I TA LY: R E N A I S S A N C E C I T I E S AND TUSCAN LIFE
• Enjoy a private, after-hours visit to the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. • Visit Florence's Uffizi Gallery with an art historian, and dine in the home of a local family. • Stay at an enchanting 13th-century castello in the Tuscan countryside.
DAYS 3–4 I FLORENCE/LUCCA/PISA Explore Florence on a private tour, and dine in the home of a Florentine family. The following day, discover medieval Lucca and climb Pisa’s leaning tower; or join an art historian for a special visit to Florence’s Uffizi Gallery. Gallery Hotel Art | Meals: 2B, 1L, 1D DAYS 5–6 I TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE Venture through the golden hills and leafy vineyards of Tuscany, and settle into the enchanting 13th-century castello of the Guicciardini family—our home for two nights. Visit the charming medieval hamlet of Gargonza, and enjoy a wine tasting followed by lunch at the renowned Badia a Coltibuono estate. Castello di Gargonza | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D DAYS 1–2 I VENICE, ITALY Transfer by motorboat to our hotel in the heart of Venice, and enjoy a welcome reception and dinner. The next day, tour the “floating city,” strolling the Piazza San Marco and crossing the iconic Rialto Bridge. The afternoon is free to explore Venice’s winding paths at your leisure. After dinner, enjoy a private, after-hours visit to stunning St. Mark’s Basilica. Splendid Venice | Meals: 1B, 2D
DAYS 7–10 I SIENA/ROME Discover timeless Siena before traveling south to Rome. Explore the ruins of the Colosseum, and stroll the Roman Forum. Join archaeologist Valerie Higgins—featured in the National Geographic documentary series The Story of God—for a special visit to the Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Miranda. Peruse the Vatican’s famed museums and visit St. Peter’s Square. Rose Garden Palace | Meals: 4B, 1L, 2D
1 0 D AY S F R O M $ 7, 4 9 5
Signature Land
Light/Moderate
A National Geographic Expert and Expedition Leader will accompany this trip, and local guides will join us along the way.
Dirk Booms Archaeologist Dirk Booms served as curator of Roman Mediterranean archaeology at the British Museum and has lectured at Cambridge and Oxford. He has excavated sites in Belgium, Turkey, and Tunisia, and has worked in Italy for many years. With a focus on architecture, Dirk and has been involved in the excavation and reconstruction of the imperial villa of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
INFORMATION Dates: This expedition is offered in June, September, and October. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.
Above: Traffic on Venice’s Grand Canal subsides at sunset.
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