Grand tour of Italy trip

Arrive in Venice by private water taxi from Venice airport, gliding into the Grand Canal. The private transfer drops you at the heart of the city, setting the tone for your grand tour of Italy trip with immediate waterfront views and historic palaces.

Water taxis stop along the Grand Canal only. For a small on-the-spot supplement of about €20, operators may continue along secondary canals to bring you closer to your accommodation, a useful option on a tailor-made Italy travel.

Join an expert-led, approximately 2.5-hour tour of the Ducal Palace and Basilica of Saint Mark. Skip the line access, and an informed guide reveals the Golden Staircase, luminous mosaics, and the Bridge of Sighs that leads to the old prison cells.

Climb the basilica terrace for the best view of St. Mark’s Square and the horses' replicas. Explore Saint Mark’s Museum to admire relics and the quadriga of Saint Mark, now preserved indoors. Headsets are provided for larger groups.

Leave Venice by boat and glide past San Giorgio Maggiore, the 16th-century Palladian church, the public gardens, Sant'Elena Point, and the Lido seaside resort.

Stop in Murano to watch a master glassblower's demonstration and in Burano wander between vividly painted houses, admire delicate lace, and visit the Church of San Martino with its leaning bell tower.

A private boat taxi takes you to Venice Santa Lucia station. This service is included, though a small local fee (around €20) may apply if your departure point is tricky to access via narrow canals. From Venezia S. Lucia, catch a high-speed train to Florence: about a 2-hour ride in second class.

On arrival, taxis are readily available outside Firenze station to take you into the historic center, where your discovery of Florence begins.

Stroll through the heart of the city on a 1.5-hour guided walking tour. Explore Piazza del Duomo, home to the Florence Cathedral with Brunelleschi’s iconic dome, Giotto’s Campanile, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni. Meander through medieval lanes to the Ponte Vecchio, and end in Piazza della Signoria in front of Palazzo Vecchio.

Enjoy an independent, self-guided visit to the Accademia Gallery in Florence. See Michelangelo’s David up close, along with other masterpieces like St. Matthew and the Pietà di Palestrina.

Continue exploring Piazza del Duomo with the Brunelleschi Pass, which grants access to Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Campanile, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and Santa Reparata.

Take a shared morning coach from Florence to Pisa with an authorized city guide. Explore Piazza dei Miracoli with exterior views of the Leaning Tower and Monumental Cemetery and interior visits to the Cathedral and Baptistery.

Learn about Pisa's medieval wealth and riverside history along the Arno. After the guided tour enjoy free time to wander the square, capture photos, and soak up the atmosphere.

Drive through Chianti's rolling hills to San Gimignano, a UNESCO medieval gem famed for Vernaccia and its iconic towers. Wander narrow alleys and enjoy panoramic views. Then visit Siena for a guided walk of Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, and the Duomo, followed by free time to explore the historic center.

Stop at Monteriggioni with its intact walls and charming square, then taste Chianti wines and olive oil in a picturesque cellar.

San Lorenzo Market is a standout on your Italy itinerary. Split between the indoor Central Market and outdoor artisan stalls, it’s the place for leather goods, ceramics, clothing, and souvenirs.

Inside the Central Market, the ground floor is packed with butchers, fishmongers, and regional produce. Upstairs, 12 food stalls offer everything from fresh pasta and pizza to cheese and chocolate.

After a morning of shopping, grab a cab to Florence station and relax on a high-speed train to Rome.

In the evening, dive into Roman street food with a local guide. Taste supplì, pizza al taglio, and other favorites while hearing stories of the city. Along the way, you’ll pass the Pantheon, Piazza Farnese, Portico d’Ottavia, Theatre of Marcellus, Piazza Navona, and the Trevi Fountain.

Today, step into Ancient Rome. Explore the Colosseum, roam the Roman Forum, and wander the ruins of Palatine Hill beneath towering pine trees, guided by expert local storytellers.

Join a shared guided tour of the Vatican Museums. Enjoy an about two-hour visit with skip-the-line access and an English-speaking guide.

Explore the Museo Pio Clementino, the Galleries of Candelabri and of Maps, the Rooms of Raffaello, and the Sixtine Chapel. Experience centuries of papal treasures, masterpieces, and the stories behind them for an unforgettable Rome highlight.

Take a taxi to Roma Termini for your second-class train to Naples. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with views shifting from Rome’s urban edge to Lazio’s vineyards and Cassino’s hilltop abbey. As you enter Campania, look out for the Tyrrhenian Sea and Mount Vesuvius rising over the Bay of Naples.

In Naples, join a hands-on Neapolitan pizza-making class led by a local cook. Learn traditional dough techniques, classic toppings, and the secrets behind true Neapolitan flavor, then enjoy the pizza you’ve made.

Start with a guided visit to Naples Cathedral, including the Treasure Chapel and the 4th-century Basilica of Santa Restituta. Then take a scenic minibus ride past Castel Nuovo to Posillipo, stopping at the Church of Sant’Antonio terrace for sweeping views over the Gulf of Naples. End at Piazza del Plebiscito to see Galleria Umberto I, the Royal Palace, and Teatro San Carlo.

Next, take a private transfer to Pompeii for a 2-hour guided tour. Explore the ruins and learn about the eruption of Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the later discovery of Ercolano.

Continue to Maiori or explore independently.

Catch a boat from Maiori to Positano. Stroll through cliffside alleys, boutique shops featuring floral fashion, and the scent of blooming flowers. Relax on Fornillo Beach or hike the Sentiero degli Dei for breathtaking coastal views, then take a public boat to Amalfi.

Discover the Duomo di Sant'Andrea, sample local limoncello, and explore the Paper Museum that celebrates Amalfi's papermaking heritage.

Leave Amalfi behind as you travel inland along dramatic coastal and mountain scenery, stopping for panoramic views, lemon grove visits, and a tasting of local limoncello and olive oil.

Arrive in Matera in the late afternoon to explore the UNESCO Sassi with a local guide, enjoy a cave restaurant dinner, and learn about the ancient rock-carved homes that make this Italy trip unforgettable.

Glide through the ancient Sassi of Matera aboard a charming Ape Calessino motorized tuk-tuk on a shared guided tour. The city carved into a canyon means winding climbs and narrow lanes that this three-wheeled car navigates with ease while your guide reveals history and hidden corners of this UNESCO treasure.

Start your day with a final stroll through Matera's Sassi and a coffee in a rock-cut café, soaking up centuries of history. Your private transfer takes you in comfort to Bari aeroporto.

This grand tour of Italy is fully tailor-made, allowing you to add a scenic stop or a local tasting along the route for authentic memories before your flight.