Quintessential Tour of Italian Highlights

View of the city and cathedral of Siena, Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

There is something for everyone on this luxurious 10-day journey of the Italian highlights. From the sweeping hills and olive orchards of the region of Tuscany to the placid shores of the Amalfi Coast, travelers are provided with ample time to relax between excursions that are handcrafted to ensure maximum enjoyment. Immerse yourself in the cultural treasures that abound in this unique landscape.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Siena, Vatican City

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Rome – Benvenuti: A Roman Welcome

After arriving at Rome’s International airport, you will be met at the airport by a private transfer that will convey you from the outskirts into the heart of the old city center. This convenient drive will remind you of why you planned your trip. As the more modern building developments on the outskirts of town gives way to the medieval and ancient interior, you will be reminded of the timelessness of Rome and the centuries of history that it contains. You will finally arrive at your luxurious accommodation, and your final thoughts before you succumb to the plush comfort of your bed will be of the adventures that are waiting for you along each cobbled and pillared column.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Day 2

Rome – A Crash Course in All Things Ancient

Day 3

Rome – Relish Rome’s Ubiquitous Past

Day 4

Rome – Subterranean Tour of the Vatican

Day 5

Florence – Bask in Artistic Glory at the Uffizi Gallery

Day 6

Florence – Rooftop Tour of Il Duomo

Day 7

Florence – A Tuscan Road Trip to Siena

Day 8

Amalfi – Visit the Legendary Beaches of the Amalfi Coast

Day 9

Amalfi – Walking in the Footsteps of the Gods

Day 10

Amalfi – A Satisfied Sendoff

Trip Highlights

  • Marvel at the history of ancient Rome that is exhibited in the excavations and ruins of the Roman Forum
  • Immerse yourself in history as you run your hands along the flanks of the Colosseum and feel the indentations of vandalism committed in an age before spray paint when you needed a chisel to deface public buildings
  • Enjoy a subterranean excursion through an ancient necropolis that served as the foundation for the Church of Rome
  • Marvel at the imagination of such masters as Michelangelo and Da Vinci through a visit to the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence
  • Savor the tasty traditions of Tuscan cuisine through a guided cooking course
  • Bask in the Mediterranean rays of Amalfi through a visit to one of its sun-soaked beaches
  • Survey the vistas of Southern Italy through a boat tour of the Amalfi coast, where you will learn about its illustrious past before enjoying local treats as you glide along the waves

Detailed Description

It is no surprise that Italy remains one of the most visited countries in all of Europe. This enthralling, 10-day adventure through Florence, Rome, and Southern Italy seeks to help you understand why visitors keep returning to this spectacular region. The best time of year to visit the cities and villages on this excursion is early Fall and Spring after the hordes of summer have departed or before they have arrived. As August is the major holiday month for locals, you can expect busy hotels and beaches throughout this month as international visitors and Italians jockey for the best beaches and shortest lines.

You will begin this journey in the Eternal City and the Seat of Papal authority. Rome has long filled history and art books with its notable achievements and memorable sights, but nothing will beat running your hands along the flanks of the Colosseum that rears out of the urban cityscape of Rome like some untamable beast. You will also be able to see the fresh tomatoes sauce as it is expertly layered on to the Margarita pizza that you just ordered in addition to hearing the melodious way Italians communicate, even those who are expressing their passionate discontent as they navigate Rome’s bustling streets. After indulging in visits to the ruins of ancient Rome, witnessing the artifacts of Rome’s Renaissance past, and participating in an exploration of the Vatican’s foundation, your second leg of the journey will begin at the notorious capital of Tuscany, Florence.

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence will ensure that you witness the inspired works of notable masters such as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. It will also ensure that you can indulge in the gastronomic delights that make Tuscany an international destination for those who are searching for the perfect pasta plate or glass of wine. Next, you will depart the landlocked city of Florence in search of a wetter environment that will appear through the famous coastline of Amalfi. It is here that you will have the opportunity to witness the maritime brilliance of this prior republic in addition to some of the most scenic views in the whole county. You should be on your guard because the notorious Sirens that tempted Odysseus on his wayward voyage home in the Odyssey are believed to inhabit these coastal waters. This tour is designed for those who are seeking the best of Italy, and it will ensure that your introduction to the iconic country is saturated in highlights.

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

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.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 711 reviews

Italy Trip Review: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Pope Francis’ Funeral, Wine, Cuisine, Culture, Museums, Relaxation, 10 Nights

Zicasso’s tour operator planned the most amazing trip to Italy for us! My requirements were culture, romance, and relaxation. She delivered on every aspect. Although we missed our tour of the Vatican due to the Pope's funeral, my husband and I actually attended his funeral!! Our hotel, though planned many months before, was next to the basilica where Pope Francis was laid to rest. Talk about being a part of history!

We stayed in a beautiful converted villa to boutique hotel in Florence; got whisked away through the Tuscan countryside in a vintage Fiat 500; took cooking classes; sipped lovely wine, accompanied by excellent lunches on our winery tours; soaked in Italy's rich culture and museum scene; and even ticked the relaxation box by spending time by the pool, in the spa, and resting on our large deck overlooking the Amalfi coastline.

Every tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and it was evident they loved their jobs. Between memories of the boat ride along the Amalfi Coast, tips from the cooking classes I have already started using at home, and the cases of wine we are eagerly awaiting delivery of, my husband and I will forever hold Italy in our hearts and la dolce vita it provided us. 

Talk with our tour operator; you will be glad you did!

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Italy Tour Review: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Florence, 12 Nights

Zicasso’s travel company and every single guide and driver were stellar. All four hotels were good or excellent. There was one error on the schedule for the day outside of Florence when we had a driver to take us to the Siena region. The schedule stated three hours, so we paid for tickets to the Pitti Palace/garden, which turned out to be wasted money as the driving tour was actually nine hours. It was a beautiful day, though.

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Italy Trip Review: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Vatican, Colosseum, Cooking Class, Food Tour, Cheese Sampling, Wine Tasting, 10 Nights

We've taken many family vacations over the years, but we all agreed this was the best one yet!

The team at Zicasso’s travel company did an exceptional job tailoring the perfect trip for our family. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, making the entire experience seamless and truly enjoyable from start to finish.

We had wonderful drives and knowledgeable, engaging tour guides who made each destination come to life. Some of our favorite highlights include a hands-on cooking class in Florence, exploring the beautiful Tuscan countryside, and having effortless access to iconic sites like the Vatican and the Colosseum.

The experiences were unforgettable, from the best food tour in Rome to a fun and unique golf-cart tour through the city. We also loved visiting a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory and a Parma ham producer, along with an extra-special stop at the Ferrari Museum that was such a memorable surprise.

Every moment felt thoughtfully curated and we came home with incredible memories that we will cherish for years to come. We highly recommend the travel company to anyone looking for a truly personalized and exceptional travel experience.

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Italy Trip Review: Milan, Florence, Lake Como, Venice, 11 Nights

When we started planning our trip to Italy, I knew I wanted to work with a travel agent—specifically, someone who specialized in Italy and was based there. After reaching out to several agencies and reviewing their responses, we chose Zicasso and, more specifically, our travel agent. She is based in Milan and from my very first interaction with her, I knew we had made the right choice.

Our trip could not have been more perfect. Our agent put a lot of thought into every location and planned activity. At the outset, we had a few discussions with her about what we wanted from the trip and, after that, we were happy to leave most of the details in her capable hands. Our goal was to explore mid-to-northern Italy and everything—from the hotels and tours to the free time and transportation—was beautifully organized.

Our 11-night trip started in Milan and ended in Florence, with overnight stays in Milan (one night), Lake Como (three nights), Venice (three nights), and Florence (four nights). Initially, I was hesitant about staying at Lake Como for three nights, but our agent encouraged me to do a little research. I’m so glad she did, as it turned out to be incredible. We had more self-guided time at Lake Como, which was perfect as we adjusted to the time change. In Venice, our itinerary became more structured, but we still had plenty of time for our own explorations. By the time we reached Florence, we had activities and tours planned for every day, which was just what we wanted.

A highlight for my family was a full-day trip into Tuscany, where we visited San Gimignano, an organic vineyard in Chianti, and finished with a tour of Siena. Our day trip to Rome allowed us to see the main attractions and we concluded the journey with a tour of Florence and the Accademia Gallery. Every tour our agent arranged was spot on.

Throughout our trip, she was wonderfully communicative—always available when we had questions, but never intrusive. She even helped us with a couple of last-minute requests: booking a hotel in Milan for one night and arranging train tickets to Verona for an impromptu visit to Juliet’s balcony. Whenever we needed something, she was there.

When we return to explore the mid-to-southern part of Italy, there’s no question that we’ll be asking her to plan our trip again. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a seamless, thoughtfully curated Italian adventure.

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Italy Honeymoon Trip Review: Tuscany, Venice, Sorrento, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Pasta Cooking Class, Wine Tasting, Limoncello Tour, Local Cuisine, 10 Nights

My wife and I consulted with a handful of travel agencies in order to pick the right one for us to curate our dream honeymoon, and I could not be happier with our final decision to trust Zicasso’s tour company with this task.

Our travel agent was amazing throughout the process of building our itinerary, choosing experiences that fit exactly what we were looking for in an Italy honeymoon.

Start to finish, our overall experience was seamless. We decided to pack a lot into 10 nights, visiting Tuscany, Venice, Sorrento, and finishing the trip with one night in Rome. The tour company perfectly constructed our itinerary in a way that did not make our experience feel rushed in any of these locations. We had ample time to relax and explore these beautiful places on our own, while also fitting in world-class experiences specific to the region in which we were staying, all hand-selected by the tour company and their local expertise.

Every experience we had was incredible. From a private pasta cooking class and wine tasting in Tuscany to a limoncello tour in a quiet, picturesque village along the Amalfi Coast, each will be an experience my wife and I will never forget.

I would recommend this travel company to anyone visiting Italy for the first time or even those who have been to Italy, but want to experience breathtaking excursions curated by a local team of experts.

Our honeymoon was all we dreamed of and more, and I look forward to having the opportunity to use them for our next adventure.

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Italy Trip Review: Amalfi Coast, Herculaneum, Vatican, Capri, Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento, Pantheon, Boat Ride, Street Food Tour, History, Culture, Local Cuisine, 10 Days

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.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

30,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews