Tantalizing Gastronomy Tour of Venice, Florence, Rome, and Amalfi Coast

View over the tuscan town of Montepulciano in Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

From the placid shores of Venice to the urban bustle of Rome, this 11-day tour of Italy will acquaint you with the culture and customs of a county that is known for an abundance of both. From the food to the architecture, this Italy tour emphasizes interaction at every destination and is not designed for the complacent or passive traveler. Through cooking courses, craft classes, and private tastings, you will savor your way across the country and produce memories that will last a lifetime.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Venice – Introduction to Vivaldi

After you arrive, a private driver will transfer you from the Marco Polo International Airport to your luxurious accommodation in Venice. The buildings will get older and older as you make your way to the heart of the city. When you finally reach your hotel, you will have time to relax or to explore the maze of villas and palaces that typify the Old Town. Your first night in the city will highlight the culture of Venice and one of its most famous sons: Antonio Vivaldi. Your first taste of Italian culture on this trip will come in the form of an elegant exploration of the artist and his musical achievement when you attend a concert that showcases the musician's genius.

What's Included:

Activity
Accommodation
Transfer
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2

Venice – Venetian Mask-Making Tradition

Day 3

Venice – Explore the Brenta Riviera by Boat

Day 4

Florence – A Tour of the Davids Part I

Day 5

Florence – A Tour of the Davids Part II

Day 6

Florence – Tuscan Winemaking

Day 7

Rome – A Tour of the Davids Part III

Day 8

Rome – Iconic Attractions and Gelato

Day 9

Amalfi – Pizza-Making Course

Day 10

Amalfi – Getaway to Capri

Day 11

Amalfi – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Bask in the melodious sounds of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with a concert that displays the musician’s genius
  • Survey the stunning landscape of the Brenta Riviera on a boat tour from Venice to Padua that allows you to explore stunning villas
  • Marvel at the Renaissance art during a visit to Florence’s main museums and galleries
  • Plunge into the proud Tuscan tradition of winemaking with a day trip to Montepulciano, where you can descend into its famous wine caves and sample the product of local vineyards
  • Compare masterful renditions of David, which are displayed in Florence and Rome
  • Savor the subtle notes and flavors of gelato on a tour of Rome’s major attractions with frequent stops at the city’s many gelaterias
  • Roll up your sleeves during a pizza-making course in Amalfi that will teach you the secrets of making Italian pizza
  • Uncover the crumbling ruins, secret gardens, and intimate corners that make Capri a top attraction for both locals and international travelers alike

Detailed Description

This journey into Italy is all about immersion. From the elegant splendor of Venice to the vibrant region of Campania, this 11-day tour is designed for the culturally and culinarily curious and is filled with exotic dishes, breathtaking artwork, and a survey of the various depictions of David by Bernini, Michelangelo, and Donatello.

This tour begins in Venice, which is a small city with a big reputation. A short stroll around the old town will reveal a town that once dominated the region as a maritime and trading power. Instead of an army of merchants and sailors, the city is infused with tourists as it perennially ranks as a top destination in Europe. You will then leave the shores of the Adriatic for Florence. Here, you will be introduced to the origins and highlights of the Renaissance in addition to the more flavorful winemaking traditions that can be found throughout Tuscany. Next, you will venture to the Italian capital, where well-dressed locals zip around on Vespas, and the disparate treasures of the various regions of Italy are concentrated. Finally, you will return to the sea on a trip to the Sorrentine Peninsula and the famed Amalfi coast. The namesake of the stunning coastline will afford you time to relax and bask up the sun. You can also explore the rugged mountains, cliffs, and islands of this picturesque riviera.

Early to mid-Spring provides the best time for this tour because the crowds of summer have not yet arrived, and the temperatures remain fairly mild. July through September are the hottest months of the year and will find tourists fleeing in all directions for shade, the beach, or a cool beverage. The unique blend of courses, activities, and flavors of this tour afford plenty of opportunities for the active traveler to get involved with the local culture and make the most of their visit to each destination.

Starting Price

$5,000 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.

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First time to the Olympics and an add-on to Switzerland! Zicasso’s travel specialist was great at listening to our needs and putting together an itinerary.

Our trip to Livigno was fantastic! The location to the two Olympic venues was ideal.

All of the details were covered and when we had a change in one of our day tours due to potential avalanches, the team at the travel company was extremely responsive and was able to adjust.

All of our transportation was well organized and on time. We also had to pivot when our flights home to the US were changed due to weather and the team quickly helped with adjustments to our schedule.

We loved the train from Italy to Switzerland.

We highly recommend this travel specialist and the travel company!

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We had great hotel and tour picks.

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Our experience with Zicasso’s travel company was simply outstanding! Our travel specialists provided top-notch service, from the initial planning to the entirety of the trip.

They were able to secure housing for us in Livigno during the Olympics when no one else was able to do so. Responsiveness to our inquiries during the planning process was always prompt and thorough. Communication regarding the next day's agenda throughout the trip was excellent, including the contact information for our drivers and tour guides, tickets for events, and links to Google Maps, with directions, when needed. If we could give them more than five stars, we would!

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We had a fabulous trip to Italy, including to Sorrento, Taormina, and Rome. Zicasso’s travel specialist made sure every detail was taken care of, including stays in beautiful, well-located hotels and excursions that were interesting and fun for our family.

For example, she arranged for an airport host to assist us with our arrival to and departure from the Rome airport, and she was simply amazing, whisking us through the airport and eliminating stress for our family.

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Customizable Itinerary

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

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