See historical attractions that define Padua, including the basilica named for Saint Anthony, whose remains are buried there. While browsing the interior of this magnificent 13th-century basilica, you will likely see pilgrims praying as they place their hands on the green marble slab that covers Saint Anthony’s tomb. The city’s roots go back to the Roman Empire and the past is still venerated, especially in public squares such as the Piazza della Frutta, where you will find the medieval Ragione Palace, the oldest building in Padua. Other highlights include the elegant Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy, and the astronomical clock that overlooks the Piazza dei Signori. Be sure to notice the clock’s unusual 24-hour dial that the hands go around but once a day. After free time to further explore the city center, you will transfer to the Venice Airport leaving plenty of time to make your flight.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Padua’s most iconic landmarks on a guided walk through the historical city center.
• Enjoy an interior visit of the 13th-century basilica that holds the remains of St. Anthony.
• Take advantage of free time in Padua to explore independently.
• Transfer to the Venice Airport with plenty of time to catch your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the spectacularly preserved mosaics that prompted UNESCO to declare many of Ravenna’s early Christian monuments a World Heritage site. These buildings from the 5th and 6th centuries display Greco-Roman traditions, Christian iconography and extraordinary artistic flair. Almost all of the 1,500-year-old mosaics in the Sant’Apollinare Nuovo basilica are intact, including ones showing the Last Supper and baby Jesus with the Virgin Mary. You will also tour the San Vitale Basilica, which was begun by the Goths and finished under Byzantine rule in 548 AD. Its Byzantine mosaics are considered the finest in the Western world. During free time, be sure to visit the tomb of the poet Dante, who died in Ravenna in 1321. The mound of dirt to the right of his tomb is where Dante’s urn was buried to protect it from bombing during World War II. You will later be transferred to the Bologna airport in time for your flight.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Ravenna’s extraordinary mosaics, many of them in UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Marvel at the rich colors in the detailed mosaics, even in ones that are 1,500 years old.
• Spend free time shopping or visiting other attractions that sound appealing.
• Transfer to the Bologna Airport with plenty of time to catch your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the architectural ruins on Palatine Hill, where Rome’s emperors lived for centuries until the fall of the empire. The elliptical Colosseum may well be the most recognizable Roman building from ancient times, and while pausing to snap photos of its exterior you will hear about the amphitheater’s notorious past as a venue for everything from gladiatorial games to public executions. A few steps away, you will find Palatine Hill, home to numerous imperial palaces, the first being the 1st-century Domus Tiberiana. This palace complex includes residential quarters, places of worship and rooms for the guards that protected the emperor. You will also visit the nearby Roman Forum, the center of ancient life in Rome. There, emperors were crowned, elections were held and speeches were given that changed the course of the empire. Following this deep dive into antiquity, you will enjoy free time to shop and dine in Venice Square.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Behold the exterior of the Colosseum, Rome’s iconic and notorious amphitheater.
• Walk among the ruins of the imperial palaces built on the slopes of Palatine Hill.
• Visit the Roman Forum, the center of ancient life in Rome.
• Spend free time shopping and dining on your own in Venice Square.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Almost perfectly preserved Lucca still resides within high walls, though they are now topped by green parkland. Take a guided walk through the old town, with its medieval towers and nearly 100 churches. Stroll from piazza to piazza, and absorb the city’s history through its architecture. The Duomo, Lucca’s Romanesque cathedral, dates from the 12th century and features a façade with elaborate reliefs and columns.

The Gothic interior includes an image of Christ on the cross, supposedly carved by Nicodemus, a purported witness of the crucifixion. The Duomo also boasts Tintoretto's magnificent painting of the Last Supper. You’ll have free time in Lucca to explore, do some shopping, or sample the local cuisine.

Once a powerful maritime republic, and a rival to Genoa and Venice, Pisa offers a Renaissance splendor of its own. A short, guided walk leads to the dramatic Miracle Square, with an array of elegant buildings in Pisa’s own Romanesque style.

Here you’ll find the Campo Santo, a cemetery with some handsome architecture; the Baptistery, with a statue of St. John the Baptist on top of its dome; and the Duomo, Pisa’s medieval cathedral. You’ll recognize its freestanding bell tower immediately as the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Galileo is said to have used the 180-foot tower during his experiments with gravity. Today it leans 14-degrees from perpendicular. Recently reopened, admittance to the tower is limited and is not included in this excursion.

Live like a local by browsing one of Europe’s oldest markets and enjoying traditional treats and beverages. Your culinary immersion will begin at the Central Market, one of the oldest markets in Europe. With more than 200 shops and stalls, the late 19th-century Art Nouveau-style market attracts those seeking extraordinarily fresh produce, cheeses and meats. Virtually every iconic Italian food, condiment and beverage is on display. While meandering from stall to stall, you can expect the aroma of freshly ground coffee, baked goods and exotic spices to be wafting through the air. Samples may be offered to whet your appetite for the chickpea pancake tasting that follows. This popular street food is a thin flatbread that is typically crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and spectacularly flavorful. As a complement, you will visit the New Venice district for a cup of Ponce Livornese, a restorative rum-and-coffee concoction that locals often order as digestives following dinner.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Browse the hundreds of shops and stalls in Livorno’s bustling Central Market.
• Enjoy samples that vendors offer and a remarkably flavorful chickpea pancake afterwards.
• Savor a classic spiked coffee drink that locals usually order as a digestive following meals.