Itinerary
The VIP treatment starts with a reservation on board of Trenitalia Business Class . The Business Class includes free drinks and newspapers.
You will join a small group of maximum 15 people escorted by a professional tour director who will be at your disposal during the whole trip.That’s what awaits you if you choose our brand new Italian Renaissance Small Group Tour. We will assemble our best resources to make your holiday remarkable and happy!On our New Italian Renaissance Small Group Tour we will assemble our best resources to make your holiday remarkable and happy!
The tour features a two or three night overnight stay in each city, so you will have time to go sightseeing during the day and experience the nightlife. A variety of daily tours and optional activities are up for you to book.
Your trip to Italy begins in Milan, an energetic and fascinating city waiting to be discovered. You will have a local guide who will let you discover the hidden jewels of the one-of-a-kind city. Milan is the economic capital of the country, the city of fashion and innovations but it remains a city with its traditions and artistic treasures that are worth visiting.
Continue to La Spezia, The Cinque Terre represent one of the most pristine and largest natural and semi-natural Mediterranean areas in Liguria; the activities practiced by man for centuries, and especially viticulture, have contributed to creating a unique landscape in the world, since 1997 named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This, together with the characteristics of a crystalline sea, the valuable architectural testimonies, a network of paths among the richest and most enviable of the Mediterranean areas, has made the Cinque Terre an increasingly sought-after destination frequented by Italian and foreign tourists.
Next stop is Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. We will take you to the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze or “Gallery of the Academy of Florence”, the home of Michelangelo's sculpture “David”. Not everyone gets to see the actual statue, as the one in Piazza della Signoria is a copy, so be ready to see the real statue up close. You will spend three nights in Florence and an excursion outside of Florence is included: we will take you to the renowned Chianti area. During this half-day excursion, take in the beautiful Tuscan hills covered with vineyards, olive trees, and cypress trees. The views are stunning; you will embrace narrow roads that cut through hills, medieval villages on hilltops, and castles. Before making our way back to Florence we will stop in a small medieval village called Montefioralle and spend time in a winery for you to enjoy wine tasting and snacks in a relaxing environment.
Last stop in Rome, the capital city of Italy. Here you will have the chance to visit its main sights, monuments still standing after centuries, really enjoy the history, art and culture of this unique city. We have included two guided tours to the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums with our best professional guides. You will have the time to go out, taste local cuisine, shelter in one of the countless restaurants that offer outdoor or indoor seating, take a walk in the historical center and stop for a coffee or gelato at a typical bar or gelateria. If you want to indulge, be our guest at a traditional restaurant in the Trastevere area, Rome’s most charming neighborhood where you will mingle with the locals and learn a smattering of the local language and culture. In Trastevere, you will find ancient pedestrian streets teeming with several local markets, artisans’ shops, and boutiques. This area is very popular and no visit is complete without it.
Day 1 – Friday
Milan
Welcome to Milan! Meet our driver at Milan Malpensa Airport and enjoy a private transfer to NH President. The rest of the day is at leisure. We suggest a casual walk in the stunning city center.
Overnight stay is in Milan.
Day 2 – Saturday
Milan (B)
Breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast, meet your professional local guide and set off on a three-hour walking tour through the heart of Milan. Follow your guide through the streets of Milan stopping at spots like La Scala opera house, Milan Cathedral and Castello sforzesco. At the end of the tour, you will have some free time before returning to the hotel on your own.
Overnight stay.
Day 3 Sunday
Milan > La Spezia (B, D)
Wake up in the morning at your centrally located hotel and meet your tour leader after breakfast. You will easily reach Milano Centrale railway station, and board the train to La Spezia: you will be there in approximately 3 hours. Such a comfortable trip this is! Don’t miss out on the spectacular Italian landscape from your train window as the train heads from Milan toward the amazing Liguria. Your tour leader will travel with you, disclosing local tips and information to get you in the mood for this special day-trip. Once in La Spezia you will check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time.
Dinner at the hotel and overnight.
Day 4 Monday
La Spezia > Florence (B)
After breakfast, reach the pier and take in the beautiful landscapes, the cliffs and beaches as well as the unique atmosphere of the ‘Cinque Terre’ on a 4-hour tour on speedboat from La Spezia. It will be easy to catch the global magnificence of this territory and embrace of the beauty of all five villages on the coast.
The starting point is the floating hub near ‘Passeggiata Costantino Morin’, a pedestrian area. We’ll sail toward Porto Venere along the western coast of the Gulf of La Spezia (Golfo della Spezia or Golfo dei poeti) via the so-called ‘Le Bocche’, a strait that separates Porto Venere and the island of Palmaria. Approaching Porto Venere, you will admire San Pietro (St. Peter), a Roman Catholic church built on a rock overlooking the sea.
If you want it will be possible take a relaxing swim in this crystal-clear waters.
Afterwards, we will resume sailing toward the Cinque Terre Natural Park.
The five villages that give the name to this amazing territory are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. You will cherish them all from this special perspective! We will stop in Monterosso and you will enjoy some free time to visit the most vibrant village of the Cinque Terre.
On our way back to La Spezia, you’ll catch sight of Grotta Byron, Scola Tower and a mussel farm.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Florence.
After check-in at your hotel in Florence, you will enjoy some free time.
Overnight is in Florence.
Day 5 Tuesday
Florence (B)
Good morning and welcome to Florence! After breakfast, you will meet your local guide and start exploring the spectacular city center. Florence has an important role in the civilization of the Western world and Italy. It is visited because of its beauty, and known for the amazing art and architecture. It was a home to many artists, architecture masters and painters along its history - you will be fascinated by its monuments, churches, and buildings. You will see Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce. This tour will also offer you the opportunity to visit the famous Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, that’s where the real ‘David’ sculpture by Michelangelo is housed, the statue in Piazza della Signoria being a copy.
Afternoon is at your leisure: you decide how to spend the rest of the day! You can opt for a stroll and some shopping or choose one of our exclusive optional tours and activities. What about a guided tour to Siena, San Gimignano or Pisa? Check out our PRIME optional tours.
Overnight stay is in Florence.
Day 6 Wednesday
Florence > Chianti (B)
After breakfast, get ready to depart for one of the most beautiful and characteristic areas of Tuscany, the Chianti. Green hills strewn with kilometers and kilometers of vineyards and olive groves, small hamlets surrounded by intact medieval walls, winding streets, castles and fortresses. Montefioralle will be our stop - a wonderful town immersed in nature. Highlight will be a characteristic family-run winery, known for its low-impact sustainable agriculture. It received the Organic Certification in 2019. The staff will show you the basic processes for the production of wine, from the mashing of the grapes to actual winemaking, to aging to bottling. A visit to the cellar and tasting of their wines (one vintage of Chianti Classico, one vintage of Chianti Classico Riserva, one vintage of IGT and Vin Santo - the selection of wines may change according to production) is included, accompanied by snacks (polenta croutons with ragu, meatballs, bread with tomato and own-production oil). After the wine tasting, enjoy a walk in Montefioralle, a jewel of rare beauty developing around the ancient castle, an important stronghold during the wars between Florence and Siena in medieval times.
Return to Florence. Rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight in Florence.
Day 7 Thursday
Florence > Rome (B)
Meet your tour leader after breakfast. You will easily reach Santa Maria Novella railway station, and board the high-speed train to Rome: you will be there in less than two hours! Don’t miss out on the spectacular Italian landscape from your train window as the train heads from amazing Tuscany to the Eternal city: Rome! Once in Rome, you will check in at your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. We suggest a casual walk in the city center. You can maybe visit the famous Trevi Fountain first thing: close your eyes, throw a coin over your right shoulder straight into the water… the legend has it that if you do so, you are guaranteed a return to Rome! Or maybe walk into Piazza Della Rotonda and enjoy the view of the Pantheon, the only ancient Roman temple that remained standing as it was through the centuries. From there reach Piazza Navona, a stone’s throw away, and take pictures of the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini: the legend says that the famous Baroque artist sculpted the figure that personifies the Rio de la Plata River with its hand before its eyes as if it were trying not to see the facade of Sant'Agnese Church, just opposite, which was designed by Borromini, Bernini’s rival. To know more details about the history of these outstanding sights private guided tours with one of our professional guides are possible.
The package includes a dinner in a must-visit neighborhood in Rome: Trastevere. It is one of the cores of the Roman nightlife, bustling and busy with pubs, restaurants and clubs for all ages. You will have the opportunity to dine in a typical Roman trattoria and discover culinary traditions dating back in time. No worries: we will take care of the reservation!
Return to your hotel for your overnight stay.
Day 8 – Saturday
Rome (B)
On day 8 you will finally visit the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum!
Between 7:45 - 8:00 AM, after breakfast at your hotel, our driver will be there and pick you up. By van, you’ll reach Vatican City for our exclusive Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica Skip-the-line Guided Tour. No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican Museums. These galleries contain some of the most famous works of art in the world, including works by artists including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael and Giotto. The 54th gallery of the Vatican Museums is the famed Sistine Chapel. Completed around 1483, the Sistine Chapel is without a doubt the most famous chapel in the world due to its famous frescoes on the ceiling as well as ‘The Final Judgement’ by Michelangelo. The chapel is also still used for religious purposes such as the Papal Conclave – the process through which a new Pope is chosen.
In the afternoon, you will join our professional guide to access the Colosseum. This was once the most famous meeting place of the Roman Empire with a capacity of 50,000-80,000 spectators. Inside, breathe in the Colosseum’s bloody past brought to life again by your guide. Leaving the Colosseum, you will see the magnificent Arch of Constantine before arriving at the excavated ruins of the Roman Forum archaeological site, where many structures remain intact to this day. Finally, on Palatine Hill you will learn about the legend of Romulus and Remus. One legend suggests Rome was named after Romulus, who was also Rome’s first king.
Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the city at your leisure.
Overnight stay in Rome.
Day 9 Sunday
Rome (B)
This will be the last day of the tour. Enjoy your last breakfast at your hotel. At the scheduled time, meet your chauffer who will take you to the airport. Arrivederci. End of our services.