Discovering the Culture & Charm of Genoa, Cinque Terre and Rome Tour

What to expect on this itinerary
Let Rome enrapture you with art and architecture as the emerald foothills of the Maritime Alps guide you to captivating vistas. From the hills of Tuscany to the gorges of Lazio, your custom tailored tour will immerse you in history and art, fishing villages and former powerful Republics. Trace the progression of Michelangelo’s career and wander cobblestone streets of medieval towns, and then linger in the shadows of soaring ancient towers and cruise the Mediterranean Sea in view of pastel-painted homes. Castles decorate the shoreline as vineyards carpet terraces as you follow the unbeaten path between Rome and Genoa.
Customizable Itinerary
Rome – Arrive into the Remarkable History and Culture of the Eternal City
Rome astonishes visitors from around the world with its legacy of imperial architecture and majestic artistic achievement. Monuments soar into the sky, and elegant palaces frame the peaceful piazzas. Your flight will land at Fiumicino Airport where your private transfer will greet you. Your accommodation is located near the verdant greenery of the Borghese gardens, referred to as Rome’s Central Park. Villas and palaces frame the neighborhood around cobblestone streets as the scent of blossoming flowers carries over from the hotel’s private garden. The villa was erected in the 19th century with rococo embellishments, from the lavish marble to the dangling chandeliers.
Settle into the comforts of your gorgeous hotel before you meet your guide for an introductory tour of the Eternal City. You will have a brief walk to the Spanish Steps, a beautiful marble stairway that connects the Piazza di Spagna to the Piazza Trinita dei Monti. The French ambassador funded the project in the 18th century as the boat-shaped fountain at the foot of the steps trickles into the quiet pool, often surrounded by playful children and relaxed locals. The figure represents a legend of the 16th century that told of a flood that had carried a fishing boat from the Tiber River to the base of the foothill beneath the upper piazza. The unique, elegant design utilizes tiers to ascend the natural slope of the Roman hill beneath the adorning towers of Trinita dei Monti Church.
What's Included:
Rome – Discover the Iconic Sites of Ancient Rome and Enjoy a Gelato Tour
Rome – Explore the Encompassing Art and Architecture of Vatican City
Bagnoregio – Traverse the Remarkable Towns of Western Lazio
Pisa – Visit the Charming Villages and Towns of Tuscany
Riomaggiore – Traverse the Gulf of Poets en route to Cinque Terre
Riomaggiore – Bask in the Gorgeous Scenery of Cinque Terre with a Cruise
Genoa – Venture to Genoa by way of the Villages on the Italian Riviera
Genoa – Enjoy a Full Day Tour of the Opulent Past of the Genoese Republic
Genoa – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy an elegant and fun-filled private cruise along the Italian Riviera to visit the five charming towns of Cinque Terre
- Delight in a five-course tasting menu paired with local wines in the town of Riomaggiore, the southern jewel of Cinque Terre
- Wander through the opulent galleries of the Vatican Museums on a guided tour of Vatican City taking in the artwork of past masters, including Michelangelo
- Walk through the historical grounds at the heart of ancient Rome, from the Colosseum to Palatine Hill, along with the Roman Forum
- Marvel at the flavors of a gelato tour through Rome to sample the variety of local favorites followed by a chance to make your own
- Enjoy the medieval villages of Lazio during a full day tour of the countryside to wander through cobbled streets and preserved historic walls
- Indulge in the marvelous culture of Tuscany towns and villages and experience enchanting castles, towers, and landscape
- Witness the fairytale castle of Lerici atop a hill overlooking the Gulf of Poets
- Bask in the luxuries of the Italian Riviera in view of beautiful yachts, tasteful antique homes, serene ambiance, and pristine panoramas
- Visit Pisa to uncover the wealth and charm of the former naval power and see the renowned Leaning Tower
Detailed Description
The grandeur of Genoa’s Republic glows along with the marvels of Rome. The preserved ramparts of medieval villages rise out of olive groves and vineyards as castle towers imitate the coastal mountains and locals till their private gardens for quality produce. Your 10-day tour will take you from Rome to Genoa in search of remnants left behind by the Roman Empire, Tuscan strongholds, and the heyday of Genoese power. The adventure will begin with your arrival at Fiumicino Airport in Rome. Your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim and escort you to your hotel located in a luxurious neighborhood near the Borghese Villa. Your guide will then meet you at your hotel to lead you along a fantastic introductory tour that will include the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and the many graceful fountains located throughout the city of Rome.
The next day, you will have a half-day tour of Ancient Rome that will bring you into the depths of the Colosseum, through the temples of the Roman Forum, and around the historical villas of Palatine Hill. Relax in the latter-half of the day before your own gelato exploration will offer you a glimpse into the preferred flavors of locals, along with a chance to make your favorite flavor. Walk into the heart of the Vatican the following day with a guided tour of Vatican City. Follow the life and work of Michelangelo, whose successful designs decorate the Basilica and the museums, from the dome of St. Peter’s to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. After seeing it all, leave the ancient streets of Rome behind for the medieval towns and Etruscan foundations of the Lazio countryside to enjoy the slower pace and cultural traditions that emanate from Bracciano and Viterbo before you arrive in the hilltop town of Bagnoregio.
Venture next into the Tuscan countryside to pass country roads, olive groves, and cypress trees. Wander through the towns of Siena, Suvereto, and Volterra before your arrival in Pisa for an in-depth tour of the former naval power of the Mediterranean. Your private transfer will then lead you deeper into the beauty of the seaside, passing through Tuscany and into Liguria at the Gulf of Poets. The fishing villages and castles along the coastline create a dramatic contrast, tracing the evolution of the waterside towns. Stroll through the meandering lanes of Lerici and Tellaro before you arrive into Riomaggiore, the southern gateway to Cinque Terre. For dinner, you will relish a five-course tasting menu paired with wine, each dish and bottle of wine produced using local ingredients farmed along the terraced gardens.
The next day, you will have a guided private cruise along the coastline of Cinque Terre, with a stop at each of the five towns whose beauty has reached near legendary proportions. Continue the next day as you board a local train that will travel north for a scenic ride to the town of Levanto, just north of Cinque Terre. Meet your private guide at the train station to begin a beautiful ride north to Genoa along the Italian Riviera. Pass through the towns of Santa Margherita, Recco, Portofino, and Framura, the latter known for its excellent focaccia bread, before reaching Genoa. Wake the next morning for a half-day tour of the capital of Liguria and the former capital of the Genoese Republic. Visit the old harbor and witness the opulent palaces that date back to the 1500s. Conclude as your private transfer will meet you at your hotel the next day to escort you to the Genoese airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
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.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 6078 reviews
Thank you, Zicasso's travel designer, for planning our honeymoon. We just had the best and most romantic time. The hotels were beautiful and our tour guides were lovely. We also greatly appreciated your dinner recommendations.
See more
Zicasso's tour operator elevated this trip far beyond what we could have managed ourselves. It was a five-star, worry-free experience, and every single day felt tailored to us. If you’re looking for true white-glove service for a European getaway, look no further than the tour operator. They’re not just travel planners, they’re travel artists.
We’re already looking forward to booking our next adventure with them!
See more
This was a fantastic travel company and I cannot recommend them highly enough! The events/tours they planned were a great fit, and they were very responsive and helpful during the trip. Definitely go with this Zicasso company!
See more
We enjoyed our trip to Italy. All the small details were handled very well by Zicasso's travel company, from limo pick-ups to our train tickets being texted to us!
See more
We did a lot of research on tour groups and travel companies, and are so pleased we chose Zicasso and their specialized Italy team. They organized every detail of transportation, first-class hotels, and cut-the-line attraction visits with extremely knowledgeable local guides.
We ran into some minor interruptions due to protests and our team quickly navigated around them with their in-country specialists. We felt we saw the best of each location, with additional free time to explore other local things like food, shopping, etc. These folks know their stuff and we will look to use them in the future.
See more
I want to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to Zicasso's travel company and each and every tour guide they provided. I had the most amazing time of my life. My group received the best care and attention to detail; we never had to worry or wonder what to do or how we would get there. I cannot express my gratitude to all. There is no other way to travel. This tour was worth every penny I spent. Thanks to our guides and drivers for their knowledge and enthusiasm, and to all those who made this a remarkable journey. I'll never forget this trip as long as I live.
See more