Italy is currently the hot destination, Travelers return over and over for awe-inspiring art and architecture that influenced Western civilization, stunning historical ruins the world’s best food and wine, and a totally "happy" experience. Italy's sun-kissed olive groves and vineyards beckon along with atmospheric monasteries, castles, and farmhouses. And if you seek vibrant cities with renowned museums, restaurants, and shopping opportunities, you can't beat Venice and Florence. You'll also have the opportunity to experience the charming hill towns of Tuscany and, if you stay on for the extension, the wonders of Portofino and Cinque Terre.

Venice

The incomparable city of Venice stretches across more than 100 small islands in a lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. It has a population of about 272,000. Lord Byron called Venice "a fairy city of the heart" and it has earned the nickname La Serenissima, "The Most Serene." Venice is a unique cityscape of well-worn buildings that seem to float on water and marble steps that descend into lapping waters. Inhabited since the 6th century AD, Venice became a major sea power during the Crusades and a center of commerce and art during the Renaissance.

Today, the hordes of traders and merchants that swarmed Venice have been replaced by tourists, but there is so much to see here that you can still have the "real Venice" all to yourself in the many charming alleys, churches, bridges and piazzas hiding just off the beaten track. Even bustling San Marco Square is quiet in the early morning and later in the evening, when the majority of tourists have left.

Florence and Tuscany

Tuscany is one of Italy’s best-loved regions. It combines a beautiful countryside reminiscent of the landscapes of Renaissance masterpieces, a glorious history, excellent wines and delicious food.

Tuscany is the joyful heart and soul of the ancient Etruscan civilization which lives on in every city, town and village. Its major cities are Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Arezzo, and Pistoia. Its major river is the Arno which flows through Florence and Pisa. The history of Tuscany and Tuscan culture have played a role in Western civilization far out of proportion to the tiny size of Tuscany and its cities. Tuscany is named after its pre-Roman inhabitants, the Etruscans. It was ruled by Rome for many centuries. In the Middle Ages, it saw many invasions, but in the Renaissance period it helped lead Europe back to civilization. Later, it settled down as a grand duchy. It was conquered by Napoleonic France in the late 18th century and became part of the Italian Republic in the 19th century.

Liguria and the Italian Riviera

Liguria, known as the Italian Riviera, is a popular region for its beautiful beaches, picturesque towns, and wonderful dining. Mountains and steep cliffs rise loftily from the Ligurian Sea.

Liguria is where pesto originated, one of the most popular sauces in Italian cuisine. Seafood is a major staple of Ligurian cuisine, as the sea has been part of the region's culture since its beginning.

Portofino Coast

Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf are recognized throughout the world. The coast is a sequence of fashionable resorts ... marinas, pastel-colored houses, and the seductive atmosphere of La Dolce Vita. With some of the most celebrated seascapes in Italy, the views are suspended between the intense blue of the sea and the green mountains.