Elba island, Tuscany, Italy

Visions of the Past: Art & History Tour of Rome and Elba Island

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Customizable Itinerary

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

Countries Visited

Italy, Vatican City

Places Visited

Rome, Vatican City, Elba,  Rio Marina...

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Suggested Duration

10 Days

The splendors of Rome and the beaches of Elba offer the perfect escape into mystique, legend, and opulent history. Your 10-day tour immerses you in the continued grandeur of empires and the stunning beauty of the Mediterranean landscape. Witness captivating mythology captured by Bernini in timeless sculptures. Enjoy kneading soft dough against your skin as you shape delectable pasta. Embrace the lavish palaces of Napoleon during his island exile and bask in the warm sunlight glinting off the turquoise...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Uncover the distinctive flavors of Rome during a private cooking class presenting you with the ingredients and style of celebrated regional cuisine
  • Wander the breadth of the Vatican Museums during an After Hours tour, offering a uniquely quiet and serene view of the famous galleries
  • Traverse the ancient ruins of Rome, from the Colosseum to the villas at Palatine Hill, with a private guided tour of the former Imperial prestige
  • Discover the elaborate decor and captivating history of the churches and cathedrals of Rome, each harboring enough history to border legend
  • Delight in a sweet sampling of gelato with a private tour of the best gelaterias in Rome, followed by a quick lesson in crafting the perfect flavor
  • Relish a unique four-course dinner while cruising down the Tiber River
  • Witness the opulence of Emperor Napoleon’s life while exiled on the Isle of Elba by visiting his former palaces
  • Venture to the top summit of Mount Capanne for a sweeping panorama of the island
  • Traverse the waters of the Elba Nature and National Park on a sailboat or on a scuba diving excursion in search of fish, dolphins, whales, and much more
  • Wander the remaining cobblestones of the former Appian Way on the fringes of Rome to view the marvelous ancient Christian Catacombs
  • Bask on the white sand beaches and enjoy the embracing sunshine on Elba

Detailed Description

Rome and Elba offer excitement, beauty, and luxury in their vast history and enchanting artistry. Your customizable tour is best experienced between April and October, allowing you to embrace the hot sandy beaches, refreshingly cool waters, and immaculate artistry of both Rome and the island of Elba. Escape to the cobbled streets of Rome to begin your lavish journey. Your private transfer meets you at Fiumicino Airport and escorts you to a former palace that has been renovated as a hotel. Meet your guide in the lobby when you are ready for an introductory tour of the cobblestone streets and iconic artwork turning the historic city center into an open-air museum.

Your private guide meets you at the hotel once more, this time escorts you to the ancient grounds of Imperial Rome, leading you through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Later in the day, you have a private cooking course during which time you learn the art and soul of Roman cuisine. Begin the following morning at your leisure before embarking on a delicious tour of Rome’s best gelaterias to sample the different flavors of the city, followed by a chance to craft your own gelato. In the afternoon, you make your way to Vatican City to explore the famous remarkable museums with a semi-private after-hours tour. Next, you wander through the opulent galleries in the Villa Borghese before enjoying a picnic lunch in the celebrated park.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the Eternal City. Your guide leads you through a remarkable timeless journey by visiting the historic churches of Rome, which offer a timeline of the city’s progression from paganism to Christianity. The next day takes you to a nature reserve to traverse the preserved cobblestones of the Appian Way, beneath which stands miles of intricate networks connecting historic Christian catacombs. Next, you have a private transfer north to the port of Piombino. Stop in the ancient Etruscan catacombs of Cerveteri and in the towns of Orbetello before boarding your ferry to Portoferraio.

Your private transfer escorts you through town on a tour between the historic marina and the palaces once occupied by Napoleon before taking you to a villa overlooking the water. Traverse the island to visit the town of Marciana and the summit of Monte Capanne. You can also take the time to linger on the beach of Rio Marina or Fetovaia. The following day is at your leisure to enjoy the splendors of Elba. Dig your toes into the hot sand at Lacona or visit the Romanesque cathedrals. You could also sail along the waters of the marina park in search of whales and dolphins. On the final day, you have a private transfer to Marina di Campo airport to make your connecting flight home at Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa. 

Starting Price

$3,575 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.

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