Day 1:  Tuesday, May 19, 2026:  Depart from St. Louis to Venice  

Day 2: Wednesday, May 20, 2026: Venice 

On arrival in Venice, we will meet our tour director, and a local guide will take us on a walking tour of Venice, including the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and the Bell Tower.  We will also see St.  Mark’s Square and the Bridge of Sighs. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore with your ACTV Vaporetti / water-buses in Venice, Lido, and lagoon islands. Also included are ACTV Buses in Mestre, Marghera, and mainland. We  can shop in the famous market area around the Rialto Bridge, watch glass-blowing on Murano, take a gondola ride, or enjoy a  coffee and some people-watching at St. Mark’s Square. We will have a Welcome Meal this evening. (IF/D) Stay City Venice Mestre

Day 3: Thursday, May 21, 2026: Florence  We will head to Florence today but will stop in Pisa, where we will climb the famous Leaning Tower and stop for gelato.  In the   afternoon, we will check in to our boutique hotel and enjoy free time to drink wine or just enjoy the beautiful scenery around the city. We will have dinner together at our hotel. (B/D) Cellai Boutique Hotel

Day 4:  Friday, May 22, 2026:  Florence Today’s day trip is to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. On the way into the city, we will stop at Piazza  Michelangelo for an amazing view of the city. A local guide will take us on a walking tour of Florence, including a visit  to Accademia to see Michelangelo’s incomparable “David.” We will see the beautiful Santa Croce Church with the  tombs of many famous residents of Florence including Michelangelo, Dante, and Galileo. We will see the famed  Baptistry and the Duomo. Some may want to climb Brunelleschi’s famous dome to get a panorama of this breathtaking city. We will  have free time in the afternoon (B)  Cellai Boutique Hotel

Day 5: Saturday, May 23, 2026: Florence  Today is a free day, with options like a cooking class at the Villa Agape, including wine-tasting. This will be a great way to engage with the  culture and learn new cooking techniques.  Other options will include a free day in Florence, a guided tour to Cinque Terre, or a trip to Sienna.   (B)   Cellai Boutique Hotel

Day 6:  Sunday, May 24, 2026 Rome  This morning, we will drive to Rome where we will meet our private guide for a 3 hour tour of Ancient Rome. The birthplace of Roman Civilization, the archaeological area is one of the richest and most inebriating: the Capitol, religious and political centre of the city, the Roman forums, the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum are still visible today. We have an entrance to Coliseum with skip the line. The symbol of the Roman Empire recognized as one of the 7 New Seven Wonders of the World, the Flavian Amphitheatre - also known as the Coliseum - is a must-see for anyone visiting Rome. It is the largest amphitheatre in the world, telling the story of the magnificent deeds of gladiators and  the culture of Ancient Rome. This imposing and evocative place is the most representative icon of Rome and Italy as a whole all over the world; having survived until now, it is a human masterpiece and has always stood out in all its splendour, ensuring unforgettable views and glimpses of the city. We will check in our hotel and eat dinner as a group this evening.  (B/D)  HOTEL GENOVA

Monday, May 25, 2026. This morning, we will meet our private guide for the tour of the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel , St Peter's Basilica, where you will see the breathtaking Pieta by Michelangelo. (3 hours) Entrance to Vatican Museums with skip the line reservation.  Then, Transfer to Rome's city centre and meet our private guide for the walking tour of Baroque Rome: discover the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps with its theatrical staircase of the Trinity of Mounts, Navona Square, the Pantheon (inside). These sites and fountains confer the eternal city with its unique charm. After the visit, transfer to the hotel.  Overnight in Rome. (B)

Tuesday, MAY 26, 2026. Breakfast at the hotel.  Group departs at 8:00 am leaving for Pompeii.   At 11:00 am, meet our guide for the 2 hour tour of Pompeii: in the year 79 A.D., the town was buried by an extremely violent eruption of Vesuvius. The roads, monuments, homes and gardens and the inhabitants were "sealed" at the time of the eruption, laying underneath meters of ashes for centuries. Forming a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Herculaneum and Oplontis, Pompeii is a unique place ensuring an incomparable experience for visitors.  Entrance to Pompeii with skip the line reservation.  After the tour, stop for a tasting with light lunch at Cantine del Vesuvio winery or similar.  After lunch, head to the hotel in Sorrento area to check in for two days at the Art hotel Gran Paradisso (bring your swimming suit). (B,L, D)

Wednesday, May 27, 2026. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer by bus to the pier. to take the Ferry to Positano. This excursion is to Amalfi Coast, one of the most unforgettable landscapes characterized by the deep blue water, steep rock walls, and the many olive and citrus trees.  Stop in Positano which sits in a splendid panoramic position on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline. Its enchanting town centre of delightful pastel-hued houses surrounds the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, its laneways are lined with quaint, colourful shops and its numerous beaches are world famous.  Then on to Amalfi, the oldest maritime Italian Republic, which today represents the centre which is artistically the most important of the Amalfi Coast. Its typically Mediterranean architecture, made up of lanes and characteristic white houses piled one upon the other, makes it one of Italy's most famous resorts.  Transfer back to hotel in Sorrento area. Art hotel Gran Paradisso (B)

Thursday MAY 28, 2026. Breakfast at the hotel.  Today, we ferry to Capri.
Meet our guide at the port for the full day excursion to Capri island, the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean', a resort since the time of the Roman republic which has charmed visitors for centuries.  Ferry to Capri, you will visit the most beautiful corners of the island: from the port to the charming Anacapri, from Anacapri to La Piazzetta in Capri, then back to the port.  In Anacapri, situated at a high elevation on the slopes of Mount Solaro, we will enjoy the spectacular views and stroll through the typical streets.  Get to the cosmopolitan Capri (time for lunch), with luxury boutiques and the famous Piazzetta, meeting pl the oldest maritime Italian Republic, which today represents the centre artistically the most important of the Amalfi Coast. Its typically Mediterranean architecture, made up of lanes and characteristic white houses piled one upon the other, makes it one of Italy's most famous resorts. Transfer back to hotel in Sorrento area where we will enjoy a limoncello tasting and tour. Transfer back to the hotel. Art hotel Gran Paradisso (B)

Friday MAY 29, 2026. Breakfast at the hotel.  Transfer to the cooking class in Naples.  Private cooking class: Supplied with aprons, you will be invited to prepare an authentic” typical menu.”  Learn the steps and prepare fresh pasta served with different local sauces like the well recognized Piennolo tomatoes sauce, grown at the Vesuvio’s appendix. Afterwards take a tour of Naples Underground, where you will experience thousands of years of ancient history. Tonight, we will have a farewell dinner where we will toast our travels and our new friends. Mercure Napoli Centro Angioino (B, L, D).

Saturday, May 30, 2026. Return to St. Louis via Naples or Rome.