A Complete Italian Experience: Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre & Rome Tour

Today you land on the outskirts of Florence, the capital of the famous Tuscany region. Florence is one of the great art cities in Europe and the home of Renaissance masters and the greatest artists of Italy’s rich and illustrious history. A private driver will escort you from the hotel to your elegant hotel that is located right in the heart of this charming and captivating city. You will get a glimpse of the famous dome crowning the Duomo di Firenze that dominates the skyline and the languid flow of the River Arno that slowly snakes through this serene conglomeration. You can spend the afternoon and early evening weaving your way through the Florentine alleyways and side streets before settling in for dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants: grab a sensational view of the city at the Restaurant Terrazza Brunelleschi or visit Il Cibreo near Santa Croce for an incredible and indulgent selection of traditional Tuscan fare.

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll set out to discover the artistic gems of this one-of-a-kind metropolis, the heartbeat of one of the most important artistic movements in Western history and the home to some of the best-known pieces of art in the world. The day begins with a tour of the massive and impeccable Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in the West and arguably the best art museum in Italy. At the Uffizi, you will find famous works by some of the greatest painters in history, like Leonardo’s Annunciation, Titian’s Venus of Urbino and Botticelli’s Primavera and The Birth of Venus.

After a brief lunch and maybe some shopping on the Ponte Vecchio – there are a number of jewelers that set up shop on the famous bridge, offering wares that are wonderfully designed and reasonably priced – you’ll discover the exhibits at Florence’s famous Accademia, the galley of the city’s art academy that has since become one of the greatest collections of Michelangelo sculptures in the world. Pass by the works from other great masters of the medium before entering the main hall and casting your eyes upon the crowning work of Renaissance humanism, Michelangelo’s colossal and triumphant David, one of the most famous pieces of cultural expression in the world. Be sure not to miss Michelangelo’s famous “Slaves,” marble sculptures that went unfinished when the artist died and which now exude an eerie sense of a desperate desire to escape.

Dinner this evening is at one of Florence’s finest restaurants, where the scenery comes as recommended as the food.

Turn north to Italy’s border with France as today takes you into the heart of the spectacular Italian Riviera and the rugged and romantic area known to Italians simply as Cinque Terre, the “Five Lands” that line the scenic Mediterranean coast. You’ll make your way up the sheer cliffs and past the multicolored abodes that fringe the verdant shores before arriving at your hotel, picturesquely perched on the cliffs that overlook the gorgeous city of Monterosso al Mare and the surrounding Ligurian coastline.

Make your way through the darling streets and past the delightful shops, cafes and restaurants that fill these five quaint and charming coastal villages.  Then, enjoy a glass of wine in the warmth of the setting sun while overlooking the boundless blue line of the sea. Or simply explore the invigorating spa services offered at your hotel before settling in to an al fresco dinner on the hotel’s gorgeous terrace.

A day of picturesque hiking awaits you today, as an experienced and engaging guide will lead you through this delightful and romantic area and through some of the most stunning scenery in the country. You’ll trek along the well-marked paths that fringe the azure waters of the Mediterranean before stopping at some of the towns and discovering their own unique and unforgettable charm. You'll experience soaring seaside views, brightly painted buildings, the blue of the sea, and the green of the hills that tumble to the water. Your guide will be sure to show you the best vistas and the most relaxing landscapes, the most alluring cafes and the most delicious restaurants, the incomparable grandeur of Italy’s natural world and the one-of-a-kind charm that fills the village lanes of the towns that give the region its name.

Make your way down the western coast of Italy as you leave Liguria and enter Tuscany, where the undulating hills and rustic country villas provide the quintessential setting for a true Italian adventure. You’ll cruise past the vineyards, olive groves and amber hills as you make your way into this delightful region of Italy, the home to some of the country’s most famous towns. Tuscany is perhaps the foremost culinary area in the entire country, offering the inspiration and ingredients that has given Italian cuisine its much-beloved flavors and traditions.

Your final destination for today is a countryside villa, decorated in the traditional rustic Tuscan style and offering all of the luxurious amenities that you’ve come to expect. You can spend the afternoon relaxing with an espresso or a glass of wine in the villa’s garden, or use the time to explore the surrounding area, taking in the incomparable grandeur that encircles you. Dinner tonight is at the hotel’s excellent restaurant.

Set out for one of the region’s quintessential Tuscan towns as you turn to discover the marvelous village of Volterra, a settlement that has stood since the prehistoric Etruscan civilization. Skilled, articulate and hilarious tour guides will show you all of the best that this city has to offer, from the incredible offerings at a local alabaster workshop to the interesting exhibits that fill two of the area’s best museums. History buffs are sure to enjoy the renowned Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, home to thousands of ancient funeral urns, a bronze statuette called “Shadow of the Night” and an effigy of an Etruscan couple done in terra cotta. Art lovers will enjoy the works on display at the Pinacoteca, housing a collection of works from Tuscan artists that spans more than three centuries.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Tuscany at your leisure, or you can return to the hotel for a refreshing drink or some time in the garden. Dinner tonight is at a local, family-run restaurant where you’re sure to enjoy a meal unlike any you’ve ever had before.

Your final day in the sensational Tuscan countryside is spent touring the most famous vineyards of the Chianti wine region, the home to Italy’s best-known varietal and some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. You’ll make your way past lush hills and castles that look like they came from the pages of a fairy tale, through the sweeping fields and past the orchards of olive trees and the dark hues of Chianti grapes, growing fat and succulent beneath the sun. Make your way through the villages of Radda, Castellina and Gaiole to get a true sense of this area’s breathtaking scenery. Then stop by one of the top Chianti producers where you’ll learn all about the Italian wine industry and the history of viticulture in the area before trying a bit of the finished product with a delicious and traditional Italian lunch.

The afternoon sees you in Siena, whose city center has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and whose medieval cityscape, fine cuisine and excellent art museums have been attracting visitors for generations. You’ll marvel at the decadent splendor of the Siena Cathedral, delight in the streets that make up the heart of old Siena, and enjoy a delicious Tuscan dinner at one of the city’s many fine eateries.

After returning to Florence, you’ll be taken to the train station, where you’ll head south through the heart of the country until you reach the famed city of Rome, the center of one of the most important civilizations in Western history, and the site for some of the greatest architectural achievements of this or any age. A private driver will pick you up from the train station and drop you off at your phenomenal accommodation, a palace originally designed by Bramante in the 15th century. The palace was converted into a world-class hotel less than ten years ago, and is located right in the middle of Rome’s bustling action. You can cast your eyes upon the towering dome that crowns St. Peter’s Basilica or encounter the gorgeous statues and charming shops, stalls and cafes that line the Piazza Navona before enjoying dinner at one of Rome’s many excellent restaurants. Return to your hotel for a view of the city at night from the privacy of the hotel’s spectacular terrace.

Today you learn about the history of the Roman Empire first-hand as a privately guided tour takes you to the famed Roman Forum, nestled between the celebrated Palatine and Capitoline Hills in the heart of ancient Rome. You’ll feel the power of the glorious by-gone days of this historic civilization, from the victorious shouts of Julius Caesar as he leads his troops across the Tiber to the rippling flames that consumed Rome under Nero, from the prayers of the Vestal Virgins to the shouts of celebration at the triumphal arch of Titus.

Then it’s on to the most famous building of ancient Rome and the largest building of its kind in the world, the iconic and incomparable Flavian Amphitheater that is now known simply as the Roman Colosseum. You’ll be able to skip the lines of the famous structure and cross through the gateways to marvel at the immense and intimidating interior of this marvel of engineering. While inside the Colosseum, you’ll learn about the many games and spectacles that were shown here, from the notorious gladiatorial games and the slaughter of Christians to stunning mock naval battles and recreations of Rome’s greatest moments.

The day concludes atop the famed Palatine Hill, the center-most of Rome’s historic hills and the site of the oldest continual occupation in the area. In the evening, visit one of the city’s delicious restaurants.

You turn today to the center of Catholicism and one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world as you enter the domain of the world’s smallest nation and explore the many cultural masterpieces on view in the Holy See, also known as Vatican City. The morning begins in the renowned Vatican Museum, home to some of the most important works of art from the Renaissance and beyond, from the confident stance of Caesar Augustus in the famous Prima Porta Augustus statue to the opulent appointments in the Gallery of Maps. Make your way past some of the greatest paintings in Western art, like da Vinci’s St. Jerome in the Wilderness and Raphael’s inimitable masterpiece The School of Athens before earning your reward with a glimpse at the unmatched ceiling and dramatic altarpiece of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, one of the most famous religious buildings in the world and a final testament to Michelangelo’s inarguable greatness.

This afternoon, you can explore the more sacred buildings in Vatican City, especially the remarkable St. Peter’s Basilica, the crowning work of the Italian Renaissance with works from all of the notable names of the period, from Bramante and Bernini to Michelangelo. Ogle at the luxurious baldacchino and the sumptuous altarpieces, rub your hand on the foot of St. Peter for good luck, and, of course, feast your eyes upon one of the most famous statues in all the world, the incomparable Pieta of Michelangelo, a major work of Renaissance humanism that was completed before the artist saw his 25th birthday.

Your last full day in Rome is spent in one of the city’s best-kept secrets, the charming and delightful rione (neighborhood) known as Trastevere, where the medieval history of Rome has been lovingly and impeccably preserved, from the winding cobblestone streets to the townhouses that encroach upon them. You’ll find Trastevere the perfect place to simply stroll and peruse, mosey and perambulate, while enjoying the beautiful weather and the fascinating buildings. Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere is one of Rome’s oldest churches and perhaps the first church in which Mass was openly celebrated.

You’ll enjoy the scene at the food market of the Campo dei Fiori, eternally surveyed by the fierce gaze that fills the face of the Statue of Giordano Bruno, and revel in the magic and charm of the Piazza Navona, where modern shops and cafes gracefully abut some of the city’s most gorgeous fountains. Finally, return to the center of Rome for one final night abroad.

This morning, a private driver will transfer you from your hotel to the airport. You’ll never forget the activities and adventures of the past twelve days, from the broad and endless sweep of the Italian countryside to the mighty streets of Rome, and from the Renaissance center of Florence to the wine region of Chianti. With all these incredible memories swimming through your head, don’t be surprised if you spend your trip back planning your next visit to this spectacular country.