Hidden Beauty Tour of Rome, Venice, and Florence

Your first full day in Rome will demonstrate the extent to which you are able to customize this Italian adventure. The Musei Capitolini will be your first destination. Here, you can consider Rome's founding story of the famous brothers who were suckled by a she-wolf or ponder the brilliant work of artists, such as Caravaggio, Titian, and Rubens. You will be able to choose the next step in your tour of Rome, either through a visit to the Appian Way or with a recent look at the influence of the Jesuit order on the city and Church.

Rome is a city that was built on centuries of history. Here, it is rare to find a neighborhood that does not have some form of archeological excavation. Today's tour will lead you into this world of buried surprises and underground crypts. St. Clement's Basilica will be your first stop. Here, you will encounter the buried ruins of one of the early Christian churches. Next, you will visit the Caelian Hill before concluding your tour at the Basilica of Santa Maria Addolorata dei Sacconi Rossi, where a dimly-lit crypt marks the final resting place of many in this order.

The landlocked majesty of Rome will be replaced by the maritime bustle of Venice after a comfortable train ride into the Veneto region. Perched on the placid shores of the Adriatic, Venice has long enjoyed an elevated status amongst maritime trading powers and picturesque European traveling destinations. On your first day in this floating masterpiece, you will be able to see the city's most stunning attractions, including St. Mark's Square, the Doge's palace, and the Contarini del Bovolo Palace.

Originally an archipelago of separated islands, Venice grew as a major commercial power in the Mediterranean. Soon, neighborhoods were built beyond dry land and supported by piers and wooden piles that were driven deep into the shallow water. This history and much more will be brought to life as you take to the waves on an island-hopping tour of Venice's outlying islands. From St. Francis of the Desert to Burano and Murano, you will have a chance to leave the crowds behind and see a side of Venice that is often missed by the travelers on dry land.

On your final morning in Venice, you might opt for a tour of the city's vibrant art scene. Tiziano and Tintoretto are just a few of the masters you will encounter on a visit to the Basilica della Salute and the gallery of the Ca' D'Oro or Golden Palace. In the afternoon, you could continue with a choice of visits to the famous Palazzo Mocenigo or the Royal Navy Museum. Whether you decide to step into the history of fashion at Mocenigo or ponder Venice's naval legacy, the political and cultural history displayed at both is enough to fill even the most disinterested imagination.

From the brilliant facades of Venice, you will  turn your back on the sea and head south. Deep in the hills of Tuscany, you will arrive at a burgeoning city with red-tiled roofs and a long resume of sights worth seeing. After you have had a chance to settle in to your accommodation in Florence, a guide will help introduce you to the city through a tour of its proudest son. The work of artistic Michelangelo enjoys prominent display throughout the city. As you visit the Accademia Museum and other exhibits, his genius and skill will be evident.

On your final full day in Florence, you will have a chance to see the rural side of the region on a visit to a 17th-century villa turned museum. Here, a wealthy art collector kept his most prized work. The adjacent hidden garden and terraced rooftop will also allow you to enjoy the charm of lush Bougainvillea, playful fountains, and weathered statues.  Upon returning to the city, you will be able to visit the artisanal district of Florence, where shops produce silk and leather goods much in the same way they have for centuries.

From the subterranean mystery of Rome to the Venetian heights of the Campanile, you will be astounded at how much beauty can appear in one Italian city. As you make your way to the airport for your departing flight, you can rest assured that, although you have seen much of Venice, Rome, and Florence, there will always be another side of these cities waiting for your next trip.