissance. A guided tour on foot will take you to the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza dei Frutti which holds a fresh produce market every day. You'll then see the Palazzo della Ragione (exteriors only) and the Torre dell'Orologio with its astronomical clock dating back to 1344. You'll enjoy some free time to discover this charming city on your own.

Afterwards, we’ll return on board in Venice. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Enjoy one last breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Cruise staff will be able to help you arrange a transfer to the airport which typically costs between EUR 45-60.