Tours
Amalfi	Tuscany	Rome	Garda	Portofino	Milan	Sicily
Positano	Chianti	Ferrari	Dolomites	Assisi	Venice	Vatican

Your very own chauffeur picks you up from Rome international airport. On the Piazza Venezia, the Palazzo Venezia, was once the embassy of the Republic of Venice. This is a fine Renaissance building. It contains art galleries with tapestries, pottery and sculptures from the early Christian era onwards. Famous occupiers of the building were Pope Pius IV (16th century) and Mussolini. Wonder at the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II with its majestic stairways; it offers an in-town vantage point and is an example of unusual Roman pompous architecture. Your travel in time continues as we walk to the Trevi Fountain. This baroque construction dates back to 1732, but is fed by a much older canal, which is over 2,000 years old. Climb the Spanish Steps, so named because they led to a small Spanish enclave in Rome. In the evening, enjoy some typical Roman foods in one of the gourmet restaurants hand-picked. 4 nights in Rome. LDA*

Enjoy a full day in Rome with our expert guide. The Roman Coliseum (also called Colosseum or, in Italian, Colosseo) was built in 70 AD. It is an amphitheater. It could originally seat 80,000 people. It was used for gladiatorial games and other large scale shows in Roman times. Nearby, the Fori Imperiali (Roman Forum) is a group of contemporary temples' and basilicas' ruins. The Arch of Constantine is younger: built in 315 AD. Your Our guide will talk at length about its artwork and relief panels. The Palatine Hill is the next stop on our walk. The legend says that the Lupercal was located here. The Lupercal is the cave where Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome, were found by the female wolf that nursed them. See the Bocca della Verita ("Mouth of Truth"). According to popular belief, if you place your hand in the mouth of this face carving and say a lie at that time, your fingers will be chopped off! Your walk takes you later to the Capitol Square (Campidoglio). It is a group of Museums on top of the Capitoline Hill. It is said that the first Romans settled the city from here in prehistoric times. The current Renaissance style buildings were mostly designed by Michelangelo. 2nd night in Rome. BLDA*

A visit to Rome would not be complete without traveling to the Vatican. The world's smallest state is a Roman enclave. St Peter's Square had been designed by Bernini. It took 120 years to build the Basilica. It is now one of the holiest sites in the world. According to tradition, St Peter (one of the twelve apostles of Jesus) is buried here. Michelangelo's Pieta, a sculpture showing the body of Jesus held his mother Mary after the crucifixion, is displayed here. Your guide takes you on a private visit to the Vatican Museums where pieces of art accumulated by popes over the ages are on display. The Sistine Chapel, with its ceiling painted Michelangelo, is the most famous part of these Museums. The Last Judgment by Michelangelo is also to be found here. The entire ceiling had been restored in 1994, and those who were used to its former dull colors protested against the new colors being too bright; however, restorers are confident that their work corresponds to the original. 3rd night in Rome.BLDA*

Travel out of Rome to nearby Tivoli for the day. Your driver takes you to the Villa d'Este. It was built in the 16th century and remains exemplary of Italian building and garden design. Over a hundred fountains, balconies, terraces and a grotto are some of the features of these heritage gardens. A short trip away is the Villa Adriana - Hadrian's Villa. Built in the 2nd century AD it is, in fact, a group of 30 houses. Hadrian, who was very well traveled, used designs spotted during his travels to Greece or Egypt. Many sculptures had been found on site. One of them is the famous Discobolus, a discus thrower. 4th night in Rome.  BLDA* 

 

Your itinerary travels to the town of Todi. The Piazza del Popolo, with the oldest town hall in Italy, the Palazzo dei Priori with its trapezoid tower, the Palazzo del Capitano in Italian Gothic, are the focal points of your city walk. The Piazza del Popolo is so beautiful and typical of Italy, that it is often used by movie productions as a background. After these visits, travel to Assisi, which is the town of St Francis (1181-1226). St Francis had turned around the general perception of nature and wildlife, which were not highly regarded in his days. His love for animals is at the origin of legends that tell how he would preach to birds or tame wolves. He preached humility and poverty, and became such a legend after his death, that churches commemorating his life were paradoxically splendidly decorated - very much unlike what he would have liked! That splendor is the focal point of attraction in Assisi. Travel by foot to the Basilica with its 13th century frescoes. Listen your guide explanations about the Rocca Maggiore medieval castle which dominates the town. Enter the Basilica di Santa Chiara where Saint Clare of Assisi is buried. She had founded the Clare's Order of Poor Ladies and, like St Francis, was committed to poverty. Overnight in Assisi. BLDA*

 

Trip to San Marino Republic. This is an tiny independent country, an enclave within Italy, with a population of 30,000. It has been a sovereign state since 301 AD. A private guide will lead you to the Palazzo Pubblico, guarded by the famous Fortress Guards. See the Basilica di San Marino, the Rocca Guaita fortress (built in the 11th century), Rocca Cesta and Rocca Montale. Then, your driver takes you to Ravenna. We visit Ravenna: Basilica of St Vitus (Byzantine, 546 AD), Galla Placidia Tomb (5th century), Battistero Neoni (mosaics dating back to 500 AD) and Tomb of Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Overnight in Ravenna area.  BLDA*

Visit Romanesque Pomposa Abbey: started in the 9th century, it was home to Guido d’Arezzo, who invented the modern musical notation. Your guide will drive you to Venice, we start with a short city walk, custom made, to get acquainted with the city known as the most serene. St Mark's Basilica has five domes, a balustrade decorated by a group of bronze horses, impressive portals. The Doges Palace and its arcades and the famous Bridge of Sighs. It is said that the bridge gained its name from the prisoners that were taken through it to their cells, and sighed at their last view of beautiful Venice. 2 nights in Venice. BLDA*

 

There is no better way to start the discovery of Venice than by private water taxi. We will explore the Grand Canal, and also the smaller, less crowded canals. You will not believe your eyes, as the sights are exactly those of the painting by Canaletto. After the boat ride, it's time for a leisurely stroll. Admire the Rialto Bridge. It is a stone bridge, with shops on both sides, built in 1591; in fact, a replica of a previous wooden bridge. Later along our walk, see the Santa Maria dei Frari church, and the Palazzo Querini Stampalia with a fantastic gallery. Experience a vaporetto ride to Murano Island and see how a glass blowing factory operates. To conclude the day, a private gondola ride with music and songs is maybe an idea? 2nd night in Venice. BLDA*

We dedicate the day to a tour of Florence. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is our departure point for the city walking tour. It is Florence's cathedral. Its building started in 1296. It is made of marble of various colors. Nearby, the 14th century Palazzo Vecchio is a fortress-shaped town hall. It is located on the Piazza della Signoria square. The Loggia della Signoria is located on the same square. It features allegorical figures, a statuary and wide arches that were admired by Michelangelo. Next door, there is also a copy of Michelangelo's David. The original can be seen at the Accademia Gallery. We'll also have a look at the Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) with the with tomb of Michelangelo. 2nd night in Florence / Fiesole / Chianti area. BLDA*

It is time to travel to the famous Tuscan hills and Chianti wine birthplace. Your chauffeur takes you on a private discovery of this heritage area. Greve is a town in the Chianti area. It has an "out the beaten track" feel, although it is only 20 miles away from Florence. There is a Franciscan monastery, and a square that is actually... triangular in shape (not a very common occurrence on the Old Continent). Nearby, the tiny hilltop village of Montefioralle dates back to 931 AD. It is famous for its wines. After a typical lunch during which your guide will introduce you to the specificities of local produce, visit a wine cellar to learn more about the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita label, the Chianti Classico, Chianti Superiore and Chianti Classico Riserva wines, the straw basket bottles, the Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Malvasia bianca grapes. 3rd night in Florence / Fiesole / Chianti area.  BLDA*

Traveling to Pisa and its Leaning Tower, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your private guide will point out the wonders of the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), baptistery and cemetery. The Leaning Tower is in fact a bell tower next to the church. It began leaning early after the construction in 1173, because the foundations had been improperly prepared. Your car takes you then to Lucca, a city dating back to the Etruscan times. Lucca is famous for its walls that surround the historic part of the city. You will have the opportunity to explore the Cathedral, the Church of San Michele in Foro, the Guinigi Tower. This tower was built for the Guinigi family in 14th century. It has gothic style windows. A distinct feature are the oak trees growing on the roof. It was a tradition to plant oak tres on rooftops, but few of these roofs (understandably!) survived so many centuries. 4th night in Florence / Fiesole / Chianti area. BLDA*

Today we head into the Tuscan countryside to the very picturesque village of San Gimignano. The cathedral was built in 1148 and has breathtaking frescoes in the Siena style. The village had 70 odd tower-houses (some as high as 150 feet) as symbols of the wealth and power of their ancestral owners. In the past, other towns of Italy also had their towers, but they have mostly been destroyed; San Gimignano has preserved 14 of its towers. The village in its current form dates back to the 10th century AD, although it has much older origins dating back to pre-historic times. Your guide will take you on a walk that includes the Piazza della Cisterna. It is the historic and commercial center of town. The Torre del Diavolo and Torri Ardinghelli towers, the octagonal cistern, and the torture museum are all within that square. Relax in a café, walk to catch more sights, or learn the infinite stories of the area. Study the local Vernaccia wine, search for the best panoramic view from the Rocca citadel. 5th night in Florence / Fiesole / Chianti area. BLDA*

Reposition back to Rome. You may wish to spend some time for last minute souvenir shopping, or visit one last museum or tourist attraction, with the assistance of your private guide. Drop-off at international airport. This is the end of your "Rome-Florence-Venice Tour" in Italy. BL*

 

B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner | A = Accommodation

 

Tour Of Italy

di Buonaiuto Giovanni

Via V. Gioberti 21

Benevento (Italy)

Tel. 0039 329 7491590

info@tourofitaly.it