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Italy is scooters zooming down narrow cobblestone streets, the smell of espresso in the morning, the crumbling vestiges of the world’s greatest empire, the incredible marvels of the Renaissance, fresh local food, and a warm sense of hospitality. Italy’s many layers of history present us with a fascinating modern-day country where ancient buildings house contemporary cutting-edge fashion boutiques, and where Ferraris dart along roads built by the Ancient Romans. History, art, fashion, shopping, and cuisine are all on the menu for our unique Italy adventure – as always featuring the experiences, priorities and details that make us travelers, not tourists.

We spend time in a number of different regions in Italy, digging beneath the layers of the past to understand the cultures and histories of each of these timeless places. We compare the cuisines, we connect the stories, we meet Italians, and we absorb the individual tastes of each place.

We begin our journey in Venice, the enigmatic floating city that will enchant you with its maze-like alleyways and magnificent crumbling palaces on the Grand Canal. Next, after a stop at Pisa, we’re off to the dramatic mountains and turquoise Mediterranean waters of the Cinque Terre, on the northeast coast of Italy. Here we’ll enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of an authentic Italian fishing village. The rolling hills of Tuscany await, where we will relax at our country estate and make day trips to Florence and Siena.

Rome is our final destination, where we’ll trace the history of Italy from its earliest origins through the glories of empire, the rise of Catholicism, and the renewal of the Renaissance.

Our accommodations, activities and meals in Italy all reflect our genuine motivation to provide an authentic, real cultural experience to all of our participants. As on all of our trips, we incorporate choice and flexibility so that each participant can zero in on those aspects he or she finds most interesting, meaningful, and fun.