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

Sun rising on San Marco Square in Venice, Italy.

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.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Vatican City

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

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:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Venice – Private Boat Tour

Day 3

Florence – The Jewel of Tuscany

Day 4

Florence – Renaissance Tour

Day 5

Florence – Cooking Course

Day 6

Rome – Tour of Vatican City

Day 7

Rome – Turn Back Time

Day 8

Rome – All Things Ancient

Day 9

Rome – A Historic Roman Spa

Day 10

Amalfi – The Local Wine of Southern Italy

Day 11

Amalfi – The Coast on Horseback

Day 12

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)

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.

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Verified Traveler Reviews

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Switzerland, Italy Solo Vacation Review: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, Rome, Skydiving, Gondola Ride, Amalfi Coast Cruise, Scenery, Nature, Local Cuisine, 3 Weeks

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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Italy Travel Review: Capri, Amalfi Coast, Positano, Cooking Class, Private Boat Tour, Scenery, 6 Nights

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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Italy Tour Review: Venice, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Cooking Class, Ferrari Experience, 2-Week Vacation

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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Italy Tour Review: Amalfi Coast, Cooking Class, Farm Visit, 20 Nights

A number of items on the itinerary were not provided. We did not go to the puppet museum. The food tour was poor. We did not stop at a town on the Amalfi Coast. The hotels were nice.

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Italy Travel Review: Anacapri, Ravello, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi Coast, Maiori, Minori, Cooking Class, Limoncello Tasting, Orchard Tour, Private Boat Ride, 13 Days

Overall, we had an absolutely incredible, memorable trip on the Amalfi Coast. Our personal interests, preferences, and budgets were all well accounted for. The small, personalized tours and experiences were great ways to learn about local culture and history while also relaxing in a beautiful setting.

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Italy Trip Review: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Pope Francis’ Funeral, Wine, Cuisine, Culture, Museums, Relaxation, 10 Nights

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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Customizable Itinerary

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

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews