Romantic Italian Escapade: Intimacy & Seclusion

Perugia brims with Old-World charm as it stems from the medieval buildings, narrow winding lanes, and ancient Etruscan walls. Elegant palaces overlook serene piazzas that are lined with cafes that fill the air with the scent of freshly baked cornettiand fresh-brewed espresso. The Etruscan arch, in view of Piazza Fortebraccio, was erected in the 3rd century BC and was used as part of the Roman fortifications that protected the city after the end of Etruscan rule.

A guided tour of the city will embrace the delicious delicacy with samples of the culinary delights as you venture through the distinctive neighborhoods. The chocolate factory will feel like you have stepped into a movie as you witness delicate waterfalls of melted chocolate that pour into dynamic molds. Sampling the chocolate will bring the tantalizing and gentle tastes of hazelnut and rich cacao to the forefront.

You will explore the splendor of Gubbio on your own and will have the chance to enjoy the secret charms of the town that are often overlooked by visitors. The scenic Piazza Grande will become a symbol of town with a grand view over the rolling hilly landscape that leads to the Gothic Consuls Palace. The grand structure was erected in the fourteenth century with impressive vaulted ceilings and stunning doors that were crafted by Angelo da Orvieto.

A guided tour of Assisi will highlight a different charm and elaborate history of the Umbrian region crowned by the gorgeous Basilica of Saint Francis. The city climbs up the slopes of Mount Subasio, reaching 4,232 feet above sea level. The remains of a Roman temple will add to the quiet magnetism of the town along the edges of Piazza del Comune. The original structure was erected in the first century BC and converted into a church by the sixteenth century. The original ornate Corinthian columns continue to decorate it.

The fascinating Basilica graces the entrance to town with a mixture of Romanesque vaulting and Gothic design that date back to the thirteenth century. The interior contains the aromas of frankincense and myrrh, drifting through the two unique levels. The lower level is decorated with scenes from the life of St. Francis while the upper church contains frescoes that depict 28 specific scenes from the life of St. Francis.

The cobbled lanes and enchanting piazzas will welcome you to Orvieto, a city preserved in austere medieval architecture rising above hints of Etruscan history. The lanes of town weave between dark stone houses that open to cobbled public squares. You will discover the Duomo standing at the heart of the city to find a captivating 13th-century facade representing a stirring Gothic aesthetic. Rainbow frescoes will shimmer as the sunlight glints against mosaics that glisten like jewels beneath bas-reliefs.

Florence will glow with a romantic ambiance that emanates from the preserved Renaissance architecture and narrow medieval lanes. Gourmet restaurants tucked away around blind corners will fill the air with the aromas of a delicious steak or sweet gelato. Boutique shops will shimmer with beautiful window displays, ranging from the likes of Gucci to Ferragamo, along with family-run workshops that craft stunning customizable shoes, coats, purses, and jewelry.

Your guided tours of Florence will explore art, culture, and heritage in the “Cradle of the Renaissance,” taking you from the grandeur of the Uffizi Gallery to the elegance of the Galleria dell’Accademia. Visiting the beauty of the Uffizi will take you into the sixteenth-century palace that was first erected to house the city magistrate. The lavish halls and marvelous galleries now provide insight into the evolution of art around Tuscany between the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries that span nearly 139,000 square feet of exhibition space.

Discovering the beauty of Tuscany with a private guide will bring to light the extent of the gorgeous medieval towns that are perched on the iconic hilltops and the valley. The marvels of Tuscany will take you to the fascinating preserved walls of Lucca, Pisa’s Leaning Tower, the marvelous artwork that decorates Siena’s sensational cathedral, and the captivating towers that create San Gimignano’s elaborate, medieval skyline. You will Visit the town of Montepulciano, which is a town that is celebrated for its mesmerizing medieval lanes that are perched on a rocky volcanic ridge as it overlooks the vineyards below.

You will embrace the charm of the tranquil alleyways that lead to the sixteenth-century wonder of Palazzo Ricci, where the loggia offers stunning views to the manicured courtyard. Hidden beneath the palace will stand a warren of antique wine cellars that contribute to the legendary status of the municipality’s winemaking prowess. You will indulge in a tasting of the renowned Montepulciano Nobile, and you will explore the elaborate network of cellars connected to established local vineyards. Your guide will pour a sample of the wine and gentle aromas of blackberry, strawberry, spice, and leather spiral from the glass.

Bologna is a masterful city of medieval architecture, and the culinary arts are accentuated with long arcades that host elegant shops and networks of cafes. The crowds will move through the shops along via dell’Indipendenza and alongside the aristocratic palaces that line Via Galleria in view of the captivating leaning towers of Garisenda and Asinelli.

You will discover the treasures of Bologna and the surrounding region of Emilia Romagna on a romantic food tour that introduces you to the tremendous flavors of Parmigiano Reggiano, prosciutto, and balsamic vinegar. You will then attend a cooking class. The lesson will begin with a visit to the local market where the lively ambiance will reflect the vibrant colors of the produce, the seasonal quality of the vegetables, and the enthusiasm the Bolognese have for food. The kitchen of your private chef will have certain necessary ingredients for producing regional specialties that will already be organized. As your instructor teaches you the proper methods for chopping, dicing, and preparing a delicious ragù, you can enjoy the company while crafting handmade tagliatelle, a silky egg-pasta with wide, long strands of noodle, which soak up a rich, hardy sauce.

The history around Emilia Romagna also exudes romance and radiates passion with gilded Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna and the preserved fairytale ambiance of Ferrara. You can celebrate love and the ancient ideals of affection on a guided tour of Gradara Castle, a medieval fortress that was built in the twelfth century on a hilltop 465 feet above sea level. The crenelated walls reach upwards of 98 feet tall and protected the most prominent aristocratic families in the region during the Middle Ages.

The fantastic architecture pales to the legend of love between Paolo and Francesca that is told within the refurbished interior rooms that have been furnished with different furniture from the time period. The epic poet Dante Alighieri documented the passionate affair with a famous recounting in the fifth canto of the Inferno as the star-crossed lovers were discovered in their tryst by Francesca’s husband, who was also Paolo’s brother. The room in which they met their fate retains a canopy bed and lectern where the lovers read the story of Lancelot and Guinevere before passion overtook them.

While on a tour of Ravenna, you will view the sensational history of the Byzantine Empire in Italy through the lens of preserved gilded mosaics. The empire had a stronghold in the city for 300 years beginning in the 5th century AD. In the Basilica di San Vitale, you will wander beneath the rich greens and vibrant golds, deep blues and soft yellows of the images reflecting the Old Testament, emperor Justinian, and Empress Theodora.

You will return to Rome, where the brilliance of the preserved towers and stunning domes will compliment the vast skyline. Your guided tours of the marvelous piazzas and charming hidden lanes of Rome’s city center will look beneath the layers of veils to reveal the ancient world at the Colosseum and Roman Forum, as well as the Baroque and Renaissance designs of the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and Spanish Steps.

The majestic history of the Colosseum will create a romantic allure, stemming from the fascinating outer walls that stand 187 feet tall. Your guide will point to the intricate details of the ancient architectural feat, from the Doric columns that decorate the ground level to the Ionic columns on the middle row. Your guide will then lead you on a special tour into the lower level of the Colosseum beneath the former stage known as the Hypogeum. You can look up and out of the cavernous space to view the remaining rows of the amphitheater that once held up to 50,000 spectators.

You will traverse the marvels of Vatican City as your guide leads you through the pristine history and art of one of the world’s smallest independent states. The iconic dome of St. Peter’s Basilica soars above Vatican City at 448 feet tall and was designed by Michelangelo. Inside the museum galleries, the tour will end beneath the enchanting ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The structure was erected in the fifteenth century with the ceiling decorated with frescoes between 1508 and 1512. Master artist Michelangelo completed the entire work unaided by assistants, taking inspiration from the Book of Genesis. The magnificent works depict biblical figures with human characteristics, in addition to the image of The Creation of Adam at the center of the collection.

You will then venture outside of Rome to enjoy time as a couple in the lovely, historical towns of Bagnoregio and Tivoli before relaxing in the tranquil overlooked treasure of Viterbo. The town contains a medieval center that has been preserved through Papal disputes and World War II. The true feature that will draw you to Viterbo are the luxurious thermal springs that were discovered in the thirteenth century. The collection of mineral-rich waters overtakes more than seven miles of stream that is fed by the nearby volcanic activity. You can relax in the hot, soothing water and enjoy the pleasures of a luxury spa treatment in the heart of Italy.

In the morning, the flower shops scattered across the streets of Rome will open early, sending the vibrant aromas of tulips, roses, and calla lilies into the air. Locals will visit the corner bars before work for espresso and delicious pastries. The waters of the Trevi Fountain will spill over the lip at the center of the famous feature that rests beneath the prominent figure of a posturing Oceanus. After breakfast, your private transfer will greet you at the hotel and escort you to Fiumicino Airport for your flight home, bringing an end to your luxurious, unforgettable vacation laden with romance in Italy.