DAY 1: Welcome to Venice!
Our introduction to Venice will begin where it should– on the water! We'll take a water taxi from the airport to our hotel, settle in a bit, and grab a light lunch before heading over to the Franciscan Frari Church featuring works of art by famous Venetian Renaissance artists Donatello, Bellini, and Titian.
Who can go to Venice and not experience a Gondola Ride? Not us! We’ll float through the sleepy canals near the Dorsoduro neighborhood for a quintessential boat ride through the watery streets of Venice.
Something unique to Venice are Cicchetti Bars – serving small finger food sandwiches with various toppings such as smoked salmon & cream cheese. The custom is to order a few sandwiches with a glass of wine, lean up against a canal wall, and enjoy your dinner. A word of caution (from personal experience) – watch out for hungry seagulls!
By this point, we'll be ready for bed. You can float off to sleep knowing that you are finally in Venice!
DAY 2: Grand Canal Cruise & St. Mark's Square
My favorite thing to do in Venice is to hop on a Vaporetto (canal bus) and cruise down the Grand Canal. We’ll soak in the surroundings as we pass Venetian Villas, Art Galleries, and the Rialto Bridge – ending at the iconic Piazza San Marco or St. Mark’s Square.
After exploring the square, we’ll take the Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doge’s Palace, allowing us to visit rooms in the palace not offered on regular tours. The Doge, or ruling Duke, lived in this lavish 14th-century building and was the most powerful ruler in Europe. From Casanova to torture chambers to the Bridge of Sighs, this tour promises a little bit of Venetian history at the height of its glory.
Who likes pizza? Insider tip from a local guide: many restaurants serve frozen pizzas. "Roberto's makes their pizzas from scratch. It's the best place to go near St. Mark's Square." Sounds good to me. Let's go!
After lunch, we’ll move on to the famed St. Mark’s Basilica. From Byzantium architecture to the extensive gold mosaic reliefs inside, this site will not disappoint. Afterward, we’ll take an elevator up the Campanile (bell tower) to enjoy panoramic views of amazing Venice before relaxing at a seaside café for dinner.
DAY 3: Venice Lagoon Islands
This morning will be free for you to browse the many shops and churches along the Grand Canal. My advice is to visit the Rialto Market with its many produce stands and fish stalls.
Then it’s back on a Vaporetto for an excursion to a few islands in the Venice Lagoon – Murano, world famous for its glassmaking, and Burano, known for lace making and colorful houses. Peruse the many colorful glass shops. Keep an eye out for a glass-blowing demo. Maybe buy yourself a souvenir to remember your magical time in Venice!
We'll cap the night off with a delicious seafood dinner while gazing up at the iconic Rialto Bridge lit up at night. It doesn't get any better than this.
DAY 4: Florence Walking Tour
Today we say Arrivederci to Venice and board a train to Florence – home to the greatest concentration of Renaissance Art in the world.
We'll start our Florentine adventure in a beautiful wine cellar enjoying an Italian specialty of delicious cheeses, cured meats, bruschetta, and of course, local wine.
We'll dive right into the Heart of the Renaissance with our fabulous guide Elena Fulceri on a 3-hr walking tour of the city. We’ll learn about the famous Medici family, marvel at the first ever domed Cathedral (Duomo), visit the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli at the 14th century Church of Santa Croce, peek into local artisan shops, and much more. You are going to love Elena!
The rest of the evening is open. Browse the leather shops near Santa Croce. Relax at a rooftop bar. Order a porchetta sandwich from one of the many sandwich shops. Gelato anyone?
DAY 5: Magnificent Florence
We'll start the day at the Accademia Gallery to gaze up at Michelangelo's greatest masterpiece, David! Then on to the Museum of San Marco – this 15th-century monastery is home to 111 frescoes and paintings by Fra Angelico. It was also the home of the infamous Monk Savonarola, who advocated for the destruction of secular art and culture that grew out of the Renaissance.
We'll relax for a few minutes, enjoying famous Italian cannolis at Piazza S.S. Annuziata before heading to the Medici Palace. This Florentine palazzo was the home of the Medici family, specifically Lorenzo the Magnificent. Many wealthy homes had chapels for worship. This palace houses the magnificent Chapel of the Magi with frescoes such as the Procession of the Magi.
By this time, we’ll be ready for some much-needed free time – maybe visit the European indoor market Mercato Centrale with fish, meat, vegetables, and cheese stalls. Barter with the merchants at the San Lorenzo straw market. Have a slice of pizza. The choice is yours!
For the ambitious among us, we’ll meet at 5pm to climb the 463 steps of Brunelleschi's Dome, where we'll be rewarded with glorious views of magnificent Florence!
DAY 6: Renaissance Art & Beautiful Gardens
We'll meet up with Elena again for a tour of the renowned Uffizi Gallery, home to the greatest collection of Italian paintings including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera.
The rest of the day is yours to finish up on your shopping, visit another museum or church, visit the recently renovated Duomo Museum – home to the original Baptistery bronze doors and Brunelleschi’s original model for the Dome, or just people watch. The choice is yours!
Botticelli’s Birth of Venus
For something a little different, leave the crowds behind and venture over to the “Other Side of the Arno River” to the Bardini Gardens. Originating in the Middle Ages, the gardens have evolved to include many different features, including grottoes, terraces, fountains, and of course, flowers! Fingers crossed that the wisteria-covered pergola will be in full bloom!
We'll have an early dinner at my favorite restaurant in Florence – Antico Ristoro Di’ Cambi Restaurant in the Oltrarno neighborhood. We'll dine on their famous bistecca alla florentina (beef of Florence) paired with regional Chianti wine. Yum!
DAY 7: Stunning Siena!
Our Florentine visit will end with a bus ride into the heart of the European Middle Ages – the well-preserved city of Siena!
How many "sites" you see will be up to you. Feel free to relax in the pedestrian-friendly Piazza del Campo. Get lost in the maze of winding alleys and ancient streets that have remained virtually
We'll cap off our Renaissance journey with a trip up to Piazzale Michelangelo to relax while admiring the panoramic view overlooking this enchanting city.
unchanged since the 14th century. Admire the beautiful mosaic floors by Michelangelo and Bernini at the Duomo di Siena (cathedral). Climb the 400-steps of the Torre del Mangia tower overlooking the square. Study the frescoes depicting good & bad government at City Hall and see how it relates to today.
DAY 8: Scenic drive through Tuscany to Civita di Bagnoregio
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After lunch, we'll board our private minivans for a scenic drive through Tuscany to the ultimate hill town of Civita di Bagnoregio. This is the Italy you dream about – rolling hills of grapevines, wineries, stone buildings perched high in the hills. It's as lovely as you would imagine.
Founded over 2,500 years ago, Civita is a mix of windy streets and stone houses. Only 12 people actually live here. With cameras ready, we will not have an agenda, but will enjoy the simplicity and beauty of this town known as The Dying City on the Hill.
We'll end our night at our home away from home for the next 3 nights – the lovely Podere Sette Piagge Agriturismo.
DAY 9: Relaxing Day at the Agriturismo!
Today, we have a full day at the agriturismo! Sleep in. Read a book. Lounge by the pool or get a massage. Hike up to Old Town Orvieto. Unwind, take in your surroundings, and just savor the fact that you're in beautiful Umbria, Italy!
DAY 10: Cooking Class & Orvieto
Lunch today will be an authentic hands-on Italian Cooking Class with award-winning Farmer Chef Lorenzo at the Casa Segreta farm. This is sure to be a highlight of our trip. Come hungry!
Afterward, we'll head to the breathtakingly beautiful hill town of Orvieto, just up the cliffs from our agriturismo. We'll start with panoramic views from the fortress ramparts and a funicular ride up to the Old Town. We'll stay together for a self-guided tour of Orvieto's Gothic Cathedral and ponder how (or why) they built such a massive church in such a small town. We'll gaze at the impressive mosaic facade and admire the intricate frescoes inside depicting Day of Judgement and Life after Death.
Then, you are on your own to relax, shop, visit an Etruscan museum, or maybe enjoy a gelato on a patio overlooking the Duomo.
Ladies choice!
DAY 11: Welcome to Rome!
We’ll say Arrivederci to our hosts and board our train to the Eternal City – Rome!
We'll start at a truly unique site – The Capuchin Crypt contains the skeletal remains of 3,700 bodies believed to be Capuchin friars, arranged on the ceiling and walls to make decorative displays. The display is not meant to be macabre, but a silent reminder of the swift passage of life on Earth and of mortality.
We’ll take silly pictures at the Spanish Stairs, tour the 2000-year-old Pantheon, and throw coins into the famous Trevi Fountain. The night will end with dinner by the fountains in Piazza Navona.
DAY 12: Ancient Rome
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We will have free time in the morning before joining our guide Giovanna to learn about ancient Rome. We'll walk the same cobblestoned pathways as Julius Caesar. From the gladiators of the Colosseum to the civic buildings at the Roman Forum, Giovanna will bring the stories of these ancient sites to life.
After dinner, we'll admire the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in a whole new way – lit up at night. The streets will be quiet. Most of the tourists will be gone. We'll gaze out over the flood-lit Forum, pondering what it was like 2000 years ago. It really is a magical experience.
DAY 13: Catholic Rome & The Vatican
We will again meet Giovanna for a tour of the awe-inspiring Vatican. Highlights include the Archeological Museum, ancient Roman statues, Raphael rooms, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Afterward, you'll have the option to climb the magnificent St. Peter’s Dome – the elevator takes you up the first 320 steps, and then you climb 323 steps to the top for breathtaking views!
We’ll end our Italian Adventure with a farewell dinner, thankful for new friends and incredible memories.
DAY 14: Depart for Home