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Rome, Florence and Venice

This is the classic “Grand Tour” of Italy with visits of Rome, the Eternal City, Florence, the grand city of the Renaissance, and Venice, famed for its canals and the Piazza San Marco. Better still, these three cities feature some of our favorite hotels, sightseeing, and fine dining. Best of all, with this tour you have plenty of free time to explore, shop, or relax without feeling rushed.

Day 1 - Arrive in Rome

You’ll be met coming out of baggage claims and passport control by your driver holding a sign with your name on it for your private transfer from Fiumicino airport to your hotel in central Rome.

Day 2 - Rome

After breakfast, you have a morning city tour.

Semi-Private Panoramic City Tour
Meet your driver for your Semi-Private Rome Tour in your hotel lobby. Your English-speaking driving guide acquaints you with all the main monuments, including St. Peter’s Square, the Colosseum, the Forum, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain. Tonight you dine with reservations at a traditional Roman restaurant.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Dinner, Rome

Wow, this looks amazing!

Day 3 - Rome

After breakfast, you have the day at leisure, or you can choose from a number of optional tours that are sure to excite and inform.

Optional Tour:

Private Borghese Gallery Tour with Picnic in the Gardens
Enjoy a visit to one of the most precious pearls of Roman Art. The Borghese Gallery. Set in the lovely surroundings of the Villa Borghese that holds treasures that are not normally seen on tours. Your guide, who will meet you at the Gallery, will be glad to show you these hidden masterpieces. After the visit, you will be provided with a picnic basket containing a selection of salami and cheese, bread, fruit salad, Tiramisu’ dessert, wine, coffee, mineral water and full picnic equipment.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Rome)

What a view!

Day 4 - Rome to Florence

After breakfast, you have a private car transfer to the rail station for your travel by rail to Florence in first-class, reserved seats. Upon arrival in Florence, you are met on the platform at the rail station by your driver for a private transfer to your hotel.

(Breakfast, Rome; Accommodations, Florence)

This trip has been seamless!

Day 5 - Florence

After breakfast, your Florence city tour is scheduled.

Semi-Private Morning Florence Walking Tour
Your walking tour will start from Piazza della Signoria, a beautifully preserved square where the guide will show you its highlights – among which are the Loggia dei Lanzi arcade and Palazzo Vecchio. By walking through the medieval streets of this renaissance city, you will reach Piazza del Duomo, with the magnificent Duomo Complex. The final tour destination is the Academy Museum, where, among other masterpieces by Michelangelo, you will admire the statue of David, a symbolic representation of Florentine Renaissance art.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Florence)

Our guide shared so much knowledge!

Day 6 - Florence

After breakfast, you have the day and afternoon at leisure before dinner at your choice of restaurants: The Ristorante Buca Mario, open since 1886, specializing in real Tuscan cooking with fresh pasta and superb grilled meat. Buca Mario passes on its ancient culinary codes and hospitality from generation to generation, and is still run today, in traditional Florentine fashion, by the Pasquetti family. Trattoria Al Trebbio is located in the historic center of Florence a few steps from Piazza Santa Maria Novella, and is a traditional Tuscan trattoria.

Optional Tour:

Private Tuscan Culinary Experience from Florence
An in-depth visit into the heart of Tuscany to enjoy the delicious local wines and cheeses of this lovely region.

(Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodations, Florence)

The culinary tour was superb!

Day 7 - Florence to Venice

You have a private transfer to the rail station. Upon arrival at Santa Lucia station, your host will meet you on the platform and escort you to the private boat for transportation to your Venice hotel. En route, you will be oriented to the main sights along the Grand Canal then personally escorted into your hotel.

(Breakfast, Florence; Accommodations, Venice)

Have you ever seen a prettier sunset?

Day 8 - Venice

After your breakfast, you have your morning and early afternoon at leisure.

Venice Private Gondola Ride
A private gondola ride for your party through the canals of Venice. You will receive a more detailed letter and map in your Venice hotel with the location of the gondola station where the adventure will begin.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Venice)

Wow, this looks amazing!

Day 9 - Venice

After breakfast, you have your entire day at leisure to shop, explore on your own, or take advantage of an optional tour before dinner. The most popular tour offered in Venice is the 3 Islands Tour to the islands of Murano (glass), Burano (lace) and Torcello, home of the first Cathedral in the lagoon. Your 3-course dinner this evening is located at Antico Pignolo, offering fresh seafood and a sizable wine list steps from Piazza San Marco.

(Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodations, Venice)

What a Unique Experience!

Day 10 - Depart Venice

After your breakfast, a private boat, driver, and escort will meet you at the appointed time in your hotel’s lobby for a transfer to the Venice airport to continue home *or your next European destination if so desired*

(Breakfast, Venice)