Highlights
- Discover stories of the ancient Venetian gay community with a private tour
- Find hidden meanings behind Renaissance masterpieces on a Florence art tour
- Explore Pompeii and see frescoes depicting queer life in the ancient city
- Take a day trip to picture-perfect towns along the fantastic Amalfi Coast
- See the iconic Colosseum and Roman Forum with a private guide
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Venice, Private LGBTQ+ Walking Tour | Venice |
| Day 2 | Day Excursion to the Islands of Murano & Burano | Venice |
| Day 3 | Train to Florence, Explore the Jewel of the Renaissance | Florence |
| Day 4 | Untold Story of Renaissance Art Tour | Florence |
| Day 5 | Train to Naples, Explore the City of Five Hundred Domes | Naples |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Pompeii & LGBTQ+ Representation in Pompeian Art Tour | Naples |
| Day 7 | Day Trip Along the Amalfi Coast: Ravello, Amalfi & Positano | Naples |
| Day 8 | Train to Rome, Explore the Eternal City | Rome |
| Day 9 | Private Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour | Rome |
| Day 10 | Depart Rome |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Private LGBTQ+ Walking Tour
You've landed in Italy's famous floating city—Venice—so what better way to arrive at your hotel than via the water? Enjoy cruising along beautiful Venetian canals, passing impressive buildings and bridges in a water taxi. The boat will drop you at your hotel with plenty of time to check in and refresh ahead of this afternoon's first adventure. Your private walking tour will combine LGBTQ+ history with meeting places of the ancient Venetian gay community during the Serenissima Republic of Venice, a powerful maritime state between the ninth and 18th centuries.
During this time, Venice was a city attracting people from all walks of life. Your guide will lead you to Santa Maria Mater Domini, a Venetian church that provided a safe haven for gay men to meet and socialize without fear of persecution. You'll visit other churches, see the famous Rialto Bridge, and pop by the market nearby to see where locals buy their fresh vegetables and fish alongside the Grand Canal. Then explore Renaissance art at Campo San Bartolomeo, where you'll admire the small Church of San Giovanni Crisostomo and discover relics from this period.
Day 2: Day Excursion to the Islands of Murano & Burano
Today you'll set off to discover two of the Venetian lagoon's most beautiful islands: Murano and Burano. Board an elegant boat and say goodbye to the city as you cruise toward the northern part of the lagoon and Murano, famous across the world for its top-quality glass production. Here you'll visit a workshop to see a glassblowing demonstration by master artisans, who will give life to vases, glasses, and many other beautiful objects. After, you'll continue by boat to Burano, which is known for its colorful fishermen's houses.
According to legend, Burano fishermen would paint their houses bright colors to help them navigate home during the thick Venetian fog of winter. The island is also famous for it's lacework. Walking along the colorful canals, you might see older women hand-making the lace or find a bakery where you can taste the traditional local sweet called bussolà. Finally, you'll return to Venice in the afternoon.
Day 3: Train to Florence, Explore the Jewel of the Renaissance
Wave goodbye to Venice this morning when you board a 2.5-hour high-speed direct train to Florence. On arrival, a private driver will transfer you to your accommodation in the "Jewel of the Renaissance" and the capital of Tuscany. This historic city is filled with architectural beauty and world-famous art by Michelangelo and da Vinci, so drop your bags at the hotel and set out to discover this open-air museum.
This afternoon is yours to explore the sights of Florence, and most are a short walk away. Start at the Duomo, the third-largest church in the world, then grab a quick lunch at the Mercato Centrale. After, wander through the nearby Piazza della Republica and Piazza della Signoria, where you'll find replicas of famous statues, including Michelangelo's "David." End your day in Florence with a juicy Fiorentina steak, paired with a rich red wine from Tuscany for dinner.
Day 4: Untold Story of Renaissance Art Tour
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Today you'll explore Florence's artistic heritage through a queer lens. This three-hour tour offers a fresh perspective on the art and artists of the Renaissance, revealing the untold stories that have often been overlooked. Discover the hidden meanings behind renowned Renaissance masterpieces as a knowledgeable guide leads you through the city's most famous landmarks and world-renowned museums, starting with Michelangelo at the Accademia Gallery.
See the statue of "David" and delve into the life and loves of Michelangelo in relation to his work. After, step into Piazza San Giovanni, where you'll see the Duomo, Baptistery, and Campanile, visit Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria, and step across the Ponte Vecchio. Lastly, dive into the famous Uffizi Gallery, where the meanings of pivotal works will be elucidated, encompassing Botticelli's "Primavera" and "Birth of Venus," Leonardo da Vinci's "Annunciation," Michelangelo's "Tondo Doni," and Caravaggio's "Medusa" and "Bacchus," all seen through an LGBTQ+ perspective.
Day 5: Train to Naples, Explore the City of Five Hundred Domes
Swap the open-air museum of Florence for the gritty streets of Naples today. Board a 2.5-hour high-speed train south to Italy's third-largest city, where a private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Set on the Bay of Naples near the still-active Mount Vesuvius volcano, the city has been continually settled for millennia and is renowned for its art, architecture, and religious frescoes. Naples still has a raw, seductive edge and there's lots to see, so drop off your bags and set out to find your first true Neapolitan pizza.
You could use the afternoon to seek out the Naples Archaeological Museum, where you'll find Roman, Greek, and Renaissance-era ruins, including Pompeii artifacts. In the evening, stroll along the Caracciolo e Lungomare di Napoli, a waterfront promenade, then head to the Quartieri Spagnoli to find dinner at a local trattoria. On the way, pause at the Toledo Metro station, the Stazione della Metropolitana dell'Arte, to see beautiful mosaic inlays.
Day 6: Day Trip to Pompeii & LGBTQ+ Representation in Pompeian Art Tour
Today you'll explore the fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii, which was once a thriving and sophisticated Roman city. The still-active Mount Vesuvius erupted back in 79 CE and Pompeii was buried under a thick layer of ash, lost for 1,500 years. Travel out to the UNESCO-listed site, where a local guide will lead you through the ruins of this ancient Roman city. Here, excavated houses, marketplaces, baths, and frescoes—all remarkably preserved by ash—reveal details of the civilization that once thrived before the disaster.
The LGBTQ+ community was depicted in Pompeian art, as in other ancient Roman art forms, and many frescoes and sculptures from Pompeii show same-sex couples, indicating that their relationships were acknowledged and depicted in Roman society. You'll seek out these illuminating artifacts alongside your guide as you learn more about life in Pompeii before the fateful eruption. After the tour, return to Naples, where you can explore the city's street food scene solo or find another famous pizza spot.
Day 7: Day Trip Along the Amalfi Coast: Ravello, Amalfi & Positano
The Amalfi Coast is renowned for its lush landscapes, lemon groves, terraced vineyards, warm hospitality, and fresh seafood—and today, you'll explore the best of the region with a full-day tour. A private driver and guide will take you to three of the coast's most iconic towns: Ravello, Amalfi, and Positano. Start with a one-hour drive from Naples to Ravello along winding mountain roads. Located at the top of the Dragone Valley, Ravello enjoys endless views of the coast, and you can wander the rural clifftop village and visit the famous Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone.
Afterward, wind down the hill to Amalfi, a town famous for its lemons and limoncello. Shop for local products, visit the historic Cathedral of Amalfi, and enjoy a zesty pasta for lunch. Then, you'll curve along the coast back to Positano, the jewel of the Amalfi Coast. This colorful village cascades down the hillside in dramatic fashion, ending at a pebble beach where vibrant umbrellas look straight from a movie scene. Wander down the narrow alleyways and staircases and go for a swim at the beach before returning to Naples.
Day 8: Train to Rome, Explore the Eternal City
This morning, catch a 70-minute high-speed train ride from Naples to Rome, the Italian capital known for its imperial grandeur and religious significance. On arrival, a private driver will transfer you to your hotel in the "Eternal City." Drop your bags and set out to explore the beauty of its many squares, churches, fountains, and ancient Roman ruins at your pace.
Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, then choose to hop on a tour boat and explore the city banks from the Tiber River. Afterward, you could wander the ornate rooms of the Galleria Borghese, viewing the splendid frescoes at one of the world's most beautiful art museums. Take a peaceful stroll around the Villa Borghese gardens, enjoying its beauty and calm far from the chaos of the city. Then, enjoy the sunshine in the orange groves of the Giardino degli Aranci on the city's Aventine Hill before finding a local trattoria for a soul-warming bowl of pasta.
Day 9: Private Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour
Legend says that Rome was founded by brothers Romulus and Remus nearly 3,000 years ago atop Palatine Hill. Today you'll step back in time with a local guide who will lead you around the most iconic sights of the city: the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Meet your guide near the extraordinary amphitheater that was ancient Rome's center of public entertainment. Hear about the history of the site, then enter the space where gladiatorial clashes and wild-animal fights were once staged. Once inside, wander remnants of the space that once held more than 60,000 spectators.
Next, you'll see the Roman Forum—once the cultural, economic, and political center of ancient Rome. Around this square were all the most important buildings of the empire. Then you'll walk along the Via Sacra, tracing the paths of ancient military processions and political rallies. After, you'll have a free afternoon to explore Rome your way. Choose to relax in a piazza with an Aperol spritz in hand or get gelato with a side of people-watching. Then, finish your final day in Italy with one of Rome's four famous pastas: cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, and gricia.
Day 10: Depart Rome
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