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Italy

Italian Extravaganza: Rome, Florence and Venice at Their Finest

Program No. 22221RJ

With top instructors and ample free time, discover Italy’s amazing art, architecture, history, food and more in three of the world’s most spectacular cities: Rome, Florence and Venice.

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Program

At a Glance

Duration

12 days

Program Begins

Rome

Program Concludes

Venice

Group Type

Small Group

Meals

19 ( 10B, 4L, 5D )

Activity Level

Italy must be savored like a fine wine — and there's no better way to sample its many flavors than by exploring three of its most famous cities: Rome, Florence, and Venice. With local experts to introduce you to the very best of each city’s historic treasures and cultural wonders, you’ll enjoy reserved entrance times to major museums and attend a special, after-hours private exploration of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with your Group Leader. Walk in the footsteps of the Romans at the Colosseum and navigate the canals of Venice by gondola. Along the way, enjoy ample free-time opportunities to explore charming piazzas, sample local delicacies at a farm in the countryside, and get a first-hand view into what locals call "bella vita" — the good life.

Best of all, you'll...

Enjoy reserved entrance times to major museums, including the Galleria Borghese, Uffizi, Accademia, Palazzo Ducale and a special, private field trip to the Sistine Chapel and Saint Mark's Basilica.
Delight in the musical offerings of Venice during an evening concert.
Savor a meal in a farm restaurant in the Tuscan countryside.

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General Notes

The program includes independent time to explore Rome, Florence, and Venice and several meals on your own. The Group Leader will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities are provided in your Final Information Packet. The off-hour visit to the Sistine Chapel follows a two-hour prescribed route. Those wishing to explore the museum more fully are encouraged to make independent reservations during free time. The off-hour visit to St. Mark's Basilica follows a one-hour prescribed route. Those wishing to explore the basilica more fully are encouraged to visit during their free time.

Cristina Gregorin

Cristina Gregorin has a PhD in German studies and earned her degree in history, art history, and languages from the University of Trieste. She has lived and worked in Venice for many decades. As an excursion expert, she prefers to offer a multifaceted experience of Venice that includes traditions and habits of the past and present, and the juxtaposition of the historical and contemporary aspects of the city. Cristina is the author of “Venice Master Artisans,” a book focusing on Venetian arts and crafts.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

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Erika Morri

Erika Morri has a degree in political science from the Università di Bologna and has worked in marketing, public relations and event planning. An elite athlete, Erika played on the Italian National Women's Rugby team for 12 years. Currently, she is a board member of the Italian Rugby Federation which governs professional, semi-professional and amateur play. She lives in Bologna and has an eye for photography and design.

Rosanna Giannotti

Rosanna Giannotti is a Senior Authorized Venice Guide Lecturer who has devoted her life to studying the art and history of her home city. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and she has always had a penchant for traveling and cosmopolitanism, in order to expand her knowledge and connect Venetian history with the world context. Rosanna is a member of the most prestigious Italian and European Associations of Guide Lecturers and has cooperated with Road Scholar programs in Venice for over 30 years.

Giulietta Seme

Julieta is a passionate student of history, specializing in the history and culture of her native city of Rome. She studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma with a concentration in painting before earning a degree in classical archaeology and art history from the Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza." Outside of history, Julieta enjoys hiking beautiful nature trails by the seaside or in the mountains of Italy.

Richard Bowen

Richard Bowen, a native of London, has lived in Rome for most of his adult life. He was awarded a BA in humanities from Middlesex University and an MA in history from University College in London. As a young graduate, he worked as an archaeologist for the Museum of London. Richard is a licensed group leader for the Province of Rome and has led groups in Italy and other parts of Europe. He has a keen interest in political, social, and art history.

Daniela Sarghini

Daniela is a licensed travel leader for the city and province of Rome. She studied and worked in other countries in Europe, in China and Morocco. Daniela defines travel as learning about and appreciating different cultures. With a young family, her most recent adventures have been traveling in time, rediscovering ancient sites and historic curiosities in sites off the beaten path in Rome, the city she considers the most beautiful in the world.

Laura Gregis

Born and raised in Genoa in the north-western part of Italy, Laura Gregis studied English, German, and Geography at the local university. Since the age of 21, she has worked in the travel industry leading groups in Italy and around the world. She has also worked summers as a leader in Scandinavia and Ireland since 1996. A great fan of soccer, Laura often works for the Italian national soccer team as well as other Italian and foreign soccer teams.

Marco A. Ceccarani

Marco Ceccarani, a native of Assisi, holds a PhD in humanities from the Università degli Studi di Perugia. His field of expertise includes medieval and Renaissance Italian civilization and literature. He has taught for several American universities in the United States and currently teaches in Florence for American university study away programs.

Susan Steer

Susan Steer is originally from England. She came to Venice 20 years ago as an art history undergraduate with an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, later serving as a supervisor of the British pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Living and working in Venice changed her life, falling in love with its architecture, art, and lifestyle. She returned to study for an MA and a PhD in Venetian art. Susan married a Venetian. They and their son share their time between the UK and Venice.

Cristiana Filippini

Cristiana Filippini was awarded her doctorate from Johns Hopkins University with a dissertation on 11th-century frescoes in Rome. She has also completed specialized study in archeology and art history from the Università degli Studi di Siena, Italy and has taught at the American University in Rome and at Trinity College’s Rome Campus.

Emily Moloney

Emily Moloney, who is originally from Buffalo, New York, first came to Italy over ten years ago. She holds a master's degree in Renaissance art history and is an officially licensed tour guide. In addition to working as a private guide, Emily lectures as a professor of art history and Italian culture at several study-abroad centers in Florence. In her free time, you can find Emily at the park with her growing family.

Loredana Ottomano

Loredana Ottomano was born in Puglia but has resided in Rome since 1983 due to her studies, earning a translation degree in English and French. She has worked in the field for several years with a passion for translation, particularly of Shakespeare. Additionally, Loredana's love for art inspired her to pursue studies again, leading to her qualification as a licensed Rome travel leader after four years of dedicated learning. She adores her profession and has been happily married for over 35 years, raising two children.

Lucia Pigozzo

Lucia Pigozzo is a seasoned art historian turned licensed travel leader, passionate about unraveling Venice's intricate tapestry of history and beauty. With degrees in art history and specialized training in teaching from institutions like the National Gallery in Dublin and the Archaeological Museum of Barcelona, she offers a unique perspective on Venetian culture. Lucia's rich experience includes teaching at prestigious universities and managing press offices for renowned exhibitions.

Helen Bayley

Helen Bayley received her B.F.A. in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and her M.F.A. in painting from Indiana University. As a professor for over 30 years, Helen has inspired learners of all ages with her extensive knowledge and artistic talents at universities in the United States and Italy. While Helen is passionate about art history throughout space and time, she is aesthetically drawn to the 18th century in all its musical and sartorial particularities.

Activity Level

Let's Go!

Walking up to six miles a day. Extended standing during site visits with limited or no public seating. Uneven terrain, limited public handrails, unavoidable stairs, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, inclines, loose gravel, escalators. Elevator use is limited or restricted in historic sites. Venice's canal bridges have ramps or stairs with handrails. Expect crowded conditions in pedestrian centers and museums. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus, high-speed train, vaporetto, and water taxi. Sheltered waiting areas may not be available at docks.

Small Group (13 to 24)

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Italian Extravaganza: Rome, Florence and Venice at Their Finest

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