Experience the Romance of Rome & Florence Tour

Yesterday you admired two stunning views of one of the greatest cities on Earth. Today, you will experience all that this city has to offer from the ancient streets themselves. Your guide will meet you at the front door of your hotel with a sleek Vespa, and together, you will explore the winding streets and open palazzos of the city.

You will do as the Romans do and feel right at home on your new mode of transportation. Following safely behind your guide, you will be provided with a fully customized tour that will encompass all the highlights and iconic sites of Rome. You will be able to feel the wind on your face as you bypass slow-moving traffic and crowds of tourists. You may stop wherever you like, taking the time to climb the Spanish Steps, to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, or just because something has caught your eye. Once you have had your fill of the city and stopped to see all of the many highlights of Rome, your guide will take you to the beautiful countryside, leading you past ancient ruins, palatial villas, and charming villages that offer a broader experience of this part of Italy.

You will culminate your day-long tour with a visit to Rome’s smallest district: the fairy tale neighborhood of Quartiere Coppede. This hidden gem will transport you away from the fast pace of the city center to a quieter charm. Each piece of the buildings in this romantic district was crafted to awe and delight. Fantastical creatures, otherworldly designs, and quirky touches grace every street corner and building, lending an unmatched atmosphere to Quartiere Coppede. After a day of touring, the quiet respite that is offered by this small pocket of Rome will allow you and your partner to relax and enjoy the sunset together. You can take your time because your driver will be ready to return you to your hotel at your convenience.

Today, you will begin your day slowly with a freshly prepared breakfast before meeting your driver. Today will take you on an in-depth, luxury tour of Rome’s “pleasure palace,” which is nestled deep within the grounds of Rome’s largest park.

The Galleria Borghese is a premier museum standout in a city that is known around the world for its dedication to art and history. Built in the 16th century to house the extensive art collection of Cardinal Borghese, this building boasts an impressive collection of work by Bernini, Caravaggio, Botticelli, and Raphael. Your private tour guide will be ready at the front door to lead you through the hallways of the Galleria, expertly guiding you away from the crowds and ensuring that neither of you misses even one important piece of art while you are here. The Galleria Borghese was originally built as a suburban villa, which will give this experience a truly unique twist.

Once you have had your fill of the elegant halls and impressive art collection of the Galleria, you can stroll outside to explore the grounds of the Villa Borghese. Created initially as a vineyard, it was turned into a park in the early 1600s. The architect-designed the pathways and structure of this park to hold a unique geometric pattern, setting it apart from the average park. You can amble together through the botanical garden to discover one or all of the secret gardens that can be found among the grounds here. You can also explore the amphitheater and cross through the 18th-century Arch of Settimio Severo. With the sound of the water features around you, be sure to visit the Water Clock of Monte Picio and the Globe Theater or refresh yourselves with a traditional sorbet as you visit the aviary. The Villa Borghese is home to 148 acres of luscious greenery that is decorated with Roman art from antiquity and dotted with buildings and features that you can explore.

As the sun begins to set, a rowboat will be waiting for the two of you at the edge of the small lake. You can row out to Tiber Island, whose only building is the Temple of Asclepius, which was dedicated to the Greek Demi-god of healing and rejuvenation. As the light changes and accentuates the features of the temple and grounds around you, you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and each other’s company. When you are ready, your driver will be waiting to return you to your hotel.

Today, your tour guide will be ready to lead you through the bustling stalls of the Testaccio Market, which is an eccentric collection that houses clothing, wine, cheese, pasta, and other authentic Italian specialties. You will be visiting the market early to experience it like a local, which will allow you to beat the midday tourist crowds.

The riverside neighborhood of Testaccio offers a stunning background to a treasure trove of exquisite local foods and goods. You can taste the samples that are offered by the many vendors before indulging in cappuccino to keep up with the morning visitors. Although the Testaccio Market is one of Rome’s oldest established markets, in 2012 it moved to a bright and contemporary new location, making it clean, spacious, and a delight for visitors from around the world. Some of these stalls have been run by the same family for generations, and each vendor takes pride in offering only the best of seasonal produce, freshly caught seafood, and quality wares.

You will be provided with the unique opportunity to take a break with a stop at a Michelin-starred stall, where you can taste gourmet orzo salad, handmade pasta, and traditional appetizers. After you have refreshed, your gourmet chef will be waiting for you to walk you through choosing ingredients for your afternoon cooking class. Working together, you will pick out the makings of a delicious Italian meal of your choice. Once you have selected everything that you need to make your perfect meal, you will be led to a well-equipped kitchen, where your chef will assist you and your partner in crafting your meals true to Italian style.

After you have enjoyed your gourmet meal that is crafted with the finest of Italian ingredients, your driver will be ready to transport you to the Teatro dell’Opera for an al fresco performance like none other. This evening’s entertainment is housed in the evocative Baths of Caracalla, which is a massive complex that was created in the early 200s AD to hold saunas, libraries, and an open-air pool. You will settle into your seats to watch the Italian opera in the lavish atmosphere and open-air of this complex and prepare for the performance of a lifetime.

This morning, your driver will transfer you to the train for your first-class ride to Florence. You can relax and enjoy a brief and comfortable ride through the rolling countryside of Italy.

Once you arrive in Florence, a driver will be waiting to assist you in checking into your luxurious hotel in the center of the city. You do not need to spend too much time unpacking because you will be provided with a private tour of the delights of Tuscan wine and cuisine. Your driver will navigate you through the winding hills of the beautiful Tuscan region on a tour of two of its finest wineries. As you pass through the stunning landscapes that are unique to this area, your driver will point out the iconic sights and awe-inspiring vistas on your way.

Upon your arrival at the first winery, the owner will be ready to guide you through the vineyard itself. You will walk together through the rows of grapes and be led through the olive grove that is responsible for the creation of otherworldly olive oil. You will also smell the fresh scent of all that is being cultivated around you.

After your tour of the outside of the winery, you will be led through the process by which the owners create such unique and delectable olive oil and wine. Then, you will be given a tour of the inner workings of the estate to discover all of the secrets to creating such high-quality products before being walked through the unique method that this winery uses.

Once you have seen the process from the start, you can appreciate the finish much more as you sit down to a full, private tasting of the estate’s top wines and olive oils. Each offering will be perfectly paired with a selection of local cheeses, meats, and bruschetta. You can take your time to savor each bite and sip of the velvety wine that is so specific to this part of the world. You will finish your tasting with a sample of dessert wine.

From here, you will be driven to the second winery, which is another top producer of the region, and walked through their own unique process. Your second tour will be capped with another exquisitely paired and customized tasting before finishing your today with an in-depth and fully developed lesson of the process that is used to create Tuscany’s finest products. After you have received your fill of viticulture, you will be safely transported back to your hotel in Florence.

Today, you and your partner will be visiting a Franciscan monastery, which dates back to the 1200s, for an authentically Florentine experience. Your private tour will lead you through the cloisters and arched passageways of this ancient, medieval building to allow you to discover the making of one of Florence’s top products: the finest leather in the world.

The leather school in Florence is a place that has held fast to its ancient code of providing quality leather items that are never mass-produced and are made solely from local materials. Each step of this process is held to the traditional method, and all tools and equipment are made in the same process today as they were during the Renaissance. You will watch these local artisans as they handcraft soft handbags, jackets, wallets, and briefcases before exploring the stalls where you will see exquisite leather items that have been crafted from ostrich, alligator, or the more traditional calfskin or lambskin.

Afterward, you can wander together through the unique atmosphere of this building and watch the ancient craft of leatherwork as it comes to fruition. Before you leave, you should browse through the many options for sale here because any item that you choose has been 100% authentically crafted where you are standing. Should you choose, you can also have an item initialed with gold gilding.

Once you have had your fill of the prized Italian leather, you can inhale a deep breath of the fresh, river-scented air of Florence as you walk one block to the Ponte alle Grazie, which is a bridge that was created in the 1950s and crosses the sparkling Arno River. From this vantage point, you can delight in the panorama of Florence and the Ponte Vecchio. As the sun begins to set, the two of you will board a private boat for an evening river cruise, where you will savor the selection of aperitifs that will be laid out with your tastes in mind and float below the bridges of Florence. You will be tasting the flavors of Tuscany as your boat passes the Uffizi Gallery and the Church of San Jacopo Soprarno. As you float down the Arno, be sure to keep an eye out for the thriving wildlife on the water around you because may pick out the bright eyes of the Goldeneye duck or a pair of freshwater otters as they swim alongside you. Once the sun has set and you have fully enjoyed your sunset picnic, your private driver will meet you at the dock to return you to your hotel for the night.

For the second to last day of your romantic excursion, you will wake up early with a locally prepared breakfast and a cup of world-famous, Italian coffee that will be prepared just for the two of you. Your driver will be waiting downstairs to whisk you both away to one of Tuscany’s most charming day trips.

Tucked away in the hills of Northern Tuscany is a village that is famous for its ability to steal the hearts of all its visitors. Although Fiesole is just a short drive from Florence, it is located at a level that is 295 meters higher than the famous city, making Fiesole the perfect spot to appreciate Florence’s skyline. At this height, the air is cooler, and it provides a freshness that cannot be matched. You should be sure to take the time to capture a photo together at the edge of this city with Il Duomo as it rises in the background of the hills behind you.

As you stroll together through the streets of this town, you will be able to smell the rich scent of the olive and cypress groves that grown the hillsides around you. You can also take a detour into the Bandini Museum for a private tour of this museum that hosts 12th- to 14th-century works. Your guide will show you the external grounds, which is an area that was built in the 2nd century BC after it was conquered by the Romans. You will be able to stroll together through the amphitheater that is still fully intact today, where you can discover the ancient remains of a temple and public baths.

Fiesole hosts Renaissance villas that were built across the past centuries, and around every corner is a spectacular view of the plain. You can take your time to appreciate the views around you: the architecture and the indescribable wonder of this ancient city.

You will culminate your day with one of Florence’s most traditional dishes: bistecca alla Fiorentina, which is a steak dish that is cooked over flaming hot coals. The meat also comes from an ancient breed of solely Tuscan cattle. This dish highlights the rustic flavor of Tuscany better than any other, and the eatery in Fiesole is famous for its perfect dish. After your meal, your driver will be ready to return you to your hotel in Florence.

On the south bank of the Arno River, you will find one of the best views of the city streets of Florence. This morning, the two of you will wake up early to catch one of the most magical sunrises in all of Italy. Your driver will take you to the foot of Piazzale Michelangelo, which is a square that is decorated with copies of Michelangelo’s most appreciated works. Here, you will walk through the rose garden at its entrance and climb the hill to the panoramic view of the city around you.

It is a long-passed tradition for young Florentine lovers to share their first kiss on the steps of the Piazzale. Here, you can sit together and admire the city spread below you that is backlit against the hills of Tuscany. Soon, the sun will begin to rise, and you can share the sunrise of a lifetime. This is a view and a morning that neither of you will ever forget.

You will descend back to the street, where your private driver will be waiting for you with all of your luggage. You will be transferred directly from Florence to your terminal of the airport in Rome.