Italy
Italy at a Slower Pace: The Best of Rome & Florence
Program No. 24818RJ
Explore the iconic sites of Rome and Florence, including the Sistine Chapel, the Duomo, the Colosseum and more, at a slower pace.
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
16 meals (
8B, 4L, 4D
)
4 expert-led lectures
12 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Rome, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Rome
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel dei Mellini
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 12:00 p.m. Transfer from Rome Fiumicino Airport to hotel is 20 miles (50-minute ride). Walking approximately 1 mile. Standing up to 1 hour.
Afternoon:
Check-in and settle in. At 4:30 p.m., we gather in the meeting room for an Orientation session. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Breakfasts will be buffets. Other included meals will be plated and served from a set menu unless indicated otherwise; water is included, other beverages will be available for purchase. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Transportation will be provided primarily by bus and regional train. Periods in the schedule designated as "Free time" and "At leisure" offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times might change due to local circumstances/conditions. We will alert you as quickly as possible in the event of changes. Thank you for being so understanding. Next, we will join our Group Leader in a welcome cocktail (or fruit juice).
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
History, Rome by Golf Cart, Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon
Location:
Rome
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel dei Mellini
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a golf cart. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; marble flooring, uneven paths, cobblestones, loose gravel, and dirt paths. Unavoidable stairs at sites. The extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice. The cart offers a roof but open sides—bring a light layer or rain gear depending on the forecast.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather in the hotel's designated meeting room. Here, we will be joined by a local professor who will guide us in unraveling the intricate layers of Roman history. This will be an introduction, setting the stage for our upcoming explorations and deepening our understanding of this remarkable city's past. We depart from the hotel for an expert-led visit to Rome's key sights by golf cart. With a covered, open-air cart, we move efficiently through the historic center while still enjoying clear views. We pause at the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, continue along the Circus Maximus, and make short photo stops as the route allows. We then hop off at the Colosseum to view the exterior up close before continuing to the Roman Forum. Our final stop is near the Pantheon, where we disembark before lunch. Timing may vary with traffic, events, or security conditions, and the Instructor will adjust as needed to maximize your time at each site. Kindly note that we may encounter crowded conditions during our visit. Come prepared for the elements: the cart offers a roof but open sides. Please refer to your Information Packet's "Program Notes" section for additional details on this visit.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we visit the Pantheon, Rome's best-preserved ancient monument. Originally a Roman temple, it was rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian around 125 CE and later consecrated as the church of Santa Maria ad Martyres. Inside, we will see the world-famous coffered concrete dome and the central oculus that illuminates the space, along with notable tombs, including those of Raphael and two Italian kings. After our visit, those who wish may return to the hotel by bus or van. Alternatively, you're welcome to continue exploring independently at your own pace. Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You can also consult your list of suggested free time activities in your program materials.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. You can also consult your list of suggested restaurants in your program materials.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's, Free Time
Location:
Rome
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel dei Mellini
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus or vans. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; marble flooring, uneven paths, cobblestones, loose gravel, and dirt paths. Unavoidable stairs at sites.
Breakfast:
We'll begin our day with an early light breakfast featuring coffee, fruit, and pastries. After this, we'll head to the Vatican Museums for our exclusive private visit before the public hours. Following our early access visit, we'll enjoy an American-style breakfast in the picturesque Pigna Courtyard of the Vatican.
Morning:
We will board a bus or vans and travel together to the entrance of the Vatican Museums for our early private visit. We depart around 6:15 a.m. by van or bus and enter before the public. With our local expert, we follow a set two-hour route that includes the Gallery of Maps, the Hall of Tapestries, the Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel. In the Chapel, we study Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and Last Judgment, with time to focus on works like The Creation of Adam and to discuss the Chapel's role in papal conclaves. After the Museums, we continue with an expert-led visit of St. Peter's Basilica. We cover key works and spaces, including Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's Baldacchino and nave. The Vatican Museums consist of 26 sections. If you wish to explore further, consider a return visit during free time. After our visit, those who wish may return to the hotel by bus or van. Alternatively, you're welcome to continue exploring independently at your own pace.
Lunch:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested free time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Castel Gandolfo, Apostolic Palace, Pontifical Gardens
Location:
Rome
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel dei Mellini
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; marble flooring, uneven paths, cobblestones, loose gravel, and dirt paths. Unavoidable stairs at sites.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We travel by bus to Castel Gandolfo in the Alban Hills, a lakeside town long favored as a summer retreat by the popes. With our Instructor, we visit the exterior of the Apostolic Palace and walk the grounds, then continue into the Barberini Gardens, nearly 136 acres of formal terraces, ancient ruins, and landscaped paths overlooking Lake Albano. Those interested in a small challenge can opt to visit the Astronomical Observatory inside the palace complex. Reaching the dome involves climbing a spiral staircase of 30+ marble steps. In case of inclement weather, the gardens may be closed; the Group Leader will adjust the schedule to keep the visit safe and enjoyable. Wear comfortable shoes for uneven paths and bring a light layer for hilltop breezes.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Following our lunch, we will board our bus to return to our hotel in Rome.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
Train to Florence, Florence City Walk
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Grand Hotel Adriatico
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus or vans. Steps getting on/off a train. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day with standing while waiting for the train; marble flooring, cobblestones, marble flooring, and urban stone sidewalks. Unavoidable stairs getting on/off the train. The high-speed train ride to Florence takes 1.5 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Early in the morning, hotel staff collect our bags from outside our rooms and send them directly by van to our hotel in Florence. We travel by bus or van to Roma Termini, Rome's central station, and board a reserved-seat high-speed train to our next program site. On arrival at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, we walk from the station to our lunch venue.
Lunch:
At the hotel restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will check in and settle into our accommodations. A local expert will join us for a relaxed walk through Florence's historic center. We'll pass the Duomo, cross near the Ponte Vecchio, and stop in Piazza della Signoria, with time to note key details and ask questions. As we move through the streets, the guide will point out significant landmarks and explain the history and art that shaped the city.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Renaissance Art Lecture, Uffizi, Free Time
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B
Stay:
Grand Hotel Adriatico
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus or vans. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; marble flooring, uneven paths, and cobblestones. Unavoidable stairs at sites. Elevator available at the Uffizi. The extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather in the meeting room, where a local art historian will join us for an overview of medieval and Renaissance art, preparing us for our upcoming field trips to the Accademia and Uffizi. We will take vans or taxis to the reserved entrance of the Galleria degli Uffizi for our self-directed field trip, where we are free to venture through the museum at our own pace and explore according to our individual interests. Renowned as the most extensive collection of Renaissance art worldwide, the Uffizi showcases a remarkable journey through various artistic periods, from Gothic to medieval, Renaissance to Mannerist, encompassing painting, architecture, and sculpture. Within its hallowed halls, we will encounter a multitude of iconic masterpieces, including Leonardo da Vinci's mesmerizing Annunciation, Botticelli's ethereal Birth of Venus and enchanting Primavera, Michelangelo's poignant Holy Family, as well as a selection of Caravaggios, Titians, and Artemisia Gentileschi's compelling artworks. It is worth noting that a coffee bar awaits us at the end of the second corridor, atop the Loggia. Here, we can take a moment to refresh while marveling at the splendid views of the Palazzo Vecchio and the magnificent Duomo. Kindly note that the significant volume of visitors may present difficulties in obtaining an unobstructed view of the most renowned works; anticipate encountering crowded conditions during our visit.
Lunch:
On your own to sample the local fare.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested free time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Accademia, History of Florence, Winery
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Grand Hotel Adriatico
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus or vans. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; marble flooring, uneven paths, and cobblestones. Unavoidable stairs at sites. Elevator available at the Accademia. The extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take vans or taxis to the Galleria dell'Accademia for an on-site lecture from a local expert on one of the most famous statues in the world, Michelangelo's David. The David stands as an enduring masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture and one of the world's most iconic works of art. Housed within the Accademia, this awe-inspiring statue mesmerizes visitors with its exceptional craftsmanship and powerful depiction of the biblical figure. Carved by Michelangelo from a single block of marble between 1501 and 1504, David stands tall at over 17 feet and captivates viewers with its remarkable level of detail and lifelike representation. From the intricate musculature to the intense gaze and the poised stance, David embodies the physical and spiritual strength that epitomized the Renaissance era. Beyond the David, we will explore an impressive collection of Renaissance artworks, including sculptures, paintings, and musical instruments. The museum also houses Michelangelo's unfinished sculptures, known as the Prisoners, which provide valuable insights into the artist's creative process. It has been suggested that Michelangelo left them in their incomplete state to symbolize the struggle of humankind to free the spirit from matter. Kindly note that the significant volume of visitors may present difficulties in obtaining an unobstructed view of the most renowned works; anticipate encountering crowded conditions during our visit.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested free time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Later in the afternoon, a local historian will take center stage to illuminate the history of Medieval Florence and the prominent Medici family. Our journey will begin with an exploration of the city's Roman origins, setting the foundation for understanding how the Medici ascended to power by the close of the 15th century, establishing a dynasty that would govern Florence and shape its destiny as the cradle of the Renaissance. Under the Medici's patronage, significant portions of the city were meticulously rebuilt in the resplendent style of the Renaissance, setting the stage for the flourishing of arts, humanities, and scientific endeavors. Additionally, the Medici amassed a remarkable collection of artistic treasures, further cementing their legacy as patrons of the arts. Before dinner at a renowned winery, we will stop for a wine tasting to sample some of Tuscany’s finest local wines. This tasting will offer a chance to experience the region's unique flavors, including renowned reds like Chianti and Brunello while learning about the winemaking traditions passed down through generations.
Dinner:
At the winery.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Agriturismo, San Miniato, Piazzale Michelangelo, Italy Today
Location:
Florence
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Grand Hotel Adriatico
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 15 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day with extended periods of standing during site visits; marble flooring, uneven paths, cobblestones, loose gravel, and dirt paths. Gravel and dirt paths at the agriturismo. Unavoidable steps/stairs at sites.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent personal exploration to see and do what interests you most. You can also consult your suggested Free Time activities list in your program materials. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We'll meet at the appointed time to board a bus to Fiesole, a medieval village, to visit an agriturismo perched in the hills above Florence. If the weather is on our side, we'll have the opportunity to wander through olive groves while relishing the panoramic view of the city below.
Lunch:
At the agriturismo.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we reboard bus and ride up to San Miniato al Monte, one of Florence's oldest churches. This Romanesque basilica crowns the hill with its green-and-white marble façade and golden mosaic. Inside, we will see a raised choir over the crypt, marble inlay floors, and serene chapels; the adjoining cemetery holds notable Florentines. Step outside for one of the city's best viewpoints—San Miniato looks straight over the Arno to the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the rooftops of the historic center. On the way back down, we stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, the 19th-century terrace designed by Giuseppe Poggi. The square is famous for its sweeping, postcard-perfect panorama of Florence and its bronze copy of Michelangelo's David. In a classroom session at the hotel led by our Group Leader, we will delve into the intricate tapestry of Italian society, exploring its regional nuances and the profound influence of national institutions that continue to shape the lives of its residents with a lecture on Italy today. After our lecture, we will gather for a farewell aperitivo together at the hotel bar. This will be a chance to enjoy some light refreshments, share final conversations, and toast the time we've spent together before departing the next day.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy the local fare.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
10
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
In the hotel restaurant, guests with early departures will be provided with a convenient takeaway breakfast bag. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.