Italian Highlights

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.

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Rome

   

   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

   Included in your vacation package price

   Relive Ancient Rome

   Discover the origins of Rome by visiting the iconic Colosseum and the Roman Forum, where you can immerse yourself in the grandeur of Ancient Rome. A private guide can share the fascinating history behind the Colosseum’s construction and its subsequent evolution, followed by a tour of the Roman Forum, the heart of Roman political life. Alternatively, we can arrange a group tour with a reputable company; please note that the Colosseum occasionally adjusts its tour schedules or order, both of which offer a deeper understanding of this ancient city's incredible legacy.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Premium Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Group Tour

   Explore the captivating tales of lions, gladiators, and emperors on a comprehensive journey through Ancient Rome. Skip the lines and enjoy express entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. With an expert guide leading a small group of no more than 15 individuals, immerse yourself in an intimate and enjoyable tour of these three iconic sites, delving into the rich history of Ancient Rome.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Colosseum and Roman Forum Private Tour

   Explore the Roman Forum, where your guide will bring ancient temples, theaters, and political landmarks to life with fascinating stories. Ascend Palatine Hill to hear captivating tales of luxury and opulence while surrounded by peaceful ruins. Enjoy priority access to the Colosseum and use VR glasses to visualize its gladiatorial battles and ancient grandeur. This private tour offers personalized storytelling and an unforgettable journey through Rome’s iconic past.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   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

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Rome

   Gourmet Experiences

   There's no better way to explore Italian cuisine than by taking gourmet tours, which will give you a deep cultural experience. You can learn how to make gelato and tiramisu, enjoy a luxury gourmet dinner with a wine tasting in a private cellar, or be part of a small group food crawl. Choose any of these experiences, and we guarantee you'll want more.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Guided Group Wine & Food Pairing Dinner Near the Pantheon

   This 2.5-hour tour and degustation is perfect for foodies. You'll start with an aperitif as you soak up the atmosphere. Then you'll head for dinner, enjoying sumptuous Roman specialties while you get the special treatment from the owners of the restaurant. We can't think of a better way to enjoy a Roman dinner!
   

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 2 hours 30 minutes

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Group Food Tour - Campo de' Fiori, Jewish Ghetto, Trastevere

   Food lovers, here's your chance to experience Rome’s enchanting squares and neighborhoods while tasting your way through some of the city’s best shops, restaurants, and markets, discovering the secrets of Italian cuisine. Meet your friendly, local expert food connoisseur in the city center, and get ready to stroll through a number of neighborhoods to visit the most famous food markets, groceries, coffee shops, ice cream shops, and restaurants. Taste some of the delicious food and wines the city is famous for, including pizza bianca, mortadella, gelato, and supplì. From fried artichokes or zucchini flowers in the Jewish ghetto to spices and vegetables in Campo de Fiori, you'll ignite your senses and burn some calories while you enjoy walking amongst the beauty around you.

   Just so you know, this tour includes approximately 3.5 km (2.17 miles) of walking.

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

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   Watch the video

   A Visit to Rome's Unique Sovereign State - Vatican City

   The striking dome of St. Peter's Basilica is an unmistakable landmark in Rome, dominating the city’s skyline and often being the first sight upon arriving by plane. Vatican City, an independent sovereign state surrounded by stone walls, serves as the spiritual and administrative heart of the Roman Catholic Church and is an essential destination during any visit to Rome. For an enriching experience, we recommend combining a tour of the Vatican Museums with a visit to St. Peter's Basilica. We offer private, group, and small group tours, each providing exclusive insights into this remarkable destination.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   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

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   Watch the video

   

   Vatican Highlights Private Guided Tour

   Discover the Vatican's wonders on a private guided tour tailored to your pace, including the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Skip the long lines with the VIP entrance and dive straight into the Papal Palace’s treasures. Admire masterpieces like the Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere as your guide shares their fascinating histories in the scenic courtyard. End your journey with awe-inspiring visits to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica.

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

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

4. Day 4 Traveling to Castellina in Chianti by Private Transfer / Arrival in Castellina in Chianti

   

   It's time to bid arrivederci to the eternal city as you're headed for the hills of Tuscany, one of the loveliest parts of Italy. Your driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Rome and you will head north on the highway, taking a small detour at around halfway, to visit UNESCO-listed Orvieto, a medieval gem famed for its gothic cathedral and stunning frescoes. You'll have a couple of hours of free time here to sight-see before continuing your journey to your accommodation in Tuscany. The journey till the first stop takes about 2 hours. After your stop in Orvieto you will continue your way to Castellina in Chianti. The whole journey takes around 6 hours. Please note that this is a non guided transfer.

   We have chosen Castellina as one of our key destinations in Tuscany as this small town or large village offers all the facilities most visitors need while allowing them to enjoy the countryside location as well. Public transport is limited so you will definitely need a driver or rental car while you're here. On the edge of a village is a Vespa and Cinquecento (vintage Fiat car) rental company, should you want to indulge in a little nostalgic exploration of the surroundings. Close by you'll find San Gimignano, a 'medieval Manhattan' well worthy of a day trip and the walled town of Monteriggioni is even closer.

   Your driver will take you directly to your accommodations in the center of Castellina or the scenic countryside nearby, depending on your choice of accommodations.

   
   

   Our recommendation for Tuscany: The region is very authentic, charming, and most of the best hotels are located in the countryside and not in the towns. If you would like to visit a winery or get dinner somewhere outside of the hotel, we recommend ensuring you have some tours booked in advance, as it can be a bit of a challenge to get transportation if you want to explore on your own. There are only a few taxis, and they are quite expensive. For this reason, for our guests who prefer to explore on their own and not book a tour, we recommend considering a rental car if you are comfortable driving in Italy. If you're interested, please let us know and we can suggest the best way to include it in your itinerary and provide you with any cost differences.

   

   Stroll Through History

   Nestled in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, Castellina in Chianti offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and gastronomy. Explore the town's ancient Etruscan roots at the Montecalvario Tomb and stroll along the Via delle Volte, a charming medieval walkway with stunning views of the countryside. Visit the Rocca di Castellina, a historic fortress with a panoramic tower, and enjoy wine tastings at local wineries celebrating the famed Chianti Classico. With its quaint streets and inviting atmosphere, you will fall in love with Castellina Tuscany's timeless beauty.

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Castellina in Chianti

   

   Private Chianti Vespa Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting from Castellina in Chianti

   Hop on a classic Vespa and ride through the heart of Tuscany, leaving the crowds behind as you follow the legendary Chiantigiana road between Florence and Siena. You’ll cruise past rolling hills, medieval villages, and breathtaking viewpoints, stopping along the way to soak in the scenery and atmosphere. The journey includes visits to top Chianti wineries, where you discover the art of winemaking and enjoy tastings in a stunning countryside setting. Stylish, relaxed, and unforgettable, this is Tuscany experienced as a true lifestyle, not just a tour.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 5 hours

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

   

   Val d'Orcia Private Day Trip: Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza from Castellina in Chianti

   This excursion has been designed to give you a taste of authentic Tuscany. You'll be driven through the beautiful countryside south of Siena, where you'll have the possibility to stop for some wine tasting for an extra fee. Your first stop, Montalcino, is famous for its Brunellos. You'll also visit Montepulciano, which is known for its Vino Nobile wines. Please let us know if you wish to visit a winery so we can book it for you.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 7 hours

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

6. Day 6 Traveling to Monterosso Al Mare by Private Transfer / Arrival in Monterosso Al Mare

   It's time to head to the coast! We will arrange for a driver to pick you up from your accommodations in Tuscany and transfer you to the Cinque Terre area. The drive from Tuscany to Cinque Terre takes around 3 hours without stops but for an additional fee, we can arrange a stop on the way for you. For anyone with a love of motoring or chocolate, the town of Pontedera offers up the choice of the Amedei chocolate factory or the Piaggio museum. Even if you haven’t heard of Piaggio you’ll certainly have seen a few of their signature Vespas during your time in Italy but they started out as an aeronautics company. Alternatively, if you didn’t take a day trip to Pisa while in Tuscany then this is your chance. Although most just stop to gawp at the leaning tower, the Duomo and Baptistery are worth your time.

   As the northern-most of the Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso-al-Mare (literally the red mountain by the sea) is the most accessible of five. Road, rail and ferry links, and a wide choice of hotels make this an excellent base for visiting all the other villages and neighboring towns as well. This choice and accessibility comes at a price – it is the least pretty of the five. Yet that will hardly seem to matter when you're looking out to sea, or hiking the steep trail to Vernazza, the next village. Monterosso has the largest and best equipped beach of all the Cinque Terre villages so if some sun worship is on your vacation agenda, this is the perfect spot. As well as the opportunity to hike in the Cinque Terre national park between some of the villages you can also take the regular trains or if seas allow, the ferry service to the other villages. Private and boat day trips provide another way to admire the villages from their most natural aspect, the sea.

   Your driver will bring you straight to your accommodation at Monterosso Al Mare.

7. Day 7 Your First Full Day in Monterosso Al Mare

   

   Hiking Trails in Cinque Terre

   Hiking in Cinque Terre is demanding but rewarding, only for people in good physical condition and equipped with good hiking boots, comfortable outfits, a sun hat, sunscreen, and extra water. The Monterosso to Vernazza leg takes around 3 hours, and the same for Vernazza to Corniglia. Note that the scenic and easy walk "Via dell’Amore" (the love road) between Riomaggiore and Manarola is interrupted and won’t be restored soon.

   • Activity Level : Strenuous
   • Duration : 6 hours

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

   

   Cinque Terre Group Boat Cruise at Sunset with Dinner on Board

   Experience an unforgettable journey along the stunning Cinque Terre coastline, capturing breathtaking views of all five villages from a comfortable boat. Indulge in a refreshing swim or snorkeling adventure in enchanting bays and savor a sumptuous aperitif with complimentary drinks and local delicacies as you watch the sunset. All this will create unforgettable memories of Italy's picturesque coastline.

   • Activity Level : Easy
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

8. Day 8 Your Second Full Day in Monterosso Al Mare

   

   Portofino and Camogli, the Jewels of Liguria

   If you have a few days to enjoy the area, we recommend visiting Santa Margherita Ligure, a renowned coastal destination. This place offers easy access to Cinque Terre by train, and it's very close to picturesque Camogli and the VIP-tourism hamlet of Portofino, which is the quintessential image of the Italian Riviera. From Camogli, a regular boat takes you to the magnificent medieval Abbey of San Fruttuoso, which is only reachable by sea and offers great swimming opportunities. The whole area is part of the protected natural reserve of Portofino Promontory, which is ideal for hiking, sailing, and scuba diving. You can easily explore the area with an experienced local driver in conjunction with a visit to Genoa's famous aquarium.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 9 hours

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

   

   Swim in Splendid Waters

   If you like swimming, you have more than a few options on the coast. In warmer weather, we definitely recommend the tiny harbors of Vernazza and Riomaggiore. The only equipped beach nearby is in Monterosso, and this one is suitable for families as well. So grab your towel and suncream and maybe a focaccia and a drink or gelato. As usual, the best suggestion is to follow the locals!

   Suggestion to explore on your own

9. Day 9 Traveling to Venice by Train / Arrival in Venice

   It's a day of traveling from Coast to Coast today, from the Ligurian coast to the Adriatic. We'll book you standard class tickets from Monterosso Al Mare to Venice. Depending on where you're staying, you'll need to change trains at least once, in Milano Centrale. An upgrade to a higher class is possible for an extra fee. The whole journey takes around 6 hours. If necessary your hotel will be able to arrange a taxi to the train station.

   

   You can upgrade your transfer

   Venice by Private Transfer

   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.

10. Day 10 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

    

    Venetian Tapas and Wine Tours

    You're in Italy, so good food isn't too far away if you know where to look. One of our favorite ways to get to know a city is by taking a food tour. We can highly recommend taking part in these small group tours and getting your culinary bearings set with an afternoon sampling cicchetti (Venetian tapas), accompanied by wine at Venice's best Bacari (traditional wine bars).

    • Activity Level : Light
    • Duration : 3 hours

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

11. Day 11 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.