Welcome to Italy!

This is an unforgettable trip that visits the world-famous cities of Venice, Florence, and Rome. Students begin in Venice, a captivating island city that was Europe's greatest seaport during the late medieval era. After Venice, the group takes the train to Florence, a city that embodies the heart of the Italian Renaissance. From the iconic red-tiled roofs to the grandeur of the Duomo, every corner of this city is covered in art, culture, and architectural masterpieces. From Florence, the group continues to Rome, the 'Eternal City', a place where ancient history and modern life blend perfectly together.

Overnight Flight to Venice

Step into the enchanting world of Venice, where history, art, and romance seamlessly intertwine. This captivating island city, once a hub of maritime prominence, held the prestigious status of being Europe's greatest seaport during the late medieval era.

This boutique hotel is a captivating gem situated in the heart of Venice. With its picturesque canal-side location and stunning views of the Grand Canal and Venice's charming streets, it provides a unique and memorable experience for travelers.

Stay active and explore the area around your hotel.

A list of recommendations will be provided.

Explore Venice by foot on a private walking tour. This tour is led by a local guide who helps you navigate the narrow streets, charming squares, and unique atmosphere of Venice. Learn about the rich history, art, and culture as you visit iconic landmarks like St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, and the Grand Canal.

Step aboard a traditional gondola and glide through Venice's enchanting canals, under picturesque bridges, and past the bustling walkways.  

A list of recommended/required sites will be provided.

A list of recommendations will be provided.

Welcome to Florence, a city that embodies the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany, Florence captivates visitors with its timeless beauty, artistic heritage, and rich history. From the iconic red-tiled roofs to the grandeur of the Duomo, every corner of this enchanting city is steeped in art, culture, and architectural marvels.

Perfectly located in the heart of the city, this fabulous hotel seamlessly blends modern elegance with historic charm.  

The Central Market in Florence is a lively and bustling marketplace where downstairs you'll find an abundance of stalls filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, fragrant spices, and unique local products. And upstairs you'll find a variety of small restaurants ready to serve everything from pizza and pasta to fish and meats.

Discover Florence from a fresh perspective by exploring the city on a bike tour. Experience the best sites and iconic landmarks, including the Uffizi Gallery, Republic Square, and the impressive Basilica Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in the world.

The Florence Cathedral, or Duomo, is a stunning masterpiece that dominates the city's skyline. Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio and completed in 1436, it boasts a remarkable feature: the massive dome, a genius creation of Filippo Brunelleschi. Taking over a century to build, it stands as the largest masonry dome in the world. During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to climb the Duomo, with special access to its dome and rooftop terrace.

A list of recommendations will be provided.

The Uffizi Gallery holds immense historical and artistic importance. The museum's collection includes iconic works by legendary artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli.

The Accademia Gallery is renowned for housing one of the world's most iconic sculptures, Michelangelo's David, a masterpiece of Renaissance art.

A list of recommended/required sites will be provided.

A list of recommendations will be provided.

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City, a place where ancient history and modern life coexist in perfect harmony. This captivating destination weaves a rich tapestry of architecture, art, and culture, inviting you to step into the shoes of rulers and artists who once roamed its streets.

Check-in to your boutique hotel in the heart of Rome, where contemporary design effortlessly intertwines with timeless Italian allure. Housed within a historic early twentieth-century building, this hotel boasts a prime location between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. With its clean and modern aesthetic, it provides the perfect base for your stay in Rome.

The Vatican Museums are a world-renowned cultural institution, and are home to one of the most important art collections in the world. The museums are an integral part of Vatican City, the world's smallest independent state and the center of the Roman Catholic Church.

Note : Modest attire is required.

A list of recommendations will be provided.

These two iconic landmarks offer a glimpse into one of the greatest empires in history. The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built. It was a symbol of Roman engineering and entertainment, hosting gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and other public spectacles that entertained thousands of spectators.

Adjacent to the Colosseum lies the Roman Forum, a sprawling archaeological site that served as the political and social center of ancient Rome. Explore ancient temples, basilicas, and government buildings, each with its own story to tell.

A list of recommended/required sites will be provided.

A list of recommendations will be provided.

Please Note:

The sample itinerary and budget provided are based on a specific number of participants and chaperones. Final pricing per person will vary depending on your group size and any adjustments made to the itinerary. Please keep in mind that prices may fluctuate depending on travel dates, seasonality, and other factors.

Please email us at [email protected] or call us at 512.596.1642 for more information.

All of our trips are fully customizable—this sample itinerary is simply a starting point to give you a sense of what is possible! We are happy to tailor every detail to fit your group’s unique needs, interests, and preferences.

Group travel can be a difficult and frustrating experience. The group is only as fast as the slowest participant, and that is why our clients spend most of their time in Chaperone Groups. These small groups consist of roughly 4-5 students and 2-3 adults, and move much more efficiently (and happily!) through the cities, allowing students to focus on their unique interests. Keeping entire groups together while following a yellow umbrella around cities (‘amoeba style’) creates missed opportunities and makes unfortunate use of valuable time.

The beauty of any school trip is the opportunity for the student to build self-confidence, problem solve, and learn how to navigate in a new environment. The adults are present to help keep students safe, but otherwise should ‘lead from behind’. At Kairos Tours we focus heavily on student leadership and responsibility for their trip experience.

Is there a minimum number of guests required for this trip?

• There’s no minimum number of participants required, but please note that the fewer people in the group, the higher the price per person. Larger groups help keep individual costs lower by sharing fixed expenses like transportation and guides.

What information will be provided before the trip?

• Each traveler will receive a complete, dynamic itinerary that includes travel logistics, hotel details, tours, entrance information, meeting points, and more—everything you need to feel fully prepared.

Will there be a group meeting before departure?

• Yes! We’ll schedule a pre-trip meeting (either in person or via Google Meet) to go over final details, answer questions, and ensure everyone is ready and excited.

Does Kairos Tours provide a Tour Director?

• A Tour Director can be arranged to accompany your group upon request. Please note this may affect the overall cost of the trip.

Will the itinerary change from what’s currently listed?

• Kairos Tours will make every reasonable effort to provide this trip in accordance with the descriptions provided. Although it is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your reservation or cancel confirmed reservations, we reserve the right to do so should it become necessary or advisable, in our sole discretion. We’ll always prioritize the best possible experience for your group!

Are trip prices guaranteed?

• All pricing is based on current estimates and subject to change due to factors like group size, travel dates, currency exchange rates, and seasonal variations.

Are meals included in the trip price?

• Lunches and dinners are typically not included in the trip price, allowing for flexibility and the opportunity to explore local dining options. Personal incidentals, such as snacks, souvenirs, and optional activities, are also the responsibility of each traveler.

What if there are unexpected delays or issues?

• Kairos Tours is not responsible for costs or disruptions resulting from circumstances beyond our control, such as flight delays, changes or cancellations, injuries, weather, war, natural disasters, strikes, social discourse, pandemics, etc., and/or other unforeseeable matters.

My name is David Mebane and I am a lifelong traveler that experienced my first international trip as a 2nd grader, and I haven’t stopped since. I founded Fat Tire Tours in Paris, France in 1999 and love showing people around the City of Light. That passion has grown to include other incredible destinations around the globe, and is the genesis for Kairos Tours. I don't know every destination on the globe, but I do know several well, and I love to take people with me to create experiences and memories that last a lifetime. 

I live in Austin, Texas with my wife Kelly and our son Weston and daughter Caroline. However, we spend as much time as we can elsewhere since there is nothing better than an adventure with family and friends.

Italy’s story begins long before it became a unified nation. Shaped by its geography and seas, what we now call Italy was once a mosaic of ancient tribes, kingdoms, and city-states that played pivotal roles in world history. From Roman emperors to Renaissance masters, from papal power to political unification, Italy’s history is a dynamic tale of ambition, invention, and identity.

The most famous early chapter is the rise of Ancient Rome, founded - according to legend - in 753 BCE. Over the next thousand years, Rome grew from a village on the Tiber River into the capital of one of history’s most powerful empires. The Roman Empire brought infrastructure, law, and language across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and left an enduring legacy in the form of roads, aqueducts, and monumental architecture. But Rome’s significance didn’t end with the empire’s fall in 476 CE. It remained the spiritual capital of Catholicism, as popes became the rulers of the Papal States and central figures in European politics for centuries to come.

As Roman power faded, the Italian peninsula splintered into a patchwork of city-states and regional powers. In the north, Venice rose from a lagoon refuge to a maritime powerhouse by the 10th century, controlling trade routes between East and West. Governed by a Doge and a tight-knit merchant oligarchy, Venice became synonymous with wealth, diplomacy, and artistic elegance, lasting for over 1,000 years until Napoleon's invasion in 1797.

Inland, Florence emerged during the Middle Ages as a bustling trade and banking center. But it was in the 14th to 16th centuries that Florence became the birthplace of the Renaissance - a movement that redefined art, philosophy, science, and politics. Backed by the influential Medici family, the city nurtured figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli, whose works still shape Western thought and aesthetics today.

Throughout the early modern period, Italy remained fragmented. Naples, Milan, the Papal States, and various duchies frequently found themselves under the control of foreign empires, including the Spanish, Austrians, and French. Despite these divisions, a shared sense of cultural identity began to form, fueled by common language roots, Catholicism, and pride in Italy’s Roman and Renaissance past.

The 19th century brought revolutionary change. Spurred by nationalist movements across Europe, Italian leaders such as Giuseppe Garibaldi, Count Cavour, and Victor Emmanuel II forged a campaign for unification known as the Risorgimento. After decades of wars, diplomacy, and upheaval, Italy was finally declared a unified kingdom in 1861, and Rome was made its capital in 1871.

In the modern era, Italy has weathered monarchy, fascism, world wars, and postwar reconstruction to become a republic in 1946. Today, it is a vibrant democracy, a founding member of the European Union, and a global center of art, design, cuisine, and heritage.

To visit Italy is to walk through layers of world history - from ancient ruins and Renaissance masterpieces to medieval canals and modern piazzas. It is a country defined by its regional diversity, cultural brilliance, and a legacy that continues to influence the world.