Let the excitement build as you board your overnight flight to Europe, kicking off your 21-day adventure.

Touch down this morning in Paris, a city of unbeatable food, art, music, and history. Visit the picturesque hillside neighborhood of Montmartre. The area is famous for its local artists, and you’ll have the exclusive opportunity to meet with one of them, getting a firsthand glimpse into the celebrated world of Parisian art. After dinner later, head to the iconic Eiffel Tower, where the spectacular light show will bring a memorable end to your first day in Europe.

Today get a tour of the city from some Parisian students. They’ll show you some of the best off-the-beaten-path spots in their hometown along with the big must-see sights. Afterwards, visit the world-famous—and incredibly large—Louvre Museum, taking plenty of time to soak it all in. The museum was once a palace, and today it’s filled with a huge collection of priceless works of art, including the one and only Mona Lisa.

Take a full day to discover Paris for yourself. Whether you choose to stroll the neighborhood streets, get your fill of French food, or sip coffee at a sidewalk cafe and watch the people go by, your day of exploration will show you what makes Paris a city like no other. After dinner, see the city from a different perspective with an evening cruise on the Seine River.

Visit the one-of-a-kind Palace of Versailles, a magnificent retreat where French royalty basked in their extravagant lifestyle in the decades leading up to the French Revolution. Learn the riveting history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, as you walk through the royal apartments, see the famous Hall of Mirrors, and explore the expansive gardens outside. Tonight, board an overnight train bound for Italy.

Your journey continues in Venice, once a strong naval power and one of the most important cities on the world stage. On a guided tour, learn what made Venice so significant and see all the key sights of this famous city. After taking some time to shop and enjoy a local cafe, you’ll embark on the classic Venice experience: a gondola ride on the legendary canals.

Continue on to Florence. This city was the birthplace of the Renaissance and remains a living museum of art, architecture, and history. With the help of an expert guide, visit the Accademia Gallery, where you can see Michelangelo’s famous statue David among the impressive collection of Renaissance art. Then take a guided walk through the city. See the towering Duomo and the bronze doors to the Baptistery, fittingly known as the Gate to Paradise.

Today visit the town of Pisa, and see the famously unusual Leaning Tower. Find out why it leans, snap some photos, and then head to the nearby beach for some rest and relaxation by the sea. Tonight you’ll join a pizza-making class, where you’ll learn the secret to cooking up this Tuscan culinary favorite—you’ll eat your pizza creation and walk away with an important lifelong skill.

Spend a free day in the life of a Florentine, however you choose. If you love art, you could visit the Uffizi art gallery or Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture museum. If you want some exercise combined with a bit of history, climb the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo Cathedral and take in the amazing city views. If shopping is on your must-do list, search for some of Florence’s famous leather goods. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds, the food, and the local culture of this special city.

Travel on to scenic Umbria, and get your body moving with fun challenges, adventure-learning, and team-building activities. Whether it’s a thrilling white water rafting ride, or a ropes course that combines trekking, climbing, and jumping techniques for all ability levels, today is all about being active, feeling accomplished, and bonding with the others in your group.

Continue today to Rome, and on into Vatican City, the center of the Catholic Church and the world’s smallest country. On your once-in-a-lifetime tour led by a professional guide, visit the Vatican Museums, see the spectacular frescos of the Sistine Chapel, and walk through St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll even meet with a member of the Swiss Guard, hearing his tales of guarding the Pope, getting more behind-the-scenes insight into the Pope’s home, and learning what it takes to join one of the oldest military units in the world.

Today you’ll discover Rome, as you travel back to one of the most significant chapters in the history of human civilization. See the iconic sights, like the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain. On your tour of the ancient Colosseum and Roman Forum—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—feel the ancient buzz of daily life that unfolded here for gladiators, spectators, merchants, politicians, and more. And of course your day in Rome wouldn’t be complete without a taste of the local favorite treat: gelato.

Take time today to explore Rome on your own. Do some shopping, go to a museum, explore the streets, or take your sightseeing to the next level—it’s all up to you. Later, the group will meet up for a food tour. On this fascinating and tasty trip around the city, you’ll learn all about the culinary history, styles and techniques that make Italian food so popular around the world.

Your journey through Italy continues south, where you’ll hike Mount Vesuvius, one of Europe’s few active volcanoes. A professional guide will teach you all about the history of the famous volcano, notorious for its eruption in 79 A.D., which led to the burying of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Later you’ll arrive in seaside Naples, and enjoy a guided walk through the third-largest city in Italy.

Almost two thousand years ago, volcanic ash and stone from erupting Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii, freezing it in time and allowing you today to walk through the amazingly intact streets, shops and homes of an Ancient Roman city. After your visit to Pompeii, travel through rolling countryside towards Bari, and board an overnight ferry bound for Greece. The ferry is packed with restaurants and entertainment, making for a memorable sail across the Ionian Sea.

Arrive this morning in Greece, often referred to as the cradle of Western Civilization. It’s hard to overstate the impact Ancient Greece has had on our own modern world, from art to architecture, science to politics, theater to philosophy. Today you’ll take a guided tour of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics, and see the impressive Temple of Zeus.

En route to Athens, stop for a guided tour of the grand theater of Epidaurus. To this day, the traditions of Ancient Greek drama form the basis of our own storytelling culture, and Epidaurus is considered by many the most perfect Ancient Greek theater. Continue by way of the Corinth Canal to Athens, where you’ll enjoy some shopping time in the city’s exciting Plaka district. Later tonight, get back into the Greek drama mindset at a live theater performance.

Set out this morning on a two-day island hopping adventure, ferrying first to the beautiful mountainous island of Andros. Spend the rest of the day enjoying free time on the beach. Relax, play, swim, and admire those perfect views.

Ferry over to the island of Tinos, famous for its many villages and windmills. Enjoy plenty of time to explore the area and hang out at the beach, where you’ll quickly discover what makes this Greek Island chain a travel destination for people from all over the world.

Head back to the Greek mainland, returning to Athens. Spend some time today exploring and soaking in the significance of this city, the one-time center of the world that thrives today as a modern, vibrant capital. Hike up the famous Acropolis, the 500-foot hill that’s home to ancient remains, including the iconic Parthenon temple.

As your journey ends, head to the airport for your flight home.