"HISTORY OF THE RENAISSANCE"
September 6-15, 2026
TOUR ITINERARY
TOUR BROCHURE:
TOUR CODE: MannaItaly26
DAY 1 (September 6):
Tour members meet in Chicago and depart together our our flight for Rome. Sit-back, relax and enjoy the in-flight service as we make
our way for Rome, Italy.
DAY 2 (September 7): Arrive in Rome and visit Villa Farnesina, a Renaissance masterpiece with Raphael’s frescoes that embody
human creativity as a divine gift. After lunch and hotel check-in, join an afternoon walking tour of Rome’s ancient treasures: the Colosseum, symbol of both empire and Christian endurance; the Arch of Titus, depicting the fall of Jerusalem; and the Church of St. Peter in Chains, home to Peter’s chains and Michelangelo’s Moses. Return to the hotel for dinner and reflection.
DAY 3 (September 8): In the morning, we visit the Vatican, the heart of Roman Catholicism. Our tour includes St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter. For centuries, pilgrims have admired Michelangelo’s dome and his stunning Pietà. The basilica represents Renaissance grandeur and spiritual devotion, showcasing how faith inspired Western art.
The afternoon is free for shopping or exploring Rome’s famous piazzas and fountains near the Grand Hotel Palatino: the Spanish Steps, a popular meeting spot; the Trevi Fountain, where tossing a coin promises a return to Rome; the Pantheon, an ancient temple turned church; and Piazza Navona, known for its fountains and cafés. Dinner will be at the hotel.
DAY 4 (September 9): During the morning, we tour the Galleria Borghese, a treasure chest of Renaissance and Baroque art. Once the private villa of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, it houses masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. Bernini’s sculptures—like Apollo and Daphne—show the Renaissance ideal of motion, beauty, and faith expressed in stone.
In the afternoon, you may shop or join your guides for a walking tour
of nearby cathedrals. These churches, many hidden just steps from our hotel, reveal the layers of Rome’s Christian history. Dinner together concludes the day.
DAY 5 (September 10):
After breakfast, we board a train for a scenic 2-hour ride to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Upon arrival, a local guide introduces us to the city’s treasures: the Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s civic heart, with Neptune Fountain and Palazzo Vecchio; and the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral (Duomo), crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome and housing Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietà.
After check-in at the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, we share dinner and
prepare for more wonders tomorrow.
DAY 6 (September 11):We journey by train and bus to Pisa, birthplace of Galileo and home to the iconic Leaning Tower. The square also features Pisa’s cathedral and baptistry, a reminder of the medieval fusion of science, art, and faith.
After lunch and shopping, we return to Florence. The afternoon is free for exploration. The Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s medieval bridge, is lined with
goldsmith shops—a tradition since the Renaissance. Handcrafted jewelry remains a Florentine specialty. Evening dinner together concludes the day.
DAY 7 (September 12): After breakfast, we take the train to Bologna, home of the University of Bologna (founded 1088), the world’s oldest. Our guide leads us through Piazza Maggiore, with the Basilica of San Petronio and the Palazzo d’Accursio. Bologna’s rich history blends scholarship, art, and faith—the basilica was once intended to rival St. Peter’s in Rome.
The afternoon is free to shop under Bologna’s famous covered arcades or rest. Dinner and overnight at the Savhotel.
DAY 8 (September 13):Today we travel by train to Venice, a city of canals, palaces, and mystery. Our guide leads us along the Grand Canal, lined with centuries of Venetian splendor. We cross the Rialto Bridge, then enter Piazza San Marco—the heart of Venice—where we see the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, symbols of both grandeur and intrigue.
The afternoon is free: you may visit a glass factory, shop for Murano
glass, or take a classic gondola ride. Overnight at the Santa Marina Hotel in Venice, with dinner provided.
DAY 9 (September 14): Our final full day highlights Venice’s sacred art:
• St. Mark’s Basilica – holding the relics of the Evangelist Mark, this 11th-century wonder glitters with golden mosaics.
• Santa Maria dei Miracoli – a jewel-box Renaissance church clad in marble, built in the late 1400s.
• San Giorgio Maggiore – Palladio’s Renaissance basilica, perfectly framed across the lagoon.
• Church of San Sebastiano – filled with Paolo Veronese’s vibrant frescoes and paintings. Each church shows how Venice blended faith, art, and identity.
Dinner and overnight in Venice.
DAY 10 (September 15): After breakfast, we transfer to Venice Airport for our flight home to the U.S. With us we carry memories of Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Venice—Italy’s timeless gifts of art, faith, and culture. Arrivederci, Italia!
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