Art, Culture & History of Italy Itinerary

In the morning, you will hear the water lapping against the edges of the canal as the sunlight washes over the gold weathervane that crowns St. Mark’s Campanile, which soars above the square at nearly 325 feet tall. The aroma of rich espresso drifts out of the dining room at breakfast and carries through the morning ambiance of the city. Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby eager to lead you through the splendors of the historical city on the lagoon beginning with the bustling Rialto Market. Fishmongers present vibrant seafood caught fresh each morning along the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea while the scent of fresh baked bread will fill the air. At St. Mark’s Square, you will find the gilded archways and bulbous domes of the eponymous Basilica to be absolutely breathtaking.

More than 500 columns of marble, alabaster and jasper decorate the 11th-century edifice as the gallery along the porch features archways that are adorned with 13th-century mosaics that represent Biblical tales ranging from Creation to the Tower of Babel. The interior has subtle hints of frankincense and myrrh that are accentuated by the gilded Byzantine mosaics that encompass nearly 45,640 square feet. The natural light pours through the 16 windows and showcases the opulence of the golden vaulted ceilings and pillars. After exploring the virtues and preserved grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, your private guide will bring you to Murano, the island of glass, to enjoy a glassblowing demonstration and workshop.

The aromas of fresh brioche and espresso bring the perfect mixture of decadence and sweetness to the beginning of your day as Venetians visit their corner café to sip a luscious cappuccino or a vibrant espresso on their way to work. Your private transfer will greet you at your hotel and lead you away from the Venetian Republic to reach the Renaissance city of Florence. The scenery changes from the floodplains of the lagoon to the mountains around Emilia-Romagna, and finally to the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Cypress, oak, and chestnut trees shade the edges of the vast vineyard as you settle into the comforts of your villa-style accommodation at the center of Florence.  Your guide will greet you in the lobby keen to introduce you to the artistic splendors of historical Florence. As you walk the streets, you will be charmed by the cafes that set out tables along the cobbled streets as the red brick dome of the Cathedral towers over the homes and narrow lanes at the height of more than 375 feet. The Arno River rushes beneath the archways of the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in the city erected in the 1300s.

The city acts as an open-air museum and offers insight into the beautiful aesthetic of architects and artists of the past. Surpass the line at the Galleria dell’ Accademia, home to the Michelangelo’s David which stands at 17 feet tall and depicts the Biblical hero before his battle with Goliath. The marble figure has become a symbol of Florence and its historical dedication to the arts. While you may have seen images of the statue before, the intricate details of Michelangelo’s David will stop you in your tracks. Enjoy the museums and Cathedrals of the city before you meet your private chef who will introduce you to the true flavors of Tuscany and Florence to perfectly round out your day.

Hidden bakeries are all around in Florence and fill the streets with the aroma of freshly baked focaccia and the fruity aroma of a tart filled with chocolate. The sunlight will wash over the red brick dome of the Cathedral and shine against the bronze doors of the baptistery known as the Gates of Paradise. Your private transfer will greet you in your hotel lobby and lead you south towards Rome with a stop in the medieval Tuscany town of Siena. The stone walls continue to mark the historical center of a city that once rivaled Florence in wealth and artistic integrity. Woodlands overtake the Tuscan hills and shade the old farms as the aroma of creamy gelato emanates from the popular gelaterias found throughout town.

The Cathedral was erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and features white and black striations amongst the magnificent round rose window. The interior flickers with candlelight with the lingering spice of frankincense drifting in the air. Lavish marble panels decorate the floor and depict Biblical tales and mythologies of the city, including the images of Romulus and Remus being weaned on a she-wolf. Your guide will lead you into the Tuscan countryside to wander the grounds of a celebrated winery that produces Chianti Classico. Stroll along the vines to touch the smooth grapes and soft leaves before sampling the flavors that are enriched by the unique minerals found in the soil of the Tuscan hills. You will find a delicate body with intense notes of dark cherry and currents that fuse with the violet and spice that linger on your palate.

Restaurants around Rome emanate with the aroma of fresh pasta dough as chefs work quickly to create enough for the busy lunch rush. Cafes set out their tables along the open piazzas and narrow cobbled lanes and offer patrons a chance to watch the city pass by. You will travel with your guide to the Piazza del Colosseo, which stands beneath the towering frame of the famous Colosseum. The walls of the preserved edifice reach a height of nearly 160 feet above the city streets and define the stadium that once held up to 50,000 spectators. Your guide’s voice will echo off of the stone of the interior as you overlook the Hypogeum.

The wooden floor that is now covered in sand once hid the two-story underground labyrinth where gladiators trained, and exotic animals were stored. Machines helped to lift scenery and cages into the arena during period battles. The stone emanates with an aroma of rich minerals, which brings the history of the structure to your senses as you take it all in. Your tour of the Eternal City will continue in Vatican City, where the artistic splendors of Western Europe and the far reach of the Catholic Church comes to life. Inside the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica, you will find Michelangelo’s Pieta, which depicts Mary cradling Jesus and draws admirers from around the world to take in the incredible artistry.

Artists make their way to Piazza Navona early to capture the prestigious Baroque palaces and fountains in the bright light of the morning. Cafes set out their tables and chairs to overlook the trickling water of the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which depicts allegorical figures that represent world’s major rivers, the Nile, Danube, Ganges, and Rio de la Plata. Your guide will greet you after breakfast and lead you on an engaging tour of Rome’s captivating artistry in the form of the piazzas, palaces, and fountains, beginning with the Trevi Fountain. The posturing image of Oceanus has become as much of an icon for Rome as the Colosseum. The Baroque artistry embodies symmetry and the rebirth of mythological inspiration.

Water trickles into the waiting pool fed by the ancient aqueduct of Aqua Virgo, which supplied water to Ancient Rome in the 19th-century BC. Visitors toss coins over their shoulder into the pool believing that once the coin splashes into the water, the thrower will return to Rome later in life. In the warmth of the Roman afternoon, your guide will take you to a popular gelateria to sample the variety of delicate and delicious flavors. Take your sampling to the next level as you step behind the counter under the guidance of the head gelato artisan to make your very own gelato as you combine the milk, eggs, and your preferred mix-in such as vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate, to produce your own personalized flavor.

The early hours of the day offer a quiet ambiance around the Pantheon as the 16 massive granite pillars create a sense of symmetry beneath the dramatic concrete dome. The aroma of blossoming flowers fill the streets and piazzas from the small flower stands that are strewn about the city. Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you south towards Naples, a vast city that spreads from the shimmering shores of the eponymous bay to the golden fields of the Campania countryside. You will continue around the Bay to reach the edge of the ancient city of Pompeii. The scent of lemon drifts through the air as the lemon groves blend with the subtle aroma of the Mediterranean Sea. As you enjoy the ambiance of your surroundings, your guide will escort you onto the preserved cobbled streets of Pompeii for a unique view of the distant past.

The peak of Mount Vesuvius continues to linger above the cityscape as a reminder of the eruption in 79 AD that covered homes and streets in ash and pumice. You will pass the lavish theaters of Pompeii as you make your way towards the House of Menander, which belonged to a wealthy merchant. Pillars topped with Corinthian capitals frame the entrance and the atrium offers an example of a traditional aristocratic home complete with wooden roof opening at the center. Water would drain into the pool below during the rains and bring some refreshment to the atmosphere during the summer heat. Scenes from Homer’s Iliad adorn the walls of the interior, bringing a sense of artistry and adventure to the stories of the past.

Wake up to a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea as the water ripples with sapphire and indigo hues. Olive groves drape over the mountain terraces, and the villas of the town of Ravello provide pristine views of the most incredible coastline in Italy. The town of Ravello overflows with hints of hyacinth and aromas of orange groves as the streets meander along the mountain ridge and plateau at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level. Villa Rufolo was erected in the 13th century and overlooks the precipice that leads to the coastline. The manicured gardens are radiant with blossoming flowers that will bring your eyes towards the waterline. The stone watchtower reaches heights of nearly 100 feet beside the neo-Moorish cloister added to the grounds in the 19th century.

After strolling through the excpetional views and charming ambiance of Ravello, your guide will escort you down the switchback roads to traverse the treasured scenic drive of the Amalfi Coast that will take you north towards the enchanting town of Positano, and then south to the town of Vietri sul Mare. A Saracen tower rises above the shoreline and the medieval tower homes of town will shimmer with the ceramic adornments that frame the windows and doors. The 18th-century dome on the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist radiates yellow and green from decorative ceramic tiles, and crafters continue to work in their studios to produce the colorful tiles that have been intertwined with the history of the town since the 17th century.

The ferry to Capri will bring you along the sapphire Mediterranean Sea. The water will mist from the haul of the boat as the Italian shoreline fades away to bring the towering cliffs of Capri into view. The tallest precipices on the island reach a height of 200 feet above the surrounding sea, and your boat will dock in Marina Grande where the pastel colored tower-homes frame the pebbled beach. A funicular will carry you from the coastline up the steep cliff to Piazza Umberto I, which locals refer to as La Piazzetta. Cafés and restaurants have tables around the cobbled plaza and offer views to the coast along with the delicious aromas of fresh pastries and frothy cappuccino.

The neighboring Saint Stephen’s Cathedral has a floor made from materials taken from Villa Jovis, the home of Emperor Tiberius located on the island. After traversing the boutique shops of Capri Town and the remaining splendors of Villa Jovis, you will board your boat to view the amazing colors of the Blue Grotto. The flooded cave once stood above the sea and now glows with cobalt blue light due to the reflection of the sun off the water. The entrance stands little more than three feet above the water’s surface and leads you into the striking colors of the cave.

The morning light will spread over the medieval apartments that adorn the cliffs and line the main street of the town of Amalfi. The town grew to its zenith in the 13th century through maritime trading with the Far East and the Byzantine Empire, and 11 of the original 20 arches where the Navy built their ships remain along the water’s edge. In the late morning, vendors traverse the promenade to offer gelato and granitas, and you will enjoy last morning to take it all in. From the artistry of the architecture to the beauty of the vistas, you will appreciate the variety of wonder found around the Amalfi Coast. Your private transfer will greet you after breakfast and escort you to the Naples airport for your flight home.