Embrace the majesty of masterpieces accentuated by the allure of Medieval and Renaissance arts as you experience this handmade best of Spain and Italy tour. Follow the trail of ageless wonders that continue to attract visitors each year. The works of Raphael and Botticelli decorate historic palaces in elaborate museum displays. The surreal designs of Gaudí shape the aesthetic of the skyline in Barcelona. Gilded frescoes turn St. Mark’s Basilica into a glowing chapel and the glamorous halls of...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Madrid – The Capital of Spain with an Introductory Tour of the City
The Spanish capital is full of energy that winds around the layers of historic streets and grand plazas. The gorgeous architecture of the Gran Via is an opulent meeting place of culture, politics, ideas, and art in with its combination of Art Deco designs and Neo-Mudéjar styles. The Telefónica Building was erected between 1926 and 1929 as Europe’s first skyscraper and it hosts a view of the future in the Spanish Telecommunications Company with a structural height of 290 feet above street level. Your flight will land at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, where your private transfer greets you upon arrival.
After spending time relaxing in your luxurious accommodations at the heart of Madrid, your guide will meet you in the lobby to provide you an authentic and thorough introduction to the city’s monuments. The tour leads you to the center of Madrid at Puerta del Sol, named for the emblem decorating the former city gate that once stood in the plaza. You find “Kilometer Zero,” a stone slab decorating the ground from which all distances on Spain’s national roads are measured. The plaza was also the scene of a historic resistance against the imposing forces of Napoleon Buonaparte in 1808. Lively cafes and elegant shops juxtapose the historical ambiance but bring a touch of contemporary charm.
What's Included:
Day 2
Madrid – Discover the Grandeur of Madrid on a Palace and Prado Tour
Day 3
Barcelona – Explore the Fascinating Barrí Gotic
Day 4
Barcelona – Uniqueness with a Gaudí Tour and Cooking Class
Day 5
Venice – A Sensational Welcome in the City on the Lagoon
Day 6
Venice – the Remarkable History of Venice at St. Mark’s Square
Day 7
Florence – See the Florence and the Uffizi After-Hours
Day 8
Rome – The Charming Town of Arezzo en route to Rome
Day 9
Rome – Monuments of Rome and Galleries of the Vatican Museum
Day 10
Rome – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Visit the sensational galleries of the Prado Museum to view the sensational European Masers on display including works by El Greco
- Traverse the streets of Barcelona for interactive views of Antonin Gaudí’s surrealist architecture while you spend time at the Casa Mila
- Witness the marvelous gilded mosaics that span the rounded domes, columns, and ceiling of St. Mark’s Square in Venice
- Wander the exciting rooms of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence to find the remarkable works of Renaissance painters like Botticelli
- Enjoy the flavors of Barcelona with a private cooking class celebrating the unique, authentic dishes of Catalonia
- Relish time with the magnificent Italian masters decorating the Vatican Museum including works by Raphael
- Explore the impressive grandeur of the Spanish Royal Palace in Madrid for views of elaborate Baroque and Rococo architecture and art
Detailed Description
Spain and Italy represent the pleasures of the good life with classic art, delicious cuisine, and an appreciation for the beauty of the past. Travel from Madrid to Rome and Barcelona to Venice for an exceptional blend of art, architecture, history, and flavor that reveals the depths of heritage on the Iberian and Italian peninsulas. Explore iconic monuments, cruise the cherished canals, and wander Renaissance streets of an overlooked Tuscan treasure for an insightful, enchanting experience.
The discovery will begin in Madrid, Spain as you explore the capital city. The grand streets and vibrant ambiance become an amalgamation of Spain’s diverse regional cultures. The Spanish Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and verdant grasses decorating El Retiro Park reflect the affluence and history of the classic city. Then, you will continue to Barcelona, which encompasses the vibrant differences between the fast-pace of the capital and the Mediterranean ambiance of Catalonia. The antique neighborhood of the Barrí Gotic contains the preserved medieval architecture that contrasts with contemporary images of Picasso’s artwork. The surrealist architecture of Antoni Gaudí becomes a prominent feature of the skyline in the form of La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Mila.
Arrive in Venice, Italy for an enchanting ambiance of a storybook to life. The marble palaces and gilded frescoes represent the affluence of the Venetian Republic. Gondolas cruise the crisscrossing canals and wind through the 118 connected islands that create the greater city. Your time in Florence will celebrate the Renaissance with captivating architecture and master artworks lining the walls of the Uffizi Gallery. The town of Arezzo captures the essence of Medieval and Renaissance architecture accentuated by the fabulous panorama overlooking the lush countryside of Tuscany. The Eternal City continues to attract visitors from around the world with promises of preserved ancient ruins and glimpses into the maintained beauty cultivated under the papacy. From the Pantheon to Vatican City, the tomb of Raphael to the works of the master adorning the walls of the former pope’s apartment, Rome remains a spectacle by combining ancient ruins, medieval streets, Renaissance art, and Baroque palaces.
Starting Price
$4,200 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 8471 reviews.
The trip Zicasso's travel specialist arranged for us exceeded all our expectations. It was absolutely wonderful; not a single detail was overlooked. The hotels were excellent, the tours were great, and the drivers were always on time. I totally recommend Zicasso and the agency, and will undoubtedly use them for future travel plans.
Reviewed By Philip S.
Zicasso's travel designer did a terrific job. We had the initial phone consult, after which she delivered a first draft of the itinerary. From there, she helped guide us through a few revisions until we got the details smoothed out. We are experienced travelers and can appreciate a well-constructed trip, and that's what our experience with our agent reflected.
One crucial thing is that all the drivers who are engaged to move you around are prompt. Every one of them was right on time and friendly and helpful to boot. It was much appreciated.
To sum up our experience, I would do it all again with Zicasso and the agency and our agent. Our trip to Italy in the late summer of 2025 was something we will not soon forget!
Reviewed By tony B.
Zicasso's travel partner is very thorough and makes sure the trip is tailored to your vision. They are flexible and very responsive. We would recommend them to anyone traveling.
Reviewed By Evan C.
Zicasso's travel agency far exceeded our expectations. We had our five-year-old and 11-year-old children with us, so the tour guides and walking needed to be kid-friendly.
Our hotel in Rome was wonderful, the location was perfect, and they had good A/C and a breakfast buffet. There were plenty of great restaurants within easy walking distance, as well as the Vatican.
Our tour guide for the Colosseum and Roman Forum was great. Pompeii was amazing. Our tour guide was basically a celebrity down there and knew exactly how to take us around the ruins without ever waiting.
Tuscany was our favorite by far. We did a cheese-making experience and lunch that was super-cool. The kids got to play with the farm animals and the owners were so attentive and interesting. We did a cooking class with a chef that was the kids' favorite thing on the entire trip. I would make a point to book this experience; the kids still talk about it and wear the aprons around the house. The resort in Tuscany was nice. We had our own private pool, plus the resort pool, and could easily walk to a small local town with some great food.
Venice was good, but probably our least favorite on the trip. You have to walk a ton, which was difficult for the kids, but it's still worth experiencing.
We travel a bunch and I would highly recommend using Zicasso's travel partner.
Reviewed By Kevin S.
Zicasso's travel designer made the whole trip run very smoothly. It was a pleasure working with her.
Reviewed By Joseph B.
This was the best trip ever!!! I am so grateful Zicasso introduced us to our tour operator. This team was amazing! They set up a call to learn more about us and jumped into action. Within a short time, they came back to us with a presentation on ideas, with recommendations. There is no chance our trip would have been half as good without them. They even had a text group on standby while we were here in case we needed anything.
Reviewed By Linda C.