Luxury Italian Highlights: Venice, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Rome - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Private Guided City Tour

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Venice Airport, then transfer to the city center.  Once in the city, a water taxi will transport you to the town center and your hotel. 

Venice in northern Italy is famous for both industry and tourism. With nicknames like "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", and "The Floating City", it's clear that the city's myriad canals are its main draw. Stretching across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, the city has long been a commercial and cultural hub thanks to its strategic placement. Silk, grains, spices, and art were traded through the Middle Ages, making Venice very wealthy.

The city is also famous for its many beautiful historic attractions, such as the Piazza San Marco and San Marco Basilica, the Grand Canal, and the ornate Doge's Palace. The Lido de Venezia is a popular luxury destination that attracts actors, critics, and other cinema industry celebrities.  

In the afternoon and evening, head out for a private guided walking tour of the city's top sights. Start at Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square), the heart of the city's cultural and administrative district. The piazza is also home to the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace), a Venetian Gothic palace built as the primary residence for the Doge of Venice in 1340. 

Adjacent to the palace is the San Marco's Basilica, originally the Doge's personal chapel. The building is one of the best surviving examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture and features a stunning collection of Byzantine art, gold mosaics, and exquisite marble floors. 

The palace is also connected to the next-door prison by the infamous Bridge of Sighs, which has joined the two buildings since the 16th century. The bridge features a small window onto Venice's harbor and earned its grisly name from the prisoners' sighing as they got one last glimpse of the city on their way to execution. While most visitors gather outside the bridge to look in, you'll get the best sense of history from inside the bridge, looking out from the same window as the doomed medieval prisoners.

Day 2: Bacaro & Private Squero Tour in Venice

Enjoy a free morning in the city. Pick from the following suggestions, then head out to explore before lunchtime: 

• Discover art at the Ca' Pesaro Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna, Peggy Guggenheim Collection Modern Art Museum, and La Biennale di Venezia Art Museum
• Explore San Giorgio Maggiore, one of Venice's smaller islands that stands separate from the main canals  
• See an opera show at the Teatro La Fenice 
• Haggle for produce at the busy Mestre market, held every Wednesday and Friday
• Go shopping for luxury items on Le Mercerie and Salizada San Moisè 
• Browse textiles, craft shops, unique boutiques, and galleries in the bohemian San Samuele district 
• Rent a kayak and explore Venice from the water 

For lunch, head to a traditional bacaro, a Venetian wine bar, to try the Cicchetti—little bite-sized snacks accompanied by a glass of wine. The seafood in Venice is always fresh-caught, so try the fried squid skewer or the creamy salted codfish canapès. The mozzarella in Carrozza (a fried cheese sandwich), various cold cuts, and other delicacies are also delicious. 

In the afternoon take a private guided tour of a traditional squero, a small boatyard where tradesmen build and repair gondolas. This squero was founded in 1884 by an expert local craftsman, who changed the traditional shape of the gondola boat. These changes were permanently adopted into gondola construction and handed down over the generations to keep the art alive. 

You'll learn about the art and science of traditional gondola construction and see how the beautiful boats are constructed using a combination of carefully selected natural wood for ultimate longevity. 

Afterward, enjoy an evening stroll in the city center, then find the perfect restaurant by a canal for a delicious meal.

Day 3: Venice to Florence, Private Guided City Tour

After breakfast head to the train station to catch a train to Florence. Florence is Tuscany's regional capital and its most populous city. Long considered a cultural capital and the "Jewel of the Renaissance", Florence is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, including the iconic Duomo, a terracotta-tiled dome, and the Galleria dell'Accademia, which displays Michelangelo's 'David' sculpture. 

Spend the day exploring the top sites with an art historian on a private guided walking tour. Start in the medieval city center in the Piazza della Repubblica, one of the city's main squares. It has marked the city center since Roman times. See the Colonna della Dovizia, also known as the Column of Abundance, that marks the point where the cardus (north-south oriented road) and decumanus maximi (east-west oriented road) met and also where the Roman forum stood.

Continue to the Piazza della Signoria, the city's political center since the Middle Ages, where ceremonial events, rallies, and festivals are celebrated. Here you'll find several iconic Florentine landmarks—Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery, which houses works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The square's centerpiece is the Neptune Fountain, a popular meeting place. 

See the Ponte Vecchio bridge, a symbol of Florence's power for over seven centuries. The bridge houses buildings and shops, which have been occupied by merchants and shopkeepers since the Middle Ages. Arrive at the Italian Gothic Cathedral of Florence and climb the 400+ steps to reach Giotto's bell tower. Enjoy a private and exclusive visit to the Cathedral Terraces, which perch high above the city traffic and are generally closed to the public. From here you'll have a birds-eye view of the whole city. 

For dinner, head to Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence's 3-star Michelin restaurant, then stroll through the city on your way back to the hotel.

Day 4: Private Guided Accademia Gallery & Boat Tour

In the morning, meet your art historian guide and visit the Accademia Gallery for a private guided tour. The Galleria dates back to 1784 when the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Pietro Leopoldo, reorganized the Academy of Arts of Design in Florence into the modern Academy of Fine Arts. The Galleria was specifically designed to house valuable works of art and its spectacular architecture is impressive in its own right.

Among other masterpieces, the Galleria is home to one of the Renaissance's most iconic masterpieces, Michelangelo's David. This incredible 14 ft tall Renaissance sculpture, which depicts the Biblical hero, was created between 1501 and 1504 and became a symbol of the Florentine republic's strength during a time of massive political change. Much like David facing the mighty Goliath, the Republic was threatened at the time by stronger states, not to mention to Medici family regaining power. 

Enjoy lunch on your own time and spend some time shopping for souvenirs or simply enjoying the city's ambiance.

Later in the afternoon board a traditional boat piloted by a Renaiolo, a traditional boatman, for a sunset ride on the Arno River. The 45-minute trip on a traditional boat will take you down the Arno from Piazza Mentana, pass under the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinità, and navigate by the Uffizi Gallery, the Vasari Corridor, Palazzo Corsini and the 10th-century San Jacopo sopr'Arno Church. 

Day 5: Florence to Rome, Private Guided City Tour

In the morning make your way to the Florence train station, then take the high-speed train to Rome. Arrive, then head out for a private guided tour of the historical center of the Eternal City. 

According to legend, Rome was founded by brothers Romulus and Remus in 753 B.C.E. atop Rome's Palatine Hill. The long-time center of the powerful Roman Empire, Rome boasts nearly 3,000 years of architecture, history, and culture. These days, Italy's capital is considered one of Europe's top cities thanks to its ancient monuments, incredible art masterpieces, and cosmopolitan vibe. It's a center for fashion with buzzing food culture and has a growing nightlife scene. 

Visit the Piazza di Spagna, the Fontana di Trevi, and the Piazza Navona (originally an ancient stadium) which now houses Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Egyptian obelisk. 

End your evening with a stroll to the neighborhood piazza for gelato and some people watching.

Day 6: Private Colosseum & Forum Tour, Afternoon Cooking Class

In the morning meet your archaeologist guide and dive into the history of the Roman Empire with a private guided walking tour of the Colosseum, the world's largest amphitheater (tickets included). You'll explore the main complex, as well as the Belvedere, the recently opened third ring with a view of the arena and the Imperial Forums up to the fourth and fifth rings. 

Walking through the ancient amphitheater is like taking a trip back in time to the days of the Roman Empire. At its prime, the Colosseum held 50,000 spectators and was the central venue for gladiator fights. Learn about some of ancient Rome's most famous and illustrious citizens, such as Julius Caesar, Emperors Augustus and Nero, and the Flavian Emperors who built the Colosseum. 

From here, continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, built between 46 BCE and 113 CEC. Walk along the ancient Roman street Via Sacra to see the Temples of Vesta, Antonino, and Faustina. See the ancient Basilica Julia and Aemilia and experience the grandeur of the Roman Empire.

Enjoy some time to yourself, then head to a 2.5-hour afternoon cooking class to learn to make traditional Roman pasta specialties. You'll learn to make Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara, and Amatriciana—all Italian favorites. Start with a combination of great local ingredients (pecorino cheese, fresh meat, and eggs), then make the perfect sauce with fresh market vegetables. Form the homemade dough into the classic pasta shapes and combine everything for a delicious meal. 

Once you're finished, sit down to enjoy your creations for dinner paired with the perfect glass of wine.

Day 7: Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Helicopter Flight, Transfer to Praiano

In the morning board a high-speed train to Naples, then make your way to a winery on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius. Sample local wines and discover how the area's volcanic soil produces amazing regional wines, then transfer to Pompeii. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been frozen in time since the 79 CE eruption of the nearby volcano, which covered Pompeii in ash and preserved it entirely. Explore the city's ancient roads, storehouses, baths, and temples as you learn about life in ancient Rome. 

In the afternoon, take a breathtaking helicopter flight over Mt. Vesuvius to see the crater, the Pompeii city ruins, and the dramatic Amalfi Coast. Remember to bring your camera—this is definitely one of the trip's highlights! 

Land at the legendary Villa Cimbrone on the coast for a leisurely cocktail on the panoramic terrace and enjoy the cool ocean breeze as you relax in the lush terraced gardens. Take in the sunset views of the coast, then transfer to your accommodation.

Day 8: Guided Tour of Amalfi & Limoncello Farm

Start your morning with a quick drive up the coast from Praiano to Amalfi. The town of Amalfi is a jewel of the Mediterranean coast, famous for its white-washed buildings, historical churches, and paper-making industry. 

Go for a private guided walking tour through the town to see the sights and soak up the atmosphere. Stop by La Piazzetta di Sant'Andrea—the square at the heart of the city—to see the Duomo and the Romanesque-baroque Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea. Once one of the four main Maritime Republics of Italy, Amalfi is now primarily a resort town. Stop by the Paper Museum to learn about the local flourishing paper industry, which brought a stream of wealth and skilled craftsmen to the area. 

In the afternoon continue to a traditional limoncello farm and learn about the family tradition of preparing special meals and regional dishes with the special local lemons. At the end of the tour, enjoy a unique lunch where every dish is made with the famous Amalfi Coast lemons. 

The rest of the day is free—try your hand at windsurfing in Praiano, rent a kayak and explore emerald green grottos, tiny hidden beaches, and impressive sea caves, or go for a hike on one of the area's many steep hiking trails. 

In the evening, check out Praiano's nightlife at the Africana and Music on the Rocks nightclubs, or find a quiet romantic restaurant for dinner on a terrace with a view of the Amalfi Coast.

Day 9: Goodbye Italy!

Time to say goodbye to the country of love! After one last cappuccino over breakfast, head to the airport for your connecting flight home. Safe travels!