Best of Italy

Your two-week adventure through Italy begins with your arrival into Venice, a destination been captivating visitors for centuries. You’ll be met by your private driver for transfer to your hotel. Relax, refresh and then begin exploring this truly unique floating city built on a series of some 120 islands in the Venetian Lagoon along the edge of the Adriatic Sea. Motor vehicles are banned downtown, with tourists and locals getting around on foot, or using the various transportation systems in the waterways. Take a stroll to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere and find an enticing restaurant, ideally away from the tourist hotspots.

Enjoy the day to discover more of what Venice has to offer, like the Cannaregio and Giudecca neighbourhoods. If you’d like, you can join a tour to explore the artisan islands of Burano and Murano by boat before walking the narrow streets. It’s the chance to see a different side of Venice, where crafts are produced by highly skilled local artisans. Burano is famous for its beautiful lace fabric, while Murano is renowned across the globe for its glass, with the locals guarding their glassblowing secrets for centuries. You’ll have the chance to purchase some gorgeous glass souvenirs or gifts too.

This morning your guide will meet you for a private tour through Venice, exploring many of its highlights like San Marco Square and the Rialto Bridge which crosses the narrowest point of the Grand Canal. Built in the late 16^th-century, the stone-arch bridge is considered a remarkable architectural achievement of the Renaissance era. Marvel at Palazzo Ducale, the symbol of Venice and a Gothic architecture masterpiece, among many other landmarks. Of course, your visit wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the city from one of the traditional gondolas. This afternoon you’ll do just that, embarking on a romantic, private gondola ride through the picturesque canals.

It’s time to head to your next destination, with private transfer bringing you to the train station where you’ll catch the fast-speed train to Florence, about a 2-hour ride. After getting settled into your accommodation, meet your guide for a walking tour, taking in many of the sights like the Duomo, the city’s grandest cathedral with its magnificent Renaissance dome. The cathedral itself is a huge Gothic building on the site of the 7^th-century church of Santa Reparata. Its remains can be viewed in the crypt. Marvel at the Renaissance Palazzo Pitti, visit Piazza della Signoria, and many other landmarks too.

This morning you’ll embark on a day trip with your first stop, the city of Lucca, one of Italy’s most stunning with its opulent palaces, cobbled streets and ring of Renaissance-era walls that were transformed into walking and biking paths. Take your time enjoying the mix of Romanesque, medieval and Renaissance architecture, wandering the leafy promenades, visiting Anfiteatro Square and the medieval tower with a roof garden known as the Torre Guinigi. On your return to Florence visit Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and Campo dei Miracoli, one of the world’s finest architectural complexes and an important center for medieval art.

A tour on a Vespa will bring another perspective of the beautiful Chianti region, one of the most breathtaking in all of Tuscany, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air and spectacular views, along with some renowned Tuscan food and wine. You’ll be led by an expert guide for a ride through the gentle green hills covered with wide fields of olive groves, vineyards, small medieval villages, and stone countryside homes. Don’t forget your camera with the landscape so gorgeous it’s inspired many photographs that have become postcards, sent around the world. End with a mouthwatering Tuscan meal and a wine tasting.

Take the fast train from Florence to Naples after your breakfast this morning. Upon your arrival you’ll be met by another private driver for transfer to beautiful Amalfi village. The town enjoys a jaw-dropping setting, set below precipitous cliffs along the southwest coast. From the 9^th– to the 11^th-centuries, this was the seat of a powerful maritime republic. After checking into your hotel and dropping off your bags, head out to enjoy it. At the heart of town is the Arab-Norman cathedral with a striped Byzantine façade. You can also explore the medieval shipyard that was transformed into the Museo Arsenale Amalfi.

You’ll have the day to explore the Amalfi Coast, starting with the short ferry ride, or a bus ride, to one of the prettiest and most romantic places you’ll find, Positano, built on the face of a cliff. Wander the narrow streets enjoying the medieval architecture and colourful houses, then perhaps relax on the picturesque beach. You might want to explore the ancient industrial area of Amalfi and visit the resort town of Ravello with its cliffside gardens and magnificent villas like the 13^th-century Moorish-style Villa Rufolo where you can gaze out at a far-reaching view from the terraced gardens.

Enjoy a visit to Mt. Vesuvius, one of the world’s most famous volcanoes, travelling winding roads to an altitude of nearly 3,300 feet. An easy walk will bring you to the crater for one of the best views around, including Naples Bay. Focus and you might see the archaeological excavations at Pompeii. Next, you’ll enjoy a tour of that very site. Destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, the city was covered in ash, which is what helped it remain perfectly preserved. Your tour brings fascinating insight into the daily lives of the people over 1,940 years ago. Overnight in Naples.

This morning you’ll enjoy a sightseeing food tour through Naples. Meet your guide for this fascination excursion that will bring you to the city’s most alluring ancient monuments, historic churches, enticing squares and local markets. You’ll get to sample the delicious street food and enjoy the best pizza there is. In fact, the art of the Neapolitan ‘Pizzaiuolo’ is even on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It culinary practice refers to the preparation of the dough which is baked in a wood-fired oven involving a rotary movement by the baker. Only the marinara and margarita pizzas are authentic.

After your fill of Neapolitan pie, you’ll head to Rome by the fast train. Upon your arrival, private transfer will bring you to your hotel in the city. Spend the rest of the day exploring downtown, with many sights within easy walking distance of each other. Trevi Fountain is a popular attraction, a Baroque masterpiece with a marble statue of Neptune at the center, surrounded by tritons. Legend tells if you throw three coins in, you’ll either find true love or return to Rome. Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Navona with its fountains, palaces, and cafes are just two of the other highlights.

Your private guide will meet you this morning for a tour of the Vatican Museums, a massive complex of museums and galleries showcasing magnificent paintings, frescoes, sculptures, tapestries and classical antiquities. This is also the home of the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s remarkable Last Judgement. something everyone should see at least one in their lifetime. Other highlights include St. Peter’s Basilica and the Raphael Rooms. This afternoon, you might wander through Villa Borghese Park or visit the Roman Colosseum, Rome’s most well-known symbol. Inaugurated in the 1^st century, once sat over 50,000 who watched brutal fights between man and beast.

Rome is renowned for its mouthwatering fare and today you’ll get to sample of some of the best food and culture in the region as you explore the medieval Trastevere neighbourhood with your private guide. You’ll visit food stores and chat with some of the local families that work hard to preserve Roman food traditions, sampling some of their local specialities. Your final afternoon will be spent on your own, perhaps leisurely wandering the streets and alleyways to discover hidden gems, shopping the beautiful Galleria Alberto Sord, tasting the world’s best gelato and enjoying tasty finger foods at aperitivo, the Italian happy hour.

Your two weeks discovering many of the highlights in Italy comes to an end today. After checking out of your hotel you’ll take private transfer to the airport to catch your flight home, or for further travels. With so many captivating destinations in Europe and across the globe, our travel experts would be happy to help create a bespoke addition to your itinerary, or help you plan your next trip.