Meander your way through the scenic landscapes and cultural treasures of Italy, where relaxation and enchantment await. From the ancient wonders of Rome to the romantic canals of Venice, and from the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, discover the perfect balance of tranquility and adventure.
Arrive in Rome and meet your private driver to transfer to your 5-star hotel, Hotel Parco dei Principi.
After getting settled, venture on a mouthwatering food tour of Rome's diverse areas, led by your private, food-loving guide. Explore the local neighborhoods, indulging in authentic delicacies like artichokes in the Jewish Ghetto and savoring gelato and local wines paired with bruschetta in Trastevere district.
Meet your private driver and head to the Vatican City. Start in the Vatican Museums, the largest and richest museum in the world. Pass through room after room of treasures before the culminating visit, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. From here enter St. Peter’s Basilica, a triumph of Renaissance architecture. This is one of the largest churches in the world and was the work of Michelangelo, Bramante, Carlo Maderno and Bernini.
Today, you will get to explore the splendours of Ancient Rome. Every city in the Empire had a forum at its heart, with the Forum of Rome being the mightiest. Walk along the Via Sacra, the main street of Ancient Rome and make your way up the Palatine Hill, enjoying the House of Vestal Virgins along the way. The tour culminates at the Colosseum. Built in 72 AD, it seated 50,000 spectators and hosted the most blood-thirsty games in ancient Rome, the most famous being gladiator combat.
Today you will leave Rome and head to the Amalfi Coast. On the way enjoy a stop in Pompeii for a tour hour tour of the ancient, lost city. An archaeological marvel, Pompeii unveils the captivating remnants of an ancient Roman city frozen in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Take a trip back in time as you explore the preserved streets, bars and houses. After the tour arrive in Amalfi and settle into the Grand Hotel Royal, with a free evening.
In the afternoon head to a private cooking class where you will learn traditional Italian culinary techniques while preparing your dinner. You’ll meet at a secret and secluded venue, high above the Amalfi Coast shoreline, surrounded by flower-filled terraces and lemon trees. Everything is focused on fresh, local and seasonal produce. At the end of class, relax with local wine enjoy the delicious meal you have prepared.
On this private tour discover the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Start in Ravello, visiting two breathtaking villas with their stunning gardens. From Villa Cimbrone you can admire the best panoramic view in Italy. After a stop for lunch, reach Amalfi, an amphitheater among the mountains and the sea. Take in the unique scenery with the clean houses, the warm color of lemon trees and ancient ruins hanging off cliffs. End your tour with Positano, considered to be one of the most picturesque of all Italy’s coastal resorts.
Check out of your hotel in Amalfi and meet your driver in hotel lobby to head to Sorrento pier. Hop aboard your private boat to Capri, and take a luxurious full-day adventure through the island of Capri.
Capri is the jewel in the crown of the Amalfi Coast and no visit would be complete without this stunning island. The highlight of the trip will be a stop at the famous Blue Grotto, mesmerizing with its radiant waters. After your tour check in to your hotel, Capri Tiberio Palace.
After breakfast you will meet your guide for a walking tour of the island. Capri has been a favorite of the rich and famous since the 1800s when it became the spot for leisure, relaxation and to be seen. One distinct feature of the island is the three rocks, known as the Faraglioni, which are featured in all photos of Capri.
The tour will end at 12:30pm back at your hotel. From there you head to your lunch reservation right on the water, at Il Riccio. You will have the rest of the day free.
After breakfast check out of your hotel and depart Capri for Naples. Once in Naples you will take first class train tickets from Naples to Florence. Enjoy the ~3 hour train ride which offers a scenic journey through the picturesque Italian countryside, showcasing charming villages, rolling hills, and vineyards, providing a delightful and immersive travel experience. Once in Florence a private driver will take you to your hotel, Hotel Santa Maria Novella. Please take the rest of the day to settle in.
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to go explore the Renaissance period of Florence on foot. Start with the Accademia Gallery, home of Michelangelo’s incredible David. A short walk will bring you to the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, started in 1296 with the iconic dome completed in 1436. Continue to the Piazza della Signoria, to see the political heart of the city. End your tour by crossing the Ponte Vecchio the oldest bridge on the Arno river before heading back to your hotel.
Explore the Chianti countryside on this full-day private tour of San Gimignano and Siena. Discover San Gimignano's medieval charm and iconic towers, followed by a visit to a renowned Chianti winery for a delightful wine tasting and light lunch. Continue to Siena to witness the famous Palio horse race at Piazza del Campo, explore quaint backstreets, and enjoy panoramic views from Facciatone. Conclude the tour with a visit to notable sites like Santa Maria della Scala and Libreria Piccolomini before returning to Florence,
Today you will be introduced to the heart of Florence. The tour begins with the gothic church of Santa Croce: here you’ll see the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli and marvel at works by Donatello and Giotto. You will then head to the Ponte Vecchio, originally home to butchers’ shops but now occupied by fine jewelery shops. A short walk will bring you to the Uffizi Gallery, where you’ll concentrate on works by Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael, da Vinci and Michelangelo.
After checking out of the hotel, your private driver will take you to the Florence train station. Once you arrive in Venice meet your assistant that will be waiting for you with a sign of your name. Travel by boat to your hotel, Locanda Vivaldi.
In the afternoon meet your guide and head to the Doge’s Palace for a private tour. Venture through the back streets of Venice to St. Mark’s Basicila, a stunning work of architecture. Your tour will conclude at 6pm. Enjoy a free evening for dinner and relaxation.
Today, you will head out on a private boat tour to enjoy another side of Venice. You will travel through the Venetian Lagoon, with stops at Murano, Torcello and Burano. Learn the importance of the unique history and trade of these peculiar islands. Each one has a unique artistic tradition that you will explore in your visits. In Murano, admire one of the most important glass factories. Continue to Burano, a fisherman island known for its brightly-colored houses. The last stop is Torcello, the first island to be inhabited in the lagoon.
Enjoy a free morning and early afternoon. Stroll the streets of Venice, taking in the sights and culture, or relax in the hotel spa. This evening, meet your guide in the lobby for your gondola ride through the canals of Venice. The gondola is the symbol of Venice. Prepare to be enthralled by the elegance and charm of this unique experience. It gives you a very special point of view of the city and it is from the water that Venice offers its most spectacular side.
After checking out of the hotel, you will be taken by boat to meet your private driver.
You will drive from Venice to Lake Como. This is a 4 hour journey, but a delight of its own as much of the ride is on beautiful, winding roads that reveal the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Italy. You will arrive at the Hotel Villa Flori where you can get settled and relax for the rest of the day.
Discover the beauty of Lake Como, its unspoilt landscapes, its banks filled with luxuriant vegetation, sumptuous villas and small villages directly from the water. During the cruise the guide will show you a succession of small towns with ancient stone bell towers and sumptuous villas along the shore. Have a look also at the Comacina Isle in the bay of Ossuccio and the characteristic bell tower of Santa Maria Maddalena. Next head to Bellagio, the pearl of the lake and walk along the lanes with shops on all sides.
Italy meets Switzerland in the wonderful Lake Lugano. Lugano is a charming resort town with wonderful lake views. Among the many historic buildings is the Santa Maria degli Angeli church, a Renaissance gem with frescoes by Luini. Your driver will then take you east of Lugano, to Santa Margherita where you can take a cable car up to the top of the mountain for some splendid panoramic views. Across the lake is the little Italian enclave of Campione d’Italia, a delightful town, which even has a casino.
Enjoy a full day excursion to the beautiful Stresa and Lake Maggiore area. There you will meet your guide and enjoy a pleasant 5 hour private boat tour of the area. Travelling south from Switzerland, visitors have the feeling that they have reached a Mediterranean when they arrive at the shores of Lake Maggiore. When you reach the wooded Cannobina Valley, you are a world away, with little-visited picturesque hamlets and stunning views.
Your private driver will take you back to Venice where you will depart Italy for the US.
