Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast for Couples

Today, Rome is a vibrant jumble of streets, iconic eras, and an eclectic culture that extends into the piercing blue sky, down into the fertile Italian topsoil, and back centuries. All this will be yours to enjoy on your first day of this journey. Upon your arrival to the Roman international airport, a car will be waiting to transfer you from the rural outskirts of the city, past the dense urban sprawl of recent decades, and to the city’s iconic heart. Comfort and ease will be waiting for you at your conveniently located hotel, where attentive staff will make sure that no need goes unsatisfied. You will have the evening to relax in the splendor of your hotel or venture out to get a preview of the city that awaits you.

After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel by a private guide, who will lead you on an immersive introduction to the iconic landscapes that can be found in this city. Situated in the heart of the Villa Borghese park, the art gallery of the same name is only a short drive from your luxurious accommodation and contains countless artifacts of the artistic talent that once flourished in Rome. Masters such as Bernini, Caravaggio, and Titian are all exhibited in the works, and the deft hand with which they labored is evident in their attention to detail.

You will technically leave Italy today to visit the sovereign state of papal authority and the seat of Catholic power that is the Vatican. Between the basilica, necropolis, and museums, this will be an all-day event, but you will be joined at your hotel by a knowledgeable guide that will be able to answer your every question during your private tour of the grounds. Your visit to Vatican City will be one of the most comprehensive explorations that can be enjoyed by travelers and will begin from below the ground floor. After you have had the chance to visit the interior of the basilica itself, you will make your way to the museums and the famous Sistine Chapel.

Your final day in Rome will begin as it does for many: with the savory smell of freshly ground coffee and a sweet pastry or something more substantial to rejuvenate you for a travel day. A private car will take you to Termini train station, where a train will be waiting to carry you to the capital of the Renaissance: Florence. Upon your arrival, you will have the opportunity to settle into your comfortable quarters before setting out to explore the city. After your self-guided exploration, you can indulge in a delightful dinner at one of the many prestigious restaurants in town or have dinner back at your luxurious accommodation.

By meeting you at your hotel, your local guide will help you to navigate your way through the jumble of narrow alleys to Santa Maria del Fiore and the largest brick dome in the world. Once inside, you will make your way to the precarious apex of the dome, where visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view. Your tour of Tuscany would not be complete without exposure to the unique culinary tradition that draws attention from around the world. After you have had a chance to stretch and rest your feet, you will stroll to a nearby kitchen to meet your instructor. Tonight, you will enjoy an authentic cooking course that will be complete with beverages and plenty of opportunities to sample the ingredients.

A trip to Florence would not be complete without observing the proud tradition of Italian artwork. The Uffizi Gallery provides visitors with a complex array of priceless paintings, sculptures, and frescoes to dazzle the eye. From your hotel, it is only a short stroll away and is definitely worth the trip. Featured artists include masters such as Botticelli, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Raphael, and a host of others. After surveying the collision of art and history that is on display at the Uffizi, you will make your way to a nearby wine shop for a private tasting of the best product of Tuscan vineyards.

The emerald waters of the Mediterranean await you, and, as you make your way south, the heat of the interior will be replaced by the cry of gulls, bracing sea breezes, and the temperate atmosphere of one of the best European coastlines. A private car will greet you at your hotel and whisk you to the Florentine domestic airport, where a short flight will convey you to the bayside city of Naples. Situated on the Southern side of the Sorrentine peninsula, Amalfi is situated along the stretch of picturesque Italian coastline that bears the same name. Today, it will seem to you a quiet beach city after the bustle of Florence, and once you are settled, you can enjoy a much-needed nap on the soft sands of the many beaches that can be found here.

Today, you will have a chance to explore the charming streets and shops of Amalfi. Before noon, you will make your way down to the marina, where a boat will be waiting to provide you with your first real glimpse of the Amalfi Coast as seen in the way of ancient mariners. Your destination will be the famous island of Capri, which has been a favorite destination for contemporary tourists and ancient emperors. Finally, you will arrive at Marina Grande on the Northside of Capri, which is where you will have the chance to stretch your legs and explore the villas, cafes, and boutique shops that charm visitors. Afterward, you will return to the harbor for your visit to Capri’s most famous sight: The Grotta Azzurra or Blue Grotto.

Your final day in Amalfi will involve an up-close exploration of the mountain paths that used to connect these coastal communities before modern engineers blasted a road through this region. The Sentiero Degli Dei or walk of the gods is a three-hour trek that takes you through winding terraces, luscious olive orchards, and deep valleys that you witnessed from the sea on the previous day. As you walk, you will notice that nothing in this environment can be found in your native country. In the afternoon, the meandering trail will deliver you safely to Positano, where a private dinner will be prepared for you as you wash away any trail dust with a glass of wine. After dinner, a private car will return you conveniently to your accommodation in Amalfi.

From the depths of the Vatican to the heights of Florence’s Duomo, you have witnessed much of what Italy has to offer on this luxurious, 10-day excursion through the Italian regions of Lazio, Tuscany, and Campania. A final walk to the pier will afford you some last-minute snapshots and memories of Amalfi before embarking on your departure. After a delicious breakfast from the accommodating hotel staff, your private transfer will greet you and, when you are ready, escort you to the Naples Airport, where you will catch your departing flight.