Italy’s rich culture and world-renowned gastronomy are exquisitely combined on this adventure-filled, 8-day excursion through the heartland of Italy. Stand in the streets of Rome where Julius Caesar gave riveting speeches, climb the steps of the Colosseum, indulge in delicious Roman cuisine, and gaze at the spectacular ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. From the ancient streets of Rome to the glistening Tyrrhenian Sea, you will be immersed in most of the best that Italy has to offer.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Rome – Stroll through Rome’s Iconic City Center
After your flight arrives at Fiumicino Airport, your private driver will collect you outside of customs and transfer you to your luxurious accommodation nestled in the center of the city. A local guide will meet you in the lobby to commence your afternoon’s walking tour of the cultural gems that decorate some of Rome’s most lovely neighborhoods. You will visit the 1,900-year-old Pantheon that sits elegantly in an old-world piazza. Afterward, you can weave through cafes and pizzerias to admire the iconic Trevi Fountain. You can take part in the tradition of throwing a penny in the fountain to guarantee your return to Rome.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rome – Exclusive Walking Tour of Vatican City
Day 3
Rome – Walk in the Footsteps of Julius Caesar
Day 4
Florence – Discover Boutique Vineyards and Delicious Wine
Day 5
Florence – Explore the Birthplace of the Renaissance
Day 6
Positano – Indulge in the Tradition of Making Limoncello
Day 7
Positano – Create Your Own Neapolitan Pizza
Day 8
Positano – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Leisurely stroll through Rome’s iconic city center on a private tour to learn about the significance of the Pantheon and the roots of Roman civilization
- Venture to the epicenter of Catholicism on your tour of Vatican City and admire St. Peter’s Basilica and the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel
- Indulge in an in-depth tour through the heart of the Roman Empire as you explore the Forum and the Colosseum and finish with a culinary tour of Roman Cuisine
- Savor exceptional wine from local Tuscan vineyards while learning about the intricate process that makes Italian wines so superior
- Meander through the ancient streets of the Renaissance while encountering classic works of art and exquisite cathedrals in Florence
- Travel by high-speed train to Southern Italy, where you can amble through the beautiful streets of Positano and take part in a Limoncello making demonstration
- Journey through the streets of ancient Pompeii and learn about the once-thriving civilization that was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius
- Toss dough in the air with local pizza makers as you learn the ornate craft of creating a delicious Neapolitan-style pizza
Detailed Description
Discover the elusive mysteries of ancient Rome, traverse the streets of the Renaissance, and savor mouth-watering dishes of the Amalfi Coast on this luxurious, 8-day journey. You will begin your adventure by ambling through the cobbled alleyways of Rome, where you will uncover the mysteries of the Pantheon, witness the Trevi fountain, and allow yourself to bask in the bustling excitement of Rome. You will then climb the steps of the Victor Emmanuel Monument that sits in the center of Rome and observe the glorious ruins that spread out in front of you. In the shadow of this monument, Julius Cesar addressed the Roman citizens who emphatically cheered for him and revered him as a god. Sitting in the distance will be the Colosseum. You can venture beneath the 2,000-year-old amphitheater to see where gladiators paced in the hallways as they awaited their fights. Open-air markets abound in Rome, where the scent of fresh ingredients waft in the air and local women purchase the delicacies for their evening meal. You will be provided with an expert guide who will lead you through these markets and educate you on all of the finest foods in addition to providing you with tasty samples. Before you leave Rome, you will partake in an exquisite dinner tour that will introduce you to all of the celebrated dishes for which Rome is revered.
You will continue to journey through the gorgeous Tuscan countryside toward Florence. You will be stopping in the lovely hill-top town of Montepulciano, which delights its visitors with incredible views and delicious wines. Here, you can meander through sunny piazzas, visit Renaissance palaces, and be astounded by the beautiful architecture of the 16th-century cathedrals. After you finish walking through the village, you will partake in a exclusive wine tour that will introduce you to some of the most succulent wines in the region. Local vineyards will happily invite you in to learn the intricate process of cultivating the grapes to create flavorful wine. The rolling green landscape and fresh air will allow you to breathe in the aromatic flavors in their natural element. You will spend the following day in Florence, which is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Here, you can climb the Campanile Tower and look out over the labyrinth of streets that make up the city. The Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia display their magnificent pieces of art, and you will visit both to further delve into the culture and the spirit of the Italian Renaissance. In the midst of all this site-seeing, you will stop and indulge in a refreshing gelato break on the Ponte Vecchio, which is the beautiful bridge that crosses the Arno River.
Following a riveting day in Florence, you will then take a high-speed train to the village of Positano. The sun shines brightly on the Amalfi Coast, and the scent of lemons tends to linger in the air. The gentle breeze will refresh you as you wander through the town and navigate the steep lanes. In the evening, you will participate in a limoncello-making demonstration that will be followed by the opportunity to enjoy the freshly made cocktail that is paired with local seafood dishes. The following day, you will be led on a private tour to the ruins of Pompeii to learn all about the ancient civilization that once thrived in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. Here, you can stroll through the streets that were once-covered with volcanic ash and observe the immaculately preserved ruins that are imbued with a unique and interesting story. After your tour, you will continue to Sorrento, where you will partake in making traditional Neapolitan pizza and savoring your delightful creation. On your final day, your driver will escort you to Naples International Airport, where you will catch your return flight home.
Starting Price
$3,600 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.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5952 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.
