Italy from North to South: 10-Day Classic Tour

Venice is a city of marbled splendor and boldness rising out of the lapping lagoon. The Grand Canal winds between the elegant palaces and inspiring churches as boats maneuver through the narrow passages. The city has a sense of regal charm and epic grandeur stemming from centuries of power as a prestigious republic. Your flight will land at Marco Polo Airport, where your transfer will meet you upon arrival. Settle into the comforts of your hotel in the heart of Venice, and begin to explore the city at your leisure.

Your exploration of the Venetian Lagoon will begin with a tour of Murano, Burano, and Torcello islands. Glide across the water to reach Murano, an island famous for its history of glass and glassblowers. Visit the charming canals and lace-making history of Burano and the ancient cathedral of Torcello with stunning mosaics. Continue with the city’s highlights, from the Rialto Bridge to Teatro la Fenice. In Saint Mark’s Square, you can bask in the church’s golden glow where the mosaics span the walls and ceiling.

After breakfast, transfer to the train station for your quick trip to Florence. The Renaissance city captures a golden age of art, science, and philosophy surrounded by the quintessential Tuscan hills. The city is irresistible, overflowing with charming boutique shops and preserved medieval lanes. Your tour will take you on an introduction to the city with your expert guide revealing the soaring dome in the Piazza del Duomo and the elegant Ponte Vecchio bridge. In Piazza della Signoria, you can find the regal figure of Neptune crowning the fountain beside the distinguished Palazzo Vecchio.

You will travel outside of Florence for the day to enjoy a different perspective of Tuscany in Pisa and Lucca. Your guide will first lead you to the impressive Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, home to the captivating Leaning Tower. The structure tilts nearly four degrees and features a distinctive marble design that accentuates the neighboring Cathedral and Baptistery. In Lucca, you will find remnants of the past from the Romans to Napoleon. The walls continue to protect the town, reaching nearly 40 feet tall. Guinigi Tower soars above the historic center crowned with trees that tell a story.

Continue to Rome with a transfer escorting you from the train station to your hotel. Rome is layered with so much to explore, as each section reveals another level of history. From Roman ruins to the rise of Christianity, the Renaissance to the present day, this clash of ancient and modern is endlessly engaging. Your guide will meet you at your hotel to lead you through the remarkable cityscape to find the iconic highlights. The Colosseum may take your breath away with its sheer scale, with exterior walls standing 157 feet tall and dating back nearly 2,000 years before you step into history at the Forum.

The Vatican is an impressive collection of masterpieces, from the piazza designed by Bernini to St. Peter’s Basilica that was crafted by Michelangelo. Your guide will lead you to the inspiring borders of one of the world’s smallest countries to explore the museum galleries. Artifacts will share a timeline of Mediterranean history with rich details from ancient Greece to medieval Europe. Inside the Sistine Chapel, you can bask beneath the exceptional artistry of Michelangelo that shares Biblical history surrounding the central figures of the Birth of Adam.

Your train ride to Naples will frame the charming landscape as you travel south. Arrive for a quick transfer from the station to your beautiful accommodations in Sorrento. You may have a panoramic view of the seaside as you soak in the Mediterranean ambiance. The scent of lemons drifting from the nearby groves mixing with the sea breeze may drift off the Bay of Naples. Craggy cliffs frame the town giving Sorrento the feeling of seclusion and exclusivity. Piazza Tasso brims with locals and visitors enjoying the boutique shops and sampling the simple pleasures of la dolce vita.

The island of Capri has enchanted ancient emperors and Hollywood stars alike who wished to escape the bustle of daily life. You will take a boat to the island to find the stunning cliffs jutting out of the sea nearly 200 feet tall and contrasting the glittering blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. From the elevated Piazzetta, you can enjoy the aroma of espresso drifting from the cafes while offering a stunning panorama of the shoreline below. Boutique shops and restaurants line the narrow cobbled lanes and lead to the treasured Gardens of Augustus and Villa San Michele.

A full-day tour of the Amalfi Coast will engage all your senses as you uncover the fabulous history and celebrated scenery along the famous 25-mile stretch of coastline. You will start in Amalfi, where you can find a wide staircase in the main square leading to the Cathedral entrance. Bronze doors from 11th-century Constantinople continue to welcome visitors. At Ravello, you may find an impressive view along the coastline from the Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity. When you reach Positano, you can bask in the aromas of the lemon trees and follow the narrow lanes winding up the cliff.

Sorrento has gained notoriety, not just for acting as a gateway to the Amalfi Coast but for its charming culture and beauty in and of itself. In the morning, cafes may open to the aromas of brewing espresso and freshly baked cornetti. The shops along the quiet streets will open, and the Museo Correale dei Terranova will open to galleries featuring an assortment of artifacts ranging from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Your transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby when you are ready and escort you to Naples International Airport for your flight home.