Italy’s Great Cities Tour: From Rome to Venice

A tasty breakfast and morning cappuccino at the hotel will provide the fuel you need to continue your exploration of Rome with an exclusive, full day’s guided tour. Your first stop will be the Colosseum, and as you make your away through the levels of the ancient amphitheater, you will be able to picture yourself seated as a spectator for epic show of the gladiators. The ruins of the Roman Forum, or Foro Romano, will provide glimpses into everyday Roman life. Along the way, you can enjoy a sweet gelato, which is Italy’s form of ice cream.

The afternoon will continue with another guided tour of Vatican City. Despite being the smallest country in the world, it will quickly become unforgettable. St. Peter’s Basilica, which was designed by greats such as Michelangelo, Bramante, and Bernini, is an amazing example of Renaissance architecture and home to many timeless pieces of art. Your guide will then lead you through the Papal Palace and into the Sistine Chapel. The many frescos are gorgeous, but your breath will be taken away as you look up and marvel at the ceiling of the chapel. Considered one of Michelangelo’s finest masterpieces, the painting is intricate, detailed, and simply remarkable.

You will explore the exciting Roman nightlife on your own, enjoying the lively streets that are shared by locals and tourists alike. The town will also be filled with a lively atmosphere and many mouthwatering aromas from the local restaurants and cafés.

After breakfast, you will board your private transfer and begin the scenic drive through Tuscany. The picturesque hills and mountaintops will guide you to an afternoon stop in Siena. The historical center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with sites to take in, including the Siena Cathedral and Piazza del Campo. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to visit during the Palio, which is a famous horse race that is held just twice a year. You can sample some local Tuscan wine before continuing your drive through the countryside.

By early evening you will have arrived in Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance. You will check into your centrally-located, luxurious hotel and begin to take in the sights and sounds of this beautiful city. You can stroll along the winding streets and bridges, or stop at a local restaurant to feast on a typical Florentine steak that is savored in Italy and around the world for its tenderness and flavor.

A full day, guided tour of Florence will highlight day four of your trip. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, your guide will greet you and begin the day’s captivating journey. You will gaze at the Arno River as you traverse the Ponte Vecchio, which is one of Florence’s best-known medieval bridges. As you make your way across, you will not be able but to stop in a few of the many jewelry stores that sparkle in the daylight. The tour will continue to the Uffizi Gallery that was designed in the 1500s by Giorgio Vasari and renowned for its Renaissance art. Every room will be filled with masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and other famous Renaissance artists.

You will dine on a light lunch at al fresco before your guide will lead you to the next destination. Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Florence is its cathedral, which is commonly referred to as the Duomo. Its impressive pink and green marble exterior is just the beginning of what this cathedral has to offer. Once inside, you will marvel at the interior of Brunelleschi’s dome, which is still considered an architectural phenomenon.

The final artistic stop of the day will be the Accademia Gallery. The halls of the Gallery will be filled with numerous sculptures and paintings by famed Italian artists. The greatness and realistic features of Michelangelo’s David will leave you in awe as the day’s journey comes to a close.

After breakfast, you will depart Florence via and begin the scenic ride to Pisa. The iconic Leaning Tower will greet you upon arrival to this ancient and marvelous city. A local guide will provide a tour of Pisa’s other main attractions that are located within the Square of Miracles, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Baptistery. You can take as many pictures as you like of these colossal structures before enjoying a local lunch and continuing your drive into the Veneto region of Italy.

Finally, you will arrive in Venice where a private boat will lead you along the Grand Canal to your centrally located waterfront hotel. You will enjoy watching the gondolas, water taxis, and boats glide across the water as you sip on a Venetian Spritz. Around the city, chefs will expertly prepare savory dishes using the freshest catches of the day. A traditional Venetian dinner will be the perfect way to end the night.

The gentle sound of the Venetian waves outside will be the perfect wake-up call to begin the exciting sixth day of your trip. After breakfast, your guide will meet you to begin the day’s tour of Venice’s best attractions. First, you will enjoy the views of the floating city from the Rialto Bridge, which is an ancient stone-arch bridge that crosses over the narrowest point of the Grand Canal. You will take in the beautiful architecture and colorful boats from this amazing viewpoint. The tour will continue, and the sight of the campanile, the large bell tower, will let you know you that you have reached St. Mark’s Square. Perhaps one of the world’s most famous squares, St. Mark’s will not disappoint. Your guide will lead you into the unparalleled St. Mark’s Basilica. The interior is captivating and impressive with its over 85,000 feet of mosaics, 500 columns, and endless amounts of gold. Just down the road, the tour will continue to the Doge’s Palace. Once the residence of the head of the Venetian government, the museum is now filled with fascinating statues, art, and architecture.

You will enjoy a meal at one of the many outdoor restaurants around St. Mark’s Square as you continue to experience this remarkable destination. An early evening gondola ride will be the ideal way to round out the day. The colorful gondola will glide over the water as your driver, the gondoliere, will masterfully guide you around the city.

Venice is made up of over 100 islands, and today you will tour three of the most unique ones. A private boat ride will begin today’s adventure to the first island of Murano. Glass blowing, which could be considered a forgotten art, is alive and thriving on this enchanting island. The history of Murano comes to life as you learn that artisans have been making glass here since the 13th century. An exclusive tour into one of the factories will provide an up-close look at some of these present-day master artists in action. You will later enjoy shopping in the many stores for everything you desire from multicolored glass bowls to jewelry.

Another short boat ride will land you in Burano. The island’s signature bright colored homes will line the streets. Here, residents must get permission to paint their homes, as the colored patterns are a tightly guarded tradition. Equally eye-catching are the intricate works of lace that will be displayed throughout the island’s shops. The women of Burano have made lace creations by hand for hundreds of years, and the detailed and complex patterns are simply amazing. In Burano’s main square, Piazza Galuppi, you can stop in one of the pastry shops to sample a local favorite cookie known in Italy as the bussola buranello. You will finish touring the island’s church and chapel before returning to your boat.

The last stop of the day will be on the island of Torcello. With most of the island being a nature preserve, it will be both charming and peaceful. You will tour the Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell’Assunta and its accompanying bell tower, which stands tall over the quaint roads below. The cathedral dates back to the first century, and is home to many beautiful Byzantine mosaics.

The soft Venetian breeze will guide the boat back to your hotel where you will enjoy the final evening in Venice at your leisure.

A waterfront breakfast will begin your last morning in Venice. You can stroll along the winding streets and bridges one last time to check out a few of the Venetian mask shops. The tradition of the bright and ornate masks dates back hundreds of years. Typically worn every year during the Carnival of Venice, one of these special creations will make for the perfect, final souvenir.

A boat ride will return you back to the mainland of Italy, where your private transfer will await to bring you to Marco Polo Airport for your return flight home. Rest assured that although the trip may last eight days, the experiences and memories will last a lifetime.