The grand trilogy of Italian cities brings 2,000 years of treasure and exquisite history with Rome, Florence, and Venice. Galleries, palaces, and piazzas are all yours alongside the architecture that ranges from the Colosseum to the Baroque. These cities are more than just world-famous icons, and you will dive beneath the surface on this handcrafted tour with local experiences showcasing the wealth and depth to flavors of each city. Imagine local food, winding backstreets, cobblestone walkways,...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Rome – Vatican Museums Exclusive After-Hours Access
There is a beauty to the Vatican Museums. Through the day they lose their sheen, the art sometimes disappearing amid the clamber of tour groups. Peace returns to the galleries as the tourists depart, and the sanctified allure returns. It is after-hours when you can truly appreciate this space. Raphael’s Rooms display elegance in the brushstrokes and the imagery. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling is so exquisite, but also so delicate when seen from below. Great galleries of sculpture and early Christian art is so expressive when it has the space to breathe. And of course the chapels, each with its own story and subtleties.
Today you will land in Italy, meet your guide, and transfer to a hotel in the heart of historical Rome. From your boutique hotel, it will be just a few steps to some of the city’s major icons, such as the Pantheon and Spanish Steps. After some time to unwind, you can travel to another country, entering the Vatican City as the museums close for the day. Take a look inside the world’s largest church before an intimate exploration of the Vatican Museums, the guide taking you through all the major galleries and chapels. The rest of this evening is at your leisure, and the guide will suggest various places to dine.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rome – The Roman Local Food Tour
Day 3
Rome – Remains of the Empire to Baroque Rome
Day 4
Florence – Wonders of the Renaissance
Day 5
Florence – The Backstreets of Florence
Day 6
Florence – A Day Exploring More of Tuscany
Day 7
Florence – The Breathtaking Art Galleries of Florence
Day 8
Venice – From Shakespeare to the Canals
Day 9
Venice – Canals and Cobbles Historical Venice Walking Tour
Day 10
Venice – Accademia’s Treasures and Cruising the Islands
Day 11
Venice – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Explore some of the world’s finest art galleries with specialist guides, including the Uffizi in Florence and Accademia in Venice
- Get to know the local side of Rome on an intimate neighborhood food tour
- Uncover the wonders of the Renaissance as you discover Brunelleschi and Ghiberti in Florence’s city center
- Drift through Venetian canals on a gondola and discover city backstreets with your local guide
- Enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Vatican Museums, where Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling is just one of the highlight
- Spend half a day in Verona, deciphering fact from Shakespearean fiction
- Take a private customized tour of Tuscany, including Chianti vineyards and the great Siena piazza
- Journey through Roman architecture, from the Colosseum and ancient Forum remains to pioneering baroque styles
- Sleep in the heart of each city, just footsteps away from some of the world’s greatest monuments and historical attractions
- Explore the backstreets as well as the famous sights, notably on a walk through Florence
Detailed Description
Explore Italy’s iconic city trilogy, and you will travel through 2,500 years of history and treasures. Rome, Florence, and Venice are cities that have shaped the world, and you can feel their influence everywhere you go, from the grand piazzas and palazzos to backstreets from the 15th century. Their wonders are well celebrated, and you need to experience them to really understand them, including Florence’s Renaissance, Rome’s empire remains and its Baroque, plus Venetian Gothic and the original city of canals. This handcrafted tour is more than just the famous sights, as it is also an intimate and authentic journey into the very best of three superb cities, with hand-picked local guides and some highly exclusive experiences.
Touch down in Rome, and your experience begins at the Vatican Museums, but only after everybody else has left for the day. After-hours access allows you to appreciate the subtle beauty of the galleries and chapels, and also provides a great introduction to what Rome is all about. Dive into Roman neighborhoods on day two, a food walking tour showing you places that mostly escape tourist crowds. By tasting, you will experience history and style, while also taking it easy on the first full day of your tour. Day three is all about the Roman legends, a private historical tour connecting the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the Baroque style that was pioneered here.
Take a direct high-speed train to Florence, the quickest and most convenient way to travel between the cities. Then jump straight into the city’s historical core, where the wonders of the Renaissance can be found at almost every turn. This celebrated architecture is complemented by a tour of the backstreets of Florence on day five and offers an intimate look into Florentine life on both sides of the river. It culminates in a cooking class as you taste the differences between Roman and Tuscan flavors. Continue the tasting with a private Tuscany tour on day six, with Siena and Chianti just two of the destinations. Then dive into Florence’s art world on day seven, a specialist guide showing you the best of the Uffizi and Accademia galleries.
With a train to Venice, you can make a stop in Verona, a city that feels as much Shakespearean fiction as it does Roman legacy. Once in Venice, it will be all about the canals and cobbles, your local guide introducing you to the islands that make up the heart of a legendary republic. You will spend most of days eight and nine getting to know this quiet, pedestrianized city, with gondola rides integral to the experience. On day nine there are the treasures of the Accademia gallery to enjoy, plus the outlying islands where artisanal styles are unchanged for almost a millennia.
In all three cities, you will have accommodation within the historical city center, just footsteps away from some of the premier attractions. These central areas get very busy during the day; however, they quiet down from evenings onwards, as many visitors must leave to stay elsewhere. It is evening time when the locals visit the city centers, taking their own stroll around the piazzas and pedestrian lanes. You can join them, discovering another way these cities tick, from an espresso on a cafe terrace to architectural facades illuminated after dusk. Looking for the top Italy tour ideas? Consider browsing our Rome, Florence and Venice travel reviews page.
Starting Price
$5,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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