Avanti Destinations
OFFER ID 1233759
Best of Italy
This classic "Grand Tour" of Italy combines Rome, the Eternal City, Florence, the grand city of the Renaissance, and Venice, famed for its canals and the Piazza San Marco. You'll be enchanted by some of our favorite hotels, sightseeing, and fine dining options in all of Europe. Best of all, with this tour, you are given plenty of free time to explore, shop or relax without being rushed.
Includes:
9 nights | Call for pricing
Avanti Destinations: Best of Italy
Day 1 Rome
A private driver will meet you outside of baggage claim/passport control holding a sign with your name on it and then comfortably transfer you from Fiumicino Airport to the Rome hotel of your choice.
Centrally Located Hotel In Rome, ()
Day 2 Rome
After breakfast, get your first taste of the eternal with a morning city tour.
Semi-Private Rome Tour: Your English-speaking driving guide will show you all the main monuments, including St. Peter’s Square, the Colosseum, the Forum, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain, while providing invaluable commentary. (Your guide is not licensed to lead tours inside of monuments or museums. This tour does not include any entrance fees, meals or gratuities.)
Tonight you dine with 8:00 p.m. reservations at one of the following restaurants (Beverages and gratuities are not included):
Ristorante La Dispensa dei Mellini: A warm and welcoming family restaurant that is a noted gathering place for local Enogastronomy lovers.
Ristorante Santopadre: A family-run restaurant near the Via Veneto that offers regional Italian cuisine with specialties like rigatoni with chickpeas and lamb chops as well as homemade desserts.
After breakfast, your Florence city tour is scheduled.
Semi-Private Morning Florence Walking Tour: Your walking tour will start at Piazza della Signoria, a beautifully preserved square where the guide will show you its highlights - among which are the Loggia dei Lanzi arcade and Palazzo Vecchio. By walking through the medieval streets of the cradle of the Renaissance, you will reach Piazza del Duomo, with the magnificent Duomo Complex. The final tour destination is the Academy Museum, where, among other masterpieces by Michelangelo, you will admire the statue of David, a symbolic representation of Florentine Renaissance art.
After breakfast, you have the day and afternoon at leisure before dinner at one of the following restaurants:
The Ristorante Buca Mario: Open since 1886 and specializing in real Tuscan cooking with fresh pasta and superb grilled meat. Buca Mario passes on its ancient culinary codes and hospitality from generation to generation, and is still run today, in traditional Florentine fashion, by the Pasquetti family.
Trattoria Al Trebbio: A traditional Tuscan trattoria located in the historic center of Florence a few steps from Piazza Santa Maria Novella featuring famous bistecca alla fiorentina.
After your breakfast, you have the morning and early afternoon at leisure before your romantic Gondola Ride.
Venice Private Gondola Ride: A private gondola ride for your party through the canals of Venice. You will receive a more detailed letter and map in your Venice hotel with the location of the gondola station where the adventure will begin.
After breakfast, you have the entire day at leisure to shop, explore on your own, or take advantage of an optional tour before dinner. The most popular tour Avanti offers in Venice is the 3 Islands Tour to the islands of Murano (glass), Burano (lace) and Torcello, home of the first Cathedral in the lagoon.
Your 3-course dinner this evening is located at Antico Pignolo, offering fresh seafood and a sizable wine list steps from Piazza San Marco.
Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one
of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded
in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always
been and remains the Eternal City.
Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art
flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman
legions swept outward, conquering all of Italy. These victorious armies then
swept across the Mediterranean and beyond to conquer most of the known world.
With Rome's establishment as capital of the western world, a new ascent to glory
began.
Today's Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious
parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafes and elegant shops, is
one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous
monuments is the Colosseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine
the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combats between
muscled gladiators and ferocious animals.
Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city's political and commercial
center. In later times, Rome's squares were enhanced with such imposing structures
as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di
Trevi. Join the millions who stand in awe of Christendom’s most magnificent
church and admire the timeless masterpieces of Michelangelo's frescoes in the
Sistine Chapel.
Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Grasp all you can during the short,
precious time you have available in the Eternal City. With so much to see and
do, a day or two will only allow you a sampling of the city's marvelous treasures.
Caution: As in many big cities and tourist destinations purse snatching
and pickpocketing is common. Valuable jewelry and excess cash are best left
in a safety deposit box in your hotel.
Shopping For most visitors shopping for beautiful Italian leather articles,
designer shoes, fashions for men and women, linens, knitwear, silk scarves and
ties is a favorite pastime. Except for tourist-oriented shops, the majority
of stores are closed on Sundays. Some of the department stores, such as Rinascente,
open in the late afternoon on Sundays.
Cuisine Rome's choice of restaurants is mindboggling as is the variety
of cuisine. Whether your meal is at a top-rated restaurant or a rustic trattoria,
you can be sure that you will enjoy your food, especially when accompanied by
wines from the hill towns surrounding Rome.
Other Sights Rome's attractions are endless, and depending on how much
time you have at your disposal a careful selection has to be made about what
to see. Be aware of horrendous traffic conditions and major construction work
all around the city in preparation of Jubilee 2000, the Holy Year. Some of the
sights not to be missed:
Piazza Venezia - This busy square is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio
Emanuele II Monument. The white marble structure was inaugurated in 1911 as
a symbol of Italy’s unification.
The Forum - Once the civic heart of ancient Rome, today the remains include
a series of ruins, marble fragments, isolated columns and some worn arches.
Colosseum - No visit to Rome is complete without a stop at this awe-inspiring
theater, which is among the world’s most celebrated buildings. Here ancient
Rome flocked to see gladiatorial contests and numerous other spectacles.
Trevi Fountain - Take a stroll to Rome's famous fountain. A spectacular fantasy
of mythical sea creatures and cascades of splashing water, the fountain is one
of the city's foremost attractions. Legend has it that visitors must toss a
coin into the fountain to ensure their return to Rome.
St. Peter's Square - Part of Vatican City, this square created by Bernini
is considered one of the loveliest squares in the world. Twin Doric colonnades
topped with statues of various saints and martyrs flank either side of the square.
In the center stands an 84-foot obelisk, brought from Egypt in 37 A.D.
St. Peter's Basilica - At the head of the square stands Christendom's most
magnificent church, which was begun in 1452 on the site where St. Peter was
buried. Throughout the following 200 years, such Renaissance masters as Bramante,
Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design and created an unparalleled
masterpiece. Of special note are Michelangelo's Pieta and the bronze canopy
over the high altar by Bernini. The immense dome was designed by Michelangelo.
Vatican Museum - To see this museum's immense collection would take days.
As you enter, there are special posters that plot a choice of four color-coded
itineraries. They are repeated throughout the museum and are easy to follow.
It is a good idea to pickup a leaflet at the main entrance and concentrate on
exhibits of major interest. Of course, the Sistine Chapel is a must. Most likely
you may have to wait in line to enter.
Venice: Splendours of Venice Walking Tour - 4 hours
Venice: Venice for Art Lovers Walking Tour - 4 hours
Venice: The Roman City of Verona - 7 hours
Venice - St. Marks, Grand Canal and Murano - 6 hours
Venice: Lagoon Islands - 7 hours
Today you will be met by your local English-speaking guide for a full day excursion by private motor-boat to explore the Lagoon Islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Venice lies in the centre of a vast lagoon that stretches for about 30 miles from north to south, studded by numerous small islands, mostly deserted. This amazing environment is what drove the Venetians to establish their city here, a perfectly secure and inaccessible little world. Enjoy the beauty of a ride across the waters of the lagoon; visit the island of Murano, where glass has been made for over 700 years and where you can see the age-old techniques of glass blowing still in use today.
Continue to Torcello, to see the breathtaking mosaics in the Basilica di Santa Maria dell’Assunta, the oldest building on the lagoon. After a leisurely lunch (payable locally) you reach the island of Burano, a quaint and colourful fisherman island famous for its lace and charming architecture.
Highlights:
The story of Murano and Burano
Hop on a private boat and start sailing through the Venice lagoon! This unique tour will let you discover the authentic side of Venice by exploring two famous islands – Murano and Burano. First stop, Murano – an epicenter of the most sophisticated glass production in the world. “Il vetro di Murano”, the glass of Murano, is a special type of glass made for decades. You will visit one of the traditional factories and take part in a glass-blowing demonstration. Pretty exclusive, don’t you think?
Your next stop is Burano – a small, fishermen’s island, famous for its heritage of lace embroidery that it’s still today made by hand only. It is often mentioned as one of the prettiest towns in Italy and also one of the most unique thanks to two characteristics: its canals and its colorful houses that make the island a real rainbow of colors! This tour will surely let you remember the Venice Lagoon forever.
Highlights:
The Canal Grande cruise followed by a walking tour of Venice
Are you ready to start this tour with a private boat cruise down the most spectacular “boulevard” in the world? Yes, we are talking about The Canal Grande, Venice’s main artery. Just hop on your private boat and enjoy the scenic views of all the marvelous palaces and side alley’s canals. Sit back and relax while you absorb the breath-taking beauty and uniqueness of Venice. After the ride, the guide will take you through Calli, Callette, Ponti, Campi and Campielli. You will reach Rialto bridge, that was the only way to cross the great Canal on foot, for centuries. You can indulge in great experience of the famous local market filled with interesting products and learn more about the area that was once a significant place for trading goods.
Highlights:
unique sightseeing experience
Personal guide
Tour Duration: up to 4h
Tour can operate: Morning / Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Easy
Inclusions:
No line entrance tickets for Doge’s Palace and St. Mark Basilic
Not Included:
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.