Group members gather in Toronto for the overnight Air Canada flight to Rome, Italy.

On arrival in Rome, we will meet our tour manager and transfer to our hotel. Rome, Italy’s capital, offers nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture, and culture on display. Ancient ruins such as the Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Roman Empire. Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, has St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which house masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes. Enjoy some leisure time until we gather for a welcome briefing and dinner this evening. Hotel Pace Helvezia (3 nights).

Our local guide will introduce us to the Eternal City, set on seven hills. Our panoramic tour will feature many of Rome’s most important sites (Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and more). After lunch on our own, our exploration of Rome continues as we delve into the ancient Roman sites, including the Forum and the Colosseum.

Today, we shall proceed to the Vatican for a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica plus a special guided visit of the huge Vatican Museum and the exquisite Sistine Chapel. Following free time this afternoon, we conclude our Rome adventure with an evening at a charming restaurant with a very good Italian folk show, including opera music and famous Italian songs.

Departing Rome we make our way leisurely into the hills of southern Umbria. On our way, we will explore the medieval city of Assisi, on the slopes of Mount Subasio, where we will visit the great Basilica of St. Francis to admire the frescoes by Giotto, Simone Martine, and others illustrating the Saint’s life. We will have ample time to appreciate Assisi’s medieval charm before continuing to the charming hill town of Chianciano. Grand Hotel Milano (1 night).

This morning we explore Siena: walk through the Piazza del Campo to see the frescoes of the Palazzo Pubblico and visit the zebra-striped Cathedral with its marble paving and fine pulpit. After some free time to wander amongst the vibrant city streets, we continue through cypress and olive groves as we climb up to the village of San Gimignano. In medieval times, each merchant family built its own fortress tower and residential area. Many still remain today – hence the nickname “Town of the Fine Towers.” Later this afternoon, we will enjoy a scenic drive through Tuscany en route to Montecatini Terme, a popular hill town and spa centre. Mariotti Hotels (2 nights).

Florence was the cradle of the Renaissance, a fountainhead of genius, and still one of the art world’s most prestigious cities. This morning, see the open-air museum of Piazza Della Signoria, Santa Croce, which houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, and the cathedral where you see Giotto’s bell tower and Baptistery. After free time to explore, we will return to our hill top spa.

Travelling east, we drive across Italy to the Adriatic coast and the historic centre of Ravenna where we shall see the unique collection of early Christian mosaics in the church of San Vitale. Continue up the coast to the pleasant spa resort of Abano Terme, a place to savour and relax. Hotel Terme Internazionale (2 nights).

This morning we travel by private boat through the canals and waterways of old Venice to the Piazza San Marco, one of the grandest squares in Europe. Here a local guide will take us on a walking tour featuring a visit to the San Marco Basilica. Enjoy lunch in a local Venetian restaurant followed by free time to wander throughout Venice. Getting lost in the maze of narrow passages is no problem, as you will soon emerge in front of a grand church or perhaps by the majestic Grand Canal. Free time in the afternoon before we return to Abano Terme. Dinner on our own tonight.

This morning we head north and drive up and over the Brenner Pass into Austria. By early afternoon we will be in the beautiful Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. A local guide will introduce us to the delights of this alpine centre on a walking tour that will feature Innsbruck's old town, including the Hofkirche with its royal tombs and still-functional wooden organ. Hotel Der Reschenhof (1 night)

Today brings us to Oberammergau and the play that we have long anticipated. We’ll have the morning free to shop and enjoy the colourful paintings in the village. Following lunch, the highlight of the trip, the Passion Play in Oberammergau begins! The Play was instituted in fulfilment of a vow made in 1633, when the town was stricken by plague. It was performed for the first time in 1634 and since then has been played every ten years. The theatre was built in 1930 and has seating for 4,800 spectators. While the seats are covered, the stage is open to the elements, using the natural grandeur of the region as a backdrop. Hotel Landhaus Feldmeier | May departure (1 night), Hotel Ferienhaus Fux | Jun departure (1 night), Hotel Alte Post | Jul departure (1 night).

This morning enjoy some final alpine vistas as we head north to Munich. On arrival a local guide will introduce us to the sights of Bavaria's capital: outside Nymphenburg Palace (from the outside), Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, and the Olympic Stadium. This evening, we celebrate our journey and share stories at our farewell dinner. Holiday Inn Leuchtenbergring (1 night).