Falling in Love in Italy Tour: Seaside Resorts, Charming Florence and Tuscan Villas

The Amalfi Coast captures the imagination of visitors from around the world with crystal clear turquoise waters and pristine hidden beaches. Orchards and olive groves grow along the steep terraces as colorful homes overtake the mountain slopes that overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea along the Gulf of Salerno. The scent of oranges and lemons blend with the semi-sweet aroma that is carried in the sea breeze. Historical cathedrals rise over cobblestone lanes as shimmering ceramic tiles decorate the facades of antique homes and shops. Your flight will land at Naples International Airport where your private transfer greets you upon arrival.

Venture around the picturesque Bay of Naples in view of the dramatic peak of Mount Vesuvius. Your scenic drive will reveal the first images of the enchanting Amalfi Coast, and a feeling of romance and seclusion will sweep over you. Settle into the luxury of your exclusive accommodation in Ravello, located at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level. The town is nestled into the mountain ridges and offers an unforgettable panorama of the coastline and the 25-mile long road that connects Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east. The former 11th-century palace offers a sense of privacy with comfort as the gardens overlook the precipice. You can enjoy the romantic ambiance found amongst the aroma of jasmine with blossoming roses, framing wisteria and thriving cypress trees.

The morning light will wash over the infinity pool of the hotel and showcase the reflection of the historical façade on the water as the turquoise sea shines against the steep limestone walls of the mountain ridges below. You will enjoy a refreshing espresso at breakfast and be ready to begin the day spent in the splendor of the Amalfi Coast. Your private driver will greet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and guide you through the captivating towns and romantic settings that span the Gulf of Salerno. You will venture to the Praiano at the heart of the coastline, and the churches retain their authenticity with ceramic tiles that decorate the domes.

The Church of Santa Luca Evangelista was erected in the late 16th century on the foundations of a 13th-century structure. The majolica floor has withstood three centuries and continues to shimmer in the natural light that pours through the windows. Locals venture to the nearby beach that is located at the tip of a promontory at the edge of a medieval tower. Umbrellas shade the lounge chairs that are segmented along the pebbles between the soaring cliffs as the secluded cove fills with the aroma of the sea and the sounds of lapping water.

The cafes in Piazza del Vescovado look over the marble portal of the 11th-century church as the aroma of fresh flowers fades beneath the scent of sweet brioche while decadent cappuccino emanates from the surrounding cafes. After an early breakfast, you will take your private transfer to the ferry at Amalfi to sail across the turquoise and cobalt hues of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Isle of Capri. The breeze carries the water as it splashes along the hull of the boat and the droplets burst with a mixture of briny and sweet aromas.

You can see the cliffs of the island reaching nearly 200 feet above the sea as the ferry docks in Marina Grande. Pastel-painted homes are above the pebbled shoreline where fishers leave their boats during high tide. A funicular leads to Pizza Umberto I, often referred to by locals as La Piazzetta. Cafes fill the cobbled square with tables and chairs that offer views to the glistening sea below. The scent of grilled fish with lemon and prawns cooked in rich olive oil drifts through the air as the boutique and designer shops that line the narrow lanes of Capri Town twist and turn like a labyrinth.

The natural marvels of the island have enraptured Roman emperors and Hollywood starlets alike, and you both will quickly see why.  Overgrown vegetable plots grow verdant leaves in the countryside as bougainvillea bloom along the facades of town. The sun bleaches the stucco buildings and seaside boulders, and you will find unparalleled romance and coveted privacy at the Hermitage of Cetrella. The chairlift travels along the summit of Mount Solaro and reaches a height of nearly 2,000 feet above sea level. From the peak, you will have a fabulous view of the Faraglioni rock formations.

Lemon groves and olive orchards thrive on the outskirts of Ravello and overtake the lush mountain landscape east of the precipitous cliffs. The romantic ambiance and treasured panoramas of the Amalfi Coast will have been the perfect beginning to your passionate Italian escape. After breakfast, your private transfer will greet you at your hotel and escort you north to Florence, traveling away from the glistening waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and into the idyllic lush hills of Tuscany. Designer stores fill the lower levels of palaces in the historical city center as the aromas of fresh pasta and delectable bread emanate from the restaurants and bakeries that are hidden in the meandering streets.

The medieval walls continue to frame the outskirts of the aged city as sculptures and grand palaces decorate the public piazzas. Your guide will greet you in the lobby of your luxurious hotel at the heart of the Renaissance city, and you will already be able to see the majestic rosy color of the Cathedral’s brick dome towering more than 375 feet above the city street. Begin as you walk along the Arno River to view the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence first erected in the 16th-century as 46 boutique jewelers and clothing shops were built into the bridge to help the funders of the bridge recoup expenses through rent. You can then climb to the top of Giotto’s 14th-century Campanile, which stands nearly 300 feet tall, for a private, romantic view of the city.

For a unique tour, saddle up on an electric bike with local tour guides at E-Bikes Florence. Soar through the streets of Florence and several other wonderful cities of Tuscany and watch as the rustic world of Italy unfolds before your eyes. From busy streets filled with cafes, bakeries, restaurants and boutiques to calming vineyards and rolling hills, you will discover the true beauty of Tuscany.

The artisan crafters in the Oltrarno neighborhood return to their shops in the morning. The sounds of tinkering drift from the jewelers and bookbinders, cobblers and mosaic artists while the scent of caramelized pastries and lemon cream fills the air, drifting through the doors of the hidden bakeries that pepper the cityscape. You will venture to the Uffizi Gallery after breakfast to begin an engaging tour of the treasures of Florence that are steeped in the brilliance of the Renaissance. Your guide will lead you through the impressive galleries that lead to the breathtaking work of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.

The painting depicts an allegory of the goddess of Love being born from a clamshell, and the master artist used the classical technique of representing heavenly figures with human characteristics, a principle of Renaissance art. After exploring the Uffizi, your guide will lead you across the antique streets of Florence to the Accademia. Step inside to discover the heroic figure of Michelangelo’s David posing 14 feet tall and born from a single marble slab as unfinished sculptures crafted by the master artist line the halls. It will look as though the figures are slowly emerging from the stone, and it will leave you speechless. After you take in the brilliant details of David and enjoy sharing in the unforgettable moment, you will make your way to the plateau of Piazza Michelangelo at sunset to enjoy an unforgettable view of the city as the sun fades behind the iconic Tuscan hills in the background.

Take the oppotunity to experience more with Italian food and make your way to the outskirts of Florence and indulge yourself in traditional Italian cuisine. As you spend a day with the locals at LovexFood, you will not just learn how to cook like an Italian but you will discover the true passion and appreciation Italians have for food. Create several of your favorite Italian meals from scratch, and admire the essence of what makes freshly selected Italian ingredients blend so perfectly.

The aisles of the Central Market fill with activity in the morning. In the spring, the scent of zucchini flowers fills the air while in winter, the aromas of apples and persimmons drift beneath the vaulted ceiling. Cheesemongers offer samples to passersby eager to introduce locals and visitors alike to the flavors of the products crafted on nearby farms. After breakfast and a short morning wander, your private transfer will escort you from the city into the Tuscan countryside. Cypress trees will line the road and lead to views of oak and olive trees while vineyards blanket the rolling hills. You will soon reach the town of Siena to find the preserved medieval ramparts wrapping around the historical city center and see how the city once rivaled Florence for power and cultural prestige until well into the 14th century.

The central square of Piazza del Campo has gorgeous palaces and the soaring figure of Torre del Mangia, a 335-foot tall tower. The regal square slopes upwards to the richly carved fountain known as Fonte Gaia. The 15th-century masterpiece was restored in the 19th century with precise reproductions of the marble reliefs while the originals are preserved in the Museo Civico. The fountain is the oldest in Siena and remains impressive, telling of the life of the city’s patron saint Catherine. The history that is discovered throughout the city provides a fairytale-like ambiance that will lead you to the impressive and dramatic Gothic cathedral in Piazza del Duomo.

Wake up in the comforts of your villa accommodation located in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. The dining room will be filled with the enticing aroma of frothy cappuccino and offer views of the emerald hills that roll across the landscape. The day is yours to discover and embrace the secluded beauty of Pienza and Montalcino and provides a mix of both Renaissance and medieval charm. Before reaching the town of Montalcino, you can partake in a wine excursion and visit a local, popular vineyard that produces an array of beautiful wines.

The abundant minerals in the earth help the grapes to absorb particular flavors specific to the region, and they change between the hilltops, the slopes, and the valley floor. You can walk through the rows with your guide, enjoying a portion of the estate’s nearly 155 acres. Oak and holm trees grow in the distance as you squeeze the plum and waxy Sangiovese grape on the vine. The cellar is nestled into the hillside to help keep the fermenting wines at a consistent, cool temperature and the French oak barrels fill the subterranean room with a buttery aroma as the wine rests in the barrels for up to 36 months. In the tasting room, your guide will pour a sample of the 100 percent Sangiovese wine, and the ruby hues will glow in the rounded glass with a hint of black cherries and vanilla.

Wake up in the lap of luxury in perfect company to begin your day together. The sunlight will wash over the emerald Tuscan hills as you leave behind the picturesque countryside of the medieval hilltop towns and sprawling vineyards for the opulent villas and captivating walls of historic Rome, the Eternal City. An ambiance of enchantment will rush through the cobbled lanes that wind along the historical city center, and the mighty figure of Oceanus stands at the heart of the Trevi Fountain above the trickling water that spills into the waiting pool. Nearby, the morning flower market in Campo dei Fiori winds down beneath the shading umbrellas as the scent of hydrangeas and lilies fades beneath the aroma of jasmine.

Your guide will greet you in the lavish lobby of your luxurious hotel and escort you on an engaging expedition through Rome, leading you from the Spanish Steps to the Capitoline Hill. The Pantheon brings a unique, artistic, and romantic space at the center of the city as the 16 granite columns support the portico while the dome reaches a height of more than 140 feet tall. The sun will pour through the hole at the center of the dome to spread light over the marble floors and decorative niches that once held images of Roman gods.

The sunlight will wash over the beautifully manicured hedges and blossoming roses in the gardens of the Villa Borghese. Locals jog, walk and cycle along the pathways to enjoy a countryside respite at the heart of the city. Couples take to the tranquil lake on paddleboats to enjoy a quiet moment locked in each other’s arms, or simply wander together through the quiet trees while an 18th-century replica of the Temple of Diana reflects in the rippling water.

Your guide will soon lead you through the bustling streets of Rome to Vatican City as the elegant pillars border the main road and frame the crowning jewel, St. Peter’s Basilica. Explore the splendors of the nave to find Michelangelo’s Pieta and the bounty of the museum galleries that culminate with the Sistine Chapel. You will continue to the Villa Borghese, which displays the largest private collection of art in the world. Romance will abound as you step into the exuberant villa and are surrounded by masterpieces that span nearly half a millennium. Cardinal Borghese had a passion for art in all its forms and gathered paintings, frescoes, furniture, and sculptures with attention to artists such as Titian and Caravaggio.

The sunlight rises over the ten angelic figures that line the Bridge of Sant’Angelo. The golden stones of the papal fortress shine above the masterworks that Bernini crafted while in his early 70s. Lovers can take an early stroll through the fragrant orange blossoms in the Garden of the Oranges, which stands behind the Basilica of Santa Sabina and follows the ruins of a wall that formerly guarded the Savelli Castle. The tranquil setting offers a sense of privacy in the city in view of the spectacular monuments of Rome. At breakfast and one last leisurely morning together,  your private transfer will escort you to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for your flight home, bringing an end to your romantic getaway in Italy.