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 8479 reviews.
Zicasso's was an excellent travel company. The attention to all trip details by our tour operator was amazing. We enjoyed all the tours, the guides, the accommodations, the drivers, the Italian train system, and restaurant recommendations, and his itinerary information that we downloaded on our iPhones was extremely valuable throughout our entire trip. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone. I would definitely consider using him for future travel.
Reviewed By Kathy D.
Hi! Zicasso's travel planner organized everything perfectly. He was very helpful and patient as we planned the itinerary with him. He had great suggestions and the trip could not have gone better. Zicasso checked in with us daily and sent reminders, etc. We felt very taken care of. Any questions during the trip were answered very promptly.
All of the excursions were wonderful. Our guide and the boat around Capri was our favorite. He was a wonderful guide. The cooking class in Sorrento was the best, with wonderful hosts. We had a blast. The guides for Pompeii, the Vatican, and the Colosseum were super.
All of the hotels were perfect regarding location, amenities, staff, food, and rooms. We were upgraded twice.
We would highly recommend Zicasso to our friends (already have). We couldn‘t have asked for a more professional group.
Thanks for making my dreams come true.
Reviewed By Julie M.
Zicasso's travel agent helped to make our trip to Italy truly memorable. He listened to our interests and formulated a vacation that was unforgettable.
Reviewed By Barbara M.
We booked an amazing trip with Zicasso's travel partner and his travel team, which, pleasantly, far exceeded our expectations. Every detail was perfectly planned out, from the moment we were greeted at the airport in Naples by our driver to the private tours, boat excursions, and Amalfi drive. Our accommodations were top-notch.
He made planning this trip stress-free, and we enjoyed every moment. It was first-class treatment all the way, without the hassle of trying to coordinate all of the logistics ourselves. Thanks to our agent for providing us with an amazing, personalized, trip of a lifetime!
Reviewed By Jeanine P.
Zicasso's tour partner helped put together the trip of a lifetime. She provided many great suggestions of things to do and places to visit in Italy. I was very pleased with her ability to coordinate the details of the trip, from hotel reservations to private transportation and excursions/tours. We were so busy that by the end of the day, we were worn out. When we plan our next trip, I am going to personally ask to work with her again, she became part of our family with her personalized service.
Reviewed By Robert C.
We had a great eight-day trip to Madrid, planned by Zicasso's tour partners. They worked with me every step of the way to update the itinerary multiple times throughout the planning process and also helped provide great attraction, eatery, and transport recommendations.
When we arrived in Spain, we felt we were in good hands the entire time. Every driver and tour guide was on time, responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable! The agency even surprised us with a few gifts throughout our trip to help us celebrate our seven-year anniversary! I would definitely use them again!
Reviewed By Janice T.