Highlights of Italy tour – 9 Days
Rome
- Guided walking tour of Rome
- Admire the beautiful interior of the Pantheon
- Take in bustling Piazza Navona
- Visit the iconic Trevi Fountain
- Enjoy Piazza di Spagna and take a photo on the famous Spanish Steps
- Tour the Coliseum in Rome
- Visit The Roman Forum
- Exploration on Via del Corso
- Tour the Castello Sant’Angelo
- Discover Vatican City: guided tour of the Vatican Museums + St. Peter’s Basilica
Assisi
- Visit the Rocca Maggiore
Florence
- Get immersed in Tuscan history and architecture in the Piazza della Signoria
- Visit Renaissance masterpieces at the Galleria dell’Accademia
- Visit the Uffizi Gallery Museum
- Enjoy an Italian pizza cooking class
- Discover Basilica of Santa Croce
- Explore the grand outdoor leather market – Mercato Centrale
- See Florence’s main highlights: Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Republica, Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo).
Participate in an authentic Italian cooking class (because who doesn’t love pizza & pasta?). We will also explore the Roman Empire with its history centered in Rome & Italy.
From ancient ruins to modern marvels and ancient history to modern art, you will fall in love with (if not in) Italy.
Student trip itineraries are completely customizable for your group, desires, and needs.
Day 1 - Travel to Italy!
Depart on your overnight flight, via connection(s) to Italy.
Day 2 - Buongiorno Roma!
Arrive at Rome, Italy’s capital city. Meet your Evolve guide excited to spend the rest of the trip with you! Transfer to your hotel, check in and freshen up. Begin our exploration with a guided walking tour of the Rome by a local guide, learning about the rich history and culture of the capitol while taking in some of the city’s historic and stunning landmarks.
Day 3 - Explore Ancient Rome
After breakfast, head to the historic Piazza Navona. Originally built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian in the 1st century AD, it was then the city’s main market for almost 300 years. Walk over to Piazza della Rotonda where the Pantheon is located. Hailed as an architectural masterpiece, this ancient building dates back to 125 AD. Enjoy some time to explore the interior at your leisure, then we’ll head towards the famous Trevi Fountain. As we continue our walking tour, we’ll depart to one of the most famous squares in Rome: the Piazza di Spagna. Next, head to the Piazza del Colosseo to visit the famous Colosseum on a self-guided tour, and see the enduring symbol of the Eternal City. Get ready to be impressed by the sophistication and beauty of the old Roman Forum which remains part of the modern city.
Day 4 - Travel to Florence via Assisi
Travel north by private coach bus to Assisi. Visit the Rocca Maggiore to squeeze though the long, dark passages, and peek through the archer holes at hills in the distance. Climb up the highest point of the castle for a commanding view of the Assisi and Umbria countryside. View the Basilica of St. Francisco. Enjoy lunch in Assisi. Continue on to Florence. Florence is known as one of the most charming cities in all of Europe. It is also known for its museums and for its art galleries which are unlike any in the rest of the world. Participate in an Italian cooking workshop. Learn how to cook like true Italians, then enjoy the fruits of our labor for dinner!
Day 5 - Discover Florence
After breakfast, head to the Uffizi Gallery Museum to see Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo and other masterpieces. This is an unmissable opportunity to see one of Italy’s top most visited museums, after the Vatican. Enjoy lunch and exploration in Piazza della Signoria, the main square in Florence. Admire breathtaking historical landmarks of 14th Century Loggia dei Lanzi and 13th Century Palazzo Vecchio. Then walk over to the Basilica of Santa Croce for a visit.
Day 6 - Explore Florence
After breakfast, we visit the Galleria dell’Accademia to see the original sculpture David by Michelangelo, which has been housed here since 1873. Discover the Mercato Centrale for browsing in this large outdoor market with amazing leather goods and other shops. Lunch at Piazza della Republica, which was the city’s old forum. Then, discover the Piazza del Duomo and see the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Enjoy dinner as a group before discovering the essence of Florence by walking along the Lugarno and over to the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
Day 7 - Travel to Rome
Depart by italia rail south towards Roma. Enjoy lunch and exploration for the afternoon on the famous Via del Corso. This massive boulevard, which runs from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo, is filled with stores from top to bottom.
Day 8 - Discover Vatican City
After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit of Vatican City. We will visit St Peter’s Basilica, as well as other highlights such as the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. If we’re lucky the Pope might even wave to us from his apartment high above St Peter’s square. After take in the impressive interior of St. Peter’s Basilica. Enjoy lunch in the area. Then head over the famous Castello Sant’ Angelo for a visit. This building was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. It would be later used by the popes as a castle and a fortress.
Day 9 - Travel Home
Transfer to the airport and boeard your group flight home.
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AirfareRoundtrip group airfare to Italy
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Coach BusTransfer from Rome to Assisi to Florence by coach
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Public TransitPublic transportation in Rome, led by your Evolve leader
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HotelsCentrally located, student friendly, 3 * minimum, acclaimed hotels
Daily breakfast and dinner included in tour. Meals at locally owned and run restaurants and accommodations serving authentic cuisine sufficient for all appetites.
Nearly 700,000 euros worth of coins are tossed into Rome’s Trevi Fountain each year
