Italy
OUR STORY ITALY
“To laugh or cry is the most beautiful thing in the world” (Roberto Benigni, Life is Beautiful)
Experience the soul of Italy on an extraordinary 11-day journey weaving together the country’s rich Jewish heritage with its timeless cultural treasures.
From Rome’s ancient Jewish catacombs to Venice’s historic ghetto, this carefully curated journey connects you with Italy’s remarkable Jewish story and iconic world heritages treasures as we travel together throughout Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Milan and Lake Maggiore.
Along the way, you’ll also discover the art of pasta-making in the Tuscan countryside, sample wines at a family estate, and learn how to create ultra-creamy gelato. Marvel at masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David, glide through Venice’s romantic canals, and ascend scenic heights for breathtaking views of the Italian Alps. Each day brings new flavors to savor and new thought-provoking insights from history.
Moving at a thoughtful pace, this journey creates space for guided exploration while building lasting connections with fellow travelers who share a passion for meaningful travel. Our Story Italy is led by a professional Jewish educator and a local Italian guide. Groups are limited to 28 travelers for your comfort.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
The following is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on local considerations
DAY 1 | THURSDAY | BENVENUTI A ROMA!
- Arrive to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport on your self-booked flights
Optional private transfers are available to our accommodations in Rome, or arrange your own travel via taxi, Uber, etc. - Group Meeting #1 at 9:00am – Travel outside of Rome along the historic Appian Way to discover the unground history of Rome’s Jewish community at the 2nd century Vigna Randanini Jewish Catacombs
- Group Meeting #2 at 2:30pm – Explore the Jewish Quarter of Rome – Learn about a unique Jewish heritage that predates Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions as we visit the Great Synagogue of Rome and the Rome Jewish Museum
- Welcome dinner and orientation at Yotvata Restaurant in the Jewish Quarter
OVERNIGHT: ROME, ITALY
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY 2 | FRIDAY | ANCIENT ROME
- Enter the world of Vatican City on a tour, including visits to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Sistine Chapel
- Walk in the footsteps of the Roman Empire at the Roman Forum and view the Arch of Titus, which vividly recounts the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Roman Empire
- Continue on a guided tour of the Coliseum, the epic building where Gladiators once fought
- Our day ends by ascending Palatine Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, for a panoramic perspective on this ancient city
- Evening: Option to attend local Kabbalat Shabbat services followed by Shabbat dinner at Nonna Betta Restaurant in the Jewish Ghetto
OVERNIGHT: ROME, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3 | SATURDAY | SHABBAT IN THE JEWISH QUARTER
Free morning to explore Rome on your own or attend local Shabbat services
Lunch is included at Taverna Del Ghetto Restaurant
Afternoon walking tour of the Pantheon Temple, the Fontana di Trevi, and Spanish Steps
Spend the rest of the afternoon discovering high art and archeology at the Museo Nazionale Romano – Palazzo Altemps
Free evening and dinner on own
OVERNIGHT: ROME, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 4 | SUNDAY | TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE
Depart Rome and head north through the Tuscan countryside
Travel to the picturesque hillside town of Pitigliano – once known as “Little Jerusalem” – where we’ll learn about the historic Jewish community there
Sample the local delicacy – “Sfratti” – a sweet rod-shaped biscuit with a poignant Jewish origin story
Continue north to Florence, breaking for a tour and tasting at a Tuscan winery estate
Depart Rome and head north through the Tuscan countryside
Continue on to Florence – Ascend to the bell tower of Campanile Di Giotto for a panoramic view of Florence
Check-in, free evening and dinner on own in Florence
OVERNIGHT: FLORENCE, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 5 | MONDAY | JEWELS OF FLORENCE
Morning walking tour of Florence, including the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the Renaissance-era, Pitti Palace
Learn about the area’s rich Jewish history at the Great Synagogue of Florence
View Michelangelo’s David Statue at the Galleria Dell’ Accademia
Learn how to make your own mouth-watering at an Italian pasta cooking workshope
Evening: Dinner at Ruth’s Restaurant in Florence
OVERNIGHT: FLORENCE, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6 | TUESDAY | DELICACIES OF BOLOGNA
Depart Florence and continue to Bologna – tour a balsamic vinegar factory en route
Visit the University of Bologna – the world’s oldest university in continuous operation – followed by free time for lunch and exploration in Piazza Maggiore of Bologna
Sample local gelato and learn how it’s made at Gelato Museum Carpigiani
Continue north to Milan – Italy’s fashion capital – and check-in to our hotel
OVERNIGHT: MILAN, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 7 | WEDNESDAY | LAKE MAGGIORE
- Travel to Lake Maggiore in the Italian Alps highlands
- Board a ferry boat to the picturesque Isolla Bella and explore the island palace
- Continue to the lakefront town of Stresa for a group lunch overlooking the lake
- Explore the imposing castle at Rocca di Angerra towering over Lake Maggiore
- Return to Milan – Explore Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest and most grand shopping arcade
- Free evening to explore Milan and enjoy dinner on own
OVERNIGHT: MILAN, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 8 | THURSDAY | THE JEWISH GHETTO OF VENICE
- Depart Milan and travel towards Venice – Stopping to view “Juliet’s Balcony” in Verona along the way
- Board a water taxi bound for our centrally located Venice hotel
- Embark on an orientation tour of Venice’s waterways via traditional gondolas
- Trace the history of Venice’s Jewish community, and the advent of the world’s first ghetto, at the Museo Ebraico Di Venezia
- Check-in to our hotel in central Venice – Group night out at Piazza San Marco with dinner on own
OVERNIGHT: VENICE, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 9 | FRIDAY | ISLANDS OF VENICE
- Travel to Murano Island and visit a traditional Venetian glass-making factor
- Continue to Burano Island to take in its iconic brightly colored homes
- Return to central Venice in the late afternoon – visit the Peggy Guggenheim Museum
- Evening: Option to attend local Kabbalat Shabbat services followed by Shabbat dinner at Gam Gam Restaurant in the Jewish Ghetto
OVERNIGHT: VENICE, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 10 | SATURDAY | SHABBAT IN VENICE
- Free morning to explore Venice on your own or attend local Shabbat services
- Closing lunch and wrap-up conversation at Ghimmel Gardens Restaurant
- Walking tour of Venice, including visits to Doge’s Palace and the Basilica Di San Marco
- Free evening and dinner on own
OVERNIGHT: VENICE, ITALY
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 11 | SUNDAY | ARRIVEDERCI!
Check-out of the hotel and board a water taxi transfer to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport for morning flights
Meals Included: Breakfast
NOTE: We arrange for two complimentary transfers to the Venice airport this morning based on the largest cluster of scheduled flights, but we can not guarantee return airport transfers to accommodate all travelers
CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP
Authentic Europe welcomes the challenge of working side by side with you to craft your unique experience. Drawing from our extensive knowledge we will work with you to make sure your group will have the most enriching, enjoyable and educational experience possible.
Ensuring that your trip will fit your budget, interests, group size and preferences. No matter your groups expectations we will work tireless to guarantee a successful trip. Personalized itineraries, hand picked cities and sites our experts work with you and for you.
