This luxurious 10-day trip through Northern Italy is sure to create beautiful memories that you will share together as a couple for a lifetime. Marvel at the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica, cruise along the Grand Canal in a gondola, traverse the streets of Rome with a personal shopper guide, and indulge in a private boat tour of Lake Como.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Venice – Stroll through Venice’s Streets
After you arrive in Venice’s Marco Polo Airport, your private transfer will greet you at customs and transport you to Venice’s main dock. Once there, your water taxi will personally escort you to your luxurious accommodation, which will be within walking distance of all of the momentous sights. You can become purposefully lost in the twisting, cobblestone streets, and, with each new corner you turn, the city will reveal new, rare, and delightful sights to behold.
What's Included:
Day 2
Venice – Cruise the Grand Canal on a Gondola
Day 3
Venice – Enjoy a Private Wine Tasting Tour
Day 4
Milan – Discover Milan’s High-End Fashion
Day 5
Varenna – Revel in the Glamour of Lake Como
Day 6
Varenna – Visit Picturesque Villages
Day 7
Portofino – Kayak in the Italian Riviera
Day 8
Portofino – Hike the Cinque Terre Trails
Day 9
Genoa – Local Food Tour and Cooking Class
Day 10
Genoa – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Become lost as you stroll hand in hand through the charming streets of Venice, uncovering quaint bridges and narrow canals that are hidden from the throngs of tourists
- Marvel at the ethereal grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica, viewing its Byzantine gold mosaics and strolling behind the altar to the crypt of St. Mark
- Cruise the Grand Canal at sunset on a private gondola ride, sipping champagne and witnessing the brilliance of the ancient city from a new perspective
- Observe a private glass-blowing and lacemaking demonstration on the islands of Murano and Burano, which will be followed by a wine-tasting in a 14th-century vineyard on the island of Mazzorbo
- Traverse the streets of Milan with a personal shopper, perusing high-end fashion in the finest boutiques
- Delight in a private boat tour of Lake Como, visiting charming villages and elegant villas that are sprinkled along the rolling green shores
- Kayak in the crystal blue sea of the Italian Riviera, touring areas of Portofino that are best seen by water
- Hike along narrow trails that connect the picturesque towns of the Cinque Terre, witnessing the beauty of the national park from high above sea-level
- Learn about traditional dishes that are served in the Ligurian region of Italy on a delicious food tour in Genoa, which will be followed by a private cooking class taught in English.
Detailed Description
You will finally set off on your unforgettable journey through Northern Italy in the narrow, cobblestone streets of charming Venice. Asphalt roads are replaced with glistening canals, and instead of noisy cars, there are quiet boats that glide effortlessly down the waterways. You will begin with a tour through the remarkable maze of Venice, viewing the resplendent St. Mark’s Basilica where the bones of Jesus’ disciple are laid. As the sun begins to set, a gondola will be waiting to usher you down the Grand Canal, passing classic Venetian-Gothic architecture and grand palaces. You will continue onward to witness glass-blowing and lacemaking demonstrations on the quaint islands of Murano and Burano, which will be followed by a visit to a secret vineyard for wine tasting on the tiny island of Mazzorbo.
Leaving the Venetian lagoon, you and your partner will then travel via first-class on the high-speed train to Milan. In this fashion metropolis, you will each meet with a renowned personal shopper who will escort you through some of the finest boutiques in the world. Once you complete your shopping, you will depart for the lovely Lake Como. The jade-blue lake is set against a backdrop of snow-capped, Italian Alps. During your stay in Lake Como, you will tour perfectly preserved 19th-century villas and their pristine gardens, where fuchsia bougainvillea overflows from the terraces and outdoor staircases. The crystal-clear water sparkles like diamonds as you cruise along the lake with the wind blowing in your hair and the sun warming your skin. You can splash in the waters and find your favorite private cove in which to swim and relax. It will be just the two of you as the rest of the world disappears.
Brightly-hued villages from the 16th century await you on the Italian Riviera, and the gentle beauty will feel like a whimsical serenade. You will enjoy a kayak trip together along the beautiful Portofino coast, and afterward, you will relax with an aperitif in your hand at one of the many outdoor cafes that line the promenade. Just south of Portofino are the five villages of the Cinque Terre, which is where the two of you can hike the rustic trails as you venture from one charming village to the next. You can amble along paths that are high above the Ligurian Sea, being sure to take your time and relax along the way. Your trip will conclude in Genoa, where you will venture through the streets on an appetizing food tour through the city. You will discover local ingredients before joining a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional dishes. This luxurious, 10-day excursion through Northern Italy will leave nothing to be desired and will cater to your every whim.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5986 reviews.
Zicasso's travel agent created an itinerary and experience that was simply perfect. Every hotel experience, guide, and driver was excellent. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and made the perfect suggestions. I loved working with her! Thank you to our agent, the tour operator, and Zicasso for a wonderful trip!
Reviewed By Anita L.
The trip was wonderful. Zicasso's travel agent and her staff planned the perfect 10-day trip. The accommodations, the drivers, the guides, and the restaurant recommendations were perfect. The communication was excellent and timely. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy. The staff were very attentive and flexible, even when we wanted some small changes, such as pick-up times for the drivers. They adapted and made it all work. This travel agent is absolutely terrific.
Reviewed By Marci M.
Our Italy trip with Zicasso’s travel partner was nothing short of spectacular! Referred by a friend who had an amazing experience, we decided to give it a try and were not disappointed. Our agent was fantastic, always ready with answers to our questions and providing excellent support throughout our journey.
In Tuscany, we visited beautiful wineries and enjoyed a delightful lunch with the vintners, who were incredibly warm and welcoming. Her attention to detail was evident when she adjusted our plans due to weather changes and even checked in on us when we were slightly delayed for a tour.
Siena was breathtaking and our hotel in Rome was perfectly located, allowing us to walk to all the major sites. One of the highlights was a small boat tour around Capri from Amalfi—perfect weather and stunning waters made it unforgettable. The cooking class on the Amalfi Coast, set on the side of a cliff, was exceptional and having personal tours just for the two of us was an unexpected and delightful bonus.
We can't express enough how much we enjoyed our Italy trip. The travel partner exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend them for a truly memorable experience!
Reviewed By Kent S.
Zicasso’s trip coordinator and her team did a fantastic job, not only in planning the trip to meet our needs and wants, but also in personalizing it as needed. They were also available as we needed them to adjust things, such as pickups, and even made some dinner reservations for us. With our budget, they set us up in excellent hotels that fit our desire for the trip to be a wonderful anniversary getaway. Her staff were also very helpful. We would strongly recommend them for a trip to Italy!
Reviewed By Rajesh J.
Zicasso's travel planner and her staff did a perfect job for our family of six. She made our trip seamless!
Everything she planned was perfect and no detail was left out. I would use them again and again for my travels to Italy.
Reviewed By Sally F.
My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
Reviewed By tasmia S.
