Signature: Italy's Venice, Florence, Tuscany & Rome

Welcome to the Floating City. Your expedition begins in Venice, where your arrival by boat offers a cinematic first look at the marble palaces rising from the lagoon. After settling into your hotel, meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert for a presentation and to meet your fellow travellers. Gather for a welcome dinner before an orientation walk to the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore. From this Renaissance vantage point, watch the light fade over the iconic silhouettes of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, feeling the pulse of Venetian life.

Navigate the shimmering waterways by vaporetto to begin a guided walking tour through Venice’s historic heart. Cross the Rialto Bridge and wander toward the grand expanse of Piazza San Marco. Along the way, visit a community social enterprise dedicated to empowering vulnerable locals; enjoy a coffee while learning about their vital mission. After a free afternoon to explore the glassmaking heritage of Murano or the city's hidden calli, gather for dinner overlooking the moonlit canals. The night culminates with special evening access inside St. Mark’s Basilica, where the golden mosaics glow across the night sky.

Board a high-speed train and journey into the heart of Tuscany to reach the magical city of Florence. Head directly to the vibrant Mercato Centrale to enjoy a lunch of local specialties amidst the bustle of artisan food stalls. In the afternoon, join an art historian for a private tour of the Galleria degli Uffizi. Stand before the world’s finest collection of Renaissance paintings, including Botticelli’s "The Birth of Venus," as your expert brings the genius of the masters to life. The evening is yours to wander the cobblestone streets where the Renaissance began.

Spend the morning uncovering the architectural wonders of the "Cradle of the Renaissance" alongside a local guide. Walk past the historic Piazza della Signoria and the medieval stone spans of the Ponte Vecchio. After free time for a leisurely lunch, cross the river to Oltrarno, Florence’s bohemian heart. Join a sunset food and wine tour through this neighborhood of centuries-old workshops and family-run delis. Savour handmade pasta and artisanal gelato in easygoing piazzas, experiencing one of the city's most genuine culinary destinations as the locals gather for an aperitivo.

Travel into the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the farm of Cucina Giuseppina. Join a master truffle-hunter to forage for truffles in the damp earth before indulging in a sumptuous four-course farm-to-table lunch featuring your finds. Continue to the 13th-century Castello di Gargonza, a fortified village owned by the noble Guicciardini family. Enjoy a private meeting with a family member in the historic tower to hear firsthand accounts of their 11th-century lineage. Explore the "hidden" Gargonza, including private gardens where the scent of rosemary and ancient stone fills the air.

Awaken to the serene beauty of the Tuscan countryside. Begin your day with a guided walk through the old-growth forests surrounding the castle, learning about the local flora and fauna from those who call this estate home. Later, join your hosts for a hands-on cooking demonstration to master the art of preparing local delicacies before sharing the meal together for lunch. After a restful afternoon soaking in the baronial splendour of the estate, enjoy a curated wine and cheese pairing. Gather for a final Tuscan dinner as the sun sets over the vineyards, painting the hills in shades of gold and violet.

Continue to Rome a city where ancient ruins and baroque piazzas exist side by side, still humming with the energy of nearly three millennia of continuous life. A walking tour moves through the layers: the coin-scattered waters of the Trevi Fountain, the perfectly preserved dome of the Pantheon, and the narrow streets of Trastevere where locals gather as they have for centuries. After free time for lunch, the Vatican draws you in — vast, overwhelming, and unmistakable. Stand beneath Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel as the light filters down from high windows, the painted figures above feeling close enough to touch. The evening is yours to explore Rome's illuminated piazzas at your own pace.

Step into the ruins of the Roman Forum for a private visit inside the Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Miranda. Meet a local archaeologist who will bring the historic ruins to life with stories of the ancient Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. Continue to the imposing Colosseum to walk in the footsteps of gladiators before an afternoon at leisure. In the evening, gather with your fellow travellers to toast your Italian sojourn at a festive farewell dinner, celebrating the memories of the Renaissance masters and ancient empires witnessed together.

After a final Italian breakfast, take a moment to reflect on the masterpieces and noble traditions encountered from the lagoon to the Seven Hills. Your expedition to Italy concludes today with a transfer to the airport. Carry with you the enduring spirit of the Renaissance and the timeless beauty of ancient Rome.