On this luxurious 11-day Italy tour, witness the rise and fall of the Roman Empire as you tread among ruins and through palaces that were once part of the vast kingdom. Stand in the streets of Rome where Julius Caesar gave riveting speeches, climb the steps of the Colosseum that erupted in dramatic shouts, and watch the Renaissance flourish through its abundant art and architecture in the museums of Florence.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Florence – Stroll through Florence’s Charming Streets
Today, you will explore the depths of Florentine history, beginning with your plane’s arrival at Amerigo Vespucci Airport. Your private driver will be waiting for you when you clear customs to transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. Once you have had time to settle in, your guide will meet you at your hotel and walk you to the 14th-century Duomo. Brunelleschi’s dome unapologetically dominates Florence’s skyline, and its massive presence will be visible as you navigate the twisting backstreets. Afterward, you can visit the incredible museum that is attached to the Duomo, which serves as a unique storehouse of faith, history, and art.
What's Included:
Day 2
Florence – Explore the Birthplace of the Renaissance
Day 3
Florence – Exploring Palazzo Vecchio
Day 4
Rome – Uncover Ancient Etruscan Caves
Day 5
Rome – Tread among Roman Temples
Day 6
Rome – Walk in the Footsteps of Julius Caesar
Day 7
Rome – Walking Tour through Vatican City
Day 8
Sorrento – Venture through the Ruins of Pompeii
Day 9
Sorrento – Exhilarating Helicopter Ride
Day 10
Sorrento – Discover Emperor Augustus’ Favorite Getaway
Day 11
Sorrento – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Meander through the ancient streets of the Renaissance during a private tour of its classic works of art and exquisite cathedrals in Florence
- Travel back in time as you uncover more than three eras of history in the medieval Palazzo Vecchio
- Discover the Umbrian hilltop town of Orvieto, where you can dive deep into archaeological artifacts to learn about its Etruscan roots
- Delve into Rome’s history that spans multiple millennia as you walk through the 1900-year-old Pantheon and visit Mussolini’s notorious balcony
- Delight in an in-depth tour through the heart of the Roman Empire that will have you witnessing the very place that Caesar carried out business
- Venture to the epicenter of Catholicism during your tour of Vatican City, where you can admire St. Peter’s Basilica and the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel.
- Stroll through the wide streets of Pompeii, where volcanic ash impeccably preserved ancient Roman culture
- Soar high above the Amalfi Coastline on a private helicopter excursion that flies you over Mt. Vesuvius and the Greek ruins of Paestum
- Traverse in the footsteps of the Phoenicians and visit Roman ruins on the glamorous island of Capri
Detailed Description
History will become wildly three-dimensional during your unforgettable,11-day adventure through Italy. You will begin your dynamic journey by traversing the backstreets that witnessed the birth of the Renaissance and admiring the elaborate cathedrals and the massive Duomo that sit regally in the center of Florence. You will then skip to the front of the line at the Uffizi Gallery and the Academia, where you will be introduced to canvas and marble works of art that intricately tell stories of the Renaissance. The following day, you will explore Palazzo Vecchio, which is a 14th-century government building that still functions as the city’s town hall.
As you venture to Rome, you will pause at the hilltop town of Orvieto, where you can meander through the town’s charming streets before descending underground to explore Etruscan caves that served as a hiding place during barbarian invasions. You will then continue toward Rome, where you can enjoy an exclusive tour of the 1900-year-old Pantheon and Piazza Venezia. Afterward, you will walk in the footsteps of Julius Caesar in the Roman Forum before venturing beneath the Colosseum to see where gladiators paced the hallways as they awaited their fights. The following day, you visit Vatican City and may be overwhelmed by St. Peter’s Dome and the inimitable Sistine Chapel.
The glistening Amalfi Coast will be waiting for you. During your time on the Amalfi Coast, you can tour the town of Pompeii, which once thrived in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. The next day you can take to the skies during an exclusive helicopter ride that will lead you around the peak of Mt. Vesuvius and the Greek ruins of Paestum. Your final day in Italy will consist of a luxury boat ride to the glamorous island of Capri, where you will tour the iridescent waters of the Blue Grotto and explore the island’s 19th-century villas. Your trip will culminate as your personal driver escorts you to Naples International Airport for your return flight home.
Starting Price
$5,000 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 5894 reviews.
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.
We had a fantastic time and Zicasso's tour operator did an excellent job organizing every detail of our trip. Drivers and guides were always punctual, and the itinerary was perfectly balanced—full days, without ever feeling rushed.
Some real highlights for us were Herculaneum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and our unforgettable Capri boat tour. Our guide brought Pompeii's history to life in a way that made it feel like stepping back in time and the Naples street food tour was delicious and nostalgic—her pizza fritta instantly took me back to the calzones I grew up with in Niles, Ohio. Our driver was with us for several days and made every transfer feel effortless.
There was a small hiccup at the very end with a trip planner, but it was minor compared to the overall quality of the trip. The organization, communication, and attention to detail throughout made this a truly memorable experience and we wouldn’t hesitate to book with this tour agency again. We had a fantastic time and the tour company did an excellent job organizing every detail of our trip.
Reviewed By James T.
I want to give a huge shoutout to Zicasso's trip coordinator. She was our coordinator through WhatsApp. She was always available, provided quick solutions and documents whenever we needed them. Given a few airline delays, we needed to adapt our itinerary rapidly and she always came in clutch.The itinerary was put together very fast, as we approached this travel company six weeks before our desired travel dates. We had an amazing time and all the activities were tailored to our interests. We would highly recommend them for any Italy travel.
Reviewed By Brad B.
It was very good and lived up to our expectations.
Reviewed By Sarpreet B.
