Iconic Italy: Fast-Paced Exploration from Venice to Sicily

This morning, you will be transferred to the train station for your high-speed train to Venice, during which you will ride in a first-class cabin. You will be able to relax as the countryside of Lombardy and Veneto pass you by to reveal farmland, Cypress trees, and vestiges of the past. At the Venice Train Station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day will then be yours to explore independently. You may wish to walk to Piazza San Marco, visit the Rialto Bridge, or admire the city in its everyday splendor.

At its height, Venice was one of the wealthiest states in the world and a center of trade. By walking along its canal, it is easy to find remnants of this storied past. After breakfast, you will rendezvous with your guide for an introduction to this iconic city. During your tour, you will visit the St. Mark’s Square, admire art and architecture at the Doge’s Palace, and sample local street food. You will then take to the canals in the afternoon for a ride on a gondola to see the city from the water.

This morning, you will embark by train to Florence, which was one of Italy’s most influential cities. After checking in at your hotel and having a rest, enjoy an introduction to the city. Today, you will discover Florence’s modern and historical gems, such as the bustling Sant’Ambrogio Market and the Piazza Della Signoria, where you can gaze upon Michaelangelo’s beguiling statue of David.

This morning, you will enjoy a delightful breakfast before transferring to the train station for a half-day excursion to one of Italy’s most frequently photographed places, Pisa. The city is best known for its Leaning Tower, but you will also have a chance to admire the strikingly intricate details of the Romanesque Pisa Cathedral and the site’s Monumental Graveyard. After some time for photographs, you will head back to Florence for an afternoon at your leisure.

Today, you will enjoy your lunch with some adrenaline and a nice Chianti. This morning, you will venture out to the Tuscan countryside with your guide for a half-day quad excursion that will have you exploring this storied region. The Chianti region is famous for its eponymous wine, and you will have a chance to tour scenic vineyards, fragrant olive groves, and forests on your ATV. You will then conclude your tour with a lunch of local dishes before heading back to Florence, where you will visit an enchanting 13th-century castle en route.

Today, you can hop on the train to Naples and head to the Amalfi Coast, which will be your base for the next two nights. Known for its azure water and laid-back atmosphere, the area is also home to some incredible archaeological sites like Pompeii. You will visit the 6th-century city, which was buried and subsequently preserved by falling ash from the erupting Mount Vesuvius. Afterward, you will continue to Sorrento, where you will enjoy an afternoon of admiring the incredible scenery with a gelato or an Aperol Spritz.

Capri has long captivated the world as a destination for the glitterati. Today, you will visit this highly sought island with your guide, where you will be able to appreciate the expansive views from Anacapri in addition to walking along the narrow streets of Capri to its local fish market for delectable pescatarian treats. After lunch, you can stroll through the Augustus Gardens before a boat trip carries you to the Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto is a series of cave formations that shimmer with cerulean reflections from the water. After you have had enough, you will return to Sorrento in the late afternoon.

After leaving the picturesque Bay of Naples, your train will speed to Italy’s capital. After checking in and having a rest, you may wish to set out to explore the city on your own. The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are just around the corner in addition to many quiet corners and cafes that give Rome such a romantic allure. In the afternoon, you will explore this metropolis via Segway. This unique tour will have you scooting around Rome’s ancient treasures, such as the Colosseum. Rome comes alive at night, and you may wish to explore the many culinary gems that it has to offer.

The Catholic Church and Rome will be forever intertwined. This morning, you will spend some time marveling at the Church’s epicenter of Vatican City. Your guide will provide you with the ability to skip the lines at the Vatican Museums while also providing you with intriguing historical context. During your tour, your guide will educate you about the museum’s intricate artwork and history. The Vatican Museums are notoriously mysterious, and your guide will help you uncover some of their secrets.

Sicily’s history, language, and culture is very distinctive, and local residents have a  strong sense of regional identity. Sicilians identify more with being Sicilians than they are Italians. After your arrival at Catania Airport, you will have the option of heading up the coast to Taormina or stopping to visit Sortino and the mountainside UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Necropolis of Pantalica. Taormina’s seaside location and its Greek-Roman Theatre will provide you with a unique base to enjoy Sicily.

Today, you will substitute your flip flops for hiking shoes when you visit one of the world’s most active volcanoes: Mount Etna. You will traverse lava flows and take in the views of the island as your guide explains the volcano's geological history and its relationship with the people who live in the surrounding area. The minerals from Mount Etna produce highly fertile soil, and you will get to experience this firsthand when you visit a local enoteca and sample wine that has been produced in the region. After your wine tasting experience, you will return to Taormina.

Today will be at your leisure to enjoy all of Taormina’s offerings. Isola Bella is a nature reserve that is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of beach. You may wish to shop at Taormina’s many small boutiques that sell everything from small souvenirs to designer clothing. Alternatively, you may want to indulge in the cool water of the Ionian Sea, people-watch, and sip cocktails on your favorite beachside location.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure.