Expect marvels and majesty when stepping away from the well-worn path in search of unexpected wonders during this personalized 12-day tour of Italy and Spain. The medieval towns are hidden on the hills of Spain shine with the influence of Roman settlements and Moorish rule. Villages in Italy lead to remarkable churches that shine with gilded mosaics. Uncover the hidden allures of Spain and Italy that bring the distinctive cultures, delicious cuisines, and specific myths of each country into the...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Madrid – Introduction to the Culture
The energetic capital of Spain captures the country’s surrounding culture amid the city’s Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and lavish parks. Your private transfer will greet you at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport upon your arrival and escort you to your luxurious accommodation. Your first day in Spain will offer you a unique view of the capital by highlighting the charms of the hidden gems that are tucked into the shadows of the mainstream sites across Madrid. The Naval Museum on Paseo del Prado hosts the oldest known map of America, which was discovered in a Paris bookshop in the mid-19th century. The map was drawn around the year 1500 by Juan de la Cosa, who sailed with Cristopher Columbus.
What's Included:
Day 2
Madrid – Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures
Day 3
Madrid – The Palacio Real in Aranjuez
Day 4
Madrid – The Medieval Charm of Cuenca
Day 5
Madrid – The Exterior of Extremadura
Day 6
Madrid – Visit Alcalá de Henares
Day 7
Avellino – Relaxing Day in Avellino
Day 8
Avellino – The Grounds of Caserta Palace
Day 9
Rome – The Reach of Ancient Rome
Day 10
Rome – Spend the Day in Cerveteri
Day 11
Rome – The Medieval Lanes of Orvieto
Day 12
Rome – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Uncover the magnificent ancient Etruscan necropolis of Cerveteri to find reproductions of daily life in the reliefs that decorate noble family catacombs
- Wander the enchanting landscape of Spain’s Extremadura region and visit the medieval hilltop towns of Cáceres and Mérida
- Explore the opulent gardens, galleries, halls, and impressive stairway of the Caserta Palace, which is one of the largest royal complexes in the world
- Traverse the remarkably preserved Roman port city of Ostia Antica to find majestic mosaics, statues, and the remnants of life in ancient Rome
- Discover the Roman ruins of Segovia with the stunning aqueduct that runs through the heart of the Spanish city
- Visit the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes in Alcalá de Henares and witness the statues that were dedicated to his work and life
- View the sensational gilded mosaics of Orvieto, which is a town that is halfway between Rome and Florence
- Stroll the sensational streets and elegant plazas of Aranjuez before spending time in the glitzy halls and galleries
Detailed Description
You can uncover the lesser-known gems of Europe during this 12-day off-the-beaten-path tour of Spain and Italy. Your handmade experience will highlight the overlooked marvels of the countryside and the charismatic monuments that are often missed inside the big cities. You will travel between towns and villages and between restaurants and cafes for an authentic view of life.
Spain is a country that is known for its passion and sophistication. The locals are devoted to enjoying life’s daily pleasures. You will arrive in Madrid and use the capital city as your base for six nights. The towns of Segovia, Aranjuez, Cuenca, and Alcalá de Henares all share an enchanting ambiance that stems from their medieval architecture and pace of life. The untouched region of Extremadura hosts hilltop villages that are imbued with the history of Roman settlements. When visiting the different towns, you can travel at your own pace, sample the local dishes, explore the cobblestone lanes, and delight in the panoramic views.
Italy is home to some of the world’s greatest artwork and architecture. You will spend two nights in Avellino, which is in the southern region of Campania, for an introduction into the captivating towns in the district of Irpinia. You can also traverse the halls and grand galleries of Caserta Palace, which is one of the largest royal complexes in the world. Three nights in Rome will be the perfect amount of time for you to explore the Roman port city of Ostia Antica, the ancient necropolis of Cerveteri, and the hilltop town of Orvieto.
Starting Price
$5,400 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
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 8368 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.
The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.
Reviewed By Claudia R.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.
This was possibly the best vacation we have ever taken. A fitting trip to mark our 25th anniversary, we will remember our days in Positano and Sorrento forever. Everything was perfect and the service and support were extraordinary.
Zicasso's travel specialist and the other people were always super-helpful and friendly. The hotels they chose for us in particular were exactly what we wanted. I can’t think of a single issue. Transport, transfers, etc., were perfect. The only bad part was that we had to return to normal life afterwards! We highly recommend our travel company to anyone! Grazie mille!
Reviewed By Mauro A.