Salem Travels Italy 2023

DATES

June 3-13, 2023

PRICE

$5,200 per person + flights

Optional extension

Milan | June 13-16

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3 Nights Florence | 3 Nights Tuscan Countryside | 3 Nights Venice

Take a gondola ride through the waterways of Venice • Spend a delightful evening making pasta with an Italian chef and her family • Appreciate the great works of Medieval and Renaissance art, including Michelangelo’s David • Stay in a small Tuscan town in Chianti for three serene nights • Wander the elegant streets of central Florence • Taste and learn about gelato from a master • Stay in the centers of Italy’s most amazing destinations

A PERSONAL INVITATION

Dear past and future travelers,

Rather than simply visit Italy, we invite you to experience Italy as our guests. On this customized itinerary for the Salem Travels community, we’ll personally take you to our favorite sites and authentic Italian experiences, bring you to the best restaurants, and ensure an inspiring, educational, renewing, and relaxing experience for you in this special country. Our emphasis is on unique cultural encounters, beautiful landscapes and works of art, the best of Italian cuisine, and a curated journey through the 3,000 year history of the Italian people. Whether gazing at the paintings of Botticelli, the golden mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, or the rolling hills of Tuscany, you will come away with an unforgettable travel experience unlike any other.

We hope you will travel with us and join our wonderful travel community!

Adam & Blake Sparks

Itinerary

3 NIGHTS IN FLORENCE

Elegant Florence brought Europe from the Medieval world into the Renaissance, and our hotel in its lovely historical center is the perfect place to begin exploring Italian life. Settling in for three nights, we’ll explore the birthplace of modernity through the world-class art that decorates the city, dine rooftop overlooking Florence’s famous Duomo, and enjoy free time to shop in the bustling leather market or stop in a classic cafe.

Day 1 and 2 - Depart USA, arrive Florence

Depart America, arrive Florence, and check in to our centrally located hotel for three nights. In the evening, we gather on our hotel’s beautiful roof garden for a welcome reception, opening dinner, and unforgettable views of the monumental Duomo. (D)

Day 3 - Florence: Duomo Baptistry & Museum, Accademia

We set out on foot to explore legendary Florence. Our day begins at the Baptistry, Florence’s oldest monumental structure, where we gaze at the glistening Byzantine-era mosaics that adorn its ceiling and represents the culmination of Medieval art. We then see the transition to Renaissance art by marveling at Ghiberti’s golden Gates of Paradise in the new Duomo Museum and learning about Brunelleschi’s famous dome. Afterwards, we head to Florence’s Central Market, a foodie’s Italian paradise, for lunch on your own. After lunch, we visit the Accademia museum and stand beneath Michelangelo’s towering David. The afternoon is free to shop in the leather market, peruse the streetside leather market, shop in the designer boutiques, or climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome for stunning views of this elegant city. Dinner is out at a local trattoria, where we enjoy the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak). (B,D)

Day 4 - Florence: Santa Maria Novella, Bargello Museum, Uffizi Gallery

Today we dive into some of world’s greatest Renaissance art beginning at the church of Santa Maria Novella with Giotto’s Crucifix and Masaccio’s Holy Trinity. We then continue to the Bargello gallery, an often overlooked repository of Renaissance sculpture, including the greatest collection of works by Donatello. After a visit to Piazza della Signoria and free time for lunch, we visit the Uffizi Gallery, home to one of the world’s great art collections, including Botticelli’s Primavera and Birth of Venus. The evening is at leisure to enjoy refined Florence. (B)

3 NIGHTS IN THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE

For a true taste of the Italian countryside, there is nowhere else like Tuscany. We’ll slow down the pace while immersing ourselves in the unique culture, cuisine, and wine of this beautiful region. Enjoy three nights at our hotel located on the edge of Radda in Chianti, the charming, small capital of the Chianti region, with sweeping views of the grapevine-covered Tuscan hills.

Day 5 - Depart Florence, arrive Radda in Chianti

After a late morning departure from Florence, we travel through the Chianti valley on the scenic Chiantigiana road, famous as the center of Italy’s most well known wine variety. We stop in a 200 year old, family-run butcher shop in the small town of Greve in Chianti for a tour and sampling of their meats and cheeses. We then arrive to our hotel on the edge of Radda in Chianti and enjoy the stunning views from the hotel’s terrace or pool. Settle in, explore the small town, and enjoy a dinner of Tuscan specialties in this romantic setting. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Sam Gimignano, Tuscan Cooking Class

Enjoy a restful morning at our hotel on the border of the Tuscan countryside and the small town of Radda in Chianti before setting out for the day. We visit the hill town of San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers, and learn about its 13th c. heyday. After touring the town church with its early Renaissance frescoes, we meet with one of Italy’s most awarded gelato makers for a lesson and tasting. After free time to explore San Gimignano, we head to the nearby town of Certaldo to join a Tuscan chef and her family for a festive cooking class. We’ll don aprons, make our own pasta, and enjoy an unforgettable evening in a beautiful setting. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Siena, Tuscan Winery

Today we visit picturesque Siena with its amazingly preserved city center. Walking through town, we first come to the impressive Duomo, one of Italy’s most sumptuous churches. From the phenomenal mosaic floor to Pisano’s famous marble pulpit, the church is a feast for the eyes. We then continue to Siena’s central square, where we learn about the amazing Palio horse race that still takes place every year. After free time in the square for lunch, we return to our hotel. In the evening, we head to a nearby winery in the famous Chianti region for a guided tour of the facilities and wine making process before a wine tasting and dinner. (B,D)

3 NIGHTS IN VENICE

Venice is easily one of the world’s most beautiful and remarkable destinations. We’ll say goodbye to the mainland with its automobiles and spend three nights in the heart of Venice along the Grand Canal. Take a ride through the narrow waterways on a gondola or drink a spritz in a picturesque piazza as we get to know this most serene city.

Day 8 - Depart Tuscany, Arena Chapel, arrive Venice

Departing Tuscany, we stop in Padua to see the amazingly preserved Arena Chapel. Considered to be Giotto’s masterpiece, this 700 year old fresco cycle is impeccably preserved, making it Italy’s preeminent place to witness the end of the Medieval age and the beginning of the Renaissance. We then continue to Venice, where we disembark our bus, board water taxis, and make our way to our hotel along the Grand Canal. In the evening, we pass by the Rialto Bridge on our way to our first dinner of Venetian specialties. (B,D)

Day 9 - Venice: Grand Canal Tour, St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Musical Performance

Our day in this sumptuous city begins with a boat ride down the Grand Canal, Venice’s main thoroughfare, as we see the various palace facades and notable churches that face the water. Ending in St. Mark’s Square, we tour this impressive piazza and enter St. Mark’s Basilica. This one-of-a-kind church with its massive dome and golden mosaics includes some of the best treasures looted from the Byzantine Empire. After an optional visit to the Doge’s Palace, the evening is on your own for a canal-side dinner or an optional musical performance celebrating the important musical heritage of Venice. (B,L)

Day 10 - Venice: Murano, Glass Blowing Demonstration, Glass Art Museum, Accademia Museum

On our last day of the main tour, we head to the island of Murano, famous for centuries as the world’s premier glass blowing center. After a glass blowing demonstration, we visit a modern art gallery with amazing glass sculptures from the world’s premier artists. Returning to Venice, you are on your own for lunch or an optional visit to the Accademia Gallery, the great repository of Venetian art. In the evening, we gather together for a closing meeting and final, celebratory dinner. (B,D)

Day 11 - Depart/Milan extension

In the morning, take a water taxi to the Venice airport and depart Italy. Or, continue for three nights in elegant Milan. (B)

Optional Post-Tour Extension to Milan

Join us for a post-tour extension to Milan, Italy’s most cosmopolitan city. From our hotel in the city center, we’ll explore Milan’s remarkable Gothic Duomo, see Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, and enjoy aperitivo hour at a chic cafe. Then, take a day trip to posh Lake Cuomo for a boat ride amidst the mountains and an elegant final dinner.