All the following are available to all participants. Some activities will be specific to those on the different options.

DAY 1 DEPARTURE FROM OKLAHOMA CITY

Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Milan.

DAY 2 ARRIVE MILAN (1 NIGHT)

We will be met at the airport by our tour manager/guide and begin our sightseeing just outside the city center with a visit to the church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie, where we will view the famous painting of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. We continue into central Milan, where we visit the unique and beautiful Gothic Duomo in Milan’s city center. The cathedral is easily recognizable due to its extraordinary roof, with its 135 spires and innumerable statues and gargoyles. Our visit will include an ascent to the Roof for magnificent views over the city. Time permitting, we also visit the Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan’s finest art collection (open until 7:30pm). On the sight of the 18th century Accademia di Belle Arti, this magnificent museum houses works by Mantegna, Raphael, Tintoretto, Veronese and Caravaggio. (Time will be allocated the following day if necessary)
 

DAY 3 MILAN - PADUA - VENICE AREA (2 NIGHTS)

Our morning commences with a guided tour of La Scala, the world’s most famous opera house, which will include the Mueso Teatrale, where we will admire sets and costumes of past productions, portraits of conductors and theatrical items dating back to Roman times. During this time, the business section of the tour will visit an International Bank (to be designated). We reconvene at lunch time and continue to Padua, where we will visit the Cappella degli Scrovegni. Enrico Scrovegni built this chapel in 1303, hoping to spare his dead father, a usurer, from eternal damnation in hell described by the poet Dante in his Inferno. The interior of the chapel is entirely covered with beautiful frescoes of scenes from the life of Christ, painted by Giotto between 1303 and 1305. As works of great narrative force, they exerted a powerful influence on the development of European art. We continue to the Venice area.
 

DAY 4 VENICE (LA SERENISSIMA)

Our day in Venice begins early, with a Vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal, which has been described as the world's finest street. We will view the Rialto Bridge, the most elegant and famous of the bridges that span the Grand Canal, as well as the grand palaces that grace the canal as we make our way to St. Mark's Square, where we will visit magnificent St. Mark's Basilica, with its famous cupolas, arches and interior walls encrusted with gold mosaics. We will also ascend to the Galleries to see the original bronze horses, which once adorned the facade, and to see the best view of St. Mark’s Square from the original platform where their copies now stand. There will be time to visit a local Glass Blowing Demonstration before we include a visit to the Doges’ Palace, residence of the rulers of the Serenissima Republic. The palace also served as a seat of government, and we will see the law courts, before we walk across the famous Bridge of Sighs to the cells where Casanova was once imprisoned. Our afternoon concludes with a visit to the Accademia, featuring an unmatched collection of art from the Venetian school, from the medieval Byzantine period, through the Renaissance to the Baroque and beyond. This evening your guide will assist in finding an Opera, Choral or Instrumental performance for those interested. (By own expense)

DAY 5 VENICE - RAVENNA - BOLOGNA - MODENA (2 NIGHTS)

We leave Venice this morning and journey along the coast to Ravenna, once the Byzantium of the West and truly beyond compare. After the fall of Rome, the city was the capital of the Roman Empire and a crossroads for trade between east and west. Our first visit will be the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a 5th-century chapel, which contains some exceptional mosaics dating from antiquity. The mosaics in the cupola literally glitter with stars, as popular tradition claims that the cross-shaped structure houses the tomb of Galla Placidia, sister of Honorius, Rome's last emperor. Galla, who died in Rome in A.D. 450, is one of history's most powerful women, and she became virtual ruler of the Western world after her husband, Ataulf, king of the Visigoths. We continue to the octagonal domed Museum and Basilica of San Vitale, which dates from the mid-6th century. The mosaics inside are among the most celebrated in the Western world.

Covering the apse is a mosaic of a clean-shaven Christ astride the world, flanked by saints and angels. To the right is a mosaic of Empress Theodora and her court, and to the left is the figure of the man who married this courtesan/actress, Emperor Justinian, and his entourage. We continue to the historic center of Bologna, where we will explore the handsome ensemble of brick buildings, charming porticoed streets and medieval palaces clustered around the two major squares, Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno, which are flanked by beautiful churches to the south, and the Archignnasio, part of Bologna University. We continue to our hotel in the Modena area.

DAY    6          PARMA & GALERIA FERRARI

Our day will begin very early this morning, as we take a guided tour of Parmigiano-Reggiano, one of the finest Parmesan cheese and ham producers in the world. Our tour will introduce us to the process of making the cheese, which is only made very early in the morning. Our day will continue with a visit to Parma, a city renowned for fine food, good living and a treasure trove of excellent paintings, superlative sculpture and fine medieval buildings. We will begin in the Piazza del Duomo, where we will visit the Duomo, among the finest in northern Italy, which features the unique painting of the Assumption by Corregio. Our day continues with a visit to the Palazzo Pilotta, a vast palace built for the Farnese family in the 16th century, including the Galleria Nazionale, with works by Corregio, Fra Angelico, Bronzino, El Greco and Carraci. This afternoon we will journey just outside of Modena for a visit to the Galleria Ferrari, sight of the famous car manufacturers original factory. We will visit the exhibition, which features memorabilia, a reconstruction of the founder’s study, classic engines, a history of the business and many vintage cars.

DAY 7 MODENA - FLORENCE AREA (THE EARLY RENAISSANCE) (2 NIGHTS)

We will make an early morning start and journey to Florence, the "Cradle of the Reniassance." Our morning will focus on the work of Masaccio, one of the most important artists of the early Renaissance. We begin with a brief visit to the church of Santa Maria Novella, one of Florence's most distinguished churches, begun in 1278 for the Dominicans. The highlight of the interior is Masaccio's masterpiece Trinità, a curious work that has the architectural form of a Renaissance stage setting but whose figures (in perfect perspective) are like actors in a Greek tragedy. We continue across the Arno River with a visit to the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. Our focus in this church will be the magnificent Cappella Brancacci, which contains frescoes on the Life of St. Peter commissioned around 1424. Originally begun by Masolino, the majority of the frescoes were completed by Masaccio, whose revolutionary use of perspective, along with his narrative drama and the tragic realism of his figures placed him in the vanguard of early Renaissance painting. Next we visit the massive Pitti Palace, one of Europe's greatest artistic treasure troves. The Renaissance Palace features rooms as they would have appeared in the period, and the Palatine Gallery is a virtual cavalcade of the works of Titian, Rubens, Raphael, and Andrea del Sarto, all hung one on top of the other as in the days of the Enlightenment. We conclude the afternoon in the Piazza del Duomo, where the Cathedral, Tower and Baptistery display the traditions of Florentine art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. We will view the massive and detailed façade of the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiori), as well as the Baptistery’s bronze doors by Ghiberti, which Michelangelo commented, were worthy to be the "Gates of Paradise." After a brief visit inside the Gothic Duomo, you will have the opportunity to either ascend the Bell Tower or climb the narrow steps to the top of the Red Dome, for a splendid panoramic view of the city.

DAY    8          FLORENCE (THE HIGH RENIASSANCE)

We begin with a visit to the Accademia Gallery, where we will view Michelangelo's statuary masterpiece, David, before visiting the Church of Santa Croce, Featuring the impressive tombs of many of Florence’s most important people, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante and Galileo. Our afternoon begins in the Piazza della Signoria, the political stage of renaissance Florence and virtually an open-air museum of sculpture with many statues commemorating the city’s major historical events. We include a visit to one of the many Leather Factories that abound in the area before continuing with a visit to the Uffizi Museum, with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and Botticelli. Later this afternoon we will explore and shop along the Ponte Vecchio.
This bridge, built in 1345, is a riot of life and color and is famous for the rows of shops lining both sides that have been reserved for gold and silversmiths since the 16th century. This evening our guide will assist us in finding an Opera, Choral or Instrumental performance for those interested. (By own expense)

DAY 9 FLORENCE - PISA - SIENA - ASSISI AREA (1 NIGHT)

Our first stop this morning will be in Pisa, where we will view the breathtaking Piazza del Duomo, known in Italian as the ‘Field of Miracles’ for the beautiful ensemble of the Cathedral, Baptistery and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. We will visit the Baptistery, which features some of the finest acoustics in the entire world. We continue with a visit to Siena, one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval cities. The city is dominated by its unique Duomo (Cathedral) and it’s striped Bell Tower. We will visit the Duomo, including the beautiful Piccolomini Library, designed to house the churches collection of illuminated manuscripts. The magnificent room features an unrivaled ceiling, and large frescoes depicting the important events in the life of Pope Pius II. We continue with a walk through the narrow and winding streets of Siena to the Piazza del Campo, a vast square, which is the heart of the city. In July and August, the square is converted into a dirt track for a horse race known as Il Palio, featuring representatives from the cities districts or contradas. We continue to our hotel in the Rome area.

DAY 10           ASSISI - CAMPANIA (1 NIGHT)

This morning we visit the ancient ruins at Paestum, which will include: the Basilica, a Doric temple from the 6th century BC, the Temple of Neptune, one of the most impressive of the Greek ruins in the world, the Temple of Ceres, which still has 34 columns standing and a large altar for sacrifices to the gods. We conclude with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum, which displays the metopes removed from the treasury of the Temple of Hera and some of southern Italy's finest tomb paintings from the 4th century B.C. We then journey to one of the most spectacular sights in the world, the remains and excavations of Pompeii. This once thriving Roman city was completely buried during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, and today provides archeologists and vistors with a fascinating look at life in a Roman merchant city. We will have a local specialist guide who will take us through the excavations within the city walls, including the Basilica, Forum, Baths, Theater and Amphitheater..
 

DAY 11           CAMPANIA - POMPEII - TIVOLI - ROME (3 NIGHTS)

We drive north to Tivoli, just outside of Rome, for a visit to Hadrian’s Villa, one of the greatest estates ever erected in the world. Hadrian designed the villa to recreate some of the architectural wonders that had impressed him most on his many travels. A patron of the arts, a lover of beauty, and even something of an architect, Hadrian did not merely want to replicate rooms or even palaces he'd seen; rather, he reconstructed entire valleys, complete with the temples that had made them famous. The result was a self-contained world replete with theaters, baths, temples, fountains, gardens, and statuary-bordered canals-fit for a vast royal entourage and the hundreds of servants and guards necessary to feed, bathe, and entertain them. We continue to our hotel in Rome. This evening our introduction to the city will be a Walking Tour from Castel Sant’Angelo over the River Tiber to Piazza Navona, an elegant square built on the site of Emperor Domitian’s ancient stadium. In addition to admiring Bernini’s fountains and the local artists’ works, you may also wish to sample the world famous ‘tartufo’ ice cream that originated here for your first ‘taste’ of Rome!

DAY 12           ROME (THE CITY OF THE CAESARS)

Today we will explore Rome’s most spectacular remains from the powerful Empire, commencing with a specialist guided tour of the Colosseum, considered the symbol of Rome's eternity. It was started by Vespasian in the year 72 A.D. and completed by his son Titus in 80 A.D., and over 55,000 spectators could watch the gladiatorial games. Our tour continues through the ruins and excavations of the Roman Forum, featuring magnificent temples, basilicas and triumphal arches. We will examine the area that once formed the heart of the Empire and gain a fuller understanding of the transition into the Christian world. Our tour concludes with a brief visit to the Mamertine Prison, where anyone thought to pose a threat to the security of the ancient Roman state, was thrown into this dank, dark and oppressive little underground dungeon. This afternoon we will stroll through the Borghese Park, including a visit to the Museo Borghese, located in the Borghese Palace. The museum features sculptures by Bernini, including Apollo and Daphne, as well as masterpieces by 16th and 17 century Italian artists such as Raphael, Correggio, Titian and Caravaggio. This evening our guide will assist us in finding an Opera, Choral or Instrumental performance for those interested. (By own expense)
 

DAY 13           ROME (THE CITY OF THE POPES)          

Today we will explore the Vatican, the world’s smallest independent nation, and the center of the Catholic world. We will have a tour of the Vatican Museums, which house one of the most impressive collections of art in the world. In addition to the marvelous statuary collections, you will explore the map rooms, the tapestry rooms, and the magnificent Raphael Rooms, before viewing Michelangelo's extraordinary work in the Sistine Chapel. Our tour continues with a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the western world and the most important point of pilgrimage in the Catholic world. St. Peter’s contains countless treasures and masterpieces, including the famous Pieta by Michelangelo, the tomb of St. Peter and Bernini’s magnificent Baldacchino (Altar). After time to explore St. Peter’s Square, highlighted by Bernini’s colonnades, we will conclude the afternoon with a walk to Piazza Navona, which is built on the foundations of Domitian's Circus. This magnificent square designed in the 17th century by Bernini, is full of life and is highlighted by one of Rome’s most spectacular fountains, the fountain of the Four Rivers. Our afternoon includes a visit to the Pantheon, one of the grandest and the best-preserved Roman monuments, highlighted by the spectacular tombs of Raphael, Vittorio Emmanuelle II, and Queen Margherita, all prominent figures in the history of Italy. On our final evening in Rome, we will take a walk to the Spanish Steps before winding through the narrow streets that lead to the Trevi Fountain, where it is traditional to toss a coin into the fountain to ensure a return to the Eternal City.
 

DAY 14           DEPARTURE FROM ROME

Your enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as your tour manager/guide accompanies you to the airport for the return flight home.