Italy: An Introduction to La Bella Vita

The Trip

Experience quintessential Italia, from Roman ruins, to coastal vineyards and Renaissance art, with this Classic Italy Designed Trip. Start in Rome and see the Eternal City’s most impressive sights, visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and find the best Roman bites on a food tour of the city’s hidden eateries. The journey heads north to the stunning Cinque Terre, five colorful villages which seem to tumble down the cliffs to the sea. Hike from town to town, through terraced vineyards and olive groves, learn how to make traditional pesto, and kayak the coastline for the best views in the region. The final stop brings you inland, to the Italian Renaissance capital of Florence. See Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, explore the beautiful rolling hills of Chianti on a full-day wine tour, and practice your culinary skills during a fresh pasta class with one of the city's best young chefs. Either choose to end the trip in Florence or add an additional 3 days in the one-of-a-kind city of Venice, where you’ll discover the lesser-known districts, snack on delicious cicchetti, and explore the unique nearby islands of Murano & Burano.

The Details

Price:

10 Days From $3,673 per person
13 Days From $4,569 per person

Duration:

10 days -OR- 13 days

Inclusions:

Highly-rated boutique hotels
All transportation within Italy
Private & small group experiences
Curated Italy mini-guide
Trip preparation & support

GET STARTED

The Itinerary

Rome

Day 1: After landing in Rome, a driver will meet you in the arrivals hall and take you directly to your boutique luxury hotel (see below) in the city’s historic center. Check in and get settled before meeting up with your private guide for an introduction to some of Rome’s best sights from a local perspective.
Day 2: Wake up for your first full day in the Eternal City and enjoy a delicious cappuccino before heading to the city's most famous and historic site, the Colosseum. Join a small group to learn about the history of the largest amphitheater ever built, which was once home to the ancient Roman gladiator games. Afterwards, choose to stroll over to the nearby Forum, which was the central square of the Roman urban settlement, where you can visit the incredibly well preserved ruins of several important ancient government buildings up close.
Day 3: On the last full day in wondrous Roma you’ll taste your way around the city on a small group street food tour with a local, sampling everything from ricotta pie, to pizza, to gelato and Roman Suppli. The rest of the day is free to wander the ancient city streets, exploring local neighborhoods and sitting down to some delicious cacio e pepe on your final night in the city.

Cinque Terre

Day 4: After breakfast make your way over to Roma Termini Station for the journey to the incredible Cinque Terre a few hours north on the Ligurian Coast. Check in to your boutique hillside hotel, surrounded by terraced vineyards and ancient fisherman's houses, then take the rest of your day to stroll the charming seaside towns and sit down to a fresh seafood dinner.
Day 5: Sleep in and enjoy a relaxed morning before joining a traditional Ligurian pesto making class. Cinque Terre is known as being the original home of pesto, so take a couple of hours to learn how to make this tasty sauce while sipping Prosecco and expanding your Italian cooking repertoire. Once you’ve made some amazing pesto, use your Cinque Terre pass to explore the trails that extend from one town to the next, along this spectacular coastline.
Day 6: Wake up to the sounds of the sea and enjoy a relaxed morning in your village. Then, catch a 5-minute train down the coast to Monterosso al Mare for a morning sea kayak adventure. Paddle along the picturesque rocky coastline by caves and small waterfalls toward the beautiful village of Vernazza. Stop in a secluded cove to take a dip in the sea before paddling back to Monterosso.

Florence

Day 7: Hop on the regional train for the 2.5 hour trip east to the capital of the Renaissance, Florence. Check in to your boutique hotel and wander the city’s ancient, cobbled streets. In the afternoon stroll past the Cattedrale di Santa Maria dei Fiori and it’s jaw-dropping Duomo on your way to the world renowned Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s original David.
Day 8: Florence is surrounded by the beautiful hills of Tuscany and just to the south of the city are the vineyard covered slopes of Chianti. Today, you’ll explore and taste at some of the region’s best wineries on a small-group guided tour. Visit two family-owned wineries where you’ll see the ancient cellars and gain insights from a local on the techniques and traditions of this beautiful region. Taste 4-5 wines at each winery and enjoy a farm-to-table Tuscan lunch at the second, before heading back to Florence in the afternoon.
Day 9: After coffee and breakfast at your hotel, walk over to a small cooking school started by some of Florence’s award-winning young chefs to learn how to make fresh pasta. Learn how to prepare dishes that have been passed down from the chef’s grandmothers and served at Michelin-starred restaurants, including tortelli, tagliatelle and fettuccine, as well as 3-4 different sauces.
Day 10: Wake up, drink a cappuccino and enjoy a delicious breakfast. It’s your final day, either talk to us about extending your trip with a 3-day visit to Venice, or hop on the plane for a flight home.

Optional Add-On: Venice

Day 10: If you choose to extend your trip, then head to Santa Maria Novella Station and hop on a high-speed train for Venice. After checking in to your boutique hotel, take some time to relax and unwind. In the afternoon meet your private guide and step away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle to experience a more local side of Venice. Stroll through a peaceful local neighborhood, head to the canal where locals buy their fruits and vegetables straight from a boat, and snack on local bites along the way.
Day 11: Wake up, sip on a cappuccino, and then head out to the pier where you'll meet up with a small group for an exploration of Venice's nearby Murano and Burano islands, known for their charming, colorful towns and home to traditional glass blowing and lacemaking artisans.
Day 12: On your final full day in Italy head to the most famous and (many would argue) impressive buildings in Venice, Doge's Palace. Located on the grand Piazza San Marco, this ornate palace was the home of the Doge (ruler of Venice) and the seat of power for the Venetian Republic. Built in 1340, it includes private rooms with impressive frescoes, secret passageways, courtrooms, prisons, stables and armories.
Day 13: Savor your final Italian cappuccino and savor the morning. It’s your final day, so head to the airport and hop on the plane for a flight home.

Pricing & Inclusions

Boutique

Rome hotel, 3 nights: Damaso Hotel, Condominio Monti, or equivalent
Cinque Terre hotel, 3 nights: Marina Piccola, or equivalent
Florence hotel, 3 nights: The Artists' Palace, Antica Dimora de Benci, or equivalent
Private airport arrival transfer in Rome
Private airport departure transfer in Florence
Train tickets from Rome to Cinque Terre
Train tickets from Cinque Terre to Florence
Private Rome highlights tour with a local guide
Small-group Colosseum tour
Small-group authentic Roman food tour
Cinque Terre National Park trekking & train pass
Traditional pesto making class in Cinque Terre
Small-group Cinque Terre sea kayak excursion
Accademia Gallery tickets
Small-group Chianti day trip and wine tasting & lunch
Small-group fresh pasta workshop in Florence
Curated Italy mini-guide
Trip preparation & support

with Venice

3 hotel nights: Cima Rosa Boutique B&B, Hotel Antico Doge, or equivalent
High-speed train tickets from Florence to Venice
Private hidden Venice tour with a local guide
Small-group Murano & Burano Islands experience

Exclusions

International Flights to Italy
Meals & activities not listed
Travel insurance

Boutique pricing

10 days from $3,673 pp
13 days from $4,569 pp

*Pricing based on double occupancy and may vary depending on travel dates and total number of travelers.

Luxury boutique

3 nights in Rome: Sentho Roma, The Fifteen Keys or equivalent
Cinque Terre hotel: La Torretta or equivalent
Florence hotel, 3 nights: Corte Calzaiuoli Suites, Hotel Calimala or equivalent
Private airport arrival transfer in Rome
Private airport departure transfer in Florence
Train tickets from Rome to Cinque Terre
Train tickets from Cinque Terre to Florence
Private Rome highlights tour with a local guide
Small-group Colosseum tour
Small-group authentic Roman food tour
Cinque Terre National Park trekking & train pass
Traditional pesto making class in Cinque Terre
Small-group Cinque Terre sea kayak excursion
Accademia Gallery tickets
Small-group Chianti day trip and wine tasting & lunch
Small-group fresh pasta workshop in Florence
Curated Italy mini-guide
Trip preparation & support

with Venice

3 hotel nights: Il Palazzo Experimental, Nani Mocenigo Palace, or equivalent
High-speed train tickets from Florence to Venice
Private hidden Venice tour with a local guide
Small-group Murano & Burano Islands experience

Exclusions

International Flights to Italy
Meals & activities not listed
Travel insurance

Luxury boutique pricing

10 days from $4,316 pp
13 days from $5,763 pp

*Pricing based on double occupancy and may vary depending on travel dates and total number of travelers.

Luxury

Rome hotel, 3 nights: Hotel Locarno, Hotel Maalot or equivalent
Cinque Terre hotel, 3 nights: Suite at La Torretta
Florence hotel, 3 nights: Hotel Lungarno, Helvetia & Bristol Firenze or equivalent
Private airport arrival transfer in Rome
Private airport departure transfer in Florence
Train tickets from Rome to Cinque Terre
Train tickets from Cinque Terre to Florence
Private Rome highlights tour with a local guide
Small-group Colosseum tour
Small-group authentic Roman food tour
Cinque Terre National Park trekking & train pass
Traditional pesto making class in Cinque Terre
Small-group Cinque Terre sea kayak excursion
Accademia Gallery tickets
Small-group Chianti day trip and wine tasting & lunch
Small-group fresh pasta workshop in Florence
Curated Italy mini-guide
Trip preparation & support

with Venice

3 hotel nights: Palazzo Maria Formosa, Palazzo Venart, or equivalent
High-speed train tickets from Florence to Venice
Private hidden Venice tour with a local guide
Small-group Murano & Burano Islands experience

Exclusions

International Flights to Italy
Meals & activities not listed
Travel insurance

Luxury pricing

10 days from $6,151 pp
13 days from $7,894 pp

*Pricing based on double occupancy and may vary depending on travel dates and total number of travelers.

Optional upgrades

Private guided Colosseum tour in Rome
Small-group terraced vineyards wine tour & tasting in Cinque Terre
Private Accademia Gallery tour with a local guide
Full-day olive oil & wine tour in Chianti with a private local guide and driver
Private Murano & Burano islands tour in Venice

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From our home in Italy, this Designed Trip was developed based on our personal contacts, favorite hotels and authentic activities that we've experienced first-hand.
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FAQs

WHAT IS A DESIGNED TRIP?

A Designed Trip is a pre-designed travel plan based on our personal, first-hand travel experiences in each destination. As they are pre-designed, our Designed Trips have been created as a turnkey travel option and can be booked and delivered in as little as one week.

CAN I MAKE ANY CHANGES TO A DESIGNED TRIP?

Absolutely! Pre-designed doesn’t mean there isn’t any flexibility. Whether you want to shorten or lengthen your trip, switch out a destination or change an activity, let us know. If, however, you want a trip built around your specific desires, a Custom Trip might be more appropriate. We can help you decide, so get in touch.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?

Once you’ve selected your Designed Trip and chosen between a Boutique, Luxury Boutique or Luxury experience, your trip can be booked and delivered in as little as one week. If you would like to make some changes to your trip, such as including an alternative activity, shortening or lengthening your trip, then this can take a bit longer.

HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH MY DESIGNED TRIP WILL COST?

Once you have decided on your Designed Trip, your dates, and any adjustments we will provide a personalized itinerary and pricing for your trip. We have included base pricing on each Designed Trip page to give you an idea as to what the final cost might be, but prices can fluctuate depending on time of year and any personalization. Get in touch and we can help.

If you have any other questions, feel free to check out more FAQs or send us an email.