7-Day Luxury Tour of Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice

In the morning, the aromas of roses and peonies will drift out of the flower stalls that are scattered around the city and will be accompanied by the scent of freshly pressed espresso as it emanates from the neighborhood bars where locals enjoy breakfast before heading to work. Your expert guide will meet you in your hotel and escort you on a private tour of the ancient ruins for which Rome is famous, taking you from the Forum to the Colosseum and into Palatine Hill.

The history that is visible on Palatine Hill will captivate you with images of Rome’s earliest known inhabitants long before the palaces, aristocrats, and emperors. Your guide will highlight the archeological majesty of the ancient world beyond the Colosseum and temples that stand in the Forum, revealing sites like the Cryptoporticus, which is a semi-subterranean corridor with barrel vaults that span nearly 427 feet long and act as a tunnel that link the Imperial palaces. The Palace of the Flavians rises above the cypress trees with arches that are visible from the banks of the Tiber River, connoting one of the first structures built to display the growing splendor of Rome.

You will continue to St. Peter’s Square for a fantastic, private tour of the eponymous basilica and treasured museum. The magnificent dome was designed by Michelangelo and soars above the city at 448 feet. As you enter the opulent structure, you will find traces of frankincense and myrrh as they fill the air. The entire basilica can host a congregation of more than 60,000 people, and your guide will lead you to the breathtaking Pietà, which is a work of Michelangelo that depicts a young Mary as she cradles Jesus after the crucifixion, which was carved from a single block of marble when the artist was 24 years old.

After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and guide you into Tuscany to reach the fascinating city of Pisa. The city was once a powerhouse of the Mediterranean Sea, growing in prominence in the 11th century.

As you walk through the city center of Pisa, your guide will point out the opulence of the architecture with famous Pisan aesthetics, including the Santa Maria della Spina whose gothic embellishments add to the luster of the rose windows, archways, and a niche that hosts statues of Jesus and the Apostles. The main allure of the city remains the architecture in the Piazza dei Miracoli, where you will find the Leaning Tower. The foundations of the bell tower were laid in the 12th century and support 294 steps that lead to the top. The list encompasses nearly four degrees between the base and upper level and is adorned with the thin pillars and narrow arches of the iconic Gothic and Pisan design.

You will reach Florence in the afternoon and have some free time in your luxurious accommodations to relax before your introductory tour of the Renaissance city. You will stroll along cobbled lanes the circle the remarkable Duomo at the heart of the city with the iconic brick dome that towers above the rooftops at 376 feet tall. In the neighborhood of San Lorenzo, you will find the unforgettable aroma of coffee as it drifts out of the cafes, and the scent of leather stems from the bags, coats, shoes, and belts that are on display in the surrounding shops. For a different perspective of the city, your guide will take you into the illustrious San Lorenzo Church so you can view the tombs of the Medici family inside, featuring marble sculptures by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Lippi.

The aroma of freshly baked cornetti that has been stuffed with chocolate and hazelnut spread will permeate the streets with their mouthwatering aromas in the morning. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and will be eager to reveal to you the marvels of Florentine and Tuscan art. Your tour will begin at the Uffizi Gallery, which was built as an office for the Florentine magistrate in the 16th century. The marble halls line lavish floor-to-ceiling windows.

The galleries display artists in chronological order according to their time period, allowing you to discover the works of contemporaries between the 13th and 18th centuries. The priceless works reflect the changing aesthetic of each century, covering religious pieces to allegories and including the coveted work of The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci. The stunning piece resembles a portrait that depicts the Madonna, who was visited by Archangel Gabriel, with a remarkably realistic landscape in the background.

You will continue to the Accademia Gallery for insight into more of the masterpieces that are housed in the splendor of Florence. The aroma of rich gelato will fill the city in the afternoon, giving way to the decadent scent of grilled Florentine steak that has been topped with sea salt. Inside the museum gallery, your guide will provide greater context to the displays that host the intricate musical instruments and Botticelli’s Madonna. Michelangelo’s David crowns the end of a hall, standing 17 feet tall and depicting the biblical warrior looking stoic before his epic battle with Goliath. The complex detail of the statue will enrapture you as you notice the rippling muscles, lifelike eyes, and curly hair.

The aroma of leather returns in the morning as vendors open their doors along the back streets of San Lorenzo. Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel after breakfast and escort you to the dramatic city of Verona, which is famous for its preserved Roman history and connection to Shakespeare’s epic tale of love: Romeo and Juliet. Your guide will lead you through the beauty of Verona that spans from the strong defensive walls of Castelvecchio to the ancient archways of the Roman Amphitheater that date back to the 3rd century AD.

The 44 rows that are located inside the theater continue to accommodate 22,000 spectators during the Verona Opera Festival in July and August, combining the marvels of the ancient world with the splendors of music and the luxuries of today. You will continue through the heart of town to reach Casa di Giulietta, which is home to the renowned heroine of love: Shakespeare’s Juliet Capulet. Notes that have been written from fans decorate the walkway that leads into the courtyard where the characters shared their first kiss. This location attracts pilgrims from around the world who are eager to pay homage to the spirit of the story.

You will continue to Venice, and the city rises out of the lagoon with lavish marble palaces that line the waterways and walkways. A series of 118 islands are connected by over 400 bridges, including the famous Rialto Bridge, which connects two bustling banks along the water at the midpoint of the Grand Canal. After taking some time to indulge in the comforts of your hotel, you will step onto a boat for a tour of the Grand Canal. Gliding down the waterway, you will find incredible images from the Renaissance, including the Palazzo Corner della Ca’ Grande and the Palazzo Grassi. The grandeur of Santa Maria della Salute acts as a Baroque monument from the 17th century that was built to honor the end of the plague. The beauty will guide your eye to the massive dome that crowns the structure with an interior that possesses the Marriage at Cana by Tintoretto.

The morning in Venice fills with the aromas of fresh pastries such as fritole, which is a fried donut that is made with lemon, sugar, and Marsala wine. Your guide will lead you through the bustling Rialto Market where vendors call out to passersby, offering samples of cheeses and cured meats in addition to visions of fresh seafood that were caught earlier that day. You will reach the picturesque St. Mark’s Square and find the splendor of the bulbous domes from the eponymous cathedral. Your specialist guide will show you the charms of the architecture and art that is often hidden beneath the shining, gilded mosaics of the interior that cover 45,639 square feet.

After visiting the basilica, you will continue into the depths of the Doge’s Palace, which will lead you to the opulent design of the Scala d’Oro, which is also known as the Stairs of Gold. The lavish, gold decoration glints along the ceiling and leads from the Loggia to the offices and reception rooms, capturing the prestige and glamour of the former Republic. The hidden room of the Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci, which was a room that was once used by the Council of Ten, is a secret state court. The remarkable design of the room derives from the elegant wood paneling and frescoes that include Jupiter Hurling Thunderbolts against the Vices by Veronese.

In the morning, you will find the scent of pastries stuffed with cream or ricotta accompanied by the aroma of frothy cappuccino. The boutique shops around Venice opens their doors to reveal window displays of intricate masks and Murano glass. Gondolas and water taxis take to the waters after sunrise, gliding between the banks of the Grand Canal. Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to the edges of the city with plenty of time to check-in for your flight at Marco Polo Airport.