For an intimate honeymoon to Italy, consider an itinerary that offers several of the country’s most famous destinations as well as a few off-the-beaten path locations. This 11-day travel package featuring Rome, Florence and Venice also offers an extended look at the Tuscan countryside with two nights in the scenic town of Cortona. Dive into the culture as you discover iconic sites such as the Colosseum, the Vatican and St. Mark’s Basilica as well as small towns and areas frequented by the locals. Whether your interests include sightseeing, history, food, wine or all of the above, each of these areas will ensure that you and your spouse have ample opportunities to create long-lasting memories that you will both treasure for years to come.
From ROME to VENICE
PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Rome, Tarquinia, Caprarola, Cortona, San Gimignano, Siena, Florence, Venice
TRAVEL ITINERARY:
Day 01: ROME
After landing in Rome Airport, collect your checked luggage and head to your centrally located hotel on your own. Complete check-in and then take the rest of the day to start exploring Rome’s historical city center. You may wish to visit a few of Rome’s open-air monuments, such as the Spanish Steps, or you could spend some time unwinding at one of Rome’s parks, such as the Villa Borghese Gardens. In the evening, enjoy a romantic, candlelit dinner at a local restaurant before settling in at the hotel for a good night’s rest.
Day 02: ROME
After breakfast at the hotel, head to the Colosseum area where you will enjoy a small group walking tour featuring the highlights of Ancient Rome. The tour includes skip-the-line entrance reservations to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in order to maximize your sightseeing time. Once inside the Colosseum, your expert guide will entertain you with tales of gladiators and powerful Roman Emperors as you visit the different levels of this iconic monument. Then, continue on to the Roman Forum, which was the historical, cultural and political center of Ancient Rome, in order to discover a number of historical ruins including arches, temples and columns. Your guide will provide the necessary historical context to put everything into perspective and ensure that you do not miss any key sights. At the end of the tour, part ways with your guide and group then stop for lunch at a local restaurant where you can take a break after a morning of sightseeing.
In the afternoon, continue your independent exploration of Rome’s city center, visiting any monuments that may catch your attention. A few must-sees include Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, and the Trevi Fountain, where you will not want to miss your chance to throw a coin into the waters of the famous fountain in order to secure your return trip to Rome someday. Consider spending some time off-the-beaten path as well, perhaps stopping by the Trastevere neighborhood, which is located on the western side of the Tiber River and is home to countless historic shops and restaurants offering handmade local products and delicious culinary delights. After dinner, take a leisurely stroll along the Tiber River to admire Rome’s monuments under moonlight and perhaps grab a few scoops of gelato to top off your evening.
Day 03: ROME
Once you finish breakfast, travel to the Vatican area where you will enjoy a small group walking tour of the Vatican Museums with skip the line entrance. Having amassed countless works of priceless art over many centuries, the Vatican Museums host a remarkable collection of art and during the tour you will have the chance to admire some of the main highlights while listening to informative commentary provided by your expert guide. Over the course of the tour, you will stop at the Raphael Rooms, the Tapestry Gallery, the Map Gallery and, of course, the Sistine Chapel, which is decorated with Michelangelo’s famous frescoes. Your final stop will be St. Peter’s Basilica where you will admire the Pietà and several of the massive church’s chapels before parting ways with your guide. Afterwards, feel free to continue exploring the Basilica, perhaps heading to the top of the dome where you will be able to enjoy romantic views of Rome from above. When you exit the Basilica, take some time to explore St. Peter’s Square and then break for lunch at a local trattoria.
In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to continue exploring the Vatican area or another part of Rome. Before leaving the Vatican, you may wish to visit Castel Sant’Angelo, a historic structure that once served as a fortress for the Papacy. Today the castle hosts a museum and is remarkable for its architecture as well as the unique bridge in front of the castle that spans the Tiber River and is lined with stunning marble angel sculptures. At the end of the day, return to your hotel to freshen up then enjoy your final dinner in Rome. If you have not already done so, consider trying a local specialty this evening, such as cacio e pepe, which is pasta with Pecorino cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Day 04: ROME, TARQUINIA, TUSCANIA, CAPRAROLA, CORTONA
Enjoy a refreshing breakfast, then check out of your hotel and prepare to depart for Tuscany. Before arriving in Tuscany though, you will journey through the Lazio countryside to reach the towns of Tarquinia and Tuscania, which were both originally founded by the Etruscan civilization, the precursors to the Romans. Visit the necropolises of both towns to learn more about ancient history and admire remarkable ruins. Next, head through the Province of Viterbo to reach the famous Villa Farnese, one of the most ornate palaces of its kind. Visit the historic interior rooms then spend time in the lush gardens before heading north to Tuscany. As you cross over into the region of Tuscany, you will notice changes in the panoramas; be sure to admire the region’s characteristic rolling hills and cypress trees as you make your way to Cortona, which will be your base for the next 2 nights. Upon arrival, complete check-in at the hotel, then feel free to start exploring the compact city center. In the evening, enjoy a romantic Tuscan dinner at a local restaurant followed by an overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 05: CORTONA
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, take a day to explore the charming city center of Cortona. In addition to several historical monuments, this hilltop town offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside that are not to be missed. In terms of sightseeing, consider learning more about the Etruscans and Cortona’s origins during a visit to the Etruscan Museum or stop by the Cathedral in the center of town to admire local architecture and artwork. If you would be interested in cooking classes or wine tours, please ask your Trips 2 Italy Travel Specialist as these optional activities can be added to the travel package upon request. At the end of the day, make your way to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a nice dinner before returning to your hotel for your final overnight stay in Cortona.
Day 06: CORTONA, SIENA, SAN GIMIGNANO, FLORENCE
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and then head into the Tuscan countryside to discover more of its secrets. Along the way you will stop in the medieval city of Siena, which is famous for the Palio horse race that is held in the center of the city twice a year. Take the in the history and culture of this unique city while admiring iconic sights such as the Piazza del Campo, the Torre del Mangia and the stunning Cathedral, one of the most beautiful in Italy. Afterwards, continue on to San Gimignano, a hilltop town that is renowned for its many Medieval towers that dot the skyline. Explore San Gimignano’s historic streets and be sure to snap some photos of the surrounding panoramas. Afterwards, stop for lunch a farmhouse in the countryside where you will learn about local products and also enjoy a wine tasting. Later in the afternoon, arrive in Florence where you will check into your next hotel. Take a stroll through the city center to start familiarizing yourself with the historic architecture, then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 07: FLORENCE
After breakfast this morning, you will dedicate your day to sightseeing in Florence’s city center. First, enjoy a group walking tour of Florence’s main highlights led by an expert local guide. As you walk through the city’s cobblestone streets, you will admire a number of famous sights including the Duomo and the Bell Tower, which was designed by Giotto, as well as the Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio, which is the oldest bridge in Florence. Once the tour concludes, enjoy a relaxing lunch in order fully absorb all of the information you learned during the tour.
In the afternoon, continue your independent sightseeing of the city center, then make your way to the Accademia Gallery, where skip-the-line entrance reservations will be arranged for you in advance. As one of the two most important art galleries in Florence, the Accademia is well known for hosting the David sculpture which was created by Michelangelo. Your time in the museum will be at leisure for you to explore as much as you want. Take some time to admire the David, then consider stopping by other masterpieces, such as a few unfinished sculptures by Michelangelo that, when compared to the David , offer a unique look into Michelangelo’s artistic process. After you finish at the museum, continue your stroll through the city center. Alternatively, if you would prefer, it would be possible to add an optional half-day excursion to Pisa (where you will have the chance to see the famous Leaning Tower) or Lucca (a charming Tuscan city famous for its still intact city walls)—the choice is yours! In the evening, enjoy your final dinner in Florence and perhaps consider trying the city’s famous Fiorentina steak, a large T-Bone steak cooked to perfection.
Day 08: FLORENCE, VENICE
Enjoy another hearty breakfast and then check out of your hotel in Florence. Make your way to the train station where you will board the high-speed train to Venice—your final destination on this trip. Upon arrival in Venice, meet with a water taxi driver who will take you to your hotel located directly on the main Venice Island. After checking in, the rest of the afternoon will be free for you to explore independently. Consider taking a romantic gondola ride along the Grand Canal, perhaps at sunset, in order to enjoy unforgettable views of Venice from the water. Then, head to a local restaurant for your first taste of Venetian cuisine followed by an overnight stay at your new hotel.
Day 09: VENICE
When you finish breakfast, meet with your group and guide in St. Mark’s Square and embark on a walking tour of this iconic square, which is home to Venice’s most important monuments. Along the way you will visit the Doge’s Palace, see the Bridge of Sighs and admire St. Mark’s Basilica from the outside and inside. After the tour, stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant then take the day to continue exploring Venice on your own. Consider stopping by the Cannaregio district, one of the most authentic neighborhoods in Venice, that is home to artisan workshops and notable restaurants frequented by the locals. In the evening, head out for a romantic dinner perhaps followed by a gelato and a stroll through the city center at night.
Day 10: VENICE
Your last full day in Venice will be at leisure for you to explore independently, and there are a few activities you may wish to consider on this day. One example is a group excursion to the islands of Murano, renowned for its glass-making, and Burano, renowned for its lace-making. Alternatively, you could take a day excursion by train to the romantic city of Verona, nicknamed “The City of Love” thanks to its role as the setting for William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . Other options include shopping at local boutiques or the market area by the Rialto Bridge or visiting other museums, such as the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, which features an important collection of modern art. No matter how you choose to spend your day, Venice offers plenty to keep you and your spouse entertained until the evening when you will enjoy your final dinner in Venice. Consider tasting a local seafood dish, such as fritto misto (mixed fried seafood) and be sure to toast to your unforgettable vacation as well as the future that lays ahead of you!
Day 11: VENICE
Enjoy a rich breakfast and then check out of your hotel. Afterwards, the tour and our services will end.
PACKAGE START AT $4,244.00 (*)
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Transportation by Deluxe private vehicle as per itinerary;
- 3 nights accommodation in 4 Star Hotel in Rome;
- 2 nights accommodation in 4 Star Hotel in Cortona;
- 2 nights accommodation in 4 Star Hotel in Florence;
- 3 nights accommodation in 4 Star Hotel in Venice;
- Daily Buffet Breakfast;
- 4 dinners & 1 lunch with wine tasting;
- Visit of the Vatican Museum, entrance fee included;
- Visit of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome, entrance fee included;
- Accademia Gallery Tickets reservation;
- Visit of Tarquinia and Caprarola, entrance fee included;
- Visit of Siena and San Gimignano;
- Visit of Cortona;
- Walking tour of Florence;
- Walking tour of Venice;
- Train from Florence to Venice;
- Transfer from the railway station to the hotel in Venice;
- Vat Taxes and Service Charges.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- All Land & Air prices: Additional U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
- Hospitality city tax which varies by city and hotel category. If applicable, it must be paid locally to the hotel.
- Entrance Fees to Monuments or Museums, Tips, Extras.
- Beverages;
- Porterage service;
- All that is not listed under PACKAGE INCLUDES.
GENERAL CONDITION:
Independent tour package with private car w/ Driver for transfers.
Available all year around on request.
Minimum number of participants: 2 people.
All transfers are operated with a private transportation with English speaking Driver. Some of the excursions are operated with private guide, others are operated in conjunction with a larger group to offer the opportunity to meet other people and maintain the cost reasonable.
(*) Per person rate based on two adult persons sharing a double or twin bedded room with private bathroom. Single rooms are available at an additional supplement. Children’s, triple room rates and alternative accommodation arrangements are available upon request. (Additional and different charges may apply).
