DAY 1 - ARRIVE VENICE (D)
Upon arriving at Venice Marco Polo International Airport today, you'll be met by our local representative and transferred to our villa hotel outside Venice. Later this evening, you'll rendezvous with other travelers for a "get-acquainted" dinner in anticipation of an unforgettable walking adventure in Venice, Tuscany, & the Eternal City of Rome.

DAY 2 - ACTIVITIES IN VENICE (B,D)
Venice, City of Canals Walk 5 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned)
After a short drive, we'll spend the entire day exploring Venice, fabled city of winding canals and picturesque pedestrian bridges. A walk through the unique Venetian ambiance past all the highlights is the best way to get oriented-St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge, and more. Following lunch and free time, we'll enjoy a romantic gondola ride through the canals of Venice.

DAY 3 - VENICE-CINQUE TERRE (B,D)
Altavilla Vineyards & Vistas Walk 10 km, rated 2+
First stop today is in the village of Altavilla for a delightful nature walk in central Italy. After the walk, we'll continue west for a visit to Verona, site of a 25,000-seat Roman Arena and the storied balcony where famed lovers Romeo and Juliet uttered their oft-quoted Shakespearean lines. Our hotel tonight is in Monterosso al Mare, northernmost of the villages of Cinque Terre, and the only one accessible by car.

DAY 4 - ACTIVITIES IN CINQUE TERRE (B,D)
Cinque Terre Riviera Walk 5/10 km, rated 2+/4 (non-sanctioned)
The protected stretch of rocky coastline along Italy's Ligurian Sea shelters the five villages of the Cinque Terre. Even now, the only way to experience these dramatically situated hamlets is by boat, train, or on foot. We'll use the train and an unforgettable walk along time-worn coastal footpaths to explore this charming cultural window into rural Italy.

DAY 5 - CINQUE TERRE-FLORENCE (B,D)
Viareggio Mediterranean Resort Walk 10 km, rated 1
After a relaxing seaside stroll through the resort of Viareggio, we'll stop to admire the tenacity of that famous leaning tower in Pisa. Continuing on to Florence, we'll imbibe the Renaissance spirit of Michelangelo and Da Vinci at sites like the Duomo (cathedral) and adjoining Baptistry, and the impressive Vecchio Palace-center of Renaissance-era authority for the powerful Medici family.

DAY 6 - ACTIVITIES IN FLORENCE (B)
This morning's guided walking tour of Renaissance Florence reveals more of the delights of this art-lover's mecca. The Uffizi Museum, one of the world's finest displays of Renaissance art introduces us to works of masters like Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. Later this afternoon, an optional visit to the Accademia provides a not-to-be-missed opportunity to view Michelangelo's masterful David.

DAY 7 - FLORENCE-BOLSENA (B,D)
Civita Village with a View Walk 5 km, rated 2+ (non-sanctioned)
The pastoral panoramas of Tuscany and Umbria beckon today with landscapes that inspired Michelangelo. We'll visit Siena and Orvieto, beguiling medieval hill towns dripping with the warmth and grace of small-town Italy. Tiny Civita, an isolated island of ancient stone villas perched precariously atop an eroding pinnacle of sandstone, is linked to the "mainland" by a footbridge-our point of access for today's walk.

DAY 8 - BOLSENA-ROME (B,D)
Bracciano Lake Town Walk 10 km, rated 2+
On previous trips, our Italian walking friends created wonderful memories of the warm Italian spirit in Bracciano, a quaint, medieval town set above a lovely lake by the same name. We're anxious to share their company once again on today's walk before continuing to Rome for three nights in the Eternal City.

DAY 9 - ACTIVITIES IN ROME (B)
Eternal City of Rome Walk 10 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned)
This morning, we'll be enlightened by a tour of the Vatican Museum-including the incomparable Sistine Chapel-and a visit to St. Peter's Basilica. The afternoon walk takes us past many of Rome's wonders, including the architectural master-piece known as the Pantheon; the Ancient Forum, where many victorious returning Roman generals were feted, and Julius Caesar was laid to rest; Trevi Fountain, the best place to deposit your wishing coins; and, of course, the massive Colosseum.

DAY 10 - ACTIVITIES FROM ROME (B,D)
Roman Aqueduct Walk 10 km, rating not available
Our coach will take us outside of Rome this morning for a walk in a location to be announced.  A final afternoon will be enjoyed back in Rome before a farewell dinner together this evening.

DAY 11 - ROME-USA (B)
We'll return home from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport this morning, with new friendships and fond memories of all the places we've seen and people we've met as we strolled the romantic cities and picturesque countryside of Venice, Tuscany, & the Eternal City of Rome.

DAY 1 - ROME-MALTA (B,D)
Marsascala to Marsaxlokk Seacliffs Walk 10 km, rated 2
A morning flight from Rome takes us to the fabled island of Malta in the middle of the Mediterranean. The tiny nation of Malta claims one of the world's highest population densities and a melting pot heritage representing nearly every important period of the Mediterranean's long and tumultuous history. Upon arrival, we'll participate in a sea cliff walk offering stunning maritime panoramas and a charming marina at walk's end in Marsaxlokk. Following afternoon tours of Hagar Qim Temple (pre-Egyptian) and ancient Mdina (founded by the Romans), we'll check into our Malta hotel that will be home for the next three nights.

DAY 2 - ACTIVITIES ON MALTA (B,D)
Ancient Gozo Walk 10 km, no rating available
After a short ferry crossing, we'll arrive this morning at neighboring Gozo, the second of Malta's two major islands. Along with more timeless, picture-perfect, sun-bleached vistas, today's walk takes us to temple ruins that are considered among the oldest in the world, predating even the pyramids of Egypt.

DAY 3 - ACTIVITIES ON MALTA (B,D)
Mgarr to Mosta Walk 10 km, no rating available
Our third Maltese walk provides more opportunities to admire unique island scenery and wonder at a culture that combines influences from every major Mediterranean civilization for the past 5000 years. Our tour of Valletta includes a visit to the Palace of the Grand Masters, headquarters of the Knights of St. John, and site of one of the most impressive armories in Europe.

DAY 4 - MALTA-ROME (B)
Departing Malta this morning, we leave this intriguing island nation with a new understanding of its role as a crossroads of cultures. We won't soon forget the memories we've made exploring the history, culture, and scenery of Malta–Heart of the Mediterranean.

Malta Extension Includes:
Roundtrip airfare from Rome, all land travel as outlined, superior tourist-class or better hotel accommodations, all breakfasts and dinners, 3 IW-sanctioned walks as listed, fees for walking credit, local guide service throughout, entrance fees/guided tours of:  Mdina, Hagar Qim Temple, Valletta, Palace of the Grand Masters, Ggantija Temple.

Not Included in Malta Extension:
All lunches, optional travel insurance.