Italian Vacation of a Lifetime: Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome

You have just arrived in Venice, and already the city enchants you, filled with marbled piazzas and stunning palaces, remarkable history, and elegant décor. Your accommodations are located in the heart of the City of Bridges, where the Rialto Bridge arches over the waterway, showcasing its elaborate 16th-century construction alongside rows of exuberant boutiques. Settle in and enjoy the ambiance of the city as your tour begins.

After breakfast, the day is yours to revel in the famous city at your preferred pace, wandering the labyrinthine streets that range from wide avenues to narrow alleyways. When you reach St. Mark’s Basilica, you find one of the most recognizable churches in the world, filled with 45,639 square feet of gold mosaics decorating the domes and the walls. The elegance of the historic church illuminates the city's history alongside the grace of the marbled Palazzo del Doge.

Set out ready to enjoy what the Venetian’s call “Dolce far neinte,” or, “the sweetness of doing nothing.” For something uniquely Venetian, you can step onto a relaxing gondola to explore the narrow canals of the cityscape. Pass underneath bridges made of stairs, where you have to duck beneath the archway. Canal-side cafes provide decadent aromas for your journey along the calm water. You can hear a violinist practicing from one of the open windows, creating the perfect ambiance along the historic waterways, straight out of a daydream.

Wake up to another day along the canals, and the charm of yesterday’s gondola ride lingers in your thoughts. After breakfast, your private transfer escorts you down the Grand Canal to the train station, where you settle into the comforts of your first-class train car en route to the iconic fashion city of Milan. Michelangelo and da Vinci, along with the composer Verdi, and the designer Giorgio Armani, have called the city home. Upon your arrival at the Milano Centrale Railway Station, your private transfer takes you to a remarkable hotel near the city center.

In the morning, the fashionable city resembles a magazine cover, filled with elegant locals sitting in cafes and sipping their morning espresso. The day is yours to explore Milan and its surrounding countryside any way you wish. Take a tour to experience Lake Como's pristine beauty or meander through Castello Sforzesco, a stunning palace home to one of the wealthiest families in Milan for centuries. Perhaps explore the Santa Maria della Grazie as the refectory overshadows the sophisticated architecture, as it houses the extraordinary Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. You might opt to visit Grand Galleria Vittoria Emanuelle II, a shopping gallery that resembles a palace.

In the morning, your private transfer takes you to the central train station, where you board your luxurious first-class compartment on your way to the famous city of Florence. You will arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Your private transfer escorts you to your centrally located hotel where you can see the tremendous Renaissance-era dome of the Florence Cathedral. The dome was designed by Brunelleschi in the 15th century and remains the largest unreinforced brick dome in the world. Settle into the city, and look forward to all that is ahead. Complete the day with a tour of Accademia Gallery to admire Michelangelo's David as you begin your immersion into the city.

In the morning, you will meet your guide for the day and begin your exploration of Florence’s encompassing history, traveling through the streets on a Segway. Your guide points out the marble signs hidden on the buildings, each noting the moment in Dante’s Divine Comedy when the street, building, or person who once lived in that area of town was mentioned. The stalls in San Lorenzo overflow with pashminas, scarfs, hats, and famous Florentine leather goods, from coats to purses. See the Basilica of San Lorenzo, one of the largest churches in the city, and the burial site of the principal members of the Medici family.

After breakfast, your private guide meets you at your hotel and escorts you into the famous Tuscan countryside, taking you through the emerald grasses leading to medieval towns across the region. The charming town of San Gimignano dates back to the Middle Ages when pilgrims traveling to Rome would stop en route. The town originally had 70 towers creating an immense stone skyline, of which today only 13 remain. The historic center bustles with activity at all times of the year, winding along narrow cobblestone alleyways leading to the triangular main square of Piazza della Cisterna. On the northern edge of town is an unassuming Gothic style church constructed in the late 13th century. The interior contains an elaborate cycle of 15th-century frescoes decorating the choir and painted by Benozzo Gozzoli, depicting the life of St. Augustine.

Your private transfer will lead you to the train station to board your first-class car venturing southbound the remarkable city of Rome. Arrive at Roma Termini and be whisked away to your sensational hotel. Rome has maintained its classical appeal for millennia, with its iconic Roman ruins, medieval churches, and modern storefronts combining to make something tangibly special. Rome is a perfect city to wander. See the Piazza Navona as artists and architecture students settle in the plaza and recreate the buildings, attempting to capture the movement of the statues, especially Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. The Fountain of the Four Rivers represents the four major rivers across four continents, with Roman Gods personifying the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata, each filtering into the single large basin. Plants and animals of their respective regions are etched into the marble near the personified rivers for a wonderful atmosphere.

The day is yours to explore the wonders of Rome, taking in the majesty of the Eternal City. Whether you choose to stroll around the Spanish Steps or tour the Colosseum, there is an endless amount of heritage and history to experience. For a look into Roman prominence, journey to the Capitoline Museums on Via di Monte Tarpeo. The museum displays ancient sculptures and archeological discoveries from around Rome, including a relics dating back to the 1st century BC. The Palazzo dei Consevatori and Palazzo Nuovo house the collected museums dating back to the 15th century under the patronage of Pope Sixtus IV.

This day is customizable, and your guide can adjust plans based on what you would like to see. Rome embraces you with a blanket of splendor, emanating from the meandering pathways that lead to iconic images of the city, such as the Trevi Fountain, and exquisite museums like the Vatican Museum. The radiant colors of the Sistine Chapel are a must-see, and the unique story told in Rafael’s School of Athens provides insight into the connection between the classics and Renaissance masters. It is worth exploring the Pantheon, which will stop you in your tracks as the cobblestone street opens up to Rome’s best-preserved ancient monument. The 2,000-year-old temple has stood since AD 125. The day is yours to see Rome in any and every way you wish to enjoy the city.

In the morning, the aroma of orange zest blends into the scent of freshly baked brioche. Cafes set their tables out along the streets and the flower stalls fill all over Rome with a blossoming fragrance. The Colosseum continues to stand as a symbol of the city and its impressive history, and overlooks the ruins of the Roman Forum. Soon your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to the airport for your flight home. There is always so much more of Italy to see, you just need to take the time so see it.