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Rome, capital of the mightiest empire in history, is inextricably entwined with the histories and substance of Christianity, Judaism and Paganism, making this city a universal source of fascination. In Rome, you will have the opportunity to choose from among many exciting choices each day – it’s impossible to see it all in the Eternal City, but you can choose what’s most important for you. Rome has maintained amazing access to its ancient history, with the Colosseum around the corner from the Armani store. In this ancient place it is possible to truly comprehend the lessons for our future by, for example, standing in the Roman Forum where Caesar and Cicero actually orated. One can imagine half the population of Rome at a chariot race by peering into the Circus Maximus itself. Shopping in Rome is quite simply fabulous, and does not need to be expensive. It is impossible not to fall in love with the atmosphere of this city.

The Colosseum is still regarded as the most monumental architectural inheritance from ancient Rome. In Roman times, the Colosseum seated 50,000 roaring spectators who watched spine-chilling bloody shows involving gladiators and exotic animals shipped in from far corners of the Roman Empire and beyond. The Trevi Fountain, made famous in the film "La Dolce Vita," has recently been restored. It is an absolute gem, serving as the unofficial meeting place for throngs of young people, like you, from all over the world who gather there to meet new friends. Visitors still honor the ancient tradition of throwing a coin in this fountain before leaving Rome - thus assuring their return.

The Vatican has been a state since 1929 with the Pope as its absolute monarch. This tiny enclave in the heart of Rome is the administrative and spiritual capital of Roman Catholicism as well as the world's smallest independent state and only remaining European absolute monarchy. The Vatican has an astonishing collection of priceless artistic treasures and some of the most captivating architecture in the world, including St. Peter's Basilica, the heart of the Roman-Catholic world. The recently restored Sistine Chapel and its spectacular ceiling, painted by Michelangelo on his back over the course of five years, is the main chapel in the Vatican Palace. Popes are elected here by the College of Cardinals. In the ancient center of Rome sits the Pantheon, a mystery of engineering and the model for the domes of countless modern buildings. The Roman Forum was the commercial, political and religious center of ancient Rome. The site fell into disrepair when the Roman Empire fell, but today the Forum is an essential part of our exploration of Roman history. From the Forum you will climb the Palatine hill, where the emperors lived in their opulent palaces. Emperor Nero, among the most evil of emperors, built his "Golden House" near the Colosseum, regarded as the most pretentious palace ever built. The evocative ruins give you an unparalleled opportunity to project yourself into that age and time.

You will have the chance to take an optional excursion to the once-bustling port of Ancient Rome at Ostia Antica. Here you will enjoy the tranquility of the countryside outside of the Roman walls and have the freedom to wander the deserted city, exploring the theater and the sumptuous baths with their intricate mosaics. The excellent state of preservation of this ghost city will give you a great idea of what it was like to walk the streets as a Roman citizen.

Our final night in Rome consists of a magical walk down the historic Appian Way past ancient estates on the way to dinner under the stars in the most authentic of Italian settings. Arrivederci, Roma, as we depart for one of the best-kept secrets in Europe among the rolling hills and sunflowers of Tuscany.

In Tuscany, we have the incomparable experience of living on a beautifully restored 500-year-old estate that produces its own olive oils and wines and where you can pick your own vegetables for dinner after a swim in the warm afternoon sun. We have the rambling estate to explore, where you can walk and bike in the famous Tuscan light falling over the countryside, an equally unforgettable memory.

Tuscany exemplifies what Virginia Woolf called "the loveliest of all landscapes." You will have the opportunity to prepare a traditional dinner with a Tuscan chef at our estate. The sparkling pool beckons as the golden light fades, perfect for a water volleyball game or just some relaxation in the magical sunset for which Tuscany is justifiably famous. Spend an evening watching the swallows swoop after their evening meal as the sky lights up with brilliant stars.

This will be our base from which to explore Florence, the center of the Italian Renaissance, home to Michelangelo's "David" and the famous Duomo, as well as a series of artists such as Donatello, Leonarda da Vinci, and Dante. We will not supersaturate on art or museums, but will leave Florence with an enhanced understanding of the unique era in which the Renaissance artists worked and Medici family constructed their financial empire. The highlights of Florence include food, of course – we’ll taste homemade chocolate in a tiny boutique shop, feast on a delicious pizza dinner, and round it all off with our inimitable Gelato Tour of the best joints in town.

You’ll also have the option to see Siena, a town in the hills of Tuscany that has retained its medieval character and boasts what many consider to be the most beautiful central square in Europe – the site of the world-famous Palio (bareback horse race) every summer as well as the opening chase scene of the new James Bond movie!

After three magical days in Tuscany, our next stop is the equally impressive Cinque Terre – a paradise of rugged mountains, azure waters, white beaches, and vineyards. But before arriving in the Cinque Terre, we’ll stop in Pisa along the way, where we’ll see the Leaning Tower and much more, exploring the town and university where Galileo taught mathematics and learning about Pisa’s role in Allied bombing raids in World War II.

In the Cinque Terre, dramatic cliffs overlook the magnificent beaches of the Italian Riviera and spectacular hiking trails wind their way through age-old vineyards and fragrant lemon groves. We’ll have the chance to hike from town to town, enjoying the unforgettable views of the sparkling turquoise sea below.

The Cinque Terre (Five Lands), are home to a National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have the option to hike from town to town on trails amidst lemon groves and vineyards, or if hiking is not for you then there’s always the train or a charming ferry to take us from village to village. For those who hike, the view of the rocky coast and vineyard-lined hills is stunning. This is a magical destination for the atmosphere, climate, traditions and cuisine of the area, and will not be the best kept secret in Italy for much longer.

You will be reluctant to leave the Cinque Terre, but on the way to our next stop, Venice, we stop at a country estate still owned by the Medici family and learn about the fascinating fine art of making traditional balsamic vinegar. Here we’ll sit down to a feast of local products and taste the various grades of balsamic vinegar combined with meats, cheeses, and yes – even homemade vanilla ice cream. Our final stop is the most romantic city in history – Venice.

Wandering the labyrinthine alleyways of Venice on foot is the only way to see this city, founded by refugees in a muddy lagoon as the Roman Empire crumbled. Those early Venetians could never have imagined the enormous wealth gained by trade with the Orient that would build their city into the decadent jewel that it has become, a strangely wonderful hybrid of Eastern and Western architectural styles. Shopping in the tiny canal-streets of Venice is a cultural experience in itself. Learning how to make Venetian glass, understanding the cuisine based on its seagoing past, and soaking up the atmosphere that once drew ex-pats in droves is all part of the fun.

There are no cars or even bicycles cruising its streets – only pedestrians and boats of all shapes and sizes. We will live Venice as the natives do – taking the public transportation system of water buses and exploring its nooks and crannies by foot. You may take coffee and enjoy strains of classical music wafting in the breeze in what Napoleon called “the finest drawing room in Europe,” the Piazza San Marco, or you may ascend the staggering bell tower for a bird’s eye view of the 117 tiny islands that compose the city. We’ll learn about Marco Polo and the mighty Venetian empire in the imposing Ducal Palace, and we’ll come to understand Venice’s unique relationship with the sea. Venice’s island of Murano is famous for its glass-making and we will spend time with the glassmakers themselves watching them create modern-day masterpieces. There will also be time for shopping, as Venice is the place to find one of a kind jewelry and glass decorative objects that can be found nowhere else. We’ll stroll through this magical water-bound city, soak up the atmosphere of the open-air fish market, and take in the majesty of the golden Basilica di San Marco.

The farewells that are sadly necessary after our beautiful last night in Italy under the moonlight are often tearful. However, we part confident that the coins we threw into the Trevi Fountain in Rome on our first day will, indeed, guarantee our return someday.