Cultural Treasures of France, Spain, & Italy Itinerary

Our first trip to Italy was a romantic anniversary celebration, and thanks to Zicasso’s travel specialist and our travel company, it became one of the most extraordinary and meaningful travel experiences of our lives. It was everything we had dreamed of, and so much more!

From our very first conversations, she took the time to understand who we are as travelers: our love of art, architecture, history, culture, food, wine, and lifelong learning. She translated those passions into an imaginative, beautifully personalized journey through Rome, Tuscany, Florence, and Venice.

One of her greatest gifts is her intuitive understanding of the rhythm of travel. We wanted days filled with discovery, learning, and new experiences, but also leisurely afternoons and evenings to wander cobblestone streets, linger over wonderful meals, and simply absorb the atmosphere of Italian life. She struck that balance perfectly. Our itinerary was wonderfully rich, yet never rushed or overscheduled.

The private guides she selected were exceptional: not simply knowledgeable, but gifted teachers and storytellers who brought centuries of Italian history, art, architecture, and culture vividly to life. In Florence, for example, our guide helped us explore the Renaissance through fascinating stories of the Medici family, Michelangelo’s creative process, and the philosophy of Humanism. Our visits to the great museums and historic landmarks became intellectually stimulating and deeply engaging experiences.

She also introduced us to Italy’s living traditions: a fabulous food tour in Rome, wine tasting in Tuscany, explorations of enchanting medieval towns and villages, and boat excursions to Murano and Burano, where we discovered the centuries-old artistry of glassblowing and lacemaking. These experiences gave us a wonderful sense of the richness and continuity of Italian culture.

Her choices of accommodations were equally inspired. Each was distinctive, beautifully located, and full of character, from a charming, peaceful boutique hotel near the Pantheon in Rome, to a magical stay in a medieval Tuscan village, an elegant Art Deco hotel in Florence, and a fairytale suite in Venice. Every setting added another layer of romance and delight to our anniversary celebration. And the cuisine was heavenly! Every meal was memorable, culminating in a dreamy farewell dinner beside a Venetian canal.

Behind all this magic was the travel specialist’s impeccable planning, extraordinary attention to detail, and genuinely proactive care. Every transition, from airports and private transfers to trains and boats, was seamlessly coordinated.

One small example perfectly captures her approach. When our train from Florence to Venice was delayed, we contacted the travel specialist to let her know. She immediately reassured us that she was already monitoring our train and had informed our guide in Venice of the delay. There was nothing for us to do but relax, enjoy the ride, and look forward to the magnificence of Venice! That kind of thoughtful anticipation gave us complete peace of mind throughout our travels.

Equally special was her warmth and genuine personal connection. She was always accessible, and we found ourselves exchanging messages most days, not because anything needed fixing, but simply because it was such a pleasure sharing our experiences with her. She combines exceptional professionalism, creativity, and meticulous organization with kindness, generosity of spirit, and a contagious passion for sharing the beauty of her country. By the end of our journey, we felt we had gained not only an extraordinary travel advisor, but also a wonderful new friend.

Italy opened our minds, elevated our souls, and deeply touched our hearts. Our travel specialist didn’t simply organize a magnificent vacation; she opened the door to a country and culture we have now fallen completely in love with.

We cannot recommend our travel specialist and travel company highly enough. For anyone seeking a thoughtfully curated, culturally immersive, deeply personal, and truly unforgettable Italian journey, she is an exceptional choice.

We are already dreaming of returning to explore Sicily and Sardinia with our family, and there is absolutely no question who we will call!

Thank you for giving us far more than a beautiful vacation. You gave us an extraordinary gift: memories, discoveries, and connections we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

Overall, the trip was perfect! The hotels were really nice and the itinerary was great.

A few things I would have changed. First, the Amalfi tour day. There was not enough time in Ravello or Positano. We needed more time to relax and shop.

The class of train could have been nicer for the Florence-to-Rome portion of the trip.

We've been to many wineries throughout Europe and the one we went to on our way to Siena was okay, but we have been to much nicer wineries, with better wine and food tastings. It was not a great wine tour experience.

Everything else was wonderful and we really enjoyed the trip with our sons!!!

Thank you!

We can't say enough good things about the trip planned for us in Tuscany and Cinque Terre. It was the perfect balance of cultural (museums, artwork, architecture), historical (tours of towns, churches), food (culinary classes, olive oil mill, winemaking/vineyards), and outdoor activities (hiking, truffle hunting, sunset boating cruise). The uniqueness of some of the activities made this vacation one of the best European vacations we have ever experienced.

The guidance of Zicasso's travel specialists was so appreciated and was spot on for planning meals and when to leave open time. The guides and drivers they provided were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and very friendly. Even when we had major air travel issues getting to Italy, they immediately came to our rescue when we had to arrive in Florence instead of Pisa.

Also, all of the accommodations which they booked for us were comfortable, spacious, and within easy walking distance of local attractions. We highly recommend Zicasso. We are looking forward to being able to plan our next Italian adventure with them.

Zicasso's travel specialist organized an amazing 12-day series of private tours, taking us from Milan to the lake regions (Como, Maggiore, and Garda) and down to Bologna. Our days were filled with visiting churches, museums (including the Ferrari and Enzo Ferrari museums), a winery, parmigiano, prosciutto, and traditional balsamic manufacturing, a cooking class, boat tours, and food tours.

Along the way, we saw testing at the Ferrari track and a small portion of the women’s Giro d’Italia. With all that, we still had sufficient downtime to search the streets to find our own gems.

Our trip coordinator checked in with us daily to confirm the daily itinerary and transportation. When we had questions or needed to make a change due to the weather, she was thorough, attentive, and responsive in a way that was reassuring and comforting. She was simply amazing.

I would highly recommend using this travel specialist and team for any of your Italian travel needs.

The custom trip and itinerary were developed by Zicasso’s travel company and they made numerous recommendations for exploring, starting in Spain, in Madrid, and continuing down to numerous Andalusian cities, including Seville, Granada, Gibraltar, Málaga, and Córdoba.

Not only was the itinerary prepared with great detail and consideration, but every effort was taken to ensure the lodging requested met five-star requirements. Drivers and guides were assigned to us at all of our destinations, and this included airport arrivals and departures. Drivers and guides were not only punctual, they were personable and extremely knowledgeable, with decades of experience.

Our trip continued to Morocco, where we flew into Casablanca from Málaga. Again, airport connections were perfect and we had VIP arrival service on landing. Our driver and guide were aligned with us for the week we spent between Oualidia and Marrakech. Lodging was exceptional and our expectations were certainly exceeded.

Furthermore, the travel company made it a point to communicate with us openly over WhatsApp, answering the few questions we had in a prompt manner and checking in with us throughout the trip.

This is the first time I have 100% used a travel company and I could not have been more pleased with the delivery of the trip and the overall cost.

Our family of six just returned from the trip of a lifetime and we owe it all to our incredible Zicasso travel specialist. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, allowing us to simply relax, explore, and make unforgettable memories together.

Our journey began in Rome, where we stayed in beautiful hotels and were greeted by professional, reliable drivers who made every transfer seamless. From there, we traveled south by train to experience Mount Vesuvius, a truly breathtaking day that combined history, adventure, and spectacular views. Next came the Amalfi Coast, where we stayed in a stunning waterfront hotel. Waking up to the beauty of the Mediterranean each morning felt like something out of a dream. Every recommendation was perfect, from the accommodations to the transportation and, of course, the local restaurants.

One of the most meaningful parts of our journey was traveling to Moliterno, the hometown of my wife's family. Visiting the place where her family story began was an emotional and unforgettable experience. Our private driver made the journey comfortable and enjoyable, allowing us to fully appreciate the beautiful Italian countryside. From there, we continued to the ancient city of Matera, where we spent several incredible days exploring one of the most fascinating and beautiful places we've ever visited. Finally, we departed through Bari, enjoying one last glimpse of Italy's stunning Adriatic coast before heading home.

Throughout the entire trip, every hotel was exceptional, every driver was punctual and courteous, and every transition was effortless. The itinerary struck the perfect balance between iconic destinations, hidden gems, relaxation, and meaningful family experiences.

This wasn't just a vacation. It was a journey our family will treasure for the rest of our lives. We cannot thank our travel specialist enough for creating such a seamless, personalized, and unforgettable experience. If you're looking for someone who truly listens, plans with care, and delivers beyond expectations, look no further. We give our highest recommendation and are already dreaming about our next adventure together.