Best of Italy for First Timers

The Colosseum, the most recognizable symbol of Rome and the largest amphitheater of antiquity

What to expect on this itinerary

Soak up the essence of Italy during this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Discover hidden gems around every corner of Italy’s charming cities, stroll along cobblestone streets while taking in the smell of roasting espresso beans and freshly wood-fired pizza, and hear the sounds of church bells as they ring across the piazza. In Italy, you will explore ancient sites, bask in world-renowned artistic masterpieces, and taste local delicacies such as artisan olive oil and regional wines from the many vineyards that dot the rolling hills. Experience three very different and unique regions in Italy on this luxurious, 7-day excursion that will leave you with vivid and lasting memories.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Lucca, Murano, Burano, Venice

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Rome – Arrive in Rome and Explore the Trastevere district

Rome is the eternal city, and there is no better start to your highlights of Italy tour than the country’s famed capital. Here, you will stroll the cobblestone streets, visit the numerous cathedrals that dot the many historic squares, marvel at hidden art masterpieces by artists like Caravaggio, and have your wishes come true by tossing a coin into the Trevi fountain.

You will arrive at Fiumicino International Airport, where your private transfer will greet you in the arrivals area and transport you to your centrally located and luxurious accommodation. Once you have checked in, you can relax into the slower Italian daily rhythm as you take your time to explore some charming neighborhoods on your first day in Rome. You will begin along Rome’s main shopping avenue, the Via del Corso, where you can explore designer boutiques and relax with an aperitivo, which is sort of an Italian version of Happy Hour, which allows you to sip on cool cocktails and nibble on traditional Italian appetizers.

After some window-shopping, it will be time to cross the Tiber River to the Trastevere district, which is one of Rome’s medieval neighborhoods. Trastevere will come alive at night with Roman locals and with no shortage of bars, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy. You can savor the authentic, Roman cuisine and enjoy a pre or post-dinner stroll in the cool evening around the palaces that dot the neighborhood, taking in the sounds of lively conversation, clinking wine glasses, and the melodies of live music. Lastly for today, you can admire the skyline views of Rome with its glittering city lights from Janiculum Hill.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Rome – Discover Ancient Rome

Day 3

Rome – Crossing Borders to Vatican City

Day 4

Florence – Art & Architecture Capital of Italy

Day 5

Florence – Day trip to a Typical Tuscan Town

Day 6

Venice – Less-Visited Islands of Murano & Burano

Day 7

Venice – St. Mark’s Square

Trip Highlights

  • Explore Ancient Rome with an expert guide, diving underground beneath the Coliseum floor, navigating together the maze of passageways in this restricted access area
  • Shop designer boutiques along the exclusive Via del Corso in Rome, wandering down the nearby narrow alleys that are overflowing with inviting shops and cafes
  • Traverse the world’s smallest sovereign state, Vatican City, while marveling at the largest church in the world of St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Savor homemade gelato, artisan olive oil, and world-class wines from your table at the edge of the piazza during the daily aperitivo, which is a relaxing evening cocktail-hour
  • Immerse yourself in Renaissance Art in Florence’s world-renowned galleries, roaming through endless rooms of creative masterpieces
  • Bask in the sunset over Florence from the romantic Piazzale Michelangelo, watching as the sky changes into pink and purple hues, which will be reflected in the Arno river below you
  • Sail through the canals of Venice on a relaxed Gondola ride as your Gondolier serenades you with the sounds of traditional Italian folk music
  • Learn the art of glass blowing in a private class on the island of Murano, and be inspired to create a colorful creation of your own

Starting Price

$2,600 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.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 6970 reviews

kavita A.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Chianti, Vespa Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class, 20 Days

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!

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Carles P.
Italy Travel Review: Assisi, Tuscany, 15-Day Trip

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!

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Jeff S.
Italy, France Vacation Review: Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, Bayeux, Normandy, 18 Nights

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.

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Dorothy K.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Ancient Sites, Cooking Class, 1 Week

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!

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Laura M.
Italy Trip Review: Florence, Amalfi Coast, Uffizi Gallery, 9 Nights

The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.

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Margaret K.
Italy Vacation Review: Lake Garda, Verona, Milan, Boat Trip, Gastro Tour, 1 Week

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.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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