Rome to Venice: Immersive History & Culture Tour

As the sun rises over Rome on day two, another exciting day of exploration awaits. After a tasty breakfast, your tour for the day will begin with a visit to Vatican City. The 140 statues that decorate the perimeter of St. Peter’s Square will welcome you upon your arrival. Get an up-close look at these gorgeous statues and the tall Egyptian obelisk in the center of the square before you enter the unparalleled St. Peter’s Basilica. Once inside, the Basilica will be stunning. Built upon the tomb of St. Peter, it is one of the largest churches in the world. As you are led through the ancient church, you will view its brilliant dome and get the chance to see Michelangelo’s exquisite Pietà sculpture. The tour will then continue to the Vatican Museums. The museums are a treasure chest of art masterpieces that have been collected over the course of centuries. You will admire the works of the great artist Raphael in “Raphael’s Rooms” before continuing to the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel. Built in 1479, the Chapel is home to one of the most famous paintings in the world. You will stand and feel in complete awe and wonder of the ceiling that was magnificently painting by Michelangelo. The detailed frescoes will be a sight you will never forget and will give you a feeling of true wonder as you gaze at the artwork.

Enjoy a panini from a local cafe before embarking on an afternoon tour to discover some of Rome’s fascinating catacombs. The catacombs were a system of underground burial grounds that were used for hundreds of years. Some of the first catacombs date back to the second century, and every turn around the ancient, winding tunnels will take you deeper into history. Your inner explorer will be awakened as you analyze the symbols and frescoes on the antique walls, and this unique perspective of Rome will be just one highlight of your visit to this eternal city.

Savor a morning cappuccino as you gaze out on the streets of Rome on day three. Soon after breakfast, you will board your private transfer to begin your scenic ride to Assisi. The entire medieval town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is filled with historical attractions. Before returning to the Basilica of Saint Clare, a local expert guide will lead your walking tour of the town’s main sights where you will see the Rocca Maggiore, which is a hilltop castle that dates back to the 12th century. Here, you will witness priceless relics and the remains of the saint that are still on display in the Basilica’s crypt. You will then pass through the main square, Piazza del Comune, before entering the Basilica of Saint Francis. Dedicated to the patron saint of the town, the large church is divided into an upper and lower section. The life of Saint Francis will come to life as you view the frescoes by Giotto in the upper section and the sacred tomb in the lower section.

Feeling immersed in history, you will indulge in lunch at a local trattoria before leaving Assisi and continuing on the picturesque ride towards Tuscany. By evening, you will arrive in the wonderful city of Florence. After checking into your luxurious hotel, you can begin to explore this premier historical and cultural destination.

The smell of fresh bread emanating from local bakeries will be a welcoming wake-up call this morning. Today’s tour will take you to some of Florence’s best attractions. The first stop of the day will be Florence’s Cathedral, which is commonly and locally known as the Duomo. The pink and green marble exterior will sparkle in the daylight as you enter the large church where you will see intricate frescoes and the stunning dome as you are led around the Cathedral. You will especially admire the fresco of the Last Judgment, which was painted on the interior of the dome in the late 1500s by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. The art of the Duomo will be just the beginning of all the masterpieces that you will see today.

After lunch, the tour will continue to the Uffizi Gallery where you will feel like a Renaissance artist yourself as you view countless detailed paintings and remarkable works by Caravaggio, Botticelli, and others. Sip an espresso as the tour heads to the last stop of the day: the Accademia Gallery. Each room of the museum will be a delight as you discover more breathtaking works of art. The culmination of your visit will certainly be the chance to view Michelangelo’s statue of David. The impeccable sculpture is the perfect combination of history and culture, and seeing it will be the ideal way to conclude your tour. People travel from all over the world just to get a glimpse of this statue in person.

Later today, you will discover delicious Tuscan food as you indulge in a savory Florentine steak for dinner and a tasty cantuccini, which is a local almond cookie, for dessert. Feeling totally enthralled with the sights, sounds, and tastes of Florence, you will return to the hotel for the night.

An excursion to the alluring city of Pisa will highlight the fifth day of the trip. With coffee in hand, you will board your private transfer for a short ride to the famous city. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by a local guide who will help you discover the sights of Pisa on a private tour. The main square, Piazza dei Miracoli, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the location of many of the day’s attractions. First, you will visit the beautiful Cathedral. Constructed in the second century, the church is wonderfully decorated with a marble exterior and distinguishing bronze doors. The interior is equally attractive with granite columns, colorful mosaics, and numerous paintings. After the Cathedral, your tour will continue to the Baptistery. The Baptistery is the largest in Italy, and its size will be absolutely impressive. Both the inside and outside have intricate marble carvings that will be wonderful to witness. Next, you will venture to the most famous attraction in the city: the legendary Leaning Tower.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is world-renowned and will be a highlight of your visit. The Tower was completed in the late 14th century and is a great example of medieval, Romanesque architecture. You will feel as though you are on top of the city when you ascend the Tower and enjoy the sweeping views. By early evening, you will return to Florence for your last night in the city. You can spend it at your leisure as you continue to feel totally immersed in Italy’s rich and unique culture.

After a delightful breakfast in Florence on the morning of day six, you will board your private transfer to begin your scenic ride towards the Veneto Region of Italy. Soon, arrive in the ancient city of Vicenza. First settled in the first century BC, the city is an ultimate historical destination. Vicenza is filled with classic buildings and villas and has been nicknamed the City of Palladio after the architect who designed many of them. A local guide will lead your tour of some of Vicenza’s best sites. Piazza dei Signori is the main square of the city, and it is where you will visit the Basilica Palladiana. Seeing the Basilica’s architectural features and walking through its open arches will take you back in time, and you will appreciate the genius behind Andrea Palladio’s designs. All of this intricate architecture will have you wondering how these societies were able to construct these magnificent buildings. The Olympic Theatre will be another highlight, which was Palladio’s last design, and today, it is one of the few Renaissance theaters still in existence. It is recognized for its symmetry, arches, and wooden perspective scenes that adorn the interior.

After finishing your tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Vicenza, you will once again board your private transfer and continue on a short journey to Venice. By evening, you will check in to your waterfront hotel that is located on the Grand Canal where you will begin your stay in this enchanting city.

As the boats pass by outside your hotel window, you will begin a full day of exploring Venice. After breakfast, your local guide will begin the day’s tour. St. Mark’s Square will truly immerse you in Venetian culture. First, you will tour the amazing St. Mark’s Basilica. The gold mosaics that adorn the interior of the Basilica will sparkle in the daylight. There are over 85,000 square feet of mosaics around the church that have been completed over the course of centuries, and you will be fascinated by every inch of them. Next door, you will see the impressive Campanile, or bell tower, that stands tall over the square. You will pause and appreciate the sweeping views of Venice from the top of the brick tower, and then the tour will continue to the Doge’s Palace. Now a museum, the palace was once the center of the Venetian government. Recognized for its Gothic architecture, the exterior is decorated with beautiful marble, spires, and arched windows. Once inside, you will be led around the rooms of the palace, which will be filled with ornate décor and magnificent paintings. You will be able to feel the power and prestige of the former Venetian Republic as you journey through the museum.

Once back outside in St. Mark’s Square, one of the many cafes will be a great place to stop for lunch before stepping foot onto your private gondola for an afternoon boat cruise. There will be nothing quite like seeing the city from a gondola as you glide around its many waterways and canals. Then, feeling totally captivated by Venice, you will fully enjoy your final evening in Italy.

The smell of fresh brewing espresso and the sounds of boats on the canal will begin your day. There will be time for one last stroll around Venice, so you can meander into some of the shops that sell Venetian masks or discover more of the city’s ancient bridges. The streets will be filled with locals and tourists alike, and just walking around the city will provide another memorable experience. Soon after you return to your hotel, your private transfer will escort you to Marco Polo Airport for your return flight. You will return home totally enamored with Italy and enriched with its fascinating culture and history. By the time you reach home, you will already be planning your return trip.