Trip Itinerary

Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner 

Day 1: Sunday, June 1, 2025: Flight to Milan
We will depart today for our overnight flights to Milan, Italy. Pre-tour nights are available. (IF)

Day 2: Monday, June 2, 2025: Arrival in Milan
On arrival in Milan, we will meet our tour director and transfer to her hotel. In the afternoon we will have a panoramic tour of the city.  The magnificent Il Duomo is one of the world’s largest churches and can hold up to 40,000. It was constructed in the 14th century and took almost 500 years to complete.  Surprising to many, the Reformation thrived in Italy during the 1520s and 1530s but was sadly crushed by the Roman Inquisition of 1542. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)

Day 3: Tuesday, June 3, 2025: Sirmione
Our first stop of the day is to see Leonardo’s Last Supper, located in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church (subject to availability). On the banks of Lake Garda, Sirmione is known as “the pearl of the islands and peninsulas”. We will visit the medieval Scaligero Castle which will give us stunning views of the town. The afternoon is at leisure and we will meet up for a sunset boat ride to experience the beautiful Lake Garda. (B)

Day 4: Wednesday, June 4, 2025: Sirmione, Padua
We will travel to Padua today, a city that’s even older than Rome. Galileo said that the 18 years that he spent in Padua, to be the happiest of his life. The renowned university is the 5^th oldest in the world and is considered to be the birthplace of modern medicine. We will visit the Scrovegni Chapel which has 14^th frescoes by Giotto di Bondone, It is said to have sparked the Italian Renaissance. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the large town square or visit some of the many museums and churches. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)

Day 5: Thursday, June 5, 2025: Venice, Padua
We will have a day trip today by train to the spectacular city of Venice. Our guide will take us on a walking tour of Venice, including inside visits of the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, the Bell Tower, and the impressive St. Mark’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore. We can shop in the famous market area around the Rialto Bridge, watch glassblowing, take a gondola ride, or enjoy a coffee and some people-watching at St. Mark’s Square. We have open-return train tickets, so we can spend as long as we’d like in Venice. (B)

Day 6: Friday, June 6, 2025: Mantua
We will travel to the Lombardy region today, known for its art and architecture. Built around three lakes in the Po Valley, Mantua is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was home to the Gonzagas family, who built stunning buildings, including the Ducal Palace, the Castle of San Giorgio, the Cathedral, and the Rotunda di San Lorenzo. Inside the Ducal Palace, we will see Bridal Chamber, frescoed by Montegna between 1465 and 1474. For dinner we will dine on local delicacies, such as pumpkin tortellini and the famous Sbrisolana cake. (B/D)

Day 7: Saturday, June 7, 2025: Mantua, Sabbioneta, Genoa
On our way to the Cinque Terre, we will stop in Sabbioneta, which is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. It was founded by the Gonzagas family in 1556 as the ideal Renaissance city and shows the influence of Humanism and the impact of the Renaissance on town planning.  We will continue on to Genoa, the capital city of the Liguria region, and dine in our hotel. (B/D)

Day 8: Sunday, June 8, 2025: Genoa
Genoa has played a central role in maritime trade for centuries and was one of the four largest trading cities during the Renaissance. Christopher Columbus was born here in 1451. Genoa has one of the most extensive medieval centers in Europe, with a maze of alleys leading to stunning squares. We will view the city from the Spianata Castelletro and visit the Romanesque Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Palace of Saint George, La Commenda di Pre and other key sites. (B)

Day 9: Monday, June 9, 2025:  Cinque Terre, San Gimignano, Florence
We will travel through the Cinque Terre today, visiting charming fishing villages like La Spezia, Porto Vener and Monterosso. Some of our day will be by train. We will continue our drive to San Gimignano. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, this small walled medieval town has incredible views. No trip to Italy is complete without gelato and we will stop at the world famous Dondoli ice-cream shop where you can purchase a sweet treat. We will stay in a Tuscan villa for 2 nights. (B/D)

Day 10: Tuesday, June 10, 2025: Florence
We will drive to Florence this morning, stopping first at the Piazzo Michaelangelo for a stunning view of the city. After free time to purchase lunch from the renowned sandwich shop, All’Antico Vinaio, our guided walking tour will include the Ponte Vecchio bridge, a visit to Galleria dell-Accademia to see Michelangelo’s incomparable “David”, and the Duomo with its famed Baptistry. We will dine in a Tuscan winery this evening. (B/D)

Day 11: Wednesday, June 11, 2025: Assisi, Rome
We will travel through beautiful Tuscany to Rome, via Assisi. This traditional Umbrian hill-top town was made famous by the St. Francis and the UNESCO-listed Basilica of St. Francesco. We will visit the basilica, which has hand-painted frescos from the 13^th and 14^th centuries. In the main city square we will see one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy. We will have a special farewell dinner in Rome this evening.  (B/D)

Day 13; Thursday, June 12, 2025: Return
We will transfer from the hotel to the airport for our flights. Post-tour nights are available in Rome. (B/IF)

What are accommodations like?

Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!

Milan, Italy
June 2-3, 2025
Ramada Plaza Milano
Via Stamira d’Ancona 27
20127 Milan

Lake Garda, Italy
June 3-4, 2025
Hotel Desenzano
Viale Cavour 40/42
25015 Desenzano del Garda

Padua, Italy
June 4-6, 2025
Hotel Grand’Italia
Corso del Popolo 81
35131 Padova

Mantova, Italy
June 6-7, 2025
Ca’Uberti Palace Hotel
Piazza Sordello 13
46100 Mantova

Genoa, Italy
June 7-9, 2025
Hotel Continental
Via Arsenale di Terra 1
16126 Genova

Florence area, Italy
June 9-11, 2025
Park Hotel Chianti
Via Michelangelo, 5 – 50028
Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa

Rome, Italy
June 11-12, 2025
Hotel Cristoforo Colombo
Via Cristoforo Colombo710
00144 Roma

Arrival and Departure Transfers

Transfers are automatically included if we have booked your flights.

If you have booked your own flights, we can still provide transfers, as long as we have your flight details on file and a phone number to give to the driver. We will include your transfer information in your final packet. Transfers will be arranged for each arrival, so that you won’t have to wait for other tour members if their flight is delayed. Transfers can be arranged for the day of your choosing, but we can’t arrange transfers if you arrive or depart by train.

Please note that individual transfers are booked through a third-party and you will be responsible to communicate with the company in case of delays.

Flight Information

We will be reserving group flights from Indianapolis. Please contact us if you would like a quote from a different city or if you want to extend your travel days.

You may book your own flights, making sure you land on the morning of June 2, 2025 no later than 10:00 AM.  If you would prefer to arrive earlier, we can arrange a pre-tour hotel night in Venice. You are welcome to depart at any time on June 14, 2025. Please send us a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it.

Please note that if you would like to use air miles you will need to book directly with the airline.

What’s included in the land price of $4,099?

*Price based on a minimum of 20 participants.

Your Tour Includes

• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in 4-star hotels
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• Group arrival and departure transfers
• All taxes and tips, except as indicated below
• Full color tour book
• Personalized travel app

Your Tour Does Not Include

• Round-trip air transportation
• Pre-tour night available in Milan for $110 per person in a double/twin or $180 in a single.
• Individual arrival and departure transfers
• Single supplement ($800)
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
• Passenger trip cancellation insurance (options available)
• Gratuities for the tour director and driver

Payment Schedule

The deposit of $350 per person is due at the time of booking. Online payments incur a 3,5% credit card fee. Checks can be mailed to “Reformation Tours”, 12316 244th St, Chisago City, MN 55013-9688.
•   Final payment is due by March 3, 2025
•   Reservations will be accepted after March 3, 2025 subject to availability

Insurance

There are two levels of insurance offered. Click here to compare. When you fill out the registration form, you will be given quotes for both.

Standard is 4.55% of the trip cost and can be purchased up until 2 days prior to departure, although we recommend purchasing it before.

Enhanced is 7.6% of the trip cost and includes cancel for any reason benefits. It has to be purchased within 14 days of registration.

Cancellations

The following penalties apply plus any non-recoverable expenses such as hotel deposits and attraction costs that had been made by the time of cancellation. Travel insurance is highly recommended for all travelers.

From time of deposit until 100 days before departure: $100 per person.
From 99-15 days prior to departure: $350 per person, plus any non-refundable costs.
14 days or less prior to departure: No refund.

Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour. Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the last business day of the applicable time period. For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply. Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the time of this quotation. Should currency fluctuations necessitate an adjustment in tour price; the adjusted price will be reflected in the final invoice.

Terms and Conditions

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary.

Please click on the button below to access the printable registration page and register.