This is a Global Expeditions Travel Club Trip:

September 18 - 25, 2010 Trip is SOLD OUT!

Explore the beauty and history of Tuscany and Rome with an exciting 8 Day Global Expeditions Travel Club group tour to Italy. Starting in Florence and ending in Rome, join us as we tour the beautiful Tuscan region including San Gimignano and Florence. Participate in an Italian cooking demonstration, enjoy wine tasting in the Chianti region, walk through the amazing history of Rome and the Vatican with an experienced guide, witness the splendor of the Sistine Chapel, and much more.

This group tour is full of amazing history, breathtaking landscapes, incredible food and wine, and - as it is with all Global Expeditions Club group tours - wonderful new friendships that will last a lifetime. And at this price, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything equal!


Make Friends. Travel the World. The Global Expeditions Club is a unique and exciting social travel club open to anyone interested in traveling to exciting destinations around the world with other like-minded adventurers. Membership is free. Please see The Global Expeditions Club website for more details about the club.

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Florence. Group dinner (D).
Day 2: Guided tour of Florence. (B)
Day 3: Full day guided tour of San Gimignano. Italian cooking demonstration. Wine tasting tour in Chianti. (B, L)
Day 4: Full day at leisure to explore Florence. (B)
Day 5: Florence to Rome through the Tuscan countryside. (B)
Day 6: Full day guided tour of Rome, Vatican and Sistine Chapel. (B)
Day 7: Free day at leisure to explore Rome. (B)
Day 8: Trip ends, transfer to Rome airport (see Important Information section below). (B)


Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1
Arrive in Florence. Group welcome dinner (D)

Welcome to Italy. Should your flight arrive between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, you can choose to take the 11:45 AM group transfer into Florence to our hotel. If not, you can easily transfer via taxi to the hotel on your own (see Important Information section below for details).

Either way, the group will meet this evening at the hotel for an included welcome dinner. Here you will get a chance to meet all of your fellow travel companions for what is sure to be the start of many great friendships!

Day 2
Guided tour of Florence. (B)

Starting the day off after breakfast, we head out on a guided tour of the magical city of Florence. Being the heart of the Tuscan region, Florence seeps with history and beauty. Known as the Athens of the Middle Ages and the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, it once was the center of medieval European trade and finance and, in its time, one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Because of this rich history, and a centuries old love for extraordinary architecture and art, today Florence is simply known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Among the places that we will visit today are the Academy of Fine Arts, Piazza Della Signoria (to see a replica of Michalangelo’s David statue), Palazzo Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo (for stunning views of the city), Ponte Vecchio (the famous pedestrian bridge lined with shops), and we will get the chance to tour through the impressive Cathedral di Santa Maria.

In the evening we’ll head out into town with our fellow club members.

Day 3
San Gimignano. Italian cooking demonstration. Wine tasting (B, L)

Getting a bright and early start, we will travel through the Tuscan countryside to the picturesque, medieval hill-town of San Gimignano. Famous for its impressive towers and quaint atmosphere, San Gimignano is one of the main attractions in Tuscany.

After touring the town, we will participate in an Italian cooking demonstration which will end up as our delicious lunch. Included in the demonstration is the preparation of a proper tomato sauce, pasta, olive oils, bruschetta, vegetables and various Italian meats. We’ll also enjoy some local wines.

Following lunch we will visit the beautiful Castello Verrazzano winery in the Chianti region for a private wine tasting of different local wines.

In the evening we return to Florence.

Day 4
Full day at leisure to explore Florence. (B)

Today is a free day to spend as you like. You may want to venture off with the group to relax in one of the numerous cafes that line the many ancient piazzas in Florence and later stop by a local specialty shop and pick up a bottle of local wine, cheese, bread and olives and spend the day in leisure... Italian style!

Day 5
Florence to Rome through Tuscan countryside. (B)

Following breakfast, we will again travel through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, this time to the south enroute to the city of Rome. Arriving in Rome, we will have the afternoon free to wander through and explore the quaint streets of this magnificent city.

Day 6
Full day guided tour of Rome, Vatican and Sistine Chapel. (B)

Today we will enjoy a full day guided tour of Rome and the Vatican. Rich with an incredible amount of history that has been lovingly preserved and integrated with modern life of the city, Rome is full of surprises and wonder.

Today's tour will encompass some of Rome and the Vatican's prize sights. Included will be a visit to the Vatican, including the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and more. If you haven't been to Rome before, you will most certainly be awed by its awesome beauty and amazing history.

Day 7
Free day at leisure to explore Rome. (B)

Today is a free day to spend as you like. Venture off with your new friends, explore more of this impressive city or simply relax in a picturesque piazza with a cup of Italian coffee or wine. Your options are limitless.

Whatever you decide, tonight we will get together for an informal and optional last night out with the group.

Day 8
Trip ends, transfer to Rome airport (see Important Information section below). (B)

Today your Global Expeditions Club group trip ends. Should you wish to take the group transfer to Rome airport, then we leave at 7:00 AM. If not, transfer to the Rome airport on your own via train or taxi (see Important Information section below for details).

Full of new dreams, incredible experiences, and a multitude of memories, we bid fond farewells to our new friends, ready to excitedly share our amazing adventures with our family and friends back home. And while the trip ends today, we know that our experiences in Italy will surely live with us for years to come.