The gardens of Italy’s Lazio region overflow with color, bringing an artistic representation of the landscape to life. Surround yourself with the aroma of roses and chestnut trees. Follow historic mosaic pathways meandering through the verdant grass. Listen to the music playing from a medieval fountain, powered by the water coursing through the long-established channels. Your custom tailored tour immerses you in the opulent gardens of Rome and the villas of nearby towns, accentuating the splendor...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Rome – In the Wonder of Rome
The Eternal City of Rome has a captivating atmosphere wrapped in ancient architectural ruins and the contemporary life along the cobblestone streets. Your private transfer meets you at Fiumicino Airport upon your arrival in the city. The splendor of Rome comes quickly into view, from the towering four stories of the Colosseum to the polished marble stairs of the Spanish Steps. You relax in the comforts of your luxurious hotel before your guide meets you in the lobby for an introductory tour. Cross over the Sant’Angelo Bridge, which was first erected in the 2nd century AD. The three piers at the heart of the bridge are from back to the original construction.
The ten angels crafted in the 17th-century line the bridge leading to the stunning edifice of Castel Sant’Angelo. The Tiber River travels beneath the bridge and winds along the edges of ancient Rome. Cobbled walkways border the riverbank, providing a garden-like route to couples, joggers, and strollers wishing to enjoy the riverside ambiance. The bridge frames the dramatic circular outline of Castel Sant’Angelo. Emperor Hadrian erected the structure as a mausoleum to himself in the 2nd century AD. Rome incorporated the castle inside the city walls and renovated the intended mausoleum as one of Rome’s most powerful fortresses. During your tour, you find the beauty of Rome as much in the verdant cypress and chestnut trees as you do in around the enchanting architecture of the historic city.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rome – The Blossoming Villas of Rome
Day 3
Rome – A Lavish Life
Day 4
Tivoli – In the Company of Emperors
Day 5
Lazio – Secret Lives of Romans
Day 6
Castel Gandolfo – Summer with the Papacy
Day 7
Vatican City - Finding the Footsteps of Popes
Day 8
Rome - Another Season to Bloom
Trip Highlights
- Wander along the footpaths of the Vatican Gardens to witness the opulence of the papacy in a spaced dedicated to tranquility
- Discover the unique Gardens of Ninfa, an oasis of 45 acres garnishing 1,300 different species of exotic plants growing over medieval ruins
- Stroll or bike through the fabulous gardens of the Villa Borghese, bordered by three museums and filled with sensational adornments
- Delight in the magnificent fountains of Villa d’Este in Tivoli, a renaissance palace home to an array of manicured shrubberies and enchanting waterworks
- Visit the summer palace of the popes in the charming hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo, offering a gorgeous panorama of Lake Albano
- Traverse the paths of the Villa Medici on Pincian Hill in view of the iconic monuments of Rome
- Explore the lavish grounds of Hadrian’s Villa, known for the replica statuary and artifacts depicting the Roman emperor’s travels through the empire
- Relish the period garden design at the estate of Villa Lante, which embodies the ideals of symmetry
Detailed Description
Rome is filled with secret gardens waiting for exploration. Your 8-day tour allows you to discover the depths of the colorful region of Lazio within the villas and palatial gardens. Follow along the footpaths made for popes and discover a former medieval town hidden by the lush growth of exotic plants. Whether basking in a slice of the country inside the bustling borders of Rome or visiting the countryside to relax in the serene parterres overlooking an azure lake, you will have an unforgettable experience of exploring a historic oasis.
Your verdant tour begins with your arrival in Rome at the Fiumicino Airport. Your private transfer escorts you into the heart of the city to embark on an introductory tour of the city. Cross the Sant’Angelo Bridge for an open-air museum ambiance with a view of the Tiber River. The following day, your guide leads you through the Italianate gardens of Villa Lante and Villa Farnese. The former fortress used the green space as a place for its inhabitants to enjoy a piece of the outside world. Travel to the former monastery of Castello Ruspoli on day three to walk along the detailed parterres of the 17th-century garden.
In the afternoon, you have an in-depth visit to the Borghese Gardens, home to relaxing fountains and lake easily traversed by a rowboat. Next, you venture to the town of Tivoli to discover the wondrous villa of Roman Emperor Hadrian, followed by the magnificent waterworks of the Renaissance estate at Villa d’Este. The following day takes you the market town of Sermoneta to view the pastel colored homes rising out of the emerald forest. Beneath the town lies the medieval town of Ninfa, now covered with an oasis of exotic plants, numbering nearly 1,300 species in total. Your guide escorts you to the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo, which is located on a crater rim view of Lake Albano.
The town is home to the papal summer palace, which your guide leads you through on an elaborate tour of the 17th-century estate. In the afternoon, you venture to Palazzo Chigi in the town of Ariccia to bask in the marvelous decor of the 16th-century Italianate design. The next day, you reach the pinnacle of garden opulence with a tour of the Vatican Gardens. Indulge in the scent of chestnut trees and view the unique monuments dedicated to patron saints. Continue your afternoon of grandeur at the Villa Medici located atop Pincian Hill at the heart of historic Rome. Your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby and escorts you to Fiumicino Airport where you trade in blossoms of the Eternal City for home.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
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 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.