Best of Italy Vacation in 12 Days

Venice is elegant and classic with the domes and bell tower of St. Mark’s Square shaping the illustrious skyline. Your private transfer will meet you at Marco Polo Airport upon your arrival and escort you to the comforts of your gorgeous boutique hotel where you can sink into the ambiance of the canals and the incredible views from your room. In the evening, you will only need to decide which option you prefer for dinner. You can enjoy an introduction to Venetian cuisine with a private chef who may create a delicious meal of traditional dishes like baccala mentecato or risotto al nero di seppia, or consult with your travel specialist for a list of recommended restaurants.

Your private guide will take you on an excursion across the Venetian Lagoon, starting at Burano. Alluring pastel homes contrast the delicate decor stemming from the history of lace-making. Narrow canals crisscross between traditional homes before you reach Murano, the island renowned for its glass. You may feel the heat pushing through the workshops as artisans demonstrate the craft. Travel next to the charming island of Torcello for a serene lunch in a historic garden, and then discover Venice’s treasures. From the Rialto Bridge to the Doge’s Palace, with an after-hours visit to St. Mark’s Basilica, every minute of the day will overflow with wonder.

Your private driver will take you away from Venice in the morning to reach the Valpolicella area where you will have an immersive wine tasting and lunch at a historic villa. Cellars date back to the 16th century, and the vines may fill the air with the scent of sugar. Frescoed rooms will accentuate the elegant ambiance as you sample three Veronese wines, each providing distinct aromas like vanilla and black pepper or black cherry and mocha. Once at Lake Garda, you can relax with a view of azure waters, small ports, and shores decorated with palms and olive trees.

You will sample the rich style of Italy’s famous sweet life with time on a classy Riva Yacht. The classic boat will glide over the water giving you an exciting and vast view of the lake and its shoreline before you reach Lazise, with a picturesque old town surrounded by walls. At lunch, you can indulge in a private locanda experience specializing in local cuisine with some of the lake’s best views. You will be in Florence for dinner, where you can enjoy an exclusive meal designed by a top chef inside a historic chapel surrounded by 15th-century frescoes.

Florence has endless layers of experiences that will begin with you visiting the Uffizi Gallery before officially opening. You will beat the crowds to witness masterworks of Italian artistry spanning the centuries, including Botticelli’s famous works The Birth of Venus and La Primavera. While touring the preserved Renaissance city, glide beneath the Duomo's staggering heights and witness the incredible feat of Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Gallery. You will have a private driver into the Val d’Orcia where you can embrace the atmospheric Tuscan countryside on an isolated hilltop hamlet overlooking olive groves, vineyards, and oak forests.

Italy’s sweet life is most noticeable in the countryside, and your guide will take you on a private immersive-nature experience of your choice. From cycling along the renowned Tuscan hills to enjoying the soothing forests in a vintage Fiat, travel your way to the quintessential villages of the Val d’Orcia. At Pienza, you might choose to lounge in the main square beneath the elaborate facade of the Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance cathedral. A secluded picnic will reveal the essence of Italian gourmet as you indulge in fabled local wines like Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano accompanying your multi-course meal.

The brilliance of Rome spans more than two millennia, and your private tour will take you through the classic sites and captivating ambiance from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain. The Colosseum may surprise you in its size with outer walls standing 157 feet tall while the Roman Forum represents the capital’s ancient life. You will continue discovering the Eternal City with an exclusive tour of Palazzo Colonna, one of the largest private palaces in the city. The entire structure took over 500 years to build, creating a unique character of overlapping architectural and design styles.

The Vatican is one of the most notable spectacles of Rome, and your guide will lead you on a private tour before opening hours to give you unique access to the galleries, artwork, and history of the museum without the crowds. The grandeur of the exhibits culminates with the vibrant display of Raphael’s School of Athens and Michelangelo’s breathtaking Sistine Chapel. In the evening, you will visit the home of a celebrated Italian chef where you can help in the kitchen or enjoy the view from the terrace before you embrace the secrets of traditional Italian ingredients with an unforgettable dinner.

After breakfast, your private transfer will take you from Rome to the magnificent scenery of the Amalfi Coast. Stunning in every way, experience the natural beauty and historic charms of Ravello at 1,198 feet above sea level. You can visit the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and look out over the Terrace of Infinity for a panorama sweeping across the coastline. In the evening, the flavors of the coastline and the Campania region will enchant you as your private chef reveals the secret of fresh ingredients that result in dishes like gnocchi alla sorrentina and delicate sfogliatelle.

The splendors of the Amalfi Coast are understated and your guide will introduce you to the marvels of the towns that dot the Campania coastline. The eponymous city of Amalfi has winding cobbled lanes that carry hints of an illustrious past embodied in the elevated position of the cathedral and its 11th-century bronze doors. The fishing village of Atrani may feel like a hidden gem nestled into the steep cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. At lunch, you will visit a bio farm inside the dramatic Ferriere Valley to sample ingredients specific to Campania, including sweet, tart, and refreshing lemons.

After breakfast, you will have a day on a private boat to sail to the renowned island of Capri, whose beauty has drawn the likes of Roman emperors and Hollywood darlings. Lunch on the boat will give you a secluded and private view set between the distant shores of the Amalfi Coast and beckoning Marina Grande of Capri. As you sail around Capri, the boat will pass the Faraglioni sea stacks as they protrude from the turquoise water resembling giants set from beneath the soaring island cliffs reaching upwards of 200 feet tall.

Breakfast on your last morning in Ravello may bring a bittersweet touch to your time in Italy as the breeze in town carries hints of oranges, chocolate, and pastries. You could spend some time wandering the quiet lanes and enjoying the view from Villa Rufolo, where the colorful gardens accentuate the panorama sweeping to the horizon. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at the hotel and take you to the Naples International Airport for your flight home, bringing an end to your spectacular exploration of Italy.