Italian Art and Culture

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Rome

   The capital of Italy is a vibrant, energetic and stylish city. While thoroughly modern in sensibility, Rome is also home to some of the world’s most important works of classic art and architecture. This city has been an epicenter for culture, politics and religion for more than 2,500 years. From the Spanish Steps to the Vatican, there are more than enough sights to keep even the most active tourists busy and even somewhere as popular as Rome you can find places just off the tourist trail and bustling with locals. But it’s also nice to slow down and enjoy Rome’s famous cafes and restaurants, which can be just as beguiling as the buildings. Lounge with an espresso on the Campo de Fiori and watch the changing light on the fountains and the facades. Visit the Vatican and explore some of the world’s most beautiful churches. Rome really comes alive at night, when restaurants and wine bars bring a renewed vitality to the city. You’ll also have opportunities for day trips to local vineyards, olive groves, and other places producing regional delicacies. No matter what your interests, or what kind of holiday you’re looking for, Rome will be an enjoyable destination.

   After you land at Rome's Fiumicino airport you will be met in the arrivals hall by a driver holding a sign with your name on. The journey to your accommodation in the center of Rome should take around an hour.

   Our representative will then meet with you to answer any questions you have and to get you settled for the rest of your trip.

   Renaissance Masters Up Close and Personal

   For those seeking a refined cultural experience in Rome, we highly recommend a visit to the Borghese Gallery, an elegant museum housed in a former 17th-century villa. Once the private residence of Cardinal Borghese, the gallery showcases a remarkable collection of masterpieces by Renaissance and Baroque artists, many of which were personally acquired or commissioned by the Cardinal. Unlike the more frequently visited Vatican Museums, the Borghese Gallery offers a quieter, more intimate setting to appreciate these exceptional works of art. Its manageable size ensures a focused and enriching visit, making it a hidden gem in Rome's artistic landscape.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Rome

   

   Gladiator's Gate Special Access Colosseum Group Tour

   On this tour, you will enter the Colosseum like a gladiator, venturing through its ancient corridors and entering via the Gladiator’s Gate. You will hear captivating tales of emperors and ruthless crowds, then ascend to explore the Colosseum's first and second levels with your guide. You will conclude your adventure with a captivating tour of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, where history comes alive amidst the ancient ruins.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours 15 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   First Time in Rome

   There are many aspects to Rome's history and it's easy to be overwhelmed by this most spectacular of cities. If it's your first time in Rome you're probably wondering where to start. Our recommendation is to take a bike tour, which enables you to cover more ground and get a sense of the city's geography. Sites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the Vatican all deserve a little longer time and we'll add suggestions for visiting those into your subsequent days in the Eternal City. If biking around the city doesn't appeal, we can offer the same tour but using a golf cart as your means of conveyance.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   E-bike Along the Appian Way Private Tour

   Uniquely discover Rome with this bike tour along the ancient Appian Way on a comfortable electric bike. Pass through Porta Appia with your English-speaking guide and explore landmarks like the Caracalla Baths, ancient tombs, and important churches. Ride past the Catacombs and the Circus of Maxentius while learning fascinating stories of Roman history. This e-bike adventure combines ease, history, and priceless relics for an unforgettable experience.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Golf Cart Around Rome Private Tour

   Explore Rome effortlessly with a private golf cart tour, a comfortable and eco-friendly way to see the city. Glide through the streets with your private guide, visiting iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain while hearing fascinating stories. Venture off the beaten path to hidden gems like the keyhole and the Pyramid of Cestius, adding unique stops to your adventure. This personalized tour lets you cover more ground, take breaks when needed, and fully immerse yourself in Rome’s history and charm.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Rome

   

   The Complete Vatican Group Tour with Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

   For an in-depth exploration of Rome's iconic highlights, this guided tour with an expert is a must. Discover the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and beyond—an immersive Vatican journey. Skip the lines and delve into these remarkable buildings and their artistic treasures with your private guide, gaining insights into their rich history and profound significance.
   

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours 30 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   Watch the video

   

   Exploring Rome’s Vibrant Street Art Scene

   Rome’s street art scene offers a vibrant contrast to its ancient heritage, showcasing modern creativity throughout the city. The Ostiense district, once an industrial area, is now renowned for its large-scale murals by artists like ROA and Sten&Lex, with impressive works located beneath the railroad bridge on Via Ostiense. Another key location is the Spagna metro station near the Spanish Steps, where a collaboration between ATAC and 999 Contemporary transformed the space into a lively urban art gallery. Visiting these sites provides a fresh perspective on Rome’s dynamic cultural scene and highlights its evolving artistic expressions.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

4. Day 4 Traveling to Florence by Train / Arrival in Florence

   Today it's time to bid arriverderci to the Eternal City. You're headed to Italy's art palace, Florence. The high speed train service gets you there in just over an hour and a half. We've included standard class tickets in your package but can upgrade these to business class for an extra fee. We will also arrange for a driver to take you to Roma Termini station in plenty of time for your departing train.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Florence by Private Transfer with a stop in Orvieto

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   Florence is the capital of Tuscany and home to the region’s greatest Renaissance art and architecture. The Renaissance actually started here, and today the city’s numerous cathedrals and art galleries show the evidence of this rich and inspiring period. You’ll want to see the Duomo Cathedral and the Galleria dell’Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s “David.” Botticelli and Da Vinci's works are here too, at some of the city’s other amazing galleries. But there’s more to do in Florence than simply admire the art. It’s a beautiful, romantic place, and even a stroll through the streets is charming. Add world-class restaurants, delectable local wine and cuisine, and a warm Tuscan welcome, and you have a destination unlike any other. Florence is also an ideal base for exploring Tuscany, with its picturesque hills and vineyards in the heart of Italy.

   Upon arriving to Florence's main station, Santa Maria Novella, we'll arrange for our driver to pick you up from the train station and take you to your centrally located accommodation.

   

   An Unforgettable First Night in Florence

   On your first night in Florence, take a leisurely evening stroll along the Arno River, soaking in the views of the illuminated Ponte Vecchio and the historic center. Enjoy a delicious dinner at a traditional trattoria, where you can savor classic Florentine dishes like bistecca alla fiorentina or ribollita. Afterward, head to Piazza della Signoria to admire the statues and the grandeur of the Palazzo Vecchio. End the evening with a gelato at Gelateria Edoardo, Florence is famed for its high-quality, organic ingredients, while taking in the grandeur of the suggestively lit Duomo.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Florence

   

   Florence Walking and David Visit Private Tour

   With this tour, you'll make the most of your time in Florence: you'll be picked up from your accommodations by your guide, who will lead you through the city streets. You'll explore the most important bridges, alleys, medieval markets, and Renaissance palaces so you can appreciate the best of this unique city. Together, you will then reach the Academia Gallery. The statue of David is definitely the most famous work on display, but it's certainly not the only thing worth seeing. Have your questions ready!

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Discover Da Vinci’s Florence

   Leonardo da Vinci, one of history’s greatest minds, was born just outside Florence, and the Da Vinci Museum in the city offers a unique opportunity to explore his genius. Located in the heart of Florence, the museum features a hands-on exhibition of intricate wooden machines based on Leonardo's own drawings. For those seeking to immerse themselves in Renaissance art, the Uffizi Gallery houses several of da Vinci’s masterpieces, making it an essential stop on any Florence itinerary. We recommend experiencing these iconic sites with a private tour for a deeper understanding of da Vinci's contributions to art and science.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

6. Day 6 Your Second Full Day in Florence

   

   Explore Tuscany: San Gimignano, Siena, and Tuscany

   One of the best things about Florence is how easy it is to get into the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Unless you have your own car, a group excursion departing from Florence in the morning provides the perfect opportunity to cover a lot of ground without spending too much money. A splendid excursion recommended for those without many days to dedicate to the region includes San Gimignano, AKA the "Medieval Manhattan," thanks to its 14 towers, and splendid Siena, famed for the horse race that takes place on its main square. No visit to Tuscany is complete without a visit to a winery, where you can have lunch and taste some of the local wines.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 10 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

   

   Handmade Pasta & Gelato Tasting Group Class

   Experience Italy through two of its most beloved delicacies: fresh handmade pasta and authentic gelato. In this cooking class in Florence, you’ll learn to prepare both from scratch using time-honored traditions and innovative techniques. Guided by expert instructors, you’ll discover the secrets behind perfect pasta dough and creamy gelato.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

7. Day 7 Traveling to Venice by Train / Arrival in Venice

   Your time in Florence has drawn to a close but there's plenty more Italian splendor ahead of you as you push north to the magnificent maritime city of Venice. We have included standard class train tickets for the high-speed train service which takes around two hours. An upgrade to a higher class is possible at an extra cost. We'll arrange for our driver to pick you up from your accommodations and take you to Florence Train Station.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Venice by Private Transfer with a stop in Modena

   Upgrade for an additional cost

   Venice is a legendary city with a charm and atmosphere all its own. The city was constructed on more than 100 islands connected by a series of canals, most of which are lined with gorgeous palaces, beautiful churches, and all sorts of impressive architecture. While the city isn’t huge, it is packed with pedestrian-only streets and quaint, winding alleys that will keep you exploring for days. The city is very popular with tourists year-round, so you certainly won’t be the only travelers walking through the streets with camera in hand. This being Italy, the cuisine in Venice is delicious, and we can especially recommend the Cicchetti of Venice tour. Cicchetti are Venetian tapas, and this tour will introduce you to some of the city’s most iconic eateries and its most delicious recipes. If it’s your first time in Venice, we can organize a tour to show you all the most important sites. And since no trip to the city of canals is complete without a boat ride, we offer a number of ways for you to get a new point of view of the city and its magnificent architecture. It’s easy to while away your time in Venice, discovering new secrets around every corner.

   Start your Venetian experience off in style by arriving in a private water taxi. We'll arrange a transfer by boat from Santa Lucia train station to the closest possible point to your hotel in Venice. Please note that porter assistance from the water taxi to the hotel is not included but can be arranged at extra charge.

   

   Venice - An Open Art Museum

   Venice is often described as an open-air art museum, where every turn reveals a blend of history, architecture, and artistic brilliance. The city’s crown jewel, St. Mark’s Basilica, impresses with its Byzantine mosaics, while the Doge’s Palace showcases Gothic elegance. Beyond these landmarks, visitors will find ornate palazzi lining the Grand Canal, richly decorated churches, and hidden squares adorned with sculptures and frescoes. Even a simple stroll along its winding alleyways or crossing its graceful bridges feels like moving through a vast canvas that has inspired artists for centuries. With world-class museums, galleries, and the beauty of daily life, Venice offers an endless celebration of art in every form.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

8. Day 8 Your First Full Day in Venice

   

   First Time in Venice Private Tour

   Discover Venice with this unique walking tour, which unfolds through the elegant Piazza San Marco, surrounded by the governmental buildings of the ancient Republic. You'll see the beautiful Saint Mark church, then stroll through the Castello district including the large campo Santa Maria Formosa. The square of San Giovanni e Paolo will be your next stop. Before reaching Rialto you'll pass by the Marco Polo house. From the top of the famous Rialto bridge you'll encounter all the splendours of the Grand Canal.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   In the Footsteps of the Doges

   The Doge’s Palace, an architectural masterpiece of Venetian Gothic design, stands proudly beside St. Mark’s Basilica in the heart of Piazza San Marco. Once the residence of the Doge, the elected ruler of Venice, this grand palace also served as the seat of government and the center of political life during the city’s height as a maritime power. Since opening as a museum in 1923, it has welcomed visitors to admire its opulent halls adorned with masterpieces by artists such as Tintoretto and Veronese. Highlights include the ornate Golden Staircase, the vast Council Chamber, and the infamous Bridge of Sighs connecting to the old prison. A visit offers an unforgettable journey into Venice’s rich political, artistic, and architectural heritage.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 1 hour 15 minutes

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

9. Day 9 Your Second Full Day in Venice

   Murano and Burano

   Today we suggest going off the beaten path and onto a boat to cross the water and explore two islands which are not islands at all. Murano and Burano are tiny archipelagos, collections of islands linked by numerous bridges. On Murano, the stately architecture is stunning but the main attraction here is the collection of incredible glassblowers, whose works in progress you can see at Murano’s many ateliers.

   Burano is also an archipelago in northern Venice, consisting of four islands linked by many bridges. What you’ll notice first are the brightly painted houses, which make the island glow with an energy all its own. Largely inhabited by artists, it’s a great place to poke around and explore. We can arrange tickets for a group boat trip or a private one of you would like.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Premium Lagoon Group Tour with Murano Glass Blowing, Burano & St. Erasmo Winery

   Apart from Venice itself, the Venetian Lagoon is dotted with tiny gems of islands and this incredible tour shows you around the charms of the two most known among them: Murano and Burano. In the company of your small group, you'll enjoy a relaxing ride on a private boat and be amazed by a private glassmaking demonstration within the walls of a beautiful old church.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours 15 minutes

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Grand Canal Private Tour with Stops at Murano and Burano

   Explore Venice by water with a private boat tour along the Grand Canal, led by a knowledgeable crew sharing insights into the city's history and legends. Immerse yourself in Venetian culture by visiting Murano for a mesmerizing glass-blowing demonstration and Burano to experience its vibrant, colorful streets.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

10. Day 10 Departure Day

    It's time to bid arrivederci to Venice but you'll get a good last look at the city as your private water taxi captain takes you to the airport for your departing flight. Your private boat will dock at the closest possible point to your hotel.