Italy 2026
About Instructor

Travel Dates June 8 -June 18, 2025 MILAN, FLORENCE, TUSCANY
Join us for a one-of-a-kind travel adventure in Italy!
Our journey begins in Milan, the global capital of fashion and design. You’ll be transported through history while visiting world-class museums and experiencing the finest Italian cuisine, from family farms to Tuscan village kitchens. We explore Florence, Tuscany, and the Chianti Wine Route. Here’s a sampling of our scheduled activities:
In Milan, we will visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology to explore the genius of Da Vinci and his impact on civilization. We will also take time to stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest shopping mall in Italy, where history and design trends come together.
In Florence, we’ll explore iconic sites in the historic center, spend time at the Uffizi Gallery, and be awestruck by Michelangelo’s masterpiece, “David.” We will also discover the unique art of pietra dura mosaic by visiting one of the few remaining working studios in the world.
Along the Chianti Wine Route, we’ll visit the Tuscan hill towns of San Gimignano and Siena. We spend a relaxing few hours with a refreshing dip in local thermal waters. These limestone pools, formed over thousands of years, are rich in calcium.
We will also visit Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden, a visual feast of monumental sculptures, many of which are adorned with mosaics. The garden wall separates us from the real world and offers a glimpse into one of unbridled imagination.
Spend a magical day at Lake Maggiore, where we will take a boat to the Borromean Islands for a palace visit and enjoy a group lunch on “Fisherman’s Island.”
Back to Milan for last-minute shopping and departure home the following day.
This trip is for adults only.
FOR A FULL ITINERARY CLICK TO RIGHT “PURCHASE” WHICH WILL TAKE YOU TO OUR WE TRAVEL WHERE YOU WILL FIND A DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY, ALL COST ITEMIZATIONS AND TONS OF PHOTOS.
Reasons to Travel to Europe with Maverick Mosaics and the Fitzgeralds.
- The Maverick Difference: Each itinerary is crafted to provide in-depth, authentic, and unique experiences. Many daily adventures on Maverick Travel trips are one-of-a-kind opportunities with some components not available to the public. To quote a past traveler, “…we better understand the countries we are privileged enough to visit due to your plans to balance ‘tourist’ spots with truly unique hidden gems of the area.”
- Small Groups, Big Experiences: We limit our trips to 20 people, allowing guests to get up close to well-known sites and get to know locals and fellow travelers. A past traveler is quoted as, “thank you for the superior sensory, intellectual, and emotional experience.”
- Perfect Balance: Maverick Travel itineraries perfectly balance structured, educational travel and free time to explore on your own.
- Travel with Experts: Besides your hosts, Bonnie and Ken Fitzgerald, University Educated Guides and local escorts accompany us. We promote the values of understanding the world we live in through experiencing and learning about different cultures.
- Trusted Advisor: For over 25 years, Maverick Mosaics’ travel and logistics partner, Mr. Rene Piard, and his company, Dream Travel, have organized TEN successful European trips to date for Maverick travelers. Dream Travel’s goal is to provide affordable access to learning opportunities abroad.
- Hassle-free Travel: A paramount feature of Maverick travel is hassle-free! We want you to relax and enjoy; leave the logistics to us. Ground transportation and transfers are included, no waiting in lines for scheduled tours. The well-being of our guests is our highest priority.
- Great Value: Once you add up everything included in the trip fee – experts, enrichment, special meals and tastings, transfers, hotel, and gratuities- you’ll find our trips offer an exceptional experience at an excellent value.
- The Maverick Community: Our travelers are intellectually curious and adventurous lifelong learners. Trips are for adults only and are a mix of singles, couples, friends, brothers, and sisters. The friendships that develop on our trips are often one of the most notable benefits of the experience.
This is a big trip. We sincerely appreciate your consideration. Most of our trips are 70%+ return travelers. It is humbling and rewarding. We welcome you, and never discuss religion or politics on our trips. It’s vacation!
On our European trips, many daily adventures on Maverick Travel trips are UNIQUE, one-of-a-kind opportunities. We offer personal, hassle-free travel, professional escorts, and university-educated guides, beautiful accommodations, and street-level cultural engagement based on the world of art, architecture, cuisine and archaeology. On many trips, we visit artist studios, enjoy fine food sampling and wine tastings, and of course, see lots of art! Our trips are designed to inspire, educate and entertain.
NOTE REGARDING SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FOR THIS TRIP. We are researching alternate hotels in an effort to reduce the price of the single supplement. This is the “high season” and 2 of our 3 hotels on this trip are 4 stars. We will keep everyone apprised and adjust pricing accordingly. For your convenience we are offer interest free payment plans and are making special adjustments in an effort to ease some of the sting of the single supplement.
photo: Florence, ahhh, every inch is a work of art!