The Vatican to Venice

DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN  ROME, ITALY 

Arrival in Rome, Italy’s capital city. You will be transferred to your hotel by a private car & driver and helped with your check-in by your local travel agent.

Hotel: Baglioni Hotel Regina 

DAY 2 ROME – SPECIAL EARLY MORNING ENTRY TO THE VATICAN 

Early in the morning, cross the Tiber River for an unforgettable visit to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Let us start at the Vatican, where you are allowed a special entry to avoid the most crowded hours and enjoy a light cafeteria-style breakfast. Then enjoy a visit reserved for tour groups to the Vatican Museums before they open to the public. Admire some of the most renowned art work from Renaissance and explore one of the world’s finest art collections of classical and renaissance art. Stop at the Sistine Chapel a masterpiece itself. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica a magnificent mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It’s the centre of the Roman a Catholic Church and the largest church in the world. At the entrance you will see the colorfully dressed Swiss Guards. The centre of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the largest church in the world.

Hotel: Baglioni Hotel Regina | Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 3 ROME – ANCIENT, IMPERIAL, ETERNAL CITY 

Explore ancient Rome with your expert guide starting from the Capitoline Hill, the most important of the seven hills of Ancient Rome, traditional seat of religious and political power, and visit the Capitoline Museums. In Palazzo dei Conservatori, see the splendid historical frescoes, and in Palazzo Nuovo, the wonderful sculptures on display. In the afternoon continue and discover the Roman Forum and nearby the Palatine Hill, where you find the ruins of temples, palaces and excavated homes from ancient times. End your touristic trip at the imposing Colosseum and the nearby Arch of Constantine. 

Hotel: Baglioni Hotel Regina | Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 4 ORVIETO – WINE TASTING IN TUSCANY 

On the way to Florence with your private car & driver, stop for a guided walking tour in the hillside city of Orvieto. Do not miss the Cathedral housing Signorelli’s Cycle of the Apocalypse. Set out again through the rolling Tuscan countryside. Stop at a local wine producer and enjoy a wine tasting before continuing to Florence. 

Hotel: Portrait Firenze | Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 5 FLORENCE – RENAISSANCE RESTORATIONS 

Tour Florence, visiting the well-known Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) and the Galleria dell’Accademia, where you admire Michelangelo’s famous David the symbol of the city. Next, reach the 13th-century Basilica of Santissima Annunziata, where an ambitious restoration project is taking place. Accompanied by a member of the small, team of art restorers, visit the Giambologna Chapel, one of the Basilica’s many side chapels.You may see closely how restorers bring out the original features of its Renaissance artworks, which might otherwise be lost forever. 

Hotel: Portrait Firenze | Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 6 CHIANTI – TASTINGS AT A MEDIEVAL ABBEY 

Today we enter the Chianti region driving through the beautiful Tuscan countryside with your private driver. Enjoy a special visit at Badia a Passignano, a fourth-century medieval hamlet and abbey where monks of the Vallombrosians Order still live. Visit the abbey’s wine cellars before getting to the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant for an authentic Tuscan wine and olive oil tasting experience and lunch. Learn how to decant wine and pair food. If the weather is fine, we may visit the market town of Greve in Chianti or the charming hilltop village of Montefioralle. In the evening, return to Florence by private car. 

Hotel: Portrait Firenze | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

DAY 7 FLORENCE & VENICE – THE FAMOUS UFFIZI GALLERY

Set out for a walking tour in Florence, with your guide. Let’s start from the famous Uffizi Gallery, one of Italy’s first rate museums. You will find Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, da Vinci’s Annunciation, Caravaggio’s Medusa and the Madonna of the Goldfinch by Raphael, as well as a vast collections of work by Michelangelo. The Gallery was created by the Medici family lowards at the end of the 16^th century. It is located along side the Arno river. In the afternoon you can wander through Florence’s historic Mercato Centrale, a bustling food market and browse through the stands taking in the vibrant colours of the Tuscan fresh produce and food. In the afternoon move to Venice by private car & driver. You will reach your hotel cruising the Grand Canal.

Hotel: Baglioni Hotel Luna | Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 8 VENICE – MURANO AND VENICE THE ART OF GLASS MAKING ST. MARK’S BASILICA

Cruising the Venetian lagoon by a private motorboat reach the island of Murano which is actually a collection of islands, all linked together by bridges. The place is very famous for its old glassblowing techniques and the picturesque colourful houses. You will visit a factory and learn how Murano glass is made during a glass-blowing demonstration. Then proceed to the island of Burano and visit a lace making factory. You will experience two very amazing and interesting artisan islands. In the afternoon back to magic Venice and take pleasure in strolling in the maze of Marrow streets and tiny canals. Reach St.Mark’s Basilica. St.Mark’s Basilica is impressive and imposing, This magnificent Cathedral is rich in stunning domes, carved marble and mosaics. Beautiful frescos are inside. Do not miss the Teatro la Fenice, a must of your staying in the magic Venice. Enjoy the view of the Grand Canal from the Accademia Bridge.

Hotel: Baglioni Hotel Luna | Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 9 VENICE – SAMPLING LOCAL FLAVOURS 

Let us start the day at the Frari Church, where you can admire Bellini’s Madonna and Child and an altarpiece, Assumption of the Virgin, by Titian. Visit the market district around the Rialto Bridge. Sample Venetian cuisine at a ‘bacaro’ (wine bar) ‘cicheti’ (traditional snacks) with un’ombra’ (a small glass of wine). In the evening enjoy a relaxing gondola ride on the romantic Grand Canal. 

Hotel: Baglioni Hotel Luna | Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 10 DEPARTURE FROM VENICE 

After breakfast, transfer by private boat to Venice airport and departure. 

Meals: Breakfast 

Additional Tours – Get the best of your enjoyable travel just with some more options at an additional cost.

EXPLORE ROME FROM BELOW 

Go down three levels below Rome and be impressed and surprised by a subterranean exploration of 2,000 years of history. Admire the unique Church of San Clemente, as well as the catacombs of San Sebastian. 

MAKE A VENETIAN MASK 

Pay a guided visit to a Venetian mask-making studio, where you will be delighted to hear about the significance and history of the art of making masks. An artisan will show you the secrets of making a mask and you will enjoy the product of  your own efforts. Masks may differ, it depends on which occasion you wear them. There are Carnival, theatre modern times or daily Venetian life masks.

ENJOY A PRIVATE COOKING CLASS IN A FAMILY HOME 

Stroll  through a local food market alongside your local host, who then welcomes you at his house. After discovering how to prepare well honored Tuscan dishes – including pasta, sauce, a main course and dessert – sit down and enjoy the lunch you prepared. 

VISIT PISA & LUCCA’S CITY WALLS ON A BIKE

Private car & driver to Pisa. Join a guided tour of the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower. After lunch the head  to the beautiful, preserved town of Lucca and enjoy biking its 16^th century city walls, which means over 4 kilometres of panoramic walk way. See the historic city center and the  picturesque gardens. Do not forget to get to the St. Martin Cathedral which houses some extraordinary art masterpieces.