International
Italy Grand Tour - 11 Nights 12 Days
Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Amalfi
Renaissance masterpieces! Italy Grand Tour covering iconic cities millennia history art cuisine. Rome Eternal City Colosseum gladiators 80AD amphitheater 50000 spectators underground hypogeum tunnels animal cages, Roman Forum ancient civic center temples arches Via Sacra political heart empire, Palatine Hill emperors palaces ruins views, Vatican City smallest country Sistine Chapel Michelangelo frescoes Creation of Adam Last Judgment ceiling 4 years painting lying down restoration brilliant colors, St Peter Basilica largest dome Michelangelo Pieta marble sculpture, Vatican Museums vast Raphael Rooms classical sculptures Gallery of Maps. Trevi Fountain Baroque masterpiece throw coin return Rome tradition, Spanish Steps Piazza Navona fountains gelato. Florence Renaissance capital Uffizi Gallery Botticelli Birth of Venus Spring Primavera Michelangelo Tondo Doni Leonardo da Vinci Annunciation masterpieces collection, Duomo Cathedral Brunelleschi dome 463 steps climb panoramic terracotta rooftops campanile Giotto Bell Tower baptistery golden doors Paradise Gates, Ponte Vecchio medieval bridge gold shops sunset Arno river, Accademia Gallery Michelangelo David 17ft marble perfection anatomical masterpiece. Tuscany rolling hills Chianti vineyards wine tasting Sangiovese medieval towns San Gimignano towers skyline Siena Palio horse race Piazza del Campo shell-shaped square. Venice floating city canals gondolas romance St Mark Square Basilica Byzantine mosaics golden opulent Doge Palace Bridge of Sighs prisoners, Rialto Bridge Grand Canal vaporetto water bus, Murano glass-blowing Burano colorful lace island lagoon, getting lost narrow calli alleys maze discovering bridges squares magical car-free. Milan fashion capital Gothic Duomo cathedral rooftop spires Madonna statue golden, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II luxury shopping mall glass arcade mosaic floors bull testicles tradition spin heel luck, Last Supper Leonardo da Vinci Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery refectory wall painting fragile reservation essential timed entry. Amalfi Coast dramatic Positano cliffside pastel houses boutique hotels beaches pebble coves lemon groves terraced limoncello production, Amalfi maritime republic cathedral Arab-Norman architecture Duomo stairs, Ravello gardens Wagner inspiration Villa Rufolo terraces concerts classical music festival summer stunning views coastline. Italian cuisine pizza Napoli margherita birthplace, pasta carbonara Rome authentic guanciale egg, gelato artisan flavors, espresso cappuccino morning Italians never afternoon milk coffee crime cultural faux pas, aperitivo Aperol spritz Campari culture bella vita.
Day 1:
Arrive Rome Fiumicino airport, train city Termini, settle hotel near Spanish Steps or Colosseum, afternoon walk Roman Forum Palatine Hill ruins sunset golden hour, evening Trastevere dinner authentic trattoria cacio e pepe carbonara local Romans eat|
Day 2:
Morning Colosseum tour underground hypogeum special access gladiators tunnels animal lifts fascinating 2 hours, walk Roman Forum arches temples Via Sacra Palatine Hill emperors palaces views, lunch pizza Margherita near Campo de Fiori, afternoon Vatican Museums early entry 9am Sistine Chapel Michelangelo ceiling Last Judgment awe-inspiring overwhelming beauty St Peter Basilica dome climb 551 steps panoramic or elevator partial, evening Trevi Fountain throw coin lit up golden|
Day 3:
Morning leisure Borghese Gallery reservation essential Bernini sculptures Caravaggio paintings beautiful gardens Villa park or optional Pantheon free entry oculus rain falls through Piazza Navona Bernini fountains gelato, afternoon train Florence 1.5 hours high-speed, evening arrive settle Oltrarno artisan quarter, walk Ponte Vecchio sunset Arno river jewelry shops|
Day 4:
Florence full day (morning Uffizi Gallery reservation essential 9am opening Botticelli Birth of Venus Spring Michelangelo Leonardo da Vinci Raphael masterpieces 3-4 hours overwhelming, lunch leather market Mercato Centrale upstairs food hall pasta fresh, afternoon Duomo climb 463 steps Brunelleschi dome claustrophobic narrow terracotta rooftops panoramic Giotto campanile alternative, Accademia Gallery David Michelangelo 17ft marble perfection, evening aperitivo Piazza Santo Spirito Oltrarno local Florentines|
Day 5:
Tuscany day trip (drive or tour Chianti wine region vineyards tasting Sangiovese Greve in Chianti medieval square butcher Dario Cecchini famous, San Gimignano medieval towers 14 remaining skyline UNESCO gelato world champion Gelateria Dondoli piazza, optional Siena detour Palio horse race square shell-shaped cathedral stunning), return Florence evening or overnight Tuscany agriturismo farmhouse|
Day 6:
Morning train Venice 2 hours high-speed, arrive Santa Lucia station Grand Canal views breathtaking vaporetto ride, settle hotel near Rialto or San Marco, afternoon St Mark Square Basilica Byzantine mosaics golden free entry but pay skip line or Pala d Oro altarpiece Doge Palace opulent Bridge of Sighs prisons dark, evening gondola ride 100 euros fixed 40min romantic sunset canals serenaded accordion|
Day 7:
Venice full day (morning Rialto Market fish vendors morning only authentic Venetian life, Rialto Bridge views Grand Canal iconic, get lost Cannaregio Jewish Ghetto original word cicchetti bar hopping small plates Bacari, afternoon island hopping vaporetto Murano glass-blowing demonstration expensive shopping optional Burano colorful houses lace-making picturesque Instagram fishing village), evening aperitivo Spritz Veneziano Aperol bitter orange prosecco watching sunset|
Day 8:
Morning train Milan 2.5 hours, arrive settle near Duomo cathedral, afternoon Duomo rooftop terrace walk among spires Madonna statue golden breathtaking Gothic architecture climbing stairs, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II luxury arcade Prada mosaic bull spin heel tradition three turns luck, evening Last Supper reservation essential booked months advance Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece 15 min viewing timed fragile refectory wall Santa Maria delle Grazie|
Day 9:
Optional day trip Como Lake (1 hour train) Bellagio ferry George Clooney villa views Alpine lake stunning villa gardens, or shopping Milan fashion Quadrilatero d Oro Via Montenapoleone designer boutiques window shopping La Rinascente department store rooftop Duomo views aperitivo|
Day 10:
Morning train or fly Naples base Amalfi Coast (or direct Sorrento train/private transfer), afternoon settle Sorrento or Positano cliffside hotel, limoncello tasting lemon groves terraced|
Day 11:
Amalfi Coast full day (ferry or bus SITA curvy roads Positano cliffside pastel pink peach yellow houses beach pebble boutique hotels stairs steep hike down up charming exhausting lunch terrace sea views, Amalfi town cathedral dramatic stairs Arab-Norman architecture maritime republic history paper museum traditional craft, optional Ravello hilltop gardens Villa Rufolo Wagner Klingsor inspiration concert venue summer classical music festival terraces panoramic coastline breathtaking), return Sorrento evening sunset|
Day 12:
Morning optional Pompeii ruins 79AD Vesuvius eruption preserved ancient city 2 hours fascinating guided audio app recommended or Capri island day trip ferry Blue Grotto weather-dependent, afternoon Naples departure train Rome connection or Naples airport direct international, end grand Italian journey unforgettable masterpieces cuisine beauty culture art history