The Perfect Highlights Tour of Venice, Florence, Rome, and Amalfi

By the time you cross the threshold into your comfortable accommodations, you will be ready to immerse yourself into this vibrant and timeless land. After you have had the chance to dust yourself off from your travels, you will step into a self-guided tour of the city. A few steps from your hotel, you can find the Piazza di San Marco or St. Mark’s Square, which is one of the few open spaces of the city. Adjacent to the square is the Basilica of the same name, which boasts an impressive array of domes, arches, and mosaics.

After you enjoy a relaxing breakfast, you will explore the canals and outlying islands of this city on a private boat tour. A private guide will lead you through this architectural and picturesque paradise. In the evening, the flow of the tide will be replaced by the flow of music. You will be introduced to one of Venice’s proudest sons: Antonio Vivaldi. Vivaldi enjoyed a prolific career, and numerous venues and ensembles present his musical genius for contemporary visitors.

This morning, you can wander the neighborhood for one last stroll before proceeding by water taxi to St. Lucia train station, where you will board your first-class accommodation to Florence. Florence has long seduced travelers for its laid back atmosphere, stunning artwork, and exquisite food options. After you arrive at your hotel, the remainder of the day will be yours to explore the various sights of this storied city.

Comfortable shoes will be your best companion on your first full day Florence. After a fortifying breakfast, you will depart your hotel for a guided tour of some of Italy’s greatest artistic masterpieces. This tour will take you to the Uffizi Gallery as well as the Galleria dell’ Accademia, which displays one of the most famous examples of Michelangelo’s career. Florence is considered by many to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, and your tour today will be tailored to ensure proper exposure to this aspect of Florentine brilliance.

Your last full day in Florence will center entirely around your appetite. Today, you will savor some of the best Italian cooking to be found. A short stroll away from your conveniently located hotel, you will find a well-stocked Italian kitchen and a knowledgeable instructor. Your instructor will lead you on a culinary journey of making the perfect pasta. As many a chef will testify, the Italian kitchen is a bit of an institution in the culinary world, and careers have begun and ended in this setting of heat, flavor, and food. By the time you conclude your course, you will be well-versed in an Italian gastronomic tradition.

After a leisurely wake up, a private car will carry you to the nearby rail station for your journey south. The rolling landscapes and Renaissance beauty of Florence will be replaced by the regal splendor of the capital. After you have had time to relax in your new accommodation, a private car will whisk you across the city center to the sovereign Papal state. As the center of the Catholic Church, the Vatican adds an additional level of significance to Rome in addition to about 2,000 years of history. Meeting you at the expansive Plaza of St. Peter’s, a private guide will ensure that your visit to the Vatican includes all the must-sees.

On your first full day in the Italian capital, you will have the luxury to move at your own pace. The sights recommended here are by no means exhaustive, and it is encouraged to indulge your impulsive side. Famous sights within walking distance from your hotel include the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon. The Pantheon displays one of the most intact ancient structures in the city and the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built. A self-guided tour of the city is best paired with a traditional Italian dinner.

A trip to Rome is not complete without encountering its vast history. This history can be seen in the predictable array of museums and galleries but is also woven into the very fabric of the neighborhoods of the city center. Today, you will pursue the world of Ancient Rome as seen in the Colosseum and the ruins of the Roman Forum. A guide will facilitate your introduction and meet you at the entrance to the Colosseum before leading you on a private tour of the grounds. The Forum will be your next stop and features some excellent examples of ancient Roman architecture and urban design.

After breakfast this morning, you will bring relief to your body with a trip to a nearby day spa. Here, you can bask in the Roman traditions of self-care. After a leisurely morning at your hotel, a private car will carry you to your destination at a time of your choosing. Once you reach the spa, you will be able to choose from an impressive array of services and treatments to enhance your visit. During your visit, light refreshments will be made available for you. When you are ready, you will emerge feeling refreshed and ready for the final leg of your journey.

This morning, you will depart Rome for the coastal region of Campania. After a comfortable rail trip, you will arrive next to the bay of Naples. A private car will carry you the remaining distance through some stunning rural areas to the seaside community of Amalfi. After you have arrived at your hotel and oriented yourself, you will visit a local winery. Here, the produce from the rich volcanic soil is proudly presented through varieties like Greco di Tufo and Piedirosso. You will be able to conclude your travel day by sampling some of the best wines of the region during a private tasting and tour.

Your final day in Italy will be spent in style. Today, you will immerse yourself in the rural and pastoral beauty of this picturesque coastline. The region is characterized by dramatic cliffs, towering mountains, and terraced gardens that cascade to the azure waves. When you are ready, you will venture into this exotic and abundant landscape on a private tour by horseback along the paths and trails that cross these mountains. After a short orientation to ensure your comfort, your guides will lead you on an adventure seldom experienced by the hasty tourist.

A hearty breakfast is recommended for your final morning in Italy because you will have much ground to cover before you can even reach the airport. A private driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you over the Sorrentine Peninsula and back to the metropolitan area of Naples. Once in Naples, you will make your way to the international airport for your flight home.