Best of italy

The Best of Italy tour takes you through the legendary canals of Venice; the romantic streets of art-filled Florence; the ancient wonders of Rome; and all the spots you'll discover for yourself.

Day 1

Toronto – Rome

Depart from Toronto on an overnight flight to Venice, Italy.

Day 2

Venice (D)

Upon arrival in Venice, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
The unique nature of Venice has amazed people since the very beginning of its existence. A city rising in the middle of a lagoon, with water flowing between streets, intruding in front of houses and shops, seemed as weird a thousand years ago, as it seems today. Venice is made up of more than 100 islands all linked by bridges and this makes it necessary to walk to most places.
After check in at the hotel, take an orientation tour Venice so that you may get acquainted with your surroundings.

Day 3

Venice (B)

This morning, a wonderful day begins with a walking tour which introduces you to Marco Square, beautiful in its proportions and romantically facing the canal of San Marco. Visit to the 11th century San Marco’s Basilica and the adjacent Doge’s Palace which was the seat of the former rulers of the Republic of Venice.
Your afternoon is at leisure for teacher led activities.

Day 4

Venice - Florence

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and make your way to Santa Lucia Train Station. Travel to Florence. Founded by Julius Caesar, Florence is a small compact city: its narrow streets open unexpectedly into spacious squares, populated by strollers and pigeons. A visit to Florence is a visit to the living museum of Italian Renaissance. The Renaissance began right here and the city bears witness to the proud spirit and unparalleled genius of its artist and artisans. This place has more sights to visit within one square kilometre than any other city in Europe. And, it is also a shopper's paradise: countless shops laden with jewelery of Florentine gold and silver, exquisite leather goods, chic fashion houses and the straw market where you will find great bargains.
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel.
This afternoon, meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby and enjoy a guided walking tour of Florence.
The highlights of the tour are; Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria – considered the city’s most beautiful square, it is an outdoor museum of marvelous statuary and fountains, the Palazzo Vecchio, the 14th century Ponte Vecchio lined with expensive jewelry shops, the lovely Piazza del Duomo where you find S. Maria del Fiore Cathedral (the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence); Giotto’s Campanile; and the Baptistery’s incomparable bronze doors by Pisano and Ghiberti – said by Michelangelo to be worthy of the Gates of Paradise.
Dinner and overnight in Florence.

Day 5

Florence (B)

Following breakfast, your tour guide will lead you to the famous Accademia Museum, the centre of art known from the medieval time which house priceless collection of sculptures and painting. Here you will see an extraordinary group of Michelangelo sculptures. There are seven in all, the most admired of them is David; the most famous male nude in the history of art.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore the city on your own. You may want to visit the San Lorenzo open air market with over 500 booths selling typical Florentine souvenirs. The market is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Day 6

Florence - Rome (B/D)

Following an early breakfast, check out and travel to Rome by train. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. In this afternoon’s agenda is a guided tour of Imperial Rome. Rome’s past and present come alive as you see Piazza and Palazzo Venezia (where Mussolini frequently harangued his cheering Black Shirts); the Roman Forum which was the city's religious, political and commercial centre in the days of Caesars; the Circus Maximus and the Imperial Palaces on Palatino Hill. Your tour includes a visit to Colosseum. It was its colossal size that gave the Colosseum its name, but it was its game of bizarre cruelty that made this the most famous building in Rome. 50,000 people could be seated with enviable efficiency. The games were organized carefully; gladiators were recruited from the ranks of those condemned to death and war prisoners. During the years when Christians were literally thrown to the lions along with other "criminals", Claudius used to arrive at dawn to see the spectacle.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 7

Rome (B)

This morning you will tour Vatican City. The Vatican has its own flag and national anthem, mints its own coinage, prints its own postage stamps, has its own polyglot daily newspaper and is an independent state ruled by the Pope, the only absolute sovereign in Europe. All these activities take place in an area just over 100 acres, a considerable part of which is taken up by St. Peter's, the world's largest basilica in the world’s smallest state.
Your guided tour includes St Peter’s basilica, the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, famous for its beautiful ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore the many beautiful sights Rome has to offer such as the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and many more…

Day 8

Rome (B/D)

The entire day is at leisure to revisit some of your favourite sights or perhaps souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell group dinner this evening.

Day 9

Rome - Toronto (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, arriving in Toronto the same afternoon.

Tour inclusions

Return airfare: Toronto/Venice – Rome/Toronto
Arrival and departure transfers including assistance.
7 nights’ hotel accommodation with private facilities in centrally located hotels. Students will be accommodated in triple/quad bedded rooms. Teachers in twin occupancy rooms.
Continental breakfast daily includes: croissants, bread, biscuits, cereals, jam, butter, yogurt, ham and cheese, coffee, tea, juice
4 dinners (3 course meals excluding drinks) as shown in the itinerary

Venice

Transfer by private boat from Venice airport to hotel with assistance
Guided orientation tour of Venice
Guided tour of San Marco Square and Doges Palace (including audio headsets)
Entrance and reservation fee for Doges Palace

Florence

Train ticket to Florence
Half-day guided walking tour of the Florence including audio headsets (3 hours)
Guided tour of Accademia including reservation and entrance fee

Rome

Transfer from train station to hotel including assistance
Half-day guided tour of Imperial Rome
Entrance to Colosseum & Roman Forum (including audio headsets)
Transfer by coach from hotel to Vatican City
Half-day guided tour of the Vatican (4 hours)
Entrance to Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica (including audio headsets)
Transfer to Rome airport
Local Taxes: Venice, Florence, Rome visitors hospitality tax

* All tours can be adjusted to suit the needs of the school. Please contact STS Tours for details on a customized tour.