The architectural and cultural treasures of Italy

Arrival at Venice airport and welcome by your personal driver. Transfer to Venice city. On arrival, take a practical and local « Vaporetto », a water taxi that will lead you to your luxurious hotel through the canals of Venice. 

To be in Venice is to be a believer in fairy tales, for the only way to get around this 1.500-year-old city is by foot or by water. Take the classical Venetian gondola or motorized waterbuses which ply regular routes along the major canals between the city’s islands. You will be awed by the magical beauty of this city filled with palaces and art. 

Wander the alleyways and bridges, stroll across the Bridge of Sighs connecting the Doge’s Palace with the prisons where prisoners would suffer their final torments as they view Venice for the last time – relax on the Piazza San Marco in the very heart of Venice, which opens up on to the Grand Canal. 

With its water-lapped palaces, its panoramic view across the water from the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), it is precisely as Canaletto painted it. You will surely be awed at the Basilica whose exterior is richly decorated by marble and mosaic and the relics of St. Mark resting in the main altar. The Ghetto (Jewish quarter) is a hauntingly beautiful and secret corner of the Cannaregio district close to the bustling Strada Nuova. 

♦ WHAT IS INCLUDED ♦ Transfer | Dinner | Accomodation

Best of Venice: A guided walking tour to cover three major districts of Venice – San Marco, San Polo, and Cannaregio, this half-day tour offers the best overall introduction to the city. In an intimate private tour, your local expert will lead the way to the city’s highlights such as St. Mark’s Square & Basilica, the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, while demystifying the fascinating history behind the landmarks.

You’ll enjoy a unique local experience: walk through the narrow alleys of the Ghetto, sip a coffee in a peaceful neighborhood campo, and even hop on a traghetto to cross the canal in the locals’ way! 

Free afternoon to unwind or enjoy a delicious cappuccino along the canal. 

♦ WHAT IS INCLUDED ♦ Tour | Accomodation | Catering

Free morning to relax before taking the Venice aperitivo tour late in the afternoon: The Italian pace of life is one of the most beloved aspects of its culture that visitors admire and enjoy.

The hour of the aperitivo is the quintessence of the dolce vita—a break in the day to decompress and relax with a glass of wine or cocktail, a light bite to eat, and good company. On this Venice Aperitivo Tour, with the areas of the Rialto and Cannaregio as your backdrop, you’ll look at how Venetians interpret the art of the aperitivo. Your palates will be colored with the delicate pink of the classic Bellini cocktail, a pale shimmering gold of sparkling Prosecco, and the varied jeweled tones of the Spritz. Your guide, a certified Italian sommelier (wine expert), will discuss the history behind each of the aperitifs we taste together, along with the secrets to their preparation.

♦ WHAT IS INCLUDED ♦ Tour | Transfer | Accomodation 

After your breakfast, your driver will escort you to Florence. Installation at your charming hotel in Florence early in the afternoon. Rest of the day at leisure. 

Florence’s museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo’s architectural genius. 

Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the “newest” area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Be sure to set aside time to see the vast and varied art collection housed in the Pitti Palace.  Florence and its magnificent treasures await your visit!

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You will be meeting your local guide on the Republic square, and start your exploration of the city from its Roman foundations. A few steps away stands the city’s most glorious monument, the cathedral, known locally as the Duomo for its impressive dome. You’ll not only admire its beauty, but learn about the engineering feat and the intriguing history behind this marvel. Have a close look at the magnificent gate of the baptistery and its relief sculptures that have brought the city to the Renaissance.

After a stop at the leather market to meet the city’s beloved mascot, you’ll reach the bank of the Arno river and enjoy the best vantage point for the picturesque old bridge known as Ponte Vecchio. Over the bridge, the secret corridor built by the powerful Medici family takes you to the Uffizi Courtyard and once the city’s political center, the Piazza Signoria. Today it has become an open-air gallery dotted with beautiful sculptures, including a copy of Michelangelo’s David that marks the entrance to the historic city hall, where this masterpiece was meant to be.

Beyond the historic heart, this walking tour sets you apart from the pack by taking you to the other side of the Arno, the Oltrarno. Not only will you admire the purist esthetic of the Santo Spirito Church and the monumentality of Medici’s Pitti Palace, but you’ll also visit the artisans’ neighborhood and enjoy a relaxing coffee break among the locals – all in an intimate private tour!

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Your private driver will escort you to Siena, the gate to authentic villages of Tuscany. On your way, you’ll make many stops in picturesque places to visit monuments, taste wines or simply admire the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany!   

The story of Tuscany spans more than 3000 years of art, architectural wonders, culinary surprises and warm, welcoming hospitality. It is where art, history, romance, adventure and relaxation come together to create the perfect vacation. Tuscany is a land that was built using the local stone, marble and terracotta, creating towns and monuments that still stand tall today.

Do not miss the castles in Casentino, the Walls of Lucca, the towers of San Gimignano, the Roman amphitheater in Fiesole, and the stunning square in Volterra. Installation at your gorgeous hotel in the heart of the city. 

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Spend the whole day discovering South Tuscany on your own. When you see a postcard from Tuscany, you see the Valdorcia. Gentle hills colored in green or yellow with lonely cypresses sitting atop the hills are typical landscapes of this area. 

Also do not miss the villages of Montalcino and Montepulciano, famous for their excellent red wines, Pienza and its Renaissance square, San Quirico d’Orcia and its gardens. The smaller towns such as Bagno Vignoni and Buonconvento also hold their own special charm.

Your driver will escort you back to your hotel. Farewell dinner in a Michelin starred restaurant where you will savor the Tuscany traditional cuisine.

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After your sumptuous breakfast, and at your request, your chauffeur will take you to Florence Airport for your return flight. 

BON VOYAGE !

♦ WHAT IS INCLUDED ♦ Transfer | Catering