Exclusive Italy Highlights Tour with First-Class Trains & Private Jet

After landing in the historic, picturesque city of Florence, you will be met and driven to the first hotel on your classic Italian experience. With an afternoon at leisure, take a walk along the Ponte Vecchio, admire the glimmering Arno River, and enjoy the buzz of outdoor cafés welcoming you to the city. Experience a convivial yet refined setting when dining in a Tuscan-style restaurant, the exposed wooden beams and terracotta-tile floors contrasting with white tablecloths and napkins, the rich aroma of bistecca alla fiorentina, with its hints of garlic, olive oil, and rosemary, filling the air. Later, unwind to the sounds of one of Italy’s favorite cities at night.

Step away from hurried Florence for a few hours as you are driven into the heart of the Tuscan countryside, to Chianti. Between the cities of Florence and Siena, this picturesque area boasts rolling hills blanketed with vineyards, olive groves, and charming medieval hilltop villages that seem frozen in time. Step inside a cool, quiet wine cellar on your guided tour to savor wine pressed from local Sangiovese grapes, noting the tangy yet sweet redcurrant taste in every sip. Your lunch stop provides you with a chance to taste a charcuterie of rich cured meats and local La Castana blue cheese infused with chestnuts.

Start your day in Florence with a guided visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia, its colorful red and gray flooring and yellow walls adding warmth to the tall, domed ceilings. Watch as the light shines down on Michelangelo’s David, highlighting the statue’s large hands and feet, and bringing to life the lines on his face and torso. Afterwards, visit the nearby Uffizi Museum, renowned for its unparalleled collection of Renaissance art. With its iconic arched loggia designed by Vasari and two wings forming a U-shape, the imposing building is a striking example of Renaissance architecture. Feel the warm bond between mother and child as you gaze upon Raphael’s Madonna and marvel at works by Da Vinci, Botticelli, and more.

Spend time exploring Florence at your pace. Take a wander around the Duomo, the impressive dome standing out in vibrant orange, a contrast to the gray walls of the cathedral. Walk through the Mercato Centrale, vibrant oranges, reds, and greens greeting you at every turn while the peppery and sweet aromas of herbs, vegetables, and fruit tease your senses. Taste freshly baked bread and locally cured meats. Pay a visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce, the Franciscan church containing the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini.

Bid farewell to Tuscany as you travel by rail through the Italian countryside, splashes of green and gold foliage interspersed with the gray walls of villages and the odd abandoned farmhouse. Upon reaching Venice, transfer by boat through cool canals and winding waterways to your hotel. The day is yours to wander around and uncover unknown gems, such as the Sotoportego dei Barbieri, a hidden alleyway with small bridges that cross over a narrow canal, offering charming glimpses of Venetian life. Capture the sounds of Venetians calling out to one another, perhaps the clink of cup to saucer as a small group finishes their afternoon “cafe normale”, and watch as residents make their way home at a leisurely pace.

Enjoy a day of colorful glass art when visiting a Murano glass factory. Watch as glass blowers, through decades of experience and skills passed down through generations, sculpt and shape molten glass into delicate vases and sculptures. Feast your eyes on a rainbow of colors as they are merged to create dazzling patterns and designs. Return by boat to Venice to embark on a guided walking tour over the intricate Rialto Bridge and through St. Mark’s Square, which features the soaring St. Mark’s Basilica, with its opulent Byzantine-style domes and facade, and tall bell tower.

Boarding your four- to six-seater private jet, set off in pure luxury to the enchanting Amalfi Coast. Your destination is the town of Sorrento. Quaint and picturesque, this colorful haven is an ideal location for exploring on foot, the delightful tangle of narrow cobblestone alleys designed to provide respite from the warm Mediterranean sun. Laundry hangs from balconies festooned with bougainvillea blossoms as “nonnas” call out from their windows in bold tones to reflect an element of preserved culture. Sorrento makes an ideal base from which to explore the region's incredible historic sites, like the ruins of Pompeii and the stunning Amalfi Coast. Yet the town's unhurried pace and authentic dolce vita atmosphere offer a quintessential taste of the sunny Italian good life.

A day to explore the surrounding mountains, cliffs, and coastline, with a hike along the Path of the Gods, one of the Amalfi Coast’s most scenic hiking trails. Stretching from the quaint mountain village of Agerola to the picturesque village of Nocelle high above Positano, feel the fresh mountain air as you gaze over turquoise ocean waters, steep jagged cliffs, and villages that look like mini towns. Gain an outdoor workout as you meet uphill climbs and stairs cut into the rocks, your reward a picture-postcard vista over one of southern Italy’s iconic coastlines.

Embark on a gastronomic tour that will introduce you to the creamy and rich world of Italian cheese. Discover bursts of flavor in fresh cheese and mature creations on a cheese-tasting experience. Let the light, delicate texture of ricotta melt in your mouth, noticing a slightly sweet and milky flavor. Bite into a slice of sharp, aged provolone del Monaco DOP, the salty and tangy mix bouncing off your tongue. Follow this experience with a pizza-making class, learning the secrets behind crafting the perfectly textured crust, the proper way to stretch the soft dough, and what aromatic sauces and toppings do for the overall flavor.

Take your time soaking up the stunning scenery, charming towns, and rich cultural heritage of the Amalfi Coast. Wander picturesque, cobbled streets through the town of Amalfi. Stop and admire the Amalfi Cathedral, with its patterned walls and grand archways of criss-cross stonework, a true architectural masterpiece. Follow the Amalfi Coast road, a narrow and winding route that hugs the cliffs and provides jaw-dropping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Spend time in the meticulously manicured gardens in Ravello, the flower beds a burst of pink, white, and green. Photograph famous Positano, stopping to sip a glass of fresh, zesty limoncello as you admire brilliant art galleries and glamorous boutiques.

Travel today to the Italian capital, Rome, where your first historical encounter begins. After checking into your accommodation, you can visit Vatican City, where St. Peter’s Basilica remains a beacon of Renaissance architecture as it commands the skyline. The ornate façade, crafted from travertine stone, shimmers with an ethereal glow. Inside, prepare to be rendered breathless by the sheer grandeur, gilded details, intricate sculptural works, and Michelangelo's sublime frescoes adorning the vast ceilings and walls. The air is thick with the heady aroma of centuries of incense and whispers of sacred rites long past.

Spend time in one of Rome’s most famous sites when you visit the mighty Colosseum, the stillness carrying echoes of roaring crowds and clashing gladiators. Run your fingers along the rough stone, tracing the battles etched into every crevice. Step through its commanding archways and the immense scale of the amphitheater envelops you, the curved walls soaring high into the Roman sky. Discover the former epicenter when roaming the grounds of the Roman Forum, the bold ruins of former meeting points standing strong as a bold reminder of the strength of the Roman Empire.

No visit to Rome is complete without throwing a coin into the waters of the legendary Trevi Fountain. The melodic trickle of the cascading streams mingles with the joyous laughter of visitors. Marvel at the exquisite Baroque sculpture of Neptune's chariot, carved with such intricate detail that the horses seem to ripple with life. Look closely to spot coins demonstrating the wishes others have made when tossing them into the pools. As day melts into evening, you can climb the velvet-carpeted Spanish Steps to watch as the warm glow of the Italian sun stretches across the buildings and lively piazzas.

Before your transfer takes you from downtown Rome to the airport, you can enjoy the streets and alleyways of the ancient city once more. Sip one more “cafe normale” in a sidewalk café, enjoying the banter around you, or delight in the aromas of fresh cornetti drifting out of display cases as you reminisce about your Italian adventure before departing for home.