Day 1: Arrive in Venice and check in to your hotel. You can choose from some of the best luxury hotels in Venice, such as Hotel Danieli, Palazzo Venart or The Gritti Palace. All of them offer elegant rooms, superb service and stunning views of the city and the lagoon. After settling in, you can explore the nearby attractions, such as St Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs. In the evening, enjoy a romantic dinner at one of the fine restaurants overlooking the Grand Canal, such as De Pisis or Terrazza Danieli.
Day 2: Take a boat tour of the Venetian islands, such as Murano, Burano and Torcello. You can admire the colourful houses, the glass-blowing workshops and the ancient churches. You can also visit some of the lesser-known islands, such as San Michele, the cemetery island, or San Francesco del Deserto, a tranquil monastery. For lunch, you can sample some of the local specialities, such as seafood risotto, fried sardines or squid ink pasta. In the afternoon, you can return to Venice and visit some of the museums and galleries, such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Accademia Gallery or the Ca’ Rezzonico Museum.
Day 3: Spend another day in Venice and discover some of its hidden gems. You can wander through the narrow streets and canals, and find some of the secret corners and courtyards that make Venice so charming. You can also visit some of the lesser-known churches, such as Santa Maria dei Miracoli, San Giorgio Maggiore or Santa Maria della Salute. For a different perspective, you can climb up to the Campanile or the Torre dell’Orologio and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. In the evening, you can treat yourself to a gondola ride and listen to some traditional Venetian songs.
Day 4: Check out from your hotel and take a train to Florence. The journey takes about two hours and offers scenic views of the countryside. Once you arrive in Florence, check in to your hotel. You can choose from some of the best luxury hotels in Florence, such as Villa La Massa, The St. Regis Florence or Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. All of them offer spacious rooms, exquisite service and beautiful gardens. After settling in, you can explore the city centre and visit some of the main attractions, such as the Duomo, the Baptistery and Piazza della Signoria. In the evening, you can dine at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in Florence, such as Enoteca Pinchiorri, Ora d’Aria or Il Palagio.
Day 5: Continue your exploration of Florence and visit some of its museums and galleries. You can admire some of the world’s most famous artworks at the Uffizi Gallery, where you can see paintings by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. You can also visit the Accademia Gallery, where you can see Michelangelo’s David and other sculptures. You can also visit some of the lesser-known museums, such as the Bargello Museum, where you can see works by Donatello, Brunelleschi and Cellini, or the Palazzo Vecchio Museum, where you can see frescoes by Vasari and sculptures by Giambologna. For lunch, you can try some of the local delicacies, such as ribollita soup, bistecca alla fiorentina or lampredotto sandwich.
Florence, Italy
Day 6: Take a day trip from Florence and explore some of the nearby towns and villages in Tuscany. You can visit Siena, a medieval city famous for its Gothic architecture and its horse race called Palio. You can also visit San Gimignano, a hilltop town known for its towers and its white wine called Vernaccia. You can also visit Pisa, where you can see the Leaning Tower and other monuments in Piazza dei Miracoli. Alternatively, you can visit Chianti, a wine region where you can taste some of the finest red wines in Italy and enjoy the picturesque landscape of vineyards and olive groves.
Day 7: Spend another day in Florence and discover some of its hidden gems. You can wander through the Oltrarno district, where you can find some of the most authentic and artistic places in the city. You can visit some of the churches, such as Santa Maria del Carmine, where you can see the Brancacci Chapel with frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino, or Santo Spirito, where you can see a wooden crucifix by Michelangelo. You can also visit some of the palaces, such as Palazzo Pitti, where you can see the Boboli Gardens and the Palatine Gallery, or Palazzo Corsini, where you can see paintings by Caravaggio, Rubens and Van Dyck. In the evening, you can enjoy a sunset view from Piazzale Michelangelo or Ponte Vecchio.
Day 8: Check out from your hotel and take a train to Rome. The journey takes about an hour and a half and offers scenic views of the countryside. Once you arrive in Rome, check in to your hotel. You can choose from some of the best luxury hotels in Rome, such as Rome Cavalieri, Hotel Splendide Royal or The St. Regis Rome. All of them offer elegant rooms, impeccable service and splendid views of the city. After settling in, you can explore the city centre and visit some of the main attractions, such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain. In the evening, you can savour some of the Roman specialities, such as carbonara pasta, cacio e pepe pasta or saltimbocca alla romana.
Day 9: Continue your exploration of Rome and visit some of its museums and galleries. You can admire some of the most impressive artworks at the Vatican Museums, where you can see the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s frescoes, the Raphael Rooms with Raphael’s paintings and the Pinacoteca with paintings by Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci and Titian. You can also visit St Peter’s Basilica, where you can see Michelangelo’s Pieta, Bernini’s Baldachin and the dome. You can also visit some of the lesser-known museums, such as the Capitoline Museums, where you can see sculptures by Bernini, Canova and Michelangelo, or the Borghese Gallery, where you can see paintings by Caravaggio, Titian and Rubens.
Rome, Italy
Day 10: Take a day trip from Rome and explore some of the nearby towns and villages in Lazio. You can visit Tivoli, where you can see the Villa d’Este with its fountains and gardens and the Villa Adriana with its ruins and mosaics. You can also visit Ostia Antica, where you can see the ancient Roman port city with its temples, baths and theatres. You can also visit Castel Gandolfo, where you can see the Pope’s summer residence and enjoy the view of Lake Albano. Alternatively, you can visit Frascati, a wine town where you can taste some of the local wines and enjoy the panoramic view of Rome.
Day 11: Spend another day in Rome and discover some of its hidden gems. You can wander through the Trastevere district, where you can find some of the most charming and lively places in the city. You can visit some of the churches, such as Santa Maria in Trastevere, where you can see mosaics by Pietro Cavallini, or San Francesco a Ripa, where you can see a sculpture by Bernini. You can also visit some of the palaces, such as Palazzo Corsini, where you can see paintings by Caravaggio, Rubens and Van Dyck, or Palazzo Farnesina, where you can see frescoes by Raphael and Sodoma. In the evening, you can enjoy a drink at one of the bars or cafes in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Day 12: Take another day trip from Rome and explore some of the historical sites in Lazio. You can visit Cerveteri, where you can see one of the largest Etruscan necropolises with tombs dating back to the 9th century BC. You can also visit Tarquinia, where you can see another Etruscan necropolis with tombs decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from daily life.
