Italy, France, and Spain

Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, with its vast colonnades that seem to embrace the world. Inside, admire Michelangelo’s soaring dome, rising 452 feet above the ground, and his renowned Pietà. Then step into the Sistine Chapel, where the artist reluctantly painted frescoes that today stand among the world’s greatest masterpieces.

Step inside the Colosseum with a licensed guide, once the stage for gladiators, naval battles, and wild beast hunts, and explore the underground chambers where animals were kept. Continue to the Forum Romanum, the hub of Roman politics, religion, and commerce. Conclude at Piazza Venezia, framed by its grand palaces and the striking Victor Emmanuel Monument.

Discover Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Admire the Duomo with Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery’s famed Gates of Paradise that inspired generations of artists. Visit Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria, once the seat of Florentine power, and step inside Dante’s House to learn about the poet’s legacy. At Santa Croce, see the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Conclude your day by crossing the Ponte Vecchio and visiting a leather workshop to see one of Florence’s most famous crafts.

Explore Siena, a city that still radiates the charm of medieval Italy. Stroll through the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, surrounded by cafés and the Palazzo Pubblico, home to Siena’s civic museum. Gaze up at the Torre del Mangia, the city’s famous bell tower, and visit the striking Duomo, with its black-and-white marble stripes. Continue to the Church of St. Catherine and the Fortezza Medicea, both offering insight into Siena’s history of faith, art, and rivalry with neighboring Florence.

Stop in Pisa to see the world-famous Leaning Tower, tilted since builders set it on soft ground centuries ago. Visit the Baptistery, renowned for its acoustics, and admire the nearby duomo. Together these landmarks form the Campo dei Miracoli, their black-and-white marble façades gleaming against the green lawn.

The Côte d'Azur's largest city spills down the hillsides to pebble beaches that line the shore. Your Tour Director will show you around the narrow pedestrian streets and tiny squares of "Le Vieux Nice" (Old Town), which is sprinkled with old palaces and mansions. Stroll down the Promenade des Anglais, which runs parallel to the water. Backed by Nice's grand hotels, the Promenade was built in the 19th century for the British who flocked here en masse.

A masterpiece of Roman engineering, the Pont du Gard aqueduct is one of the most stunning ancient monuments in Provence. Explore its arches and learn how this marvel carried water across the Gardon Valley for centuries.

Nearly two millennia old and still stealing the spotlight, the Nimes Amphitheatre was once a brutal battleground for gladiators and wild beasts, drawing crowds hungry for spectacle. Today, it's a living monument where echoes of ancient roars meet the rhythm of concerts and the drama of modern bullfights, because some stages were never meant to go quiet.

Take interactive learning to another level with a Tour Director-led scavenger hunt on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous pedestrian street. Complete exciting activities and solve fun clues, each designed to maximize experiential learning on tour.

Discover Barcelona with a licensed guide as you explore its mix of Gothic charm and modernist brilliance. Visit Plaza de España, then marvel at Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, the soaring church that defines the city’s skyline. Wander through Park Güell with its colorful mosaics and sweeping views, and journey to Montjuïc Hill, home to historic fortresses and the 1992 Olympic grounds.

Immerse yourself in the art that captures the passion of Spain. Compare the techniques and meanings in the works of artists from El Greco to Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. Deepen your understanding of art history as you debate how these and other masters defined and shaped Spanish culture.