OUR STORY ITALY
Experience the heart and spirit of Italy on an unforgettable 11-day adventure that intertwines the country’s profound Jewish heritage with its world-famous art, culture, and cuisine.
From the centuries-old Jewish catacombs of Rome to the storied ghetto of Venice, this thoughtfully designed itinerary reveals the enduring Jewish story woven through Italy’s history. Together, we’ll journey through Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Milan, and the serene shores of Lake Maggiore – connecting the country’s vibrant Jewish past with its timeless cultural landmarks.
Between each city, you’ll immerse yourself in authentic Italian experiences: roll fresh pasta in a sun-kissed Tuscan kitchen, savor wines at a family-run vineyard, and master the craft of velvety-smooth gelato. Admire Michelangelo’s legendary David, drift along Venice’s poetic canals, and take in panoramic Alpine vistas that stir the soul. Every moment invites you to taste, feel, and reflect on the living tapestry of Italy’s story.
Designed for those who seek both depth and delight, this journey moves at a comfortable, mindful pace – blending guided exploration with opportunities to form lasting bonds among fellow travelers who value meaningful discovery. Our Story Italy is led by a passionate Jewish educator and an expert local Italian guide, with group sizes limited to just 28 travelers for a personal and enriching travel experience.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
DAY #1 | THURSDAY | Benvenuti a Roma!
- Arrive at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino) on your independently booked flight.
Optional private transfers can be arranged to our hotel in Rome, or you may choose to take a taxi, Uber, or other local transport. - Morning (9:00am): Begin your Italian adventure with a journey beyond the city walls along the legendary Appian Way, uncovering the fascinating underground legacy of Jewish life at the 2nd-century Vigna Randanini Jewish Catacombs.
- Afternoon (2:30pm): Explore Rome’s Jewish Quarter, one of the oldest continuous Jewish communities in the world. Visit the magnificent Great Synagogue of Rome and the Jewish Museum, where ancient stories and artifacts illuminate a heritage that predates both Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions.
- Evening: Gather for a festive welcome dinner and orientation at Yotvata Restaurant in the heart of the Jewish Quarter.
Overnight: Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY #2 | FRIDAY | Ancient Rome
- Step into the heart of history with a guided visit to Vatican City, including St. Paul’s Cathedral and the world-renowned Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes.
- Continue your exploration at the Roman Forum and the Arch of Titus, which poignantly portrays the fall of Jerusalem during the Roman Empire. Wander through the mighty Colosseum, imagining the roar of ancient crowds within its monumental walls.
- End the day with panoramic views from Palatine Hill, one of the original Seven Hills of Rome.
- Evening: Option to attend Kabbalat Shabbat services at a local synagogue, followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner at Nonna Betta in the Jewish Ghetto.
Overnight: Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #3 | SATURDAY | Shabbat in the Jewish Quarter
- Enjoy a relaxed morning – attend Shabbat services or take time to wander Rome’s cobbled streets at your own pace.
- Lunch: Shared meal at Taverna Del Ghetto, known for its authentic Roman-Jewish cuisine.
- In the afternoon, set out on a walking tour of Rome’s iconic landmarks, including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps. Continue to the Museo Nazionale Romano – Palazzo Altemps, where art and archaeology reveal layers of ancient civilization.
- Evening: Free for personal exploration and dinner on your own.
Overnight: Rome, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY #4 | SUNDAY | Tuscan Countryside
- Depart Rome and travel north through the rolling Tuscan countryside, filled with olive groves, vineyards, and medieval hill towns.
- Stop in Pitigliano, affectionately known as “Little Jerusalem”, to uncover the moving story of its historic Jewish community. Taste Sfratti, a traditional honey-and-nut pastry born from Jewish roots.
- Continue to a family-run Tuscan winery, where you’ll enjoy a vineyard tour and wine tasting amid stunning rural scenery.
- Upon arrival in Florence, ascend the Giotto’s Campanile Bell Tower for sweeping views of the city’s terracotta rooftops. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening to explore and dine independently.
Overnight: Florence, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY #5 | MONDAY | Jewels of Florence
- This morning, embark on a walking tour of Florence’s Renaissance treasures, crossing the charming Ponte Vecchio Bridge and visiting the Pitti Palace, once home to the Medici family.
- Discover Florence’s Great Synagogue, an architectural gem symbolizing the city’s Jewish legacy. Marvel at Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia, a timeless masterpiece of human artistry.
- Later, take part in an interactive pasta-making workshop, where you’ll craft and savor authentic Italian dishes from scratch.
- Evening: Dinner at Ruth’s Kosher Restaurant, celebrating Jewish-Italian flavors and warm Florentine hospitality.
Overnight: Florence, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #6 | TUESDAY | Delicacies of Bologna
- Depart Florence for Bologna, a city famous for its culinary excellence and scholarly tradition. En route, tour a balsamic vinegar factory to see how this prized delicacy is made.
- Visit the prestigious University of Bologna, the world’s oldest university still in operation. Enjoy free time for lunch and exploration around Piazza Maggiore, surrounded by grand arcades and medieval architecture.
- Sweeten your afternoon at the Gelato Museum Carpigiani, where you’ll learn the art of making Italy’s favorite dessert.
- Continue north to Milan, Italy’s dynamic fashion and cultural capital, and settle into your hotel for the evening.
Overnight: Milan, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY #7 | WEDNESDAY | Lake Maggiore
- Head north into the scenic Italian Alps to the serene shores of Lake Maggiore.
- Board a ferry to Isola Bella, one of the lake’s enchanting islands, and explore the baroque Borromeo Palace and its lush gardens.
- Enjoy a group lunch overlooking the glittering lake in the charming town of Stresa, then visit the hilltop Rocca di Angera, a medieval castle offering panoramic views of the region.
- Return to Milan, where you’ll have time to stroll through the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping arcade, before an evening at leisure to dine or relax as you wish.
Overnight: Milan, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY #8 | THURSDAY | The Jewish Ghetto of Venice
- Depart Milan and journey east toward the shimmering canals of Venice, pausing en route in Verona to glimpse the romantic Juliet’s Balcony, immortalized by Shakespeare.
- Upon arrival, board a water taxi to reach our centrally located hotel, surrounded by the timeless beauty of Venice’s lagoon.
- Settle in and embark on an orientation tour gliding through the city’s narrow waterways aboard traditional gondolas—a quintessential Venetian experience.
- Later, trace the roots of one of Europe’s most storied Jewish communities at the Museo Ebraico di Venezia, located in the world’s very first Jewish Ghetto, established in 1516. Learn how Jewish life and culture flourished here within the heart of the Renaissance.
- After check-in, enjoy an evening stroll through Piazza San Marco, where music drifts through the night air and dinner is on your own at one of the nearby cafés or trattorias.
Overnight: Venice, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY #9 | FRIDAY | Islands of Venice
- Sail to Murano Island, world-renowned for its centuries-old glassblowing tradition. Watch master artisans shape molten glass into delicate art pieces.
- Continue to Burano Island, a photographer’s dream known for its vibrant rainbow-colored homes and intricate lacework.
- Return to central Venice in the late afternoon for a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of Europe’s most important modern-art museums.
- Evening: Option to participate in Kabbalat Shabbat services followed by a Shabbat dinner at the beloved Gam Gam Restaurant in the Jewish Ghetto – an uplifting celebration of community and culture.
Overnight: Venice, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY #10 | SATURDAY | Shabbat in Venice
- Enjoy a peaceful morning – attend local Shabbat services or take time for personal exploration among Venice’s quiet canals.
- Gather for a closing lunch and reflection at Ghimmel Garden Restaurant, sharing memories and insights from your Italian journey.
- In the afternoon, discover more of Venice’s grandeur on a guided walking tour including Doge’s Palace and the dazzling Basilica di San Marco, masterpieces of Gothic and Byzantine artistry.
- Evening: Free time and dinner on your own – perhaps enjoy a final gondola ride or sunset walk along the waterfront.
Overnight: Venice, Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY #11 | SUNDAY | Arrivederci!
- After breakfast, check out of the hotel and take a water-taxi transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport for your departing flight.
- We provide two complimentary group transfers timed for the main cluster of morning departures. Please note that independent arrangements may be necessary for flights outside these windows.
- Bid farewell to Italy with hearts full of connection, culture, and unforgettable memories from your Jewish heritage journey through this extraordinary country.
Meals Included: Breakfast
SIGN UP EARLY AND SAVE
Sign up at least five months in advance for $100/person early registration savings. Your deposit is fully refundable up to four months prior, so the savings are commitment-free.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- An educational guide and a tour manager escort the group on a 24/7 basis
- Centrally located 4* hotels with porterage included
- Breakfast daily and additional meals according to the itinerary
- Luxury private air-conditioned touring bus
- All programming and site entrances according to the itinerary
- Wireless touring headsets
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to/from Europe
- Airport transfers unless otherwise noted as included in the itinerary
- Gratuities (suggested at $100-$150/traveler)
- Travel insurance (optional)
Insure your investment, and plan ahead for the unexpected with travel insurance - Hotel incidentals
TRAVELING TO EUROPE
Travelers are responsible for booking their own travel into Rome on arrival and out from Venice at the conclusion of the tour. Travelers are encouraged to arrive in Rome an evening in advance of the program start date to take advantage of the full touring program the following day. Group hotel rates are offered for those arriving early to Rome or staying on in Venice, subject to availability.
Airport transfers on arrival are not included in the program package. Taxis from Rome Fiumicino Airport Airport to our central hotel should cost about $60 (can be paid by credit card) and Uber rides are also available from the airport. On the last day of the program, travelers should book return flights from Venice Marco Polo Airport at their discretion, but please consider that hotel checkout is at 11:00am, and no programming is provided this day. We will arrange for two complimentary transfers to the Venice airport on the final Sunday morning of the trip based on the largest cluster of scheduled flights, but we can not guarantee return airport transfers to accommodate all travelers.
TRIP COSTS
Sign up at least five months in advance for $100/person early registration savings. Your deposit is fully refundable up to four months prior, so the savings are commitment-free.
- Double Room: $4,350/Person
Double room hotel occupancy rate - Single Room: $5,550/Person
ENROLLMENT TERMS
- To reserve your spot, a $250/person fully refundable deposit is due at the time of your registration.
Sign up at least five months in advance to lock in your spot and receive a $100/person discount - The deposit becomes non-refundable four months prior to the program start date.
- The balance is due no later than two months prior to the program start date after which all payments are non-refundable and exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis at Authentic Israel’s discretion.
- Cancellations must be made in writing, and we encourage you to obtain a travel insurance policy.
- Payments may be made by check or credit/debit card, however, a 3.5% processing fee applies for credit/debit card payments (does not apply to the initial $250 deposit). Note: credit card fees are not refundable
- Program dates are confirmed, however, Authentic Israel reserves the right to consolidate or cancel trip dates in extraordinary circumstances.
- Authentic Israel reserves the right to deny acceptance on the tour according to its sole discretion.
- All program costs are listed in US Dollars.
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