Reflections of Italy

Embark on a captivating journey that takes you from the piazzas of Rome to the canals of Venice. Discover the rolling hills of the scenic Tuscan and Umbrian countryside. Explore medieval hill towns and visit Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. Spend time at a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region and enjoy a chef-led cooking class with lunch. Discover the masterpieces of the Renaissance in Florence. See glass transformed into exquisite art on Murano Island. Linger in iconic Venice for 2 nights. Journey to the shores of glamorous Lake Como. Encounter a land rich in history, culture, art, and romance.

Rome

Rome is the capital of modern Italy and the historical home of one of the great civilizations in history, the Roman Empire. The historical city was founded in 753 BC and has grown to a size of over 3 million inhabitants today. The city is home to major monuments like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and many more. The city was built on the seven ancient hills along the Tiber River. Today it is a collection of neighborhoods with vibrant shops, restaurants and museums just waiting to be explored.

Vatican Museums

The Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world. Inside the Vatican walls are the Papal Palace, St Peters Basilica, the curia of the Vatican state, extensive gardens and the Vatican Museums. The museums were founded in the early 16th century and house some of the most important masterpieces of the Renaissance. The collections are houses in a series of interconnected palaces that lead visitors through collections of ancient sculptures, frescoed maps, tapestries and ends in the highlight of any visit, the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel contains Michelangelo’s masterpieces, the painted ceiling and the The Last Judgement.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is an example of late Renaissance architecture and was designed by great architects like Raphael, Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Completed over the course of 120 years, St. Peter's is one of the largest churches in the world, and an important holy site for Catholics. The church is built over the burial site of Saint Peter and contains the tombs of numerous popes. The church is known for its mosaic decorations and grand dome.

Assisi

Join us on a guided walking tour of the town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Here you'll discover a blend of Roman ruins, winding medieval streets and beautiful churches that make this a must-see destination. Once a pilgrimage site and historical treasure, Assisi offers you the chance to return to another time. With a history that stretches back to 1000 B.C. (predating the Roman Empire), the town rests among the gently rolling hills of Umbria. Marvel at the Basilica of San Francesco, find an out-of-the-way shop, look out at the stunning landscape, or sit and relax at a quiet café.

Perugia

Perugia is the regional capital of Umbria. The architecture of the city reflects its medieval history, but it also is home to one of the few remaining Etruscan arches dating back to its prominence as one of twelve original cities in the Etruria confederacy. Today its notoriety comes from the two universities and Italy’s most famous chocolate company, Perugina. Perched on a hill, the city offers panoramic views over the Umbrian countryside and a vibrant city center with many shops, cafes and pedestrian areas to explore.

Cortona

Cortona is an Etruscan city perched on the side of Tuscany’s low-lying hills. Take in the ornate facades and medieval architecture. Peek at the adjacent lake, situated off if in the distance. You might recognize the city as the charming setting for the book and film Under the Tuscan Sun.

Florence

Florence is the regional capital of Tuscany and home to countless Renaissance masterpieces. The city developed great wealth during the late Middle Ages and was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance that produced great artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Brunelleschi and many others. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with numerous museums, stunning architecture and charming piazzas. The city offers something for everyone from culture, to great food and excellent shopping (like their famous gold or leather).

Chianti Winery & Cooking Class

Tuscany is world-renowned for its rolling hills, country roads and of course, numerous vineyards. Tuscany's most famous export is unquestionably Chianti wine, and true Chianti can only be produced in a section of the country that stretches from Florence to Siena. On your visit to a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region, you'll enjoy a chef-led cooking class. During the tour, guests will learn about the wine making process from vine to bottle. After you've been educated on the intricacies of thsi fine grape, you can sit back and savor regional delicacies during a delicious lunch.

Venice

Venice is the regional capital of the Veneto region in the northeast section of Italy. Venice has a unique design like no other city, built on over a hundred different islands in the center of the Venetian Lagoon. Early Venetians built their city on the islands to escape barbarian invaders. The islands of the city are separated by numerous small canals and connected by hundreds of small bridges. The city is famous for its romantic gondola-filled canals and ornate palaces that line the Grand Canal. The famous glass factories of Venice are located on Murano Island. Today the Murano Islands are home to a dwindling number of glass factories, whose artists are producing handmade Murano Glass.

Murano Island

Murano is located in northern Italy and houses important attractions such as, the Church of Santa Maria e San Donato, the chapel of the Ballarin family, and artworks by Giovanni Bellini. The island is primarily known for their history in glass production. It became Italy’s glass art capital in 1291. The community of glassblowers was relocated by the government to Murano. Glass making originally began in Venice; however, because the houses were made out of wood, the government deemed it too risky because of the kilns constantly going.

Lake Como

Originally a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy, it has been a popular place to retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, and since has become a popular tourist attraction for its artistic and cultural gems. It has become a venue for many watersports such as sailing, windsurfing, and kite surfing.