Itinerary for a 10 day Grand Tour
of Venice, Florence and Rome
DAY ONE – Arrival in VENICE
Buongiorno Venezia!
A private water taxi will transfer from Airport to your hotel. After checking into your hotel, your private will take you on an introductory tour walking tour of Venice.
Introductory tour of Venice
A gentle tour to welcome you to this unique city
Venice is a unique and famous city. Marvel at the amazing sites and soak in the atmosphere with your own private guide, showing you the most famous parts of the city.
This 2 hour walking tour will introduce you to the most important monuments. The tour includes seeing the Doge’s Palace, decorated with rose and pink marble and the Bridge of Sighs, that links the Palace with the prison section. Its windows allowed the prisoners to see the outside world for the last time before execution. Next, St Mark’s Basilica, called the Golden Cathedral, crowned with 5 huge domes, and St Mark’s Square, the symbol of Venice.
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DAY TWO – VENICE
In the morning, meet your local guide, at your place for your 3 hour walking tour. Including, Rialto bridge, St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica and Doges Palazzo Ducale.
Venice Highlights
A walking tour including Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica
Venice is a unique and famous city. Marvel at the amazing sites and soak in the atmosphere with your own private guide, showing you the most famous parts of the city. Visit the famous monuments and discover the cultural history of one of the most visited cities in the world.
With your private guide, learn about the history of Doge’s Palace, with two magnificent Gothic facades in white Istrian stone and pink Veronese marble. Learn about the Bridge of Sighs that links the Palace to the prison, named after the sighs of the prisoners being led to the dungeons. St. Mark’s Basilica, called the golden cathedral, crowned with five huge domes and St. Mark’s Square, the symbol of Venice. Founded in the 9th Century for a place to safely house St Mark’s body, it is decorated with luminous mosaics and marble from Syria, Egypt and Palestine. An unforgettable sight.
The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, usually called by Venetians “Frari”, Friars, is one of the largest Churches of Venice build in the 13th Century its distinctive bricks façade was completed in 1338.
The wide and tall naves, the amazing altar painting with the Assumption of Mary by Titian and the Tombs of the Great Venetians, Tiziano and Canova, make this Church one of the most beautiful of the entire city, and a perfect location for Concerts.Santa Maria Salute is one of Venice’s most pictured landmarks. Standing on the final stretch of the Grand Canal, it is an exquisite sight. Built between 1631 and 1681, it was dedicated to the Madonna in gratitude for the end of the Plague. The church is an unusual shape and still is a very striking image today.
Free time in the afternoon.
Optional: Gondola Ride (gondola not included, pay cash on the day, €80 euros per gondola)
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DAY THREE – VENICE, Murano and Burano.
Pick up by private boat from San Marco.
Venice excursion: Murano and Burano
A private boat ride to the islands of Murano and Burano
In your private boat, discover the treasures of the Venice Lagoon: the islands of Murano and Burano.
You will start in Murano, famous world wide for its beautiful glass art work. The Glass Museum, located in the Palazzo Giustinian, holds samples of glass from the Egyptians through to the present day, with its displays showing how the art and manufacture of glass developed over the centuries.
Burano is located just north of Venice, known throughout the world for its specialty, Burano lace. Burano’s colorful houses were painted brilliant colours out of the fishermen’s desire to see their own houses from far out at sea. Back to San Marco in the afternoon.
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DAY FOUR – VENICE to FLORENCE, Verona
Pick up by your own private water taxi to transfer you to Piazzale Roma, where you will meet your private van and driver for your transfer to Florence, with a stop in Verona for a tour, with a private guide and you will also have time for lunch
Discover Verona
A guided walking tour
A delightful 2 hour walking tour around the beautiful city of Verona. Famous for the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, this tour will take you through the different ages of history.
On your arrival in Verona, you will go on a fascinating 2 hour walking tour of the pretty piazzas and knot lanes, made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. There is much more to this city than Renaissance romance. It is a bustling city, nicknamed ‘Piccola Roma’ (little Rome) for its importance during the imperial age.
Starting with the Romans conquering Verona and ending with its contemporary history. You will see the different ages of the city, from its remarkably well preserved 1st century amphitheatre to the countless churches, discover one of Northern Italy’s most attractive cities.
Back on the road arriving in Florence around late afternoon.
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DAY FIVE – FLORENCE
In the morning meet your local guide at your hotel for a full day walking tour of Florence. Uffizi and Accademia Gallery entrances included.
Private Guided Walking Tour of Florence
Visit all the highlights of Florence with this walking tour.
On this tour, you will be able to see the following sculptures outside the Vecchio Palace; Ammanati’s controversial ‘Neptune Fountain’ (Michaelangelo said ‘what a lovely piece of marble you have ruined!’ upon seeing this work), Bandinelli’s ‘Hercules and Cacus’ and ‘The Rape of the Sabine Women’ by Giambologna. From the central piazza, we will walk the short distance to pass the Ponte Vecchio – the only bridge to survive the German retreat from the region during WW2.
The Uffizi is the oldest gallery in the world and was built in 1560 as offices for the Tuscan Administration (‘Uffizi’ translates as ‘offices’). Pupils will enjoy a guided tour of the museum and will such works as ‘The Birth of Venus’ and ‘Primavera’ by Botticelli, Michelangelo’s ‘The Holy Family’ and Titian’s ‘Venus of Urbino’. The museum displays its paintings in a series of rooms off the horseshoe shaped main corridor. The works are shown in chronological order to reveal the development of Florentine art from Gothic to High Renaissance. show the focuses on gothic art, the early renaissance and culminates in various paintings from the High Renaissance.
We will have time to enter the Florence Duomo, view the Campanile bell tower, built by Giotto in 1334 & view the Baptistry Doors built by Lorenzo Ghiberti in 1401. Inside the Duomo, participants will be able to view the city’s ancient medieval clock & the ‘Last Judgement’ Frescoes by Vasari on the inside of the cupola.
Finishing the tour with the Accademia gallery, with the famous ‘David’ by Michelangelo.
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DAY SIX – FLORENCE to ROME, Pisa and Lucca
Pick up by private minivan with an excursion to Pisa, meet and take a quick stroll in Piazza dei Miracoli, Miracles’ Square, where the iconic Leaning Bell tower of the Duomo has become a symbol itself of Italy’s extravagance and uniqueness.
Pisa and Lucca
From Florence Fullday Driving Tour
Explore the cities of Pisa and Lucca with a private guide, from Florence.
Pick up from your hotel in Florence with an English-speaking driver and be driven to Pisa.
Take a stroll in Piazza dei Miracoli, Miracles’ Square with the iconic Leaning Bell tower of the Duomo has become a symbol itself of Italy extravaganza and uniqueness. Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Free time for lunch in Pisa, before travelling to Lucca.
Arrival in Lucca, a perfectly preserved walled city: originally built as a Roman town the ancient ruins buried beneath the medieval and renaissance buildings still shape the town today. Enjoy a nice walking tour your experienced local guide.
After lunch, then continue to Rome.
Evening arrival at your accommodation in Rome late afternoon, early evening.
Book this tour – (Please note, this tour is from Florence, with pick up and drop off from a centrally located Florence hotel. You can email us, if you would like the pricing that is different from this tour)
DAY SEVEN – DAY SEVEN – ROME
In the morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel for a full day in Rome. Starting with the Amazing Colosseum, before discovering Baroque Rome.
Ancient Rome Walking Tour with Colosseum
Discover the Ancient symbol of Rome – the Colosseum. With a personal guide, who will help you to learn and uncover the interesting history of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Capitoline Hill.
Tour the archaeological heart of the Eternal City, starting with the Colosseum. Opened to the public in 80AD, ancient Romans watched thousands of fights between slaves and beasts. You will then be taken on a journey through ancient Roman history at the Roman Forum; from Romulus and Remo to the early Seven Kings to the deeds of Julio Caesar and the decadence of the Late Empire. Finally, you will enjoy the breath-taking view from Capitoline Hill, the main of the seven hills in Rome, where Michelangelo designed the monumental square.
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After time for lunch, continue with your guided tour of Baroque Rome.
Baroque Rome walking tour
Walking tour with a professional and knowledgeable guide will introduce you to the wonders of Baroque Rome. See and learn about the beautiful Trevi fountain, the Spanish Steps and much more.
A walk in the heart of Baroque Rome: from Trevi Fountain we will walk to Piazza di Spagna to admire the beautiful so called “Spanish Steps”, to Piazza Montecitorio, Pantheon ending up with a Gelato in Piazza Navona!
Starting from the Trevi Fountain, the monumental celebration of the Virgin Aqueduct, we will walk to Piazza di Spagna to admire the beautiful “Spanish Steps” designed in 1722 by Francesco de Sanctis. After crossing the XIX century Galleria Colonna, we will visit Piazza Colonna, named after the Column in honour of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. We will stroll to Piazza Montecitoriao, now the seat of the Italian Parliament, then we will see Piazza Sant’Ignazio, a beautiful rococo square. We will enter the Pantheon, with its huge ancient Roman dome and the grave of Raphael. After visiting the Church of St. Louis of France, with famous canvases by Caravaggio, we will finish the tour at Piazza Navona and its famous fountain of the Four rivers designed by Bernini
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DAY EIGHT – ROME
Enjoy a morning tour at the Vatican, with a private guide.
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica
The tour starts from Vatican Museums, where we enter the Pinecone Courtyard. Crossing the collection of Greek and Roman sculptures, admiring the famous statue of Apollo, the Laocoon and the Belvedere Torso, along with statues of animals, the Coffins of St. Helen and St. Constance. We will see the Galleries of Tapestries and the frescoed Maps of all Italy painted in 1585.
We will visit The Rooms painted by Raphael and his pupils and end with the amazing Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
Afterwards the tour will lead you to the highest temple of Christendom, St. Peter’s Basilica. More than a simple, church the Basilica that was originally built by Emperor Constantine over the tomb of the very first pope, the apostle Peter, was designed by the best Italian architects. Its construction took more than 150 years, and from a certain point of view is still a “work in progress”.
You can see The Pieta by Michelangelo, the Jubilee Gate, Bernini’s main altar, the staircase enlightened by eternal lamps leading to the tomb of Saint Peter designed by Carlo Maderno, the tombs of the Popes made by Bernini, Della Porta, Canova, Thorwaldsen and many others, Michelangelo’s amazing dome and more masterpieces will overwhelm you. Ending up with a quick view of Castle San Angelo, and the secret wall connecting with the papal apartment, will give you the complete picture of the headquarter of Roman Catholic Church.
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After lunch, you will discover the ancient Roman road on a wonderful driving tour.
Private Half Day Driving Tour
The Ancient Romans called it “regina viarum”, Appian Way was the first paved public road built by the consul Appius Claudius Ciecus in the year 312 B C. It’s undoubtedly the best preserved Ancient Roman road. The first 8 miles, starting from the Gate of Saint Sebastian, is surrounded by Roman countryside. With its many burial monuments of different size and shape, there is unique evidence of the Roman customs. We’ll visit the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and overlook the Villa of the Emperor Massentius, with its huge private Circus and the Tomb of his son Romulus. Along the same road, the Christians excavated their cemeteries, the pagan Romans called them “Catacombs”, a Greek word meaning Caves.
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DAY NINE – ROME, Pompeii and Amalfi Coast
7.00am pick up from hotel for you full day tour of Pompeii and Amalfi Coast. Meet your guide at the entrance to Pompeii.
Pompeii Guided Tour.
Founded in the 7th Century B.C, Pompeii is of great interest for historians. It is said that while Rome gives an insight into the monumental architecture of the Romans, Pompeii illustrates their everyday life. Pompeii had been a Roman colony since 80BC and prospered with the construction of many large temples, villas and palaces until 63AD, when it was devastated by an earthquake.
The city had been largely rebuilt when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD and buried the whole city under several layers of molten lava and ash. Approximately two thousand inhabitants were suffocated by the acrid smoke of the eruption and participants will be able to view many of the survivors’ bodies frozen in the positions in which they died.
Our visit to Pompeii will include the Amphitheatre, the army barracks, several temples, shops & some important paintings that have survived to this day.
We will continue with a private driving tour around the headland to arrive at the Amalfi Coast, with its stunning views over the sea & craggy inlets below.
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DAY TEN – Fly Home.
Pick up from your accommodation for your private transfer to the airport for your flight.
Arrivederci Italia
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