ALL THINGS LUXURY. ONE SOLUTION.
Italian Renaissance Experience
FULLY INCLUSIVE, CUSTOM TAILORED PACKAGES INCLUDE LUXURY TRAVEL SERVICES AND EXPERIENCES THAT TRANSCEND ALL EXPECTATIONS
Tap into the rhythms of la dolce vita on an unforgettable journey through Italy. Explore the winding canals and architectural wonders of Venice, walk through the picturesque villages, and settle into a restored medieval castello to savor the cuisine and traditions of Tuscany. Delve into the country’s enduring legacies among Florence’s Renaissance masterpieces and amid the ruins of the Roman Empire.
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Enjoy a private, after-hours tour of the stunning Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice Marvel at the works of Italian masters during a visit to the Vatican museums, and tour Florence’s iconic Uffizi Gallery with an art historian. Learn the secrets of Tuscan cuisine while enjoying meals and excellent Italian wines at local restaurants, wineries, and family homes. Stay two nights in the Tuscan countryside at a family-owned and operated 13th-century castello, and get to know members of the family.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: VENICE, ITALY
Arrive in Venice and transfer by motorboat to our hotel overlooking one of Venice's famous canals. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at a Venetian restaurant followed by a walking tour of the illuminated city.
Meals Included:Dinner
Accommodations:Venezia Palazzo Barocci or Splendid Venice
DAY 2: VENICE
Set out on foot for a guided tour of this enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll through Piazza San Marco and its golden mosaic-filled basilica. Admire the Gothic arches of the Doge’s Palace, and see the 16th-century Sansovinian Library and the iconic Rialto Bridge. Explore Venice's winding paths at your leisure this afternoon. After dinner, enjoy a private, after-hours visit to the breathtaking Saint Mark's Basilica.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations:Venezia Palazzo Barocci or Splendid Venice
DAY 3: FLORENCE
Hop aboard a high-speed train to Florence, and after lunch set out on a walking tour of its historic center. In Piazza della Repubblica, discover the city’s beginnings as a Roman settlement. Wander through narrow streets past the fortified houses and towers that marked the medieval town, and emerge onto the open Piazza della Signoria, the political center of the city since the Middle Ages. See the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and encounter Michelangelo’s peerless David and the evocative Prisoners at the Accademia.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations:Gallery Hotel Art
DAY 4: LUCCA AND PISA/FLORENCE
This morning, choose between two options. Venture to medieval Lucca for a bike ride atop the city walls, then visit Pisa to climb its famed leaning tower. Alternatively, explore Florence at your own pace; perhaps take a short walk to the Basicilia di Santa Croce or wander across the river Arno to stroll the lovely Boboli Gardens. This afternoon an art historian will guide us through the iconic Uffizi Gallery. Commissioned in 1560 by Cosimo I de’ Medici and designed by the great architect Giorgio Vasari, the Uffizi has drawn visitors to view the masterpieces within for centuries. Cap off your day with a special dinner in the home of a Florentine family.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations:Gallery Hotel Art
DAY 5: TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE
Travel south into the Chianti region. Visit the renowned Badia a Coltibuono winery and fortified former abbey for a wine tasting and lunch. Then continue to Gargonza, a medieval hamlet superbly situated in the Tuscan countryside. This afternoon, settle into the privately owned 13th-century castello of the Guicciardini family—our home for the next two nights. Take the rest of the day to read, relax, and enjoy the swimming pool, set in an olive grove with a glorious view.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Castello di Gargonza
DAY 6: TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE
Venture into the Tuscan countryside on a morning hike through the scenic landscape near Gargonza. During a free afternoon at the castello, stroll the gardens, relax by the pool, or try your hand at a game of bocce. Later, you may join the castello’s chef for a cooking lesson and a tasting of several fine local vintages.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Castello di Gargonza
DAY 7: SIENA/ROME
A short drive brings us to the Tuscan gem of Siena. Soak up the medieval flavor of the city on a walking tour that includes the Piazza del Campo; the Palazzo Pubblico; and the colorful, marble-clad cathedral. Stop for lunch on your own in one of Siena's many trattorias before traveling south to eternal Rome.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations:Rose Garden Palace
DAY 8: ROME
Stroll the ruins of the Roman Forum and enjoy a specially arranged visit inside the Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Miranda, formerly the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina erected in A.D. 141. Here, meet archaeologist Dr. Valerie Higgins of the American University in Rome, a top expert in the field of Roman archaeology who recently appeared in the popular National Geographic documentary series The Story of God. After lunch, venture into the Colosseum, where gladiators prepared for battle.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations:Rose Garden Palace
DAY 9: ROME
Take in the sacred grandeur of Vatican City with an early morning visit to its famed museums. See the stunning Sistine Chapel, then visit St. Peter’s Square and its soaring basilica before enjoying some free time to explore on your own. Later this afternoon, gather for a walking tour including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Piazza Navona. Toast our Italian sojourn at a festive farewell dinner tonight.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations:Rose Garden Palace
DAY 10: ROME
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals Included:Breakfast
