A Classic First Time in Italy Trip
Here is a classic week in Italy that will give you a little of the best of everything. It starts in Venice, works its way south through Tuscany, and finishes in the Eternal City, Rome.
It includes all transportation, accomodations and some meals and winetastings, as well as guided tours to museums and archaelogical sites.
It’s a perfect trip for couples travelling together, and would also make a great travel prize. Here’s a typical itinerary. When you are ready, will plan a custom trip together based on your interests, pace, “wish list” and style of travel.
Day 1 – Arrival in Venice
Private transfer from Milan (or Venice). Take a taxi boat to reach your 3 star hotel. Orientation walking tour. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2 – Venice Walking Tour
3 hour guided tour of the city highlights: St.Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge and the Church of San Rocco. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the city back streets with their wonderful shops and numerous restaurant. Your guide will be happy to give you suggestions. Overnight.
Day 3 – Venice to Florence and Florence Walking Tour
Check out and take a taxi ride to the car park where your driver guide waits for you. Drive south to Florence. Make a stop, halfway, to visit the art city of Verona. Enjoy a nice lunch by lake Garda (wether permitting), then continue the drive to Florence. Arrive by mid afternoon. Check-in at a central 3 star hotel, located in a historical residence. Your guide will give you a short orientation tour walking with you to the Accademia, where you will see the famous “David” and other works of art by Michelangelo. Dinner arranged in a typical local trattoria. Overnight.
Day 4 – Florence Touring
Meet your city guide in the hotel lobby; take a 3 hour guided tour of Florence, featuring all of its highlights: Duomo and Baptistery, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Repubblica – ancient Roman Forum – and the church of San Miniato, locate on a hill from where you will enjoy the best view over the city.
At the end of the tour, your guide will give you suggestions for lunch and for shopping (Florence is the paradise of leather, ceramics, gold, shoes, clothes and much more!) Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.
Day 5 – Chianti Tuscany Countryside Car Touring
Check out and board your van with your driver guide. Drive through Chianti, the beautiful wine region south of Florence, to reach Siena. Visit this medieval art city with your guide and enjoy some leisure time and lunch before boarding your van and head south again. Reach Rome in the afternoon. Check-in at your 3 star hotel near the Spanish Steps. With your guide take a short orientation tour before dinner (on own) Overnight.
Day 6 – Florence to Rome and Rome Highlights by Car Tour
Meet your city guide Scot in the hotel lobby for a full day tour of Rome. In the morning visit Ancient Rome: the Coliseum, Circus Maximus, the Forum, Church of San Clemente and the Pantheon. After a nice lunch break in one of the most lively city squares, Campo dei Fiori, take a taxi (or walk, if you prefer)to reach the Vatican. Visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St.Peter’s Basilica with Scot. At the end of the visits, Scot will give you some of his famous restaurant suggestions! Overnight.
Day 7
Scot meets you in the hotel lobby. Take the metro and a short train ride to get to Ostia, the old port city near Rome which bear traces of a glorious past. Like Pompei, Ostia shows the remains of a wealth Roman city with its baths, shops, temples, bars and private houses; mosaic works, vases and statues. A guided visit of Ostia with Scot will give you the feeling of being catapulted back to the 2nd century AD. A nice lunch will follow the visit, in a local restaurant famous for its sea food (remember that Ostia is very close to the Tyrrenian Sea).
Once back in Rome, Scot will show you the main city squares – Navona, Popolo, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps � during a stroll along the colorful back streets of this charming old lady which is Rome. Overnight.
Day 8
Morning at leisure for shopping and more private activities. Pm Transfer to the airport of Rome arranged by Loving Italy.
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