Italy overflows with gorgeous vineyards and enchanting palaces, captivating artistry and fantastic cuisine, a land of secluded piazzas and stolen kisses, modern luxuries, and historical opulence. Bask in the endless romance of Venice and Florence during your custom tailored tour that will allow you to discover the charismatic frescoes and chambers once used by the powerful aristocracy. Stroll along medieval Tuscan cobblestone streets and glide down the Grand Canal on a private gondola ride. Witness...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Venice – Arrive in the Charming and Opulent Canal City
Venice is a city of continued splendor and majesty that emanates from the former opulence of the Venetian Republic. Palaces line the waterway interspersed between neighborhood churches decorated with Veronese marbles. The cobblestone streets turn into labyrinths to provide locals with hidden piazzas and unforgettable charm. Your flight will arrive at Marco Polo International Airport, and your private transfer will greet you at baggage claim to escort you to the edge of the famous Grand Canal. Gondolas and vaporettos wind between antique homes and cafes set out tables and chairs to overlook the peaceful waters.
You and your partner will board a private boat, which will lead you directly to the hotel’s secluded dock where a representative will help you with your bags as you step onto the platform. The former 15th-century palace accommodation was refurbished to preserve its National Monument status while offering exceptional contemporary luxuries. The ballroom features a large fresco that brings opulence and bright hues to the gilded embellishments. You will be quickly immersed into the traditional Venetian lifestyle of art lovers, lavish comforts, and treasured romance.
What's Included:
Day 2
Venice – Enjoy a Full Day Tour of Venice’s Iconic and Romantic Sites
Day 3
Venice – Relish a Wine Tasting Tour of Veneto and Evening Gondola Ride
Day 4
Venice – Discover the Romance of Venice’s Churches and Art Museums
Day 5
Venice – Visit the Islands of Murano and Burano for a Colorful History
Day 6
Florence – Explore the Cities of Verona and Mantua en route to Florence
Day 7
Florence – Tour the Uffizi Gallery and Delight in a Couple’s Cooking Class
Day 8
Florence – Wander the Tuscan Hills and Visit Florentine Artisan Craftsmen
Day 9
Florence – Experience Tuscany and Florence with a Day at your Leisure
Day 10
Florence – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Relish the romance of a private gondola ride through the hidden canals of Venice
- Wander beneath the lavish frescoes and historical archways of St. Mark’s Basilica during an After-Hours Tour
- Discover the hidden compartments of Venice’s Doge and the Doge’s clandestine councils during a tour of the Palace’s secrets
- Learn the art of glassblowing during a private demonstration and instruction to harness the celebrated Venetian craft
- Indulge in Tuscan cuisine during a private cooking course to learn the ingredients and preparation of a delectable couple’s dinner
- Bask in the flavors of the Venetian countryside during a private wine tasting tour of the Lison Pramaggiore DOC
- Visit the gondola workshops along the Grand Canal at a historical shipyard
- Meet the local craftsmen of Florence on a tour of the Oltrarno, learning the art and history of the medieval neighborhood
- Witness the breathtaking art museums in Venice and Florence to gain a deeper connection with the grandeur once patronized by local aristocracy
- Enjoy a wine and painting class to produce your own fresco based upon the work of past masters
- Stroll along the enchanting streets of Verona to witness the home of Juliet Capulet her indelible connection to the ancient city
- Immerse yourself in the enchanting storybook town of the city of Mantua, known for its palaces, history, and setting
Detailed Description
In Italy, the pleasures never end. From the breathtaking artwork to the exceptional cuisine, your 10-day romantic tour will immerse you in culture and traditions that span millennia. From the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice to the brick red hues of the magnificent dome of Florence’s Cathedral, you will find romance around every corner as you share in the creation of art and wine with your partner. Your journey will begin with your arrival in Venice as your private transfer will escort you from the airport to the hotel’s private dock. After settling into the modern comforts of a historical palace hotel, you will have the remainder of the day to relax in the charms of the city on the lagoon.
Wake the next day and your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel to lead you on a tour of the city’s iconic sites. Traverse the grounds and hidden passages of the Doge’s Palace before embarking on an After-Hours tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, to offer you and your partner a chance to appreciate the splendor of the historical church without the crowds. The next day, you will make your way outside of town to the Lison Pramaggiore province for a private wine tasting tour. Sample the local delicacies before you return to Venice for a quiet gondola ride along the meandering canals. The following day, you will visit the boatyard and observe the crafting of gondolas before a tour of the art museums and historical churches of the city.
Move next to the islands of Murano and Burano for a combination of romance and artistry. Visit the lacework museum in Burano and enjoy a glassblowing demonstration in Murano. You will also have the opportunity to try your hand at crafting your own glass souvenir. The following day, you and your partner will be collected by your private transfer and taken west to Verona. You will enjoy a tour of the ancient city and a visit to the home of Juliet Capulet before an exploration of the storybook town Mantua en route to Florence. Begin the next day with a private tour of the Uffizi Gallery as the galleries map the transition of Florentine and Tuscan art through the ages. Continue to the hilltop town of Fiesole outside of Florence to enjoy a couple’s cooking class as you overlook the skyline of Florence.
The next day, you will traverse the stunning countryside of Tuscany to visit the remarkably preserved towns found amongst the Tuscan hills. Upon your return to Florence, you will visit the craftsmen on the Oltrarno to learn the secret history and unique techniques of the arts passed down through the generations. The next day is at your leisure to relish Florence and the Tuscan countryside as you desire. Enjoy a day of wine tasting or visit the classic Tuscan city of Lucca. You could also learn how to create a proper fresco during an art and wine class. Conclude as your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to Florence Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,500 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
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5928 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.