The Perfect Highlights Tour of Venice, Florence, Rome, and Amalfi

What to expect on this itinerary
Unspoiled adventure awaits those who travel to Italy, and this 12-day tour of Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast was handcrafted to include the essential experiences that immerse you in the culture of this magical country. Explore the amphibious history of a once-thriving maritime republic in Venice, marvel at Renaissance artifacts in Florence, encounter the seat of political and spiritual power in Rome, and relax in Mediterranean splendor on the Amalfi Coast.
Customizable Itinerary
Venice – Through the City of Canals
By the time you cross the threshold into your comfortable accommodations, you will be ready to immerse yourself into this vibrant and timeless land. After you have had the chance to dust yourself off from your travels, you will step into a self-guided tour of the city. A few steps from your hotel, you can find the Piazza di San Marco or St. Mark’s Square, which is one of the few open spaces of the city. Adjacent to the square is the Basilica of the same name, which boasts an impressive array of domes, arches, and mosaics.
What's Included:
Venice – Private Boat Tour
Florence – The Jewel of Tuscany
Florence – Renaissance Tour
Florence – Cooking Course
Rome – Tour of Vatican City
Rome – Turn Back Time
Rome – All Things Ancient
Rome – A Historic Roman Spa
Amalfi – The Local Wine of Southern Italy
Amalfi – The Coast on Horseback
Amalfi – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Turn back the pages of time on a self-guided tour of Venice that will allow you to take in the city’s major attractions and ponder its tumultuous past
- Delight in the musical genius of Vivaldi with a quartet performance of his compositions and legacy in Venice
- Plunge into the artistic heritage of the Renaissance by visiting the world-class museums and galleries of Florence
- Create your own art during a cooking course that will teach you the secrets of pasta or the precise balance of sauce and dough that makes Italian pizza the best in the world
- Visit the regal magnificence of the Vatican and ramble through the stunning gardens, galleries, and chapels that adorn this sovereign state
- Recline in thermal comfort at a historic spa that features all that is best of Roman baths
- Survey the stunning vistas and trails of the Amalfi Coast on a tour of this charming countryside by horseback
Detailed Description
This 12-day itinerary is designed to focus on some of Italy’s greatest experiences and locations. You will make your way from the floating neighborhoods of Venice to the rugged riviera of Amalfi and experience everything in between.
Your tour will begin in Venice. Here, you will enjoy views of the Grand Canal and St. Mark’s historic square in addition to a performance that demonstrates the musical brilliance of Antonio Vivaldi. Next, you will make your way to the sea and the region of Tuscany. Its capital of Florence will be your home for the next three nights. Here, you will visit world-class art galleries and partake in the illustrious traditions of Italian cooking.
In this atmosphere of cobblestone alleys that lead past magnificent palaces, you will explore the origins of the Renaissance and the unique blend of wealth and genius that was required to produce artwork like Michelangelo’s David. The following day, you will transfer to the Italian capital of Rome, where you will enjoy four days of the ancient world and a visit to the Vatican before finding indulgence in some Roman baths. Your series of landlocked destinations will end at the Amalfi coast, where you will visit one of the premier coastlines in the Mediterranean.
Starting Price
$4,300 per person (excluding international flights)
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 959 reviews
My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
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We had the best time during our wonder trip to Italy. We explored Venice, Tuscany, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast. Zicasso's travel agency arranged the most beautiful hotels, with exceptional service, and fun and exciting tours in each location.
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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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The trip was perfect. We only booked everything about two to three weeks prior to our vacation. To make it more difficult, we are a family of five. Zicasso's tour company took care of everything! We didn't have to stress over any details. The hotels were better than expected and the excursions were beyond expectations.
The two highlights for our family (kids 17, 14, and 12) were the private cooking lesson and the private boat tour of Capri and the Amalfi Coast.
The cooking class with a local at her home was a night to remember. (Amazing family and the view was perfection.) Even my kids said it was perfect. We cooked, we ate, we laughed, and had a magical evening, all with the picturesque backdrop of the Amalfi Coast beneath us.
The boat ride was equally spectacular. We enjoyed the day swimming in the sea and touring all of the grottos and legends of the area. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing way to see the sites.
The trip was a little more than I originally wanted to spend, but was well worth every penny at the end of the day. I've already forgotten the cost, but will savor the memories with my family forever. The tour company really did an excellent job of planning every detail to ensure we had an amazing time. The regular communication and check-ins provided a stress-free vacation.
Another really nice touch was the chaperone to and from the boat docks in Capri to the hotel. She was lovely and extremely helpful. Overall, I was extremely happy with the experience and would reach out to them again when traveling to Italy.
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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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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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