Tantalizing Gastronomy Tour of Venice, Florence, Rome, and Amalfi Coast

View over the tuscan town of Montepulciano in Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

From the placid shores of Venice to the urban bustle of Rome, this 11-day tour of Italy will acquaint you with the culture and customs of a county that is known for an abundance of both. From the food to the architecture, this Italy tour emphasizes interaction at every destination and is not designed for the complacent or passive traveler. Through cooking courses, craft classes, and private tastings, you will savor your way across the country and produce memories that will last a lifetime.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Venice – Introduction to Vivaldi

After you arrive, a private driver will transfer you from the Marco Polo International Airport to your luxurious accommodation in Venice. The buildings will get older and older as you make your way to the heart of the city. When you finally reach your hotel, you will have time to relax or to explore the maze of villas and palaces that typify the Old Town. Your first night in the city will highlight the culture of Venice and one of its most famous sons: Antonio Vivaldi. Your first taste of Italian culture on this trip will come in the form of an elegant exploration of the artist and his musical achievement when you attend a concert that showcases the musician's genius.

What's Included:

Activity
Accommodation
Transfer
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2

Venice – Venetian Mask-Making Tradition

Day 3

Venice – Explore the Brenta Riviera by Boat

Day 4

Florence – A Tour of the Davids Part I

Day 5

Florence – A Tour of the Davids Part II

Day 6

Florence – Tuscan Winemaking

Day 7

Rome – A Tour of the Davids Part III

Day 8

Rome – Iconic Attractions and Gelato

Day 9

Amalfi – Pizza-Making Course

Day 10

Amalfi – Getaway to Capri

Day 11

Amalfi – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Bask in the melodious sounds of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with a concert that displays the musician’s genius
  • Survey the stunning landscape of the Brenta Riviera on a boat tour from Venice to Padua that allows you to explore stunning villas
  • Marvel at the Renaissance art during a visit to Florence’s main museums and galleries
  • Plunge into the proud Tuscan tradition of winemaking with a day trip to Montepulciano, where you can descend into its famous wine caves and sample the product of local vineyards
  • Compare masterful renditions of David, which are displayed in Florence and Rome
  • Savor the subtle notes and flavors of gelato on a tour of Rome’s major attractions with frequent stops at the city’s many gelaterias
  • Roll up your sleeves during a pizza-making course in Amalfi that will teach you the secrets of making Italian pizza
  • Uncover the crumbling ruins, secret gardens, and intimate corners that make Capri a top attraction for both locals and international travelers alike

Detailed Description

This journey into Italy is all about immersion. From the elegant splendor of Venice to the vibrant region of Campania, this 11-day tour is designed for the culturally and culinarily curious and is filled with exotic dishes, breathtaking artwork, and a survey of the various depictions of David by Bernini, Michelangelo, and Donatello.

This tour begins in Venice, which is a small city with a big reputation. A short stroll around the old town will reveal a town that once dominated the region as a maritime and trading power. Instead of an army of merchants and sailors, the city is infused with tourists as it perennially ranks as a top destination in Europe. You will then leave the shores of the Adriatic for Florence. Here, you will be introduced to the origins and highlights of the Renaissance in addition to the more flavorful winemaking traditions that can be found throughout Tuscany. Next, you will venture to the Italian capital, where well-dressed locals zip around on Vespas, and the disparate treasures of the various regions of Italy are concentrated. Finally, you will return to the sea on a trip to the Sorrentine Peninsula and the famed Amalfi coast. The namesake of the stunning coastline will afford you time to relax and bask up the sun. You can also explore the rugged mountains, cliffs, and islands of this picturesque riviera.

Early to mid-Spring provides the best time for this tour because the crowds of summer have not yet arrived, and the temperatures remain fairly mild. July through September are the hottest months of the year and will find tourists fleeing in all directions for shade, the beach, or a cool beverage. The unique blend of courses, activities, and flavors of this tour afford plenty of opportunities for the active traveler to get involved with the local culture and make the most of their visit to each destination.

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.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 6971 reviews

kavita A.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Chianti, Vespa Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class, 20 Days

Our trip was absolutely amazing and the planning done by Zicasso's travel company surpassed my expectations. The attention to detail was amazing: from excellent and punctual drivers to assistants who helped us with the water taxis in Venice to the lounge access for trains. It was truly white-glove service that made my trip seamless and allowed me to enjoy every moment because every detail was handled.

The excursions were fantastic. I especially enjoyed the cooking class at a farm in Tuscany and the Vespa tours in Rome. There was a nice mix of private excursions for the walking tours and boat rides, to a few shared excursions, such as the cooking class.

The hotels the travel company booked were chic, boutiquey Italian hotels and each had its own charm (from the former palace in Venice to the castle in Chianti), and we loved them. We would absolutely recommend to anyone booking a trip to Italy!

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Carles P.
Italy Travel Review: Assisi, Tuscany, 15-Day Trip

Zicasso's team was excellent with planning and execution of the itinerary to meet our specific needs.

I was able to add an additional city on short notice!

We had knowledgeable local city guides and all drivers were professional.

We had a wonderful family trip!

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Jeff S.
Italy, France Vacation Review: Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, Bayeux, Normandy, 18 Nights

We had an excellent experience with Zicasso's travel company. We are a family of four and spent 18 nights going through Italy and France. We worked with the company to make arrangements to see the cities and sites we wanted to visit. They offered great options for hotels and activities. They stayed in close contact with us during the trip and made additional arrangements upon request. The company provided outstanding service making arrangements and during the trip. We were very satisified and have already recommended them to our friends.

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Dorothy K.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Ancient Sites, Cooking Class, 1 Week

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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Laura M.
Italy Trip Review: Florence, Amalfi Coast, Uffizi Gallery, 9 Nights

The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.

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Margaret K.
Italy Vacation Review: Lake Garda, Verona, Milan, Boat Trip, Gastro Tour, 1 Week

Our trip was a 10 out of 10! There is no way it could have been any better. Zicasso's travel expert and the tour company's team were incredibly responsive (not that we had any issues) and the itinerary was so impeccably curated.

Every greeter, driver, and tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and hotels were immaculate. It was such a relief to know that every last detail was taken care of and we didn't have to worry about anything.

We highly recommend our travel company and would definitely use them again.

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Customizable Itinerary

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

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