Day 1 - Arrival in Venice

Upon your arrival at Venice Airport, our local English speaking representative will be waiting to welcome you to Italy. You will be transferred by private motor launch to your hotel in the city.The balance of this first day is at your leisure. Relax after your flight or begin to explore the sights of this extraordinary city.

Day 2 - Venice Tour

Venice's charm lies both in its unique civil engineering achievements and in the harmony of Eastern and Western artistic styles that have flourished here over the centuries. Your private guided city tour will include some of the major sights that define the look and history of Venice, Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica and St. Mark's Square.Balance of the day is at your leisure.

Day 3 - Venice - Verona and Valpolicella

Depart with your English speaking driver for romantic Verona, setting of the famous Shakespearean love story, Romeo and Juliet. With a private local guide you will visit this city whose rich history extends to the Roman times. You will continue your day with a drive through the Valpolicella wine region. You will visit a local winery and sample the region's unique wines including the world famous Amarone. Return to Venice at the end of the excursion.

Day 4 - Venice - Florence

You will be escorted to the rail station by our local representative who will assist you to your train bound for Florence. You will have first class rail tickets with seat reservations. The journey will take two hours on the comfortable Eurostar train.Upon arrival in Florence you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.

Day 5 - Florence Tour

Depart with your English speaking guide from your hotel for your private walking tour of the city. Florence's rich past as the cultural centre of the Italian Renaissance can still be seen today in the wealth of art gathered here and in the preservation of its splendid architecture. The tour includes visits of the Duomo and the Baptistry, the Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and the famous Accademia Gallery. Balance of day at your leisure.

Day 6 - Chianti and Tuscan Cuisine

A day of culinary experiences awaits you as you depart for your full day excursion with your private English speaking driver. First you will tour the celebrated Chianti Wine Region, an area as much renowned for its natural beauty as for its excellent wines. You will arrive at the prestigious Capannelle Winery in Gaiole in Chianti. Here you will take part in a Tuscan cooking class preparing a full lunch including appetizer, pasta, main course and dessert. You will enjoy your creations for lunch which will include superb wines from the cellars of the winery. After lunch you will continue your day with a visit of the Chianti towns of Greve and Radda before returning to your accommodations in Florence.

Day 7 - Florence - Cortona - Umbria

After checking out of your hotel, depart for a day of sightseeing on your way to your next destination. Your first stop will be Cortona, one of the oldest cities in Tuscany and sight of the famous film "Under the Tuscan Sun". Together with a local English speaking guide you will visit the narrow streets and alleyways of this quaint and historically rich medieval city. Continue in to the Umbria region and your unique accommodations at Castello Dell Oscano.

Day 8 - Perugia & Assisi

Morning departure with your English speaking driver for a full day touring this beautiful area. Perugia is one of Italy's best preserved medieval towns, with a long-standing cultural and artistic tradition that continues to this day. In the afternoon you will continue the tour to Assisi, where you will have time to visit this beautiful medieval city that was home to St. Francis. Here you will visit the amazing basilica with a private local guide.Return to Castello dell Oscano.

Day 9 - Umbria - Spoleto - Sorrento

After check out from the hotel this morning, continue your journey with your private driver to Sorrento. On the way you will stop in Spoleto, one of the most important historical towns of Umbria with its rich Roman history. You will be able to visit the Roman theatre, its amazing Duomo with beautiful frescos and the Rocca, the famous fortress. It is also the home of the Spoleto Festival, the Festival of Two Worlds, founded in 1956, initially providing young Americans a venue to perform in Europe. It has now become an important international cultural festival held every summer. After an independent visit of the charming town you will proceed to Sorrento.

Day 10 - Sorrento

A free day to explore this charming coastal city or perhaps take the short ferry ride across to the idyllic Isle of Capri.

Day 11 - Amalfi Coast Drive

A private full day excursion along the breathtaking Amalfi coastline with your driver is sure to be a highlight to remember. You will make stops in three of the delightful towns nestled in its bays: Positano, an elegant and colorful town with a history of attracting celebrities and artists; Amalfi, a picturesque seaside resort that is also the largest town on the coast; and Ravello, the highest town on the coast where the photo opportunities are unmatchable. The driver will return you to your hotel in Sorrento.

Day 12 - Sorrento - Pompeii - Rome

After check out depart with your English speaking driver for Rome.On the way to Rome you will stop to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii. Together with a local guide you will visit this city which was buried under a thick layer of ash and pumice after the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., a disaster that nevertheless preserved the contents of Pompeii with fascinating precision. The driver will drop you off at your next hotel in Rome.

Day 13 - Ancient Rome

A fascinating private half day tour of the wonders of the Ancient Romans. You will be transported back to the days of the Caesars and the Roman legions as you visit, together with your private local guide, the Circus Maximus, sight of Ben Hur style races, the Roman Forum, and the incomparable Colosseum. Afternoon is at your leisure.

Day 14 - Vatican Tour

Your fascinating half day private tour of the Vatican starts in the galleries of the Vatican Museum, home to the most celebrated art collection in Europe. The museum tour ends in the spectacular Sistine Chapel, the extreme expression of Michelangelo's genius. Last but not least, you will visit the largest sanctuary of Christianity, St. Peter's Basilica, where proportions appear to have been forgotten in an amazing triumph of marble, bronze and mosaic works.The balance of the day is at your leisure.

Day 15 - Arrivederci Italia

After check out from the hotel, our representative will pick you up for your private transfer to the Rome Airport for your departing flight.

Accommodations

Venice Duodo Palace (or similar)

Florence Degli Orafi (or similar)

Perugia Castello dell Oscano (or similar)

Sorrento Imperial hotel Tramontano (or similar)

Rome Delle Nazioni (or similar)

Sightseeing

Private Venice city walking tour including Doge's Palace entrance fees

Private full day excursion to Verona and the Valpolicella wine region

Local guide and entrance fees in Verona included

Classical Florence walking tour including Accademia Gallery and Santa Croce Church entrance fees

Uffizi Gallery reservation in the afternoon - (Entrance fee is not included )

Private half day excursion into the Chianti wine region including winery visit

Private cooking class with Tuscan Chef

Visit of Cortona with local guide

Full day excursion in Umbria with independent visit of Perugia

Guided visit of Assisi with local guide

Independent visit of Spoleto

Full day excursion to the Amalfi coast visiting Positano, Ravello & Amalfi

Visit of Pompeii with local guide, entrance fees included

Private half day guided tour of Ancient Rome, including Colosseum entrance fees

Private half day guided tour of the Vatican, including Museum entrance fees

Transfers

All transfers are private from and to airports and rail stations with assistance

Private transfer from city to city as per itinerary with English speaking drivers

All rail travel as per itinerary in First class with seat reservations

Meals

Breakfast at hotels daily

Wine tasting in Valpolicella wine region

Wine tasting in Chianti wine region

Cooking class with Tuscan chef followed by lunch with wine

Services

Assistance from our Road to Italy office in Rome and local representative offices throughout Italy

Local emergency contact number daily

Does not include

Airfare

Travel Insurance (highly recommended)

Tips and gratuities to drivers and local guides

1) Consult with our tour designers

Contact our office by phone or e-mail and speak to one of our tour designers who will answer any question you have about our suggested tour. They will listen attentively to your ideas and plans and suggest changes to personalize the tour based on your interests and budget.

Tel: 416 964 7600
Toll: 1-800-848-8163
reservations@roadtoitaly.com

2) We send you a Proposal

Shortly after your initial contact with our tour designers, you will receive a draft proposal based on your earlier discussions, normally within 2 business days. This proposal is a no obligation draft for your review and comments. Any additions or modifications will be implemented and a new proposal will be forwarded to you for approval.

3) You like what you see!

Upon meeting your requirements and expectations, you will be requested to send a deposit in the amount of 25% of total. Final Payment is due 45 days prior to scheduled departure date.

4) Buon viaggio!

Approximately, 2 weeks prior to departure you will receive a personalized and detailed day by day itinerary booklet and the necessary vouchers for the services to be provided, along with a general information section on the various regions of Italy.

The booklet and vouchers will include all the important information; addresses, phone & mobile numbers for all your service providers, hotels as well as the phone number of our office in Rome.