Immersive Italian History Tour: Rome, Florence, and More

Duomo of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

Whether trekking through the mountains of Amalfi or uncovering the mummified remains of an ancient Volcano, history fans of all stripes will find plenty that compels them on this historically inspired 11-day Italy tour. Destinations include Venice, Florence, Rome, and Amalfi, and activities are customized for those who are interested in the past. Indulge in a tasting of local wines, uncover the secrets of the ancient world at the Coliseum, and immerse yourself in the incredible history at Pompeii.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Venice – Immersion into a Floating City

Your connecting flight will arrive at the nearby Marco Polo international airport, where a private car will transfer you the remaining distance to the Old Town. From there, a private driver or water taxi will ensure your comfortable arrival at your elegant and conveniently located hotel.  After a long journey, you will have the option to rest and relax in the luxury of your new accommodation. When you are ready, the city awaits. The city center is easy to navigate on foot, and you will be able to see how Venice earned the reputation it now enjoys.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Venice – Tour of the Doge’s Palace

Day 3

Florence – The History of Tuscan Winemaking

Day 4

Florence – The Seat of Renaissance Revival

Day 5

Florence – The Tuscan Countryside

Day 6

Rome – The Vivid Seat of the Catholic Church

Day 7

Rome – A Tour of the Ancient World Part I

Day 8

Rome – A Tour of the Ancient World Part II

Day 9

Amalfi – The Region’s Volcanic Past

Day 10

Amalfi – The Walk of the Gods

Day 11

Amalfi – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Stretch your legs on an unguided walking tour of the center of Venice, where you will be charmed by the city’s stunning architecture, bustling water traffic, and friendly locals
  • Delve into the history of Venice’s wealth and prestige with a visit to the Doge’s Palace and surrounding neighborhood
  • Compare the product of Florentine vineyards on a tasting of local wines and an orientation of the history and techniques of this regional treasure
  • Uncover the history of rivalry and competition between the city-states of Italy on a day trip to the nearby community of Siena
  • Visit the basilica of St. Peter’s, where the vastness of the interior and opulence of the decorations will remind you of the status held by Catholicism for centuries
  • Uncover the secrets of the ancient world on a guided tour of the Coliseum and Forum and witness the scene of Caesar’s famous murder
  • Step into the compelling and somber history of Pompeii, which saw one of the worst natural disasters of the ancient world in the first century
  • Delight in rural charm with a visit to the Amalfi coast, where you will abandon the hustle of busy Italian cities for a quieter encounter with seldom-seen history

Detailed Description

Like a great outdoor museum, visiting Italy is similar to stepping back in time. From the Alpine grandeur of the north to the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean to the south, natural beauty is combined with stunning examples of art, history, and culture that spans millennia. This 11-day tour of Italy combines the best examples of Italian history with the creature comforts of the 21st century to ensure your utmost satisfaction.

You will begin this tour in the floating city of Venice. Constructed on top of an archipelago that quickly overgrew the available dry land, the city of Venice presents visitors with an incredible example of the region’s engineering that goes back to Roman times. After immersing yourself in this setting, you will venture for higher ground in the Italian region of Tuscany and its capital of Florence. Here, you will be exposed to the origins and artifacts of the aptly named Renaissance, sample the history of world-famous viticulture, and indulge in a trip to the neighboring town of Siena. Your next destination will be Rome. You can explore the seat of Christian power at the Vatican and uncover the ancient ruins at the Forum. Your final stop will be in the region of Campania in Southern Italy and the famed Amalfi Coast. Here, you can relax on the many pristine beaches that are available and take to the mountains on the Walk of the Gods.

This tour is customized to the tastes of the history fan, but it can be enjoyed by all. Daily activities include, but are hardly limited to, tours, tastings, hikes, and other suggested methods of exploring the country. The early spring remains the best time to follow this itinerary because many of the sites you visit may become busy in the summer months. However you prefer to travel, you can rest assured knowing that this luxurious exploration of the past is just missing you.

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.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1021 reviews

Italy Travel Review: Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Cortona, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii, Rome, Vatican, Lagoon Boat Trip, Wine Tasting, Cooking Class, 2 Weeks

Our 16-day trip through Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, and Rome was outstanding in every detail. Every transfer ran on time, every guide was knowledgeable and warm, and every hotel was a great choice.

Our favorites were the private lagoon boat trip in Venice, the Brunello wine and cheese tour, the pasta class at a Tuscan farm, Pompeii, the Capri cruise, and the Vatican tour. We couldn’t have asked for better planning or support. We highly recommend Zicasso's travel company.

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Italy Travel Review: Florence, Siena, 10 Nights

The trip planning was flexible and Zicasso's travel company adapted to changes in our itinerary. We originally planned to go to the Amalfi Coast, but switched to Florence, and they did a very good job of accommodating our request.

The planning was well done. All tour tickets, transportation, and hotels were as described, and the concierge service was helpful.

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Italy Anniversary Tour Review: 2 Weeks

Our first trip to Italy was a romantic anniversary celebration, and thanks to Zicasso’s travel specialist and our travel company, it became one of the most extraordinary and meaningful travel experiences of our lives. It was everything we had dreamed of, and so much more!

From our very first conversations, she took the time to understand who we are as travelers: our love of art, architecture, history, culture, food, wine, and lifelong learning. She translated those passions into an imaginative, beautifully personalized journey through Rome, Tuscany, Florence, and Venice.

One of her greatest gifts is her intuitive understanding of the rhythm of travel. We wanted days filled with discovery, learning, and new experiences, but also leisurely afternoons and evenings to wander cobblestone streets, linger over wonderful meals, and simply absorb the atmosphere of Italian life. She struck that balance perfectly. Our itinerary was wonderfully rich, yet never rushed or overscheduled.

The private guides she selected were exceptional: not simply knowledgeable, but gifted teachers and storytellers who brought centuries of Italian history, art, architecture, and culture vividly to life. In Florence, for example, our guide helped us explore the Renaissance through fascinating stories of the Medici family, Michelangelo’s creative process, and the philosophy of Humanism. Our visits to the great museums and historic landmarks became intellectually stimulating and deeply engaging experiences.

She also introduced us to Italy’s living traditions: a fabulous food tour in Rome, wine tasting in Tuscany, explorations of enchanting medieval towns and villages, and boat excursions to Murano and Burano, where we discovered the centuries-old artistry of glassblowing and lacemaking. These experiences gave us a wonderful sense of the richness and continuity of Italian culture.

Her choices of accommodations were equally inspired. Each was distinctive, beautifully located, and full of character, from a charming, peaceful boutique hotel near the Pantheon in Rome, to a magical stay in a medieval Tuscan village, an elegant Art Deco hotel in Florence, and a fairytale suite in Venice. Every setting added another layer of romance and delight to our anniversary celebration. And the cuisine was heavenly! Every meal was memorable, culminating in a dreamy farewell dinner beside a Venetian canal.

Behind all this magic was the travel specialist’s impeccable planning, extraordinary attention to detail, and genuinely proactive care. Every transition, from airports and private transfers to trains and boats, was seamlessly coordinated.

One small example perfectly captures her approach. When our train from Florence to Venice was delayed, we contacted the travel specialist to let her know. She immediately reassured us that she was already monitoring our train and had informed our guide in Venice of the delay. There was nothing for us to do but relax, enjoy the ride, and look forward to the magnificence of Venice! That kind of thoughtful anticipation gave us complete peace of mind throughout our travels.

Equally special was her warmth and genuine personal connection. She was always accessible, and we found ourselves exchanging messages most days, not because anything needed fixing, but simply because it was such a pleasure sharing our experiences with her. She combines exceptional professionalism, creativity, and meticulous organization with kindness, generosity of spirit, and a contagious passion for sharing the beauty of her country. By the end of our journey, we felt we had gained not only an extraordinary travel advisor, but also a wonderful new friend.

Italy opened our minds, elevated our souls, and deeply touched our hearts. Our travel specialist didn’t simply organize a magnificent vacation; she opened the door to a country and culture we have now fallen completely in love with.

We cannot recommend our travel specialist and travel company highly enough. For anyone seeking a thoughtfully curated, culturally immersive, deeply personal, and truly unforgettable Italian journey, she is an exceptional choice.

We are already dreaming of returning to explore Sicily and Sardinia with our family, and there is absolutely no question who we will call!

Thank you for giving us far more than a beautiful vacation. You gave us an extraordinary gift: memories, discoveries, and connections we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

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Italy Honeymoon Travel Review: Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast, 8 Nights

Our honeymoon in Italy was absolutely magical and so much of that is thanks to our travel company. From our very first call, they took the time to understand what we wanted and crafted an itinerary through Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast that felt personal rather than cookie-cutter. Every detail was handled: hotels, transfers, and tours all ran seamlessly, so we could simply relax and enjoy being newlyweds.

Florence stole our hearts with its art and charm, Rome was awe-inspiring at every turn, and ending the trip on the Amalfi Coast, with those breathtaking sea views, was the perfect romantic finale. The guides were knowledgeable and genuinely passionate, bringing each city to life in a way we never could have experienced on our own.

Communication before and during the trip was prompt and reassuring, and it was clear the team truly cared about making our honeymoon special.

We came home with memories we'll treasure forever. We can't recommend this travel company and Zicasso highly enough. We're already dreaming about our next trip with them!

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Italy Tour Review: Amalfi Coast, Ravello, Positano, Florence, Rome, Siena, Winery Visit, 11 Nights

Overall, the trip was perfect! The hotels were really nice and the itinerary was great.

A few things I would have changed. First, the Amalfi tour day. There was not enough time in Ravello or Positano. We needed more time to relax and shop.

The class of train could have been nicer for the Florence-to-Rome portion of the trip.

We've been to many wineries throughout Europe and the one we went to on our way to Siena was okay, but we have been to much nicer wineries, with better wine and food tastings. It was not a great wine tour experience.

Everything else was wonderful and we really enjoyed the trip with our sons!!!

Thank you!

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Croatia, Italy Trip Review: Amalfi, Positano, Lecce, Sorrento, Alberobello, Matera, Pompeii, Boat Rides, Local Cuisine, 13 Nights

Excellent communication, wonderful tours — fascinating towns, smooth connections.

Amalfi and Positano would've been nice to visit had the crowds not been overwhelming. As they were, we would have preferred to have omitted them and gone elsewhere.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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