Rome, Florence & Venice
Thanks to decades of cinema, centuries of art, and millennia of history, everyone is more or less familiar with the fantasy of Italy. You think you know Italian food and Roman landmarks, but not until you arrive in the country do you realize that everything you thought you knew is really just the tip of an enormous iceberg. Every region—every town even—has a unique personality so no matter how many times you visit Italy, you’re always left with the craving for more.
Aug 27 - 30, 2023: (3 nights)
Aug 30 – Sept 1, 2023: Firenze (2 nights)
Sept 1 – 3, 2023: Venice (2 nights)
Total Accommodation Costs: will be provided
Travel from Sorrento to Rome and begin the second part of your Italian holiday!
With an uncanny sense of foresight, Rome was first called the Eternal City 2,000 years ago. Even by today’s standards, it’s still grand in a way that few other places can compare to. The buildings are dilapidated and the roads disheveled, but chaos has never looked so exquisite. The cobblestone streets may be nonsensical, but a wrong turn always leads to an unexpected delight: an intimate piazza, a baroque fountain, or a homey trattoria serving house-made cacio e pepe.
This morning a private English speaking driver will greet you at the lobby of your hotel and transport you to the Sorrento train station for your train to Rome.
Catch a direct fast train to Rome.
A private English speaking driver will greet you at the arrival platform of your train and transport you to your next hotel in Rome.
Settle into your hotel and relax until your evening Food Tour.
Why we love it for you: Nestled in the heart of Rome, Hotel Vilon is a haven of luxury that embodies the timeless allure of the Eternal City. This boutique gem seamlessly combines classic Italian elegance with contemporary sophistication, creating an atmosphere of refined opulence. Each of its meticulously designed rooms and suites exudes a sense of understated grandeur, featuring exquisite furnishings, plush fabrics, and tasteful artwork. With impeccable service and attention to detail, Hotel Vilon offers an unforgettable experience, where guests can bask in the beauty of Rome while indulging in the finest amenities and savoring the culinary delights of its Michelin-starred restaurant.
Discover the Eternal City using your senses, dive into the local gastronomic heritage and taste traditional specialties during a wondrous “Food Quest” through the charming streets of the historic center and Trastevere neighborhood. Follow your dedicated private guide for a unique insider’s view of the city’s vibrant soul, a “sniff” of its appetizing scents, and delicious morsels of local specialties.
- Stroll down charming cobblestone-paved streets to Campo de’ Fiori, a delightful square filled with sparkle. On weekday mornings “Campo” hosts a typical open-air market, a great place to check out the daily fresh produce and listen to the colorful voices bargaining. Let your guide lead you to the ancient fornai (bakeries) and botteghe (local delis), browse through the shops, lose yourself among aromas and sensational flavors.
- Savor Rome’s signature snack, scrumptious pizza bianca romana, shiny with olive oil, taste mouth-watering traditional cured meats and crispy fragrant ciambelline al vino.
- Then head on to the banks of the flowing Tiber river and stroll across to Trastevere, a charming medieval neighborhood with a bubbling temperament.
Let your guide lead you through picturesque alleys lined with low buildings and bedecked with small religious shrines and flower plants, to a distinctive local trattoria. Relax pampered by the restaurant staff, take in the atmosphere and treat your taste buds to yet another authentic Roman bite: a tasting of two luscious signature local pasta dishes and deep-fried home-made delicacies.
Duration: 3 hours
- Available in the morning or afternoon.
- Vilon Charming Terrace Room
- Breakfast Included
This morning, get to know one of Rome's most important landmarks on a private skip-the-line tour.
The greatness, the ingenuity, the impeccable organization... the splendors of the Ancient Roman Empire pervade every corner of the Eternal City and still shine with magnificence. Re-live in first person the glory of the Ancient Rome and deeply understand what made a city-state the center of an encompassing empire.
Led by an expert local host, you’ll visit the Colosseum, Rome’s most stunning landmark and center of social life. Here, among its bleachers, learn how the Amphitheatre was built, what it was used for and the personal story of those who fought in it. Stroll around the Palatine Hill, home of the still-standing Emperor’s Palace, and picture the life you dreamed of living.
Keep walking until you reach the Roman Forum, the beating heart of the Empire’s capital. Lose yourself among the ruins of its temples and shops and discover the very spot where Julius Caesar was cremated. Crown this adventurous day with a stop at the Pantheon, the renowned former Roman temple dedicated to all gods, now a church hosting the mortal remains of the great Raphael. Enjoy to the full every moment of this unique experience.
Duration: 3 hours
Inclusions:
- Private professional licensed English-speaking guide for 3 hours
- Entrance Fees to the Colosseum and Roman Forum
- Private one-way transportation from your hotel to the meeting point
- Charming Terrace Room
- Breakfast Included
Step off the beaten tourist tracks and back in time, enjoy the balmy Roman weather and explore! Spend a thrilling morning
discovering the ancient Appian Way, the Roman aqueduct, Caracalla’s mythical baths and the eeriest of all landmarks: a Catacomb!
Enjoy journeying across town to reach the ancient Appian Way, the oldest road still in existence, comfortably accommodated in
your minivan and escorted by your dedicated expert local guide.
Striking sights you will have the chance to admire, and learn all about from your guide, are the imposing ancient roman aqueduct, a beautiful landmark and masterpiece of engineer work which used to supply the whole city with water, and a mysterious Catacomb. Roam the underground and learn why the catacombs are one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Italy.
Your guide will reveal the site’s legends and secrets, and tell you all about burial rituals as you wander among these ancient and mysterious tombs. Your visit will also include the famed Baths of Caracalla, the remnants of Emperor Caracalla’s “bathhouse” complex. You will certainly gape at this site, among Rome’s most awe-inspiring ruins!
Duration: 4 hours
Inclusions:
- Private professional licensed English-speaking guide
- Entrance Fees to the Catacomb
- Entrance fees to Caracalla’s Baths
- Private transportation from/to your hotel and throughout the tour as needed
Dining recommendations will be provided once the itinerary is booked, and reservations can be made on your behalf.
- Charming Terrace Room
- Breakfast Included
In many ways, visiting Florence today feels like a trip directly into the Renaissance. The energy that inspired the likes of da Vinci and Michelangelo is still palpable, from the grandiose pink and green facade of the Duomo to an unembellished plate of Florentine steak with potatoes. It’s easy to get engrossed by the art and shopping in the historic center, but walk across the Ponte Vecchio to find Florence’s most authentic osterias and enotecas on the left bank of the river.
This morning a private English speaking driver will greet you at the lobby of your hotel and transport you to the Rome train station for your train to Florence.
Catch a direct fast train to Florence.
Your private English speaking driver will greet you at the arrival platform of your train and transport you to your next hotel in Florence.
Check into your hotel and enjoy the first afternoon in Florence independently, using the local recommendations provided.
Why we love it for you: Nestled amidst the historic streets of Florence, The Place Firenze hotel radiates an unparalleled sense of sophistication and timeless beauty. This boutique gem captures the essence of Italian artistry, seamlessly blending traditional Florentine elegance with contemporary design elements. Its thoughtfully curated collection of rooms and suites exude a sense of refined luxury, adorned with fine furnishings, exquisite artwork, and breathtaking views of the city's iconic landmarks. The hotel's intimate atmosphere, coupled with personalized service and attention to detail, creates a haven of indulgence and serenity, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of this enchanting city.
- Executive Suite
- Breakfast Included
This morning embark on an unforgettable tour with a professional guide.
An unforgettable tour of two of the world's most striking museums. Meet your dedicated English-speaking guide, a knowledgeable and charismatic expert, and set off to discover the breathtaking collections housed in Florence's Uffizi and Accademia Gallery.
Duration: 4 hours
Inclusions:
- English-speaking specialized guide for 4 hours
- Entrance fees (priority skip-the-line tickets and reservations) to the Uffizi Gallery
- Entrance fees (priority skip-the-line tickets and reservations) to the Accademia Gallery
- Executive Suite
- Breakfast Included
Visit Venice the right way and you can’t help but fall in love. The majesty of San Marco Square and the Rialto Bridge is drowned out by the crowds and tacky souvenir shops, but a more authentic and mysterious Venice is just outside of the tourist center. Put down your phone’s map and wander the labyrinthine alleyways, discovering the neighborhoods still lived in by locals with their artisan shops, low-key cicchetti bars, and cozy restaurants overlooking the canals.
Your private English speaking driver will greet you at the lobby of your hotel this morning and transport you to the train station for your train to Venice.
Catch a direct fast train to Venice.
Your private English-speaking driver will greet you at the arrival platform of your train in Rome and take you to your next hotel.
Settle into your hotel in Venice and enjoy the first evening at leisure.
Why we love it for you: Why we love it for you? Nestled in the heart of Venice, Hotel Ca Maria Adele exudes an undeniable charm and sophistication. This boutique hotel effortlessly blends historical opulence with contemporary elegance, offering a truly unique experience for its discerning guests. Each of its 12 individually designed rooms and suites showcases exquisite attention to detail, featuring sumptuous fabrics, Venetian antiques, and intricate artwork. The hotel's intimate atmosphere, coupled with its picturesque canal views and luxurious amenities, creates an enchanting retreat that captures the essence of Venice's romantic allure.
Today explore Venice independently, armed with scenset's suggestions!
Do as the locals do and navigate your way around the canals to some of the best cicchetti bars, welcoming you with a glass of wine and a bite to eat.
- Concept Room
- Breakfast included
Spend a memorable day discovering Venice's lagoon islands, Murano and Burano, atmospheric havens of the local traditional heritage, traveling in great style aboard your private motorboat, with the privilege of dedicated private guide assistance throughout the visit.
Duration: 4 hours
Inclusions:
- Private motorboat at disposal for transportation to/from your Hotel and as needed throughout the tour (4 hours)
- Private licensed guide for the tour (4 hours)
- Visit to a traditional glass factory and glass blowing demonstration
Cruise the calm silvery waters learning all about the area's characteristics and history, disembark and set off to explore. Renowned worldwide for its brightly-painted houses and exquisite handcrafted lace, this is a quaint, evocative fishermen village, and a delightful treasure-chest of fascinating centuries-old traditions. As the legend goes, the handmade lace craft started when the village girls tried to imitate a mermaid's wedding veil, made of elaborately patterned sea spray! Follow your guide along the canals and through the pretty streets lined by rainbow-hued homes, see how lace in every shape and size floats from the tiny shops, catch unexpected views and breathe in its authentic atmosphere.
After the visit, travel to the fascinating Murano, a kingdom of world-acclaimed gorgeous handcrafted glass. Founded between the 5th and 7th centuries, Murano experienced its major development after 1291, when all Venetian glass furnaces were moved here to avoid fires in the main city. From then on, the island became Europe's first supplier of high-quality glass, and still today artistic and industrial fornaci (i.e., furnaces) continue to make superb glass products ranging from beads and mosaic tiles to elaborate chandeliers and works of art. Roam the picturesque streets, admire splendid ancient churches, and crown your day with a visit to a traditional glass factory and an unforgettable firsthand experience: a live glassblowing demonstration!
- Concept Room
- Breakfast included
Sadly all great things come to an end! Today you will depart Venice and head to the airport.
Grazie Mille!!
A driver will meet you outside of the hotel lobby to transport you to the airport.