9 Days / 8 Nights
The Ultimate First-Time Italy Journey!
We've taken care of selecting wonderful 4* hotels, transfers and Business class train tickets between cities. All you have to do is enjoy yourself as you visit the must-sees of each city on our hand-selected day tours, and have some free time to explore on your own with this independent tour of Italy.
Itinerary
Arrive in Rome at Fiumicino Airport. Your private driver will bring you to your Rome hotel. Rest up and grab some food. Tomorrow begins your exploration of Italy!
Explore the most important sites of Ancient Rome - the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with skip the line access.
The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Want to see more of Rome? Check out our other Day Tours in Rome and feel free to add them to your itinerary.
Enjoy the free day to explore Rome as you wish! We suggest either the Vatican Museums Tour or a Trastevere Food Tour (not included in the package price). Feel free to add any of our Rome Day Tours to your itinerary.
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Rome Train Station for your train ride to Florence. Once you've arrived in Florence, you will be met at train station and taken to your hotel.
Enjoy the free day to explore Florence as you wish!
Explore the highlights of Florence on a guided walking tour through its historic center. Visit landmarks such as Piazza della Signoria, Piazza della Repubblica, and the iconic Piazza del Duomo. Discover the Medici legacy at Palazzo Medici Riccardi (exterior visit only) and finish at the Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s David.
The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Want to see more of Florence? Check out our other Day Tours in Florence and feel free to add them to your itinerary. We suggest seeing the incredible Uffizi Gallery (not included in the package price).
Enjoy the free day to explore Florence as you wish. Or feel free to add any of our Florence Day Tours to your itinerary.
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Florence Train Station for your train ride to Venice. Once you've arrived in Venice, you will be met at the train station and taken to your hotel by a motor boat.
Enjoy your free day in Venice!
Join a small group on a fun and informative tour of Venice. This guided walk is a perfect introduction to Venice’s art, history, and traditions. Plus, enjoy a shared gondola ride to see Venice from the water!
The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Want to see more of Venice? Check out our other Day Tours in Venice and feel free to add them to your itinerary. We suggest seeing the incredible St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace or take a tour to Murano, a small island world-famous for its glass (not included in the package price).
***This group tour is not available from November to March. As alternative, we can offer a private walking tour of Venice including the Doge's Palace.
Your Italy Vacation has come to an end as you transfer from your hotel to Venice Airport and head back home.
Inclusions
- 3 nights in a 4-star hotel in Rome
- 3 nights in a 4-star hotel in Florence
- 2 nights in a 4-star hotel in Venice
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers
- Private transfers to/from train station in each city as per itinerary
- Business-class train tickets: Rome-Florence and Florence-Venice
- Group Tour: Colosseum & Ancient Rome
- Group Tour: Best of Florence with Accademia Gallery
- Group Tour: Best of Venice with Gondola Ride
- Breakfast daily at hotel
Activity Level
Italy’s charm lies in its cobblestones, hills, uneven paths, and stairs. Most guests—even older ones—find it easy to keep pace. You’ll likely average 8,000-12,000 steps on active days, so bring a pair of comfortable, well-broken-in shoes!
Hotel Info
Hotel Imperiale Rome ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Stroll the city’s main historical attractions– a haven of statues, fountains and centuries-old buildings– or retire to your suite where contemporary interiors are combined with original architectural features. The 4 star historic Hotel built in 1895, with its sublime International restaurant and a locally inspired Spa allows you to spend your afternoons in pure indulgence, just steps away from the cultural heart of Rome.
Rome
Hotel Rivoli ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
If you are searching for luxury accommodation in Florence city center, then the exclusive Rivoli Boutique Hotel will most certainly fulfill all expectations. Situated in the heart of Florence, this 15th century former Franciscan convent has been tastefully refurbished to provide comfortable, elegant accommodation whilst retaining the hotel's delightful periodic character and charm - from the lobby, with its unique opulent archways and pillars, classic ceilings and cross vaults to our lavishly frescoed lounges.
Florence
Hotel Palazzo San Lorenzo ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Palazzo San Lorenzo is a new, four-star superior hotel with an elegant design mix of classical and contemporary. It offers 26 luxurious rooms and junior suites that have been carefully designed in every detail and equipped with every comfort in order to make your stay in Venice an unforgettable experience.
Located directly along one of Venice’s more characteristic canals in the heart of the historical city center, Palazzo San Lorenzo is distinguished by the curved Istrian-stone window sills and the bas relief of the hotel’s namesake.
Venice
Optional Tour Add-Ons
Duration: 3 hours, 8:30am - 11:30am; 10:00am - 1:00pm OR 2:00pm - 5:00pm
City: Rome
A great introduction to the artistic treasures of the Vatican. From the Vatican Museums to Michelangelo's ground-breaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, you will see how the Popes used art and culture to spread their message.
Discover the history, the mystery and the masterpieces of Vatican City, a powerful town-state set in the center of Rome and be ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the Vatican Museums and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, where the brilliance of human creativity and devotion converge.
As there is no talking allowed in the Sistine Chapel your guide will prepare you here for the many fascinating details you otherwise might miss on your own. To reach the Chapel, your guide will lead you along the Hall of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Candelabra and through the Raphael Rooms. These works of art will come to life as you follow your guide’s commentary on your dedicated headsets. At the Sistine Chapel, take some time to pick out the rich details on the walls and ceilings – from Michelangelo’s boneless self-portrait to the shields representing violent bible stories.
Then, you will walk to St. Peter’s Square and your guide will provide an overview of this magnificent church from outside. In St. Peter’s Square you will admire Bernini’s clever optical illusion and the basilica’s heavenly façade.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 4 hours; Several Departure Times
City: Rome
Trastevere is a neighborhood like no other. It’s where Romans choose to eat with their families and where young Romans go for buzzing nightlife at evenings and weekends. You can’t leave Rome without walking through these streets and tasting the best food on offer.
On this 4-hour walking food tour you explore this photogenic neighborhood by night. You’ll sample a blend of Italian classics like pizza and pasta, real Roman street food, less-known meats and cheeses, and amazing wine in a secret cellar.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 3 hours, 9:30am - 12:30pm OR 3:00pm - 6:00pm
City: Rome
Explore Rome's enchanting beauty aboard a golf cart, guided by a knowledgeable local. Venture through the city's vibrant alleys to uncover charming squares, secret fountains, and renowned Baroque churches adorned with masterpieces from Italy's finest artists.
With the golf cart, you'll effortlessly navigate the historical center, taking in the sights and sounds up close while reveling in the refreshing breeze. Your English-speaking guide will share insights about Rome's iconic landmarks like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Moreover, your guide will unveil lesser-known, magical corners of Rome.
Places covered during this tour: Temple of Hadrian, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Venezia, Spanish Steps, Jewish Ghetto, Turtle Fountain, Column of Trajan, St. Ignazio church, Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, Pincian Hill, Pantheon.
Exact time will be provided in final documents. If you are staying at a centrally located hotel, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Otherwise, a meeting point will be arranged.
Duration: 9 hours, 2:00pm - 11:00pm
City: Florence
Starting from Florence, you will be taken to Siena by an English speaking driver. In Siena, enjoy a guided walking tour of this compact city as you explore Piazza del Campo, the main central square where the famous Palio horse race takes place every year, as well as the quieter backstreets and learning everything about the Contrade, the 17 medieval city districts that compete against each other in the Palio.
Then continue to San Gimignano, famed for its medieval skyscrapers, high walls and narrow streets that typify most people image of a Tuscan hill town. San Gimignano is unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which with its hilltop setting and encircling walls, form its famed and unforgettable skyline. You will have free time to explore this city as you wish.
Finally, savor a typical Tuscan dinner paired with wines in a fascinating location in the Chianti countryside. Then return to Florence.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 2.5 hours, 3:00pm -5:30pm
City: Florence
Enjoy a unique opportunity to explore the Uffizi Gallery, Italy’s most renowned museum, with an expert English-speaking guide. This Uffizi Masterclass reveals the evolution of Italian art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance through masterpieces by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and more.
Go beyond simply viewing the artworks—understand their meaning, context, and innovation as your guide brings them to life. More than a museum visit, this immersive experience offers a deeper connection to the art that made Florence the heart of a cultural revolution and is an essential highlight of any stay in the city.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 4 hours, 2pm - 6pm
City: Venice
Under the guidance of a highly specialized art historian and in the comfort of a small group, enjoy a very comprehensive tour of the most important political and religious landmarks of Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. A must-do for art lovers when in Venice.
Enter the majestic St. Mark's Basilica with the skip-the-line access and admire this astonishing church that boasts a profusion of polychrome domes, walls clad in marbles and glittering ceiling mosaics, many made with 24-carat gold leaf.
Then, move onto the Doge's Palace. Once home to the Duke of Venice and the city’s courts, the Doge's Palace features the very best and the very worst of Venice’s history – from vast paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese to the wooden slot where accusations of treason were slipped to the fearsome Secret Police.
Thanks to our very exclusive access you will walk through the closed-to-general-public secret passages including the old torture chambers and prisons. Then, you will visit the courtyard, the noble areas, the great ballrooms, the great Council hall, the Doge’s lavish apartments and the “Opera Museum”, home of a painting collection by Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese.
At the end, you will have the chance to walk on the famous bridge of sighs and learn the story behind the origin of its name.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
Duration: 5 hours, 10am - 3pm OR 2:30pm - 7:30pm
City: Venice
Escape the crowds of Venice and explore Murano, a small island world-famous for its glass, and Burano, famous for its centuries old tradition of lace-making and for its houses huddled tightly together and each painted a different color. This tour also includes live demonstrations in the art of glassblowing and lace-making led by master artisans.
Meeting point will be at a central location. Details will be provided in final documents.
