Best of Italy: Rome, Florence, and Venice
10 Days
This is the ultimate Italian adventure! The journey begins in Rome – a thriving city built on the foundation of a medieval empire. Visitors can climb onto the top of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica or dine and people-watch at a sidewalk café in trendy Trastevere. A short train ride away lies Florence, where masterful artwork is the name of the game. Here, the grand works of Botticelli are displayed in the Uffizi Museum, while the Galleria dell’Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, “David”. The journey ends in the romantic city of Venice, with its labyrinth of canals and the lively Piazza San Marco.
Highlights
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Explore the Lost City of Pompeii
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View World-Famous Art on an Uffizi Tour
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Discover the Picturesque Cinque Terre
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Enjoy a Romantic Gondola Ride in Venice
Itinerary Details
International Arrival
Transfer to the Hotel
4 Nights
Rome
Included activities
DAY 1: Arrival in Rome
Upon arrival in Rome, guests will meet the representative at the airport for the transfer to the hotel. The afternoon is free for exploring this grand old city, whether it's with a delicious gelato and leisurely stroll in the bustling Piazza Navona, or stretching one's legs with a walk up Palatine Hill. In the evening, visitors will enjoy a small group grocery shopping and cooking lesson in the heart of the city!
Small Group: Exclusive Cooking Lesson and Grocery Tour in Rome
The chef invites visitors to live an unforgettable experience—an intimate cooking class in the Eternal City. To start, visitors will be taken to an Italian market where Romans love to go grocery shopping, an authentic urban experience in the heart of the city. The cooking class will take place near Piazza Farnese in an apartment with views over the historic rooftops of Rome or in a house on the Tiberina Island. At the conclusion of the lesson, participants will celebrate the traditional Italian cooking knowledge they've gained through eating the food they prepared paired with an Italian wine. Buon appetito!
DAY 2: Rome
On the docket for today is a full-day private walking tour of the city. The tour will conclude in time for dinner, which can be enjoyed in one of the numerous fantastic restaurants in Rome. For a post-dinner cocktail, Salotto 42 is rated as one of the best bars in the world and boasts a stunning view of the 2nd-century ruins of the Temple of Hadrian.
Private Rome in a Day With Vatican Essential Walking Tour With Skip-the-Line Entrances and Guide
The first stop will be at the Colosseum, the imposing first-century architectural masterpiece that once hosted gladiatorial combat. From there it's on to the Roman Forum, where the guide will recount stories about some of ancient Rome's most influential political figures. Guests have an hour for lunch (not included) near the Vatican, and then get priority entry to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. A tour of St. Peter's Basilica is the last stop in Vatican City before heading to some of the city's most famous fountains and piazzas, including Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain.
DAY 3: Rome
After a hearty breakfast, guests are in for a busy day exploring the sites and sounds of Naples and the lost city of Pompeii. Once the tour ends at the end of the day, they can grab a late dinner just like the locals.
Naples and Skip-the-Line Pompeii Tour With Lunch
The tour bus departs from Rome and drives along the "Sun Route" motorway, passing through the stunning coastal regions of Lazio and Campania. At Naples, guests will enjoy a panoramic city tour and then continue on to the lost city of Pompeii for lunch and a visit to the excavations and remnants of the city.
DAY 4: Rome
The last full day in Rome is ideal for visiting any final sites that may have been missed or revisit favorite landmarks. Guests can spend the morning at leisure, and enjoy an espresso and gelato walking tour in the afternoon.
Espresso and Gelato Small Group Walking Tour in Rome
A local food connoisseur will guide guests on this 2.5-hour tour of renowned coffee shops, gelaterias and the most famous tiramisu shop in the city. This is a great opportunity to sample the famous Italian coffee with its mix of varied beans and unique flavors, and learn more about the traditions and process of gelato making. Rome has some of the best gelatos in the world, and traveling with an insider allows one to taste the sweet treats at some of the original and popular gelaterias and get an insider's perspective. Offering a overview of Italian culinary traditions, history and foodie favorites in the city, the tour also takes guests past some of the famous sites in Rome's center, such as the Pantheon.
Transfer to the Train Station for the Train Ride to Florence
Train Journey from Rome to Florence
Transfer to the Hotel
3 Nights
Florence
Included activities
DAY 5: Arrival in Florence
Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance with its majestic architecture and timeless artwork. Once guests arrive and check into their hotel, they are free to explore the city as they wish and discover iconic sites like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. In the evening, a designated guide will take them on a private evening walking tour of the city.
Private Original Evening Guided Walking Tour
This short private guided walk takes guests through Florence's vibrant Oltrarno neighborhood, where Florentine artisans have left their indelible mark over centuries. As guests amble along ancient cobblestoned streets south of the River Arno, they will see historic Renaissance palaces and a medieval hospice holding secrets from Michelangelo's dark past. Medieval masterpieces apart, Oltrarno is just famous for its lively boutiques, eateries and bars, where Florentines gather for their after-dark food and drink. The tour ends with a glass of fine Italian wine sourced from the famous Tuscan wine region.
DAY 6: Florence
After breakfast, guests will head out for their half-day biking tour through Tuscany's rolling valleys and vineyards. This is one of the prime wine growing regions of the world and biking through the winding roads is a great way to soak in the spectacular scenery. Upon their return in the afternoon, guests will have some time to unwind before the private guided tour through the Uffizi Gallery.
Half-Day Tuscany Bike Tour
This morning, guests will arrive at the designated meeting point and take a short walk with their guide to pick up their bikes. Thereafter, they will cross the Arno river and head southwards through the countryside. The route is easy to follow, and the spectacular vistas will more than make up for the hills that travelers have to scale. Light snacks will be provided en route, and guests will then bike to a villa estate for wine tasting. Throughout the tour, the guide will share fascinating stories about the history and culture of the area. This tour requires a certain level of fitness and comfort with bicycles as guests will need to ride through both the city of Florence and country hills.
Private Masterpieces of The Uffizi Galler Half-Day Guided Walking Tour With Skip-the-line Entry
This tour offers guests a firm understanding of world-famous artworks with a knowledgeable private guide sharing stories, anecdotes and details about the masterpieces on display at the Uffizi. As guests meander through the galleries and gaze on treasured Renaissance art, they will gain personalized insights and in-depth historical context. Bypassing the crowds with their guide, they will also learn many interesting facts and tidbits, from how Michelangelo outsmarted a famous skinflint to discovering the identity of the woman in Botticelli's "Birth of Venus."
DAY 7: Florence
After breakfast, guests will make their way to the meeting point and embark on an all-day tour of the Cinque Terre, on the Italian Riviera. Upon their return at the end of the tour, they can take a stroll through the Boboli Gardens and cap off a busy day with a final Florentine dinner and aperitivo in lively Oltrarno.
Best of Cinque Terre Experience With Lunch
The Cinque Terre takes its name from its five picturesque fishing villages - Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso - that together make up the only remaining unspoiled portion of the Italian Rivera. For centuries, this region had remained inaccessible by land, isolated by steep mountains and valleys on one side and the sea on the other. It was only in the late 19th century that the coastal railway line was built, and almost a century later, the winding coastal road through the villages was finished. Much more accessible now, guests can discover some of the secrets of the breathtaking Cinque Terre with a knowledgeable local guide. The journey begins in Manarola where guests catch a boat (weather permitting) to Monterosso, renowned for its beautiful beach and small craftsmen's shops. After a short train ride to Vernazza, they can wander the quiet streets and step into a café. Next, a train ride takes them to Riomaggiore for a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean. Lunch is served in restaurant with views of the sea and surrounding cliffs. After lunch, guests will board a train to return to to La Spezia, and then a bus for Florence.
Transfer to the Santa Maria Novella Station for the Train Ride to Venice
Train Ride from Florence to Venice
Transfer to the Hotel
2 Nights
Venice
Included activities
DAY 8: Arrive in Venice
The enchanting city of Venice is renowned for its Gothic architecture, rich history and culture, and labyrinthine canal system offering romantic gondola rides. Arriving by train at the central station Santa Lucia, in Venice, guests can check into their hotel directly. A leisurely gondola ride is planned in the evening, after which they are free to wander the atmospheric streets and canals in search of the ideal cafe or restaurant.
Private Gondola Ride
In the early evening, guests embark on a serene and intimate 45-minute gondola ride through Venice's famed canals. Manned by a local gondolier, the boat glides through the water and navigates the intricate waterways, passing under arched bridges. Ancient buildings and historic palazzos line the canals, and this leisurely ride is the perfect way to soak up the architecture and atmosphere of one of the world's most romantic cities.
DAY 9: Venice
The day begins with a half-day tour of three outlying islands in the Venice Lagoon - Murano, Burano and Torcello, historic islands with rich history, architecture and artwork. At mid-day, guests will return from the tour in time for lunch before heading out later in the afternoon for an exclusive visit to the famous St. Mark's Cathedral.
Private Half-Day Murano, Burano, and Torcello Tour
The first stop on this guided tour is the island of Murano, renowned for its glass manufacturing industry. Here, travelers can watch a live demonstration of glass-blowing at a glass factory. A short distance away, Burano is equally famous for its exquisite lace and colorful fishermen's houses that line the streets. The last stop on this tour, Torcello, is a peaceful, verdant island that was on of the earliest settlements in Venice. Guests will have the opportunity to explore archaeological sites and visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its Byzantine mosaics, the only remaining testament to the island's former glory.
The Treasures of St. Mark's Cathedral
Guests will set out to discover the Byzantine architecture of St. Mark's Cathedral with its beautiful mosaics and marble floors. Starting at the center of the cathedral, they will learn about the structure's thousand-year-old history from a knowledgeable guide while they explore. Once the introduction is complete, guests will get exclusive access to two sections that are usually closed to the general public: The Baptistery, a sacred area with mosaics depicting the life of John the Baptist, and the Zen Chapel with its Renaissance artwork. The final destination on this tour is the Treasury of St. Mark, home to the exquisitely crafted Golden Pall and other artifacts.
DAY 10: Venice
After breakfast, a representative will be waiting at the embankment for the boat ride to the airport, from where guests will depart for their home.
Boat Ride to the Airport
International Departure
Inclusions
Includes
- Activities and excursions, as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodations: Rome (4 nights) - Florence (3 nights) - Venice (2 nights)
- Meals: Daily breakfast, except otherwise specified
- Private arrival and departure transfers, as specified in the itinerary
- Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
- English speaking assistants and guides
- Admission tickets as specified in the itinerary
Not Included
- Tips and personal expenses
- Visa and tourism charges
- Travel, health and cancellation insurance