History of Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast Tour

What to expect on this itinerary
On this luxurious 11-day Italy tour, witness the rise and fall of the Roman Empire as you tread among ruins and through palaces that were once part of the vast kingdom. Stand in the streets of Rome where Julius Caesar gave riveting speeches, climb the steps of the Colosseum that erupted in dramatic shouts, and watch the Renaissance flourish through its abundant art and architecture in the museums of Florence.
Customizable Itinerary
Florence – Stroll through Florence’s Charming Streets
Today, you will explore the depths of Florentine history, beginning with your plane’s arrival at Amerigo Vespucci Airport. Your private driver will be waiting for you when you clear customs to transfer you to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. Once you have had time to settle in, your guide will meet you at your hotel and walk you to the 14th-century Duomo. Brunelleschi’s dome unapologetically dominates Florence’s skyline, and its massive presence will be visible as you navigate the twisting backstreets. Afterward, you can visit the incredible museum that is attached to the Duomo, which serves as a unique storehouse of faith, history, and art.
What's Included:
Florence – Explore the Birthplace of the Renaissance
Florence – Exploring Palazzo Vecchio
Rome – Uncover Ancient Etruscan Caves
Rome – Tread among Roman Temples
Rome – Walk in the Footsteps of Julius Caesar
Rome – Walking Tour through Vatican City
Sorrento – Venture through the Ruins of Pompeii
Sorrento – Exhilarating Helicopter Ride
Sorrento – Discover Emperor Augustus’ Favorite Getaway
Sorrento – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Meander through the ancient streets of the Renaissance during a private tour of its classic works of art and exquisite cathedrals in Florence
- Travel back in time as you uncover more than three eras of history in the medieval Palazzo Vecchio
- Discover the Umbrian hilltop town of Orvieto, where you can dive deep into archaeological artifacts to learn about its Etruscan roots
- Delve into Rome’s history that spans multiple millennia as you walk through the 1900-year-old Pantheon and visit Mussolini’s notorious balcony
- Delight in an in-depth tour through the heart of the Roman Empire that will have you witnessing the very place that Caesar carried out business
- Venture to the epicenter of Catholicism during your tour of Vatican City, where you can admire St. Peter’s Basilica and the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel.
- Stroll through the wide streets of Pompeii, where volcanic ash impeccably preserved ancient Roman culture
- Soar high above the Amalfi Coastline on a private helicopter excursion that flies you over Mt. Vesuvius and the Greek ruins of Paestum
- Traverse in the footsteps of the Phoenicians and visit Roman ruins on the glamorous island of Capri
Detailed Description
History will become wildly three-dimensional during your unforgettable,11-day adventure through Italy. You will begin your dynamic journey by traversing the backstreets that witnessed the birth of the Renaissance and admiring the elaborate cathedrals and the massive Duomo that sit regally in the center of Florence. You will then skip to the front of the line at the Uffizi Gallery and the Academia, where you will be introduced to canvas and marble works of art that intricately tell stories of the Renaissance. The following day, you will explore Palazzo Vecchio, which is a 14th-century government building that still functions as the city’s town hall.
As you venture to Rome, you will pause at the hilltop town of Orvieto, where you can meander through the town’s charming streets before descending underground to explore Etruscan caves that served as a hiding place during barbarian invasions. You will then continue toward Rome, where you can enjoy an exclusive tour of the 1900-year-old Pantheon and Piazza Venezia. Afterward, you will walk in the footsteps of Julius Caesar in the Roman Forum before venturing beneath the Colosseum to see where gladiators paced the hallways as they awaited their fights. The following day, you visit Vatican City and may be overwhelmed by St. Peter’s Dome and the inimitable Sistine Chapel.
The glistening Amalfi Coast will be waiting for you. During your time on the Amalfi Coast, you can tour the town of Pompeii, which once thrived in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. The next day you can take to the skies during an exclusive helicopter ride that will lead you around the peak of Mt. Vesuvius and the Greek ruins of Paestum. Your final day in Italy will consist of a luxury boat ride to the glamorous island of Capri, where you will tour the iridescent waters of the Blue Grotto and explore the island’s 19th-century villas. Your trip will culminate as your personal driver escorts you to Naples International Airport for your return flight home.
Starting Price
$4,000 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
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 885 reviews
We had the pleasure of working with Zicasso’s travel agents to create the perfect Italian adventure. I had quite a few specific requests, from travel logistics to hotel preferences, and they were incredibly patient and collaborative, offering multiple variations of the itinerary until it matched exactly what we envisioned.
Our journey began in Venice, where we were seamlessly picked up by a private driver, transferred to a water taxi, and dropped directly at our hotel. After a wonderful stay, we were taken by private driver to the train station for our ride from Venice to Florence, our one and only train trip, as we opted (based on their smart recommendation) for private transportation for the rest of our travels to avoid potential delays and enjoy added convenience.
From Florence, we were driven into the Tuscan hills, where we experienced magical wine tastings, vineyard tours, olive oil tastings, and unforgettable meals with wine pairings.
Next, our private driver brought us to Pompeii, where we enjoyed a fascinating tour with our private guide, and then continued on to Rome. In Rome, we loved the private golf cart tour of the city’s major landmarks, as well as a delightful cooking class that was arranged for us; it was a real highlight!
Finally, we traveled by private driver to Sorrento. From there, we had a breathtaking driving tour of the Amalfi Coast, a lemon farm tour, and an amazing day trip to Capri. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and executed.
Summary:
Planning and Itinerary Creation: Zicasso’s consultants made the entire process easy and stress-free. They worked closely with us to perfect the itinerary and were always receptive to changes and feedback.
Hotels: My sister and I requested adjoining rooms and were provided with beautiful family suites throughout the trip. Each hotel was ideally located, comfortable, and well-appointed, with all the amenities we needed.
Transportation: Every transfer was smooth and punctual. The private drivers were professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. (A special shoutout to our driver in Florence/Tuscany – he was the best!)
Communication: Throughout our trip, the travel company’s team was always accessible. Whether we needed to make adjustments or had a question, they handled everything promptly, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy our vacation.
We spent just over two unforgettable weeks in Italy and it was absolutely perfect, all thanks to the hard work, attention to detail, and excellent communication from Zicasso’s travel company! I highly recommend them and would not hesitate to use them again for future adventures.
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Zicasso's travel designer and the tour company did a super job of helping organize a trip that not only met our wants, but also required some changes due to a couple of rain days and a logistical challenge. They were super-proactive, responsive, and communicative. Also, all of the hotels, guided tours, and private drivers were excellent!
We visited Florence, Chianti, and Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, and each leg was a great experience.
We highly recommend her and the entire tour company team... super agents and people!
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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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Zicasso’s tour operator planned the most amazing trip to Italy for us! My requirements were culture, romance, and relaxation. She delivered on every aspect. Although we missed our tour of the Vatican due to the Pope's funeral, my husband and I actually attended his funeral!! Our hotel, though planned many months before, was next to the basilica where Pope Francis was laid to rest. Talk about being a part of history!
We stayed in a beautiful converted villa to boutique hotel in Florence; got whisked away through the Tuscan countryside in a vintage Fiat 500; took cooking classes; sipped lovely wine, accompanied by excellent lunches on our winery tours; soaked in Italy's rich culture and museum scene; and even ticked the relaxation box by spending time by the pool, in the spa, and resting on our large deck overlooking the Amalfi coastline.
Every tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and it was evident they loved their jobs. Between memories of the boat ride along the Amalfi Coast, tips from the cooking classes I have already started using at home, and the cases of wine we are eagerly awaiting delivery of, my husband and I will forever hold Italy in our hearts and la dolce vita it provided us.
Talk with our tour operator; you will be glad you did!
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We had a fantastic experience with the entire team at Zicasso’s tour operator. From the beginning, this tour operator was thoughtful about our interests and planned an incredible experience.
We were so pleased with the accommodations this tour operator chose. We stayed in Rome and Sorrento, and both our hotels in Rome and Sorrento were exactly what we were looking for, and were in convenient locations. They took care of all of the details related to travel in Italy and booking/confirming tours, so we could just enjoy our time there.
One of the very best highlights was spending time with the people they partner with to do tours and transportation. We absolutely loved our guides for the Colosseum, Vatican, Trastevere, and Pompeii. Our drivers in Naples/Sorrento and in Amalfi were so friendly and knowledgeable. Enjoying our time with all of them was a pleasant surprise and we were sad to say goodbye! It gave us a good feeling of working with a generous family.
If you are looking for a travel agency that provides individualized service and partners with great people, I highly recommend working with this tour operator. We will definitely be contacting them again!
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My husband and I were thrilled with our recent trip to Italy that Zicasso’s travel designer put together. We began by attending a family friend’s wedding, held in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. Due to my husband’s mobility issues, we were met by a driver and headed to the Amalfi Coast. The driver was first class and the trip was very comfortable.
After the wedding festivities, we were able to have the most wonderful experiences visiting the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and our base for one week was in beautiful Sorrento. We attended a cooking class and enjoyed eating what we prepared. We had in-depth learning opportunities in Naples and Sorrento. Every guide we had spoke excellent English and was so knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed Pompeii! A super-fun day was had on the small group tour of Capri. The crew was fantastic and very accommodating in consideration of my husband’s mobility issues.
From beginning to end everything went well. The use of a messaging app was great for making sure everyone was on the same page.
The only thing that was a disappointment was the pizza in Naples. It wasn’t the best.
The hotel in Sorrento was phenomenal - it couldn’t have been better. The view of Mt. Vesuvius from our balcony helped create memories we will have forever. The hotel in Rome was also very nice. It was right in the middle of the main attractions.
We are very happy with our experience with this travel company and would not hesitate to recommend it!
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