Venezia, Firenze, Roma!

Eight days, three of Italy's most storied cities, and a pace that actually lets students absorb what they're seeing — that's the shape of Venezia, Firenze, Roma. The tour opens on Venice Lido, the long barrier island that gives groups a quieter base while keeping the vaporetto ride to the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco close at hand. From there it moves south through Florence before landing in Rome for a final push through the ancient city, capping the week with dinner and entertainment at Le Terme del Colosseo, a meal served in the shadow of the Colosseum that tends to be the moment students talk about on the flight home.