We will take an Italian vacation – the way the Italians do it, spending several days in each location. We will enjoy the Italian culture, cuisine, and customs, just the way Italy intended (La Dolce Vita, “the sweet life.”). We will be guided by Italians who take pride in the authenticity of their tours – they are showing off their country.

Yes. During the first 5 days, you can forego a day excursion to stay at the resort and enjoy the beach and a walk in the 17-acre forest. During the final 9 days you can forego an art tour to shop, explore, or chill out in a café. Evenings are usually free for you to do as you like.

• Breakfast will be continental style, with a variety of foods, including hard boiled eggs.
• Boxed lunches will be prepared by our hotel for each full-day bus tour.
• Dinner will often be buffet style, with a wide range of Italian food, including a vegetarian entree.

Starting on Day 9 we will eat breakfast  at the hotel (covered by fee) and individually buy lunch and dinner at selected restaurants.

No. One great thing about this tour is its regional focus. We stay in one place and travel via motor coach on day excursions to visit other sites. We will stay in only three hotels the entire trip. 

Tuscany Hotel

We will use a First Class hotel on the coast on the Tuscan Riviera.  This resort is located on a private beach with umbrellas and chairs for hotel guests (free of charge), with crystal clear water on the Gulf Argentario between Porto Santo Stefano, the island of Giglio, and a few miles from the tourist port of Talamone.

Tuscany Hotel Pool

The Hotel has 87 updated modern comfortable rooms with private baths, hair dryer, and telephone. The complex has 600 meters of private beach, 7 hectares of pine forest, and a small lake. Sport activities include: swimming, tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and bocce ball. The restaurant, with a huge terrace overlooking the sea, serves typical local specialties of Italian cuisine.

We will stay in a conveniently located 3-star hotel in Florence within walking distance of the major sites. Each hotel is different with a classic European style.

Rome Hotel

The hotel in Rome is a first class Art Nouveau hotel, located one block from Rome’s Vatican Museums, two blocks from Saint Peter’s Cathedral, and 1½ miles from the Pantheon, is a strategic choice for leisure travelers.

Rome Interior

In the past this grand hotel was a papal palace and today is a fine example of glamour, history, comfort, and great location. The 82 air-conditioned guestrooms, recently renovated, are spacious and elegant with traditional furnishings, tiled baths, satellite TV, mini-bars, hair-dryers, direct-dial telephones, and the warm atmosphere of its staff also characterizes the hotel. It has an elevator and breakfast area.

Past tour participants ages range from young to young at heart, 20s to 80s. The majority are mature professionals and retirees.

Past participants have joined our tours from all corners of North America. Travelers tend to be well-educated, flexible, and curious. Our tour guests are open-minded and enjoy the company of other seasoned travelers.

Between 16 and 40 people plus tour leaders Matthew and Julie Beaufort. So everyone can hear easily, tour participants will be provided with an earbud that clearly delivers the guide’s commentary on the microphone.

For the first 9 days of the tour we will typically leave the hotel between 8:30-9 am and return between 5-6 pm. Most of these days we will travel on our private bus for 45 minutes to an hour to the city we visit that day.

On the final five days of the tour we will typically leave the hotel at 9:30 am and return around 5 pm.

For great views of scenic Tuscany and idyllic Umbria we will travel in comfortable mini buses with expert drivers.

Rome to Florence we’ll take a fast-speed train round trip.

The easiest way to get around Rome, where there are no-traffic zones, is on the Metro (the subway).

In Florence everything is close so we’ll walk, except we’ll take a van to San Miniato on the mountain.

You can expect to walk, occasionally up and down hills. Many of the historical centers do not allow motorized vehicles, therefore, we must walk. A good pair of comfortable walking shoes is a must! 

You will find temperatures in Italy very similar to the mid-Atlantic temperatures in the US. It is wise to layer clothing in preparation for warmer days and cooler evenings. Averages for the time we will be there: low temperatures in the high 50’s and high temperatures in the high 70’s and mid 80’s

Yes, we will provide details later.

You will receive a detailed final itinerary 1 week prior to departure via e-mail

Yes. In your departure package there will be contact information of tour representatives. In case of any last minute changes or emergencies, you can contact your representatives directly. You may also call the hotel of your first destination with all pertinent information.

• Northern Italy: Venice, Milan, Lake Como, and the astonishing art of The Temples of Humankind at Damanhur
• France: The Art of Paris and Great Gothic Cathedrals
• Nepal and Tibet: Sacred Art and Sacred Places