Best of Italy: Rome, Florence, and Venice

On the docket for today is a full-day private walking tour of the city. The tour will conclude in time for dinner, which can be enjoyed in one of the numerous fantastic restaurants in Rome. For a post-dinner cocktail, Salotto 42 is rated as one of the best bars in the world and boasts a stunning view of the 2nd-century ruins of the Temple of Hadrian.

This tour is perfect for those that don't want to miss a thing when visiting Rome! Enjoy a full day combined tour led by a professional guide in a small group setting with hotel-pickup. After the morning half-day tour, stop for a leisurely lunch, then be ready for the second round. After visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with skip the line entrances (visiting order varies) guests will be ready for a relaxing evening!

After a hearty breakfast, guests are in for a busy day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Assisi and St. Francis Basilica. Once the tour ends at the end of the day, they can grab a late dinner just like the locals.

Guests discover the beauty of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and home to stunning scenery, detailed architecture, and rich historical monuments. An expert guide will lead guests through the Basilica of St. Francis and share fascinating details on this iconic site and renowned figure in Christianity.

This last full day in Rome guests will visit Rome's ancient catacombs and then spend the afternoon on a refreshing gelato walking tour to take in their final sights and tastes of Roma!

Learn the fascinating history behind the Basilicas and Catacombs of Rome as an expert guide takes guests through these cultural landmarks. Guests will visit the Holy Staircase, Basilica of St. John, Cathedral of Rome, and St. Mary Major before heading along the ancient Appian Way. This memorable adventure concludes at the Catacombs, where travelers can view these iconic ancient underground cemeteries.

A local food connoisseur will guide guests on this 2.5-hour tour of renowned coffee shops, gelaterias and the most famous tiramisu shop in the city. This is a great opportunity to sample the famous Italian coffee with its mix of varied beans and unique flavors, and learn more about the traditions and process of gelato making. Rome has some of the best gelatos in the world, and traveling with an insider allows one to taste the sweet treats at some of the original and popular gelaterias and get an insider's perspective. Offering a overview of Italian culinary traditions, history and foodie favorites in the city, the tour also takes guests past some of the famous sites in Rome's center, such as the Pantheon.

This short private guided walk takes guests through Florence's vibrant Oltrarno neighborhood, where Florentine artisans have left their indelible mark over centuries. As guests amble along ancient cobblestoned streets south of the River Arno, they will see historic Renaissance palaces and a medieval hospice holding secrets from Michelangelo's dark past. Medieval masterpieces apart, Oltrarno is just famous for its lively boutiques, eateries and bars, where Florentines gather for their after-dark food and drink. The tour ends with a glass of fine Italian wine sourced from the famous Tuscan wine region.

After breakfast, guests will head out for their morning electric bike tour through Tuscany's rolling valleys and vineyards. This is one of the prime wine growing regions of the world and biking through the winding roads is a great way to soak in the spectacular scenery. Upon their return in the afternoon, guests will have some time to unwind before the private guided tour through the Uffizi Gallery.

Guests enjoy a unique electric bike tour along country roads surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills. This tour will make a stop at Michelangelo Square and San Miniato al Monte Abbey. Participants will pass rows of elegant cypress trees, olive groves, Renaissance villas, and Romanesque churches. Get ready for a morning filled with spectacular views of Florence and the countryside; plus, finish the tour by enjoying a delicious gelato.

This tour offers guests a firm understanding of world-famous artworks with a knowledgeable private guide sharing stories, anecdotes and details about the masterpieces on display at the Uffizi. As guests meander through the galleries and gaze on treasured Renaissance art, they will gain personalized insights and in-depth historical context. Bypassing the crowds with their guide, they will also learn many interesting facts and tidbits, from how Michelangelo outsmarted a famous skinflint to discovering the identity of the woman in Botticelli's "Birth of Venus."

After breakfast, guests will make their way to the meeting point and embark on an all-day tour of the Cinque Terre, on the Italian Riviera. Upon their return at the end of the tour, they can take a stroll through the Boboli Gardens and cap off a busy day with a final Florentine dinner and aperitivo in lively Oltrarno.

The Cinque Terre takes its name from its five picturesque fishing villages—Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso—that together make up the only remaining unspoiled portion of the Italian Rivera. For centuries, this region had remained inaccessible by land, isolated by steep mountains and valleys on one side and the sea on the other. It was only in the late 19th century that the coastal railway line was built, and almost a century later, the winding coastal road through the villages was finished. Much more accessible now, guests can discover some of the secrets of the breathtaking Cinque Terre with a knowledgeable local guide. Travelers can take in the sites of the majestic Ligurian Coast as they wander through these colorful towns and enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. Roundtrip transportation from their hotel in Florence is provided by a private driver and luxury vehicle!

In the early evening, guests embark on a serene and intimate 45-minute gondola ride through Venice's famed canals. Manned by a local gondolier, the boat glides through the water and navigates the intricate waterways, passing under arched bridges. Ancient buildings and historic palazzos line the canals, and this leisurely ride is the perfect way to soak up the architecture and atmosphere of one of the world's most romantic cities.

The day begins with a half-day tour of three outlying islands in the Venice Lagoon—Murano, Burano and Torcello, historic islands with rich history, architecture and artwork. At mid-day, guests will return from the tour in time for lunch before heading out for their afternoon walking tour of Venice's most iconic sights! After a leisurely dinner, guests can get ready to be fascinated and delightfully spooked with a ghost and legends walking tour.

The first stop on this guided tour is the island of Murano, renowned for its glass manufacturing industry. Here, travelers can watch a live demonstration of glass-blowing at a glass factory. A short distance away, Burano is equally famous for its exquisite lace and colorful fishermen's houses that line the streets. The last stop on this tour, Torcello, is a peaceful, verdant island that was on of the earliest settlements in Venice. Guests will have the opportunity to explore archaeological sites and visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its Byzantine mosaics, the only remaining testament to the island's former glory.

Discover Venice's rich history while strolling through its historic streets. The journey includes Piazza San Marco, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Campo SS Giovanni e Paolo, and the Great School of Charity, before viewing Marco Polo's House and the Malibran Theater (no inside visits). The tour features an inside visit to Doge's Palace, the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. Visitors can marvel at the intricate details of the gold staircase and the realistic scenes depicted by renowned artists. They will relive the anguish of prisoners crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs and entering the Venetian prisons, known for hosting Giacomo Casanova. The tour also includes a visit inside St. Mark's Cathedral, one of the world's most majestic cathedrals. Guests will admire the beautiful gold mosaics and marble inlays of the floors as the guide shares the basilica's history and the biblical scenes depicted within.

Experience a pleasantly spooky evening walk through Venice's lesser-known paths, where tales rich in ghosts and legends await. Enjoy an intimate and quiet atmosphere, enhanced by twilight and darkness, as participants explore the enchanting areas of Rialto, Cannaregio, and Castello. The route varies to avoid tourist crowds, ensuring a truly immersive experience that adds to this ancient city's mysterious charm.

After breakfast, a representative will be waiting at the embankment for the boat ride to the airport, from where guests will depart for their home.