A perfect Italian getaway combines the pleasures of wine, the beauty of history, and the decadence of art in architecture and museum galleries. Escape to Italy for a customized tour that perfectly balances the rich traditions of Venice and the lavish artistry of Florence. Let the crisp, bubbly texture of prosecco sweep you off of your feet as you bask in the emerald leaves of the Tuscan hills. Linger in the enchanting ambiance of Venice’s hidden canals on a private gondola. From the Doge’s Palace...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Venice – Arrive in Venice with an Introductory Tour of the Grand Canal
Venice is a city of history and striking beauty, elegant with its canals as the city is made up of 117 islands that are connected by beautiful arching bridges that boats and gondolas pass below. Venice itself is reason enough to visit Italy as the city encompasses a rich past and an active contemporary lifestyle. Your flight will land at Marco Polo International Airport, and your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim to escort you to the edge of the Grand Canal. Step aboard your private boat and you will delight in the ineffable introduction to Venice’s waterways.
Past and present life is clearly visible along the shores and in the waters of the Grand Canal, which reaches two miles in length. Vaporettos and gondolas wind along the waters in view of Santa Maria della Salute, a 17th-century church built in thanks at the end of the plague. Two large domes and bell towers add to the luster of the exterior that stands on a platform supported by one million wooden piles. The sunlight glints off of the stone accented with marmorino, a type of brick covered in marble dust. The Ca’ Grande features two types of columns that adorn the upper and lower floors of the façade to create an elegant and impressive structure that once belonged to a 16th-century noble family. You will quickly settle into the luxuries of Venice and relish its charms before you reach your gorgeous hotel inside what was once a decadent palace.
What's Included:
Day 2
Venice – Embrace the Vibrant City on a Tour of the Monuments and Culture
Day 3
Venice – Explore the Lagoon and Enjoy a Quintessential Gondola Ride
Day 4
Venice – Discover the Charms and Flavors of Veneto with a Wine Tasting
Day 5
Florence – Visit Enchanting Padua en route to Renaissance Florence
Day 6
Florence – Relish a Full Day Tour of Florence’s Art and Architecture
Day 7
Florence – Traverse the Lush and Luxurious Tuscan Countryside
Day 8
Florence – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Engage in an immersive tour of Venice as you explore the hidden passageways and decadent halls of the Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica
- Try your hand at crafting an elegant glass design during a private glassblowing demonstration
- Uncover the marvelous hidden corridor that connects the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace in Florence
- Discover historical power and prestige during your private introductory tour of the Grand Canal
- Witness the gorgeous works and impressive life of Tuscan nobility during your exploration of the Pitti Palace
- Delight in the charms of a private gondola rides along the hidden canals of Venice
- Cherish the gorgeous countryside of the Veneto region during a wine tasting outside the enchanting town of Treviso
- Visit the rich collection of medieval and Renaissance art in Florence’s celebrated Uffizi Gallery
- Traverse the exciting local markets at Rialto in Venice and San Lorenzo in Florence to find local tastes and culture
- Traverse the Tuscan countryside for an immersive experience amongst the hills, vineyards, and unforgettable medieval towns
- Embrace the comforts of your luxurious hotels set in former palaces and noble grounds in both Venice and Florence
- Visit the remarkable Scrovegni Chapel to view the historic walls decorated by master artist Giotto
Detailed Description
You will find nothing but perfection during your 8-day trip to Venice and Florence. Whether an art lover or active museum-goer, architecture enthusiast or Renaissance connoisseur, your time in Italy will have you embracing the majesty of two of Western Europe’s most iconic cities. The pleasures begin with your arrival at Marco Polo International Airport where your private transfer will escort you to the shore of the Grand Canal to meet your guide on the water. Traverse the two miles of Venice’s historical waterway to witness the grand architecture and daily life that continues to take place across the city.
The next day, you will step out into the wondrous labyrinthine streets to visit the Rialto Market and St. Mark’s Square. In the afternoon, you will take an immersive tour of the local Venetian bacari, also referred to as wine bars that feature small plates of regional specialties alongside paired wines. Venture next to the islands of Murano and Burano for an in-depth exploration of the lagoon to enjoy a glassblowing class inside the rich tradition of Muran, and then wander along the quiet canals of Burano for a sample of the fishing village culture.
Upon your return to Venice, you will enjoy a private gondola ride along the hidden canals of the historical center. Then move your exploration to the countryside to visit the enchanting town of Treviso and the unforgettable vineyards of the Veneto region. Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel the following day and escort you to the city of Padua to view the charming Renaissance streets and inviting arcades. Visit the breathtaking Scrovegni Chapel to view the beginning of the Renaissance movement before you reach Florence.
Delight in a full day tour of Florence to take in the exceptional art history and encompassing traditions of a city once home to the Medici family. Wander through the Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace before visiting the quiet church of San Miniato. The following day will take you into the Tuscan countryside to wander along the celebrated region at your preferred pace. Visit towns and hidden villages such as Barga and Arezzo or explore more prominent cities such as Siena and Lucca. Conclude as your private transfer will escort you from the hotel to the airport for your 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
- 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 5986 reviews.
Zicasso's travel agent created an itinerary and experience that was simply perfect. Every hotel experience, guide, and driver was excellent. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and made the perfect suggestions. I loved working with her! Thank you to our agent, the tour operator, and Zicasso for a wonderful trip!
Reviewed By Anita L.
The trip was wonderful. Zicasso's travel agent and her staff planned the perfect 10-day trip. The accommodations, the drivers, the guides, and the restaurant recommendations were perfect. The communication was excellent and timely. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy. The staff were very attentive and flexible, even when we wanted some small changes, such as pick-up times for the drivers. They adapted and made it all work. This travel agent is absolutely terrific.
Reviewed By Marci M.
Our Italy trip with Zicasso’s travel partner was nothing short of spectacular! Referred by a friend who had an amazing experience, we decided to give it a try and were not disappointed. Our agent was fantastic, always ready with answers to our questions and providing excellent support throughout our journey.
In Tuscany, we visited beautiful wineries and enjoyed a delightful lunch with the vintners, who were incredibly warm and welcoming. Her attention to detail was evident when she adjusted our plans due to weather changes and even checked in on us when we were slightly delayed for a tour.
Siena was breathtaking and our hotel in Rome was perfectly located, allowing us to walk to all the major sites. One of the highlights was a small boat tour around Capri from Amalfi—perfect weather and stunning waters made it unforgettable. The cooking class on the Amalfi Coast, set on the side of a cliff, was exceptional and having personal tours just for the two of us was an unexpected and delightful bonus.
We can't express enough how much we enjoyed our Italy trip. The travel partner exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend them for a truly memorable experience!
Reviewed By Kent S.
Zicasso’s trip coordinator and her team did a fantastic job, not only in planning the trip to meet our needs and wants, but also in personalizing it as needed. They were also available as we needed them to adjust things, such as pickups, and even made some dinner reservations for us. With our budget, they set us up in excellent hotels that fit our desire for the trip to be a wonderful anniversary getaway. Her staff were also very helpful. We would strongly recommend them for a trip to Italy!
Reviewed By Rajesh J.
Zicasso's travel planner and her staff did a perfect job for our family of six. She made our trip seamless!
Everything she planned was perfect and no detail was left out. I would use them again and again for my travels to Italy.
Reviewed By Sally F.
My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
Reviewed By tasmia S.