Essence of Italy 10-Day Tour

What to expect on this itinerary
Embrace elegance, style, ancient history, and la dolce vita during your 10-day classic and customizable tour of Italy that immerses you in treasured traditions and preserved majesty. Blend the beauty of the sea with the vibrant heritage of legendary artwork that is found in the grand marble palaces of Venice and the Mediterranean allure of the Amalfi Coast this classic Italian experience is crafted just for you.
Customizable Itinerary
Venice – Arrive in the City on the Lagoon with an Introductory Tour
The city of Venice glows with light from the sun, glancing against the marble palaces lining the winding canals. The classic image of the city with gondolas as they glide through the hidden waterways remains preserved along the 118 islands that are connected by more than 400 bridges. Your private transfer will meet you at Marco Polo Airport upon your arrival and will escort you into the epic grandeur of Venice, which features the splendor of historic feasts and the opulence of the Ducal Palace.
Your guide will meet you in the luxuries of your hotel lobby for an introduction to the city’s marvels along the banks of the illustrious Grand Canal. You will board a private boat that will allow you to discover the history, beauty, and charm that derives from the intricate marble features of the Rialto Bridge to the lavish façade of Palazzo Corner della Ca’Grande. The 16th-century palace was built with the intention to impress and continues to astonish visitors with a first floor that is adorned with Ionic columns that lead to a second floor that is decorated with Corinthian columns. The Baroque features of Palazzo Grassi blend with Classical elements, including four wings that were designed around a beautiful rectangular courtyard and are now covered for exhibitions that are supported by the Fiat Motor Company.
What's Included:
Venice – Enjoy a Full Day Cultural Tour of Venice and the Canals
Venice – Explore the History and Artistry of the Venetian Lagoon
Florence – Discover the Treasures of Florence with a Guided Tour
Florence – Delight in the Beauty of Medieval Tuscan Villages
Rome – Visit Charming Orvieto and Visit the Marvels of Ancient Rome
Rome – Revel in the Majesty of Historic Rome and the Vatican Museum
Positano – Visit the National Museum and Traverse Ancient Pompeii
Positano – Uncover the Towns of the Amalfi Coast with a Cooking Class
Positano – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the remains of the classical world during a private, guided tour of the excavated treasures of Pompeii
- Embrace the charms and prestige of the Venetian Republic that is embodied in Tintoretto’s splendid fresco that adorns the Hall of the Great Council
- Witness the breathtaking detail and captivating size of Michelangelo’s David with a private tour of the Accademia that is guided by an art historian in Florence
- Venture to the highest level of the Colosseum for a unique view of the legendary Roman amphitheater as well as ancient and modern Rome
- Delight in the majestic views and colorful shoreline of the Amalfi Coast when visiting towns like Positano and Ravello
- Uncover the stunning artistry of the ancient world when visiting the Archeological Museum of Naples, which is home to the impressive Farnese collection
- Indulge in the slower pace of life and endless charm of the Tuscan countryside while visiting towns such as Lucca and Barga
- Bask in the splendid works of Renaissance master Raphael during a private tour of the Vatican Museum featuring the remarkable School of Athens
- Immerse yourself in scenic views with a private boat along the Grand Canal to reach the tranquil island of Torcello
Detailed Description
The sweet life of the Italian Peninsula will welcome you with a 10-day tour of classic Italy that will emphasize the traditions, customs, and highlights of Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples with luxurious accommodations, private tours, and captivating excursions that will be tailored to your perfect Italy vacation. From walking along the ramparts that surround antique Lucca to the visiting the Vatican Museum at your own pace, your tour of Italy focuses on experiencing the culture and heritage that can be found in the landmarks, boutique shops, museums, and cuisine for an immersive and majestic discovery of Italy’s classic charm.
Your classic tour of Italy will begin with three nights in Venice. The City on the Lagoon will captivate you with elegant palaces and the drama of St. Mark’s Square. You will find the splendors of the Venetian Republic with private tours along the Grand Canal that will lead you inside the secret chambers of the Doge’s Palace. You will also venture to the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello, the latter of which hosts a gorgeous antique church with Byzantine mosaics. Then, you will continue to Florence for two nights, which is where you will discover the true marvels of the Renaissance masters with a private tour through the city that will allow you to view Michelangelo’s David. The Tuscan countryside will introduce you to the preserved, slow pace of life in local towns such as Lucca and Barga, which are known for their historic architecture and welcoming atmosphere, and enchanting ambiance.
On the way to spending two nights in Rome, you will stop in the hilltop town of Orvieto in Umbria. The delightful atmosphere of the Gothic cathedral and small cafes will charm you before you arrive in Rome for an immersive tour of the ancient empire at the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill. You will have a full day with a guide to explore the lavish designs of the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona in addition to the enrapturing architecture and artistry that is on display in St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum.
Your two nights in Positano will take you deep into the ancient world of Italy when visiting the National Archeological Museum of Naples to view artifacts, statues, and mosaics of the antiquity before strolling along the excavated streets of Pompeii to find preserved life among the ruins. A full day along the Amalfi Coast with a private driver will reveal the cherished beauty of the shoreline and small towns that are scattered around the cliffs such as Ravello, Amalfi, and Praiano.
Read some Zicasso travelers’ Italy travel reviews to gain further inspiration for your own trip.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 6971 reviews
Our trip was absolutely amazing and the planning done by Zicasso's travel company surpassed my expectations. The attention to detail was amazing: from excellent and punctual drivers to assistants who helped us with the water taxis in Venice to the lounge access for trains. It was truly white-glove service that made my trip seamless and allowed me to enjoy every moment because every detail was handled.
The excursions were fantastic. I especially enjoyed the cooking class at a farm in Tuscany and the Vespa tours in Rome. There was a nice mix of private excursions for the walking tours and boat rides, to a few shared excursions, such as the cooking class.
The hotels the travel company booked were chic, boutiquey Italian hotels and each had its own charm (from the former palace in Venice to the castle in Chianti), and we loved them. We would absolutely recommend to anyone booking a trip to Italy!
See more
Zicasso's team was excellent with planning and execution of the itinerary to meet our specific needs.
I was able to add an additional city on short notice!
We had knowledgeable local city guides and all drivers were professional.
We had a wonderful family trip!
See more
We had an excellent experience with Zicasso's travel company. We are a family of four and spent 18 nights going through Italy and France. We worked with the company to make arrangements to see the cities and sites we wanted to visit. They offered great options for hotels and activities. They stayed in close contact with us during the trip and made additional arrangements upon request. The company provided outstanding service making arrangements and during the trip. We were very satisified and have already recommended them to our friends.
See more
I can confidently say that Zicasso's travel specialist is truly dedicated to providing her clients a luxury experience. From the outset, we had a 20-minute call where she wanted to learn about our dream vacation and get to know us. She was attentive to every request we made and organized our itinerary accordingly. During the trip, she texted us daily to inform us about our drivers and guides for the next day. Additionally, she checked to ensure our trip was progressing smoothly.
Here are some highlights:
Rome: We were greeted at the airport by our agent, who expedited our passage through passport control. The following day, we started our exploration at the Vatican. Our agent had purchased our tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the line. She also planned the remainder of our self-guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other ancient sights. We accomplished so much in just two days!
Florence: We took part in a pasta-making class with a chef who was fantastic! Her husband was also quite charming. Our experience there was truly wonderful. Special thanks to our driver, who was incredibly helpful and informative.
Sorrento (Amalfi Coast): We began with a visit to Pompeii, where our guide, also arranged by our agent, was spectacular! His passion and extensive knowledge made the experience enjoyable. Next, we had a fun blind wine tasting. When we arrived at our amazing hotel, we were greeted with a surprise.
While in Rome, we encountered a minor issue, which our agent resolved quickly. She even went above and beyond by ordering us a bottle of prosecco to celebrate. We also took a car tour of Positano and Ravello, guided by a local from Ravello who was informative, knowledgeable, and delightful. We loved her! Our day ended with a lovely sunset cruise off the coast! Both days had excellent drivers.
This trip was a dream come true for my husband and me. Without a doubt, our agent made it the luxurious experience we desired. I highly recommend her and her team!
See more
The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.
See more
Our trip was a 10 out of 10! There is no way it could have been any better. Zicasso's travel expert and the tour company's team were incredibly responsive (not that we had any issues) and the itinerary was so impeccably curated.
Every greeter, driver, and tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and hotels were immaculate. It was such a relief to know that every last detail was taken care of and we didn't have to worry about anything.
We highly recommend our travel company and would definitely use them again.
See more