Romantic Italy Getaway: Art, Food, Gondolas & More

Florence is commonly referred to as the Birthplace of the Renaissance and brims with romantic corners and hidden charms that are scattered around the magnificent city center, which radiates from beneath the poignant brick dome that crowns the dramatic cathedral at 376 feet tall. Your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival at Firenze-Peretola Airport and escort you into the heart of the city where you can settle into the comforts of your luxurious accommodation. The aromas of fresh pastries and espresso derives from the neighborhood bars and pasticcerie that line the maze of cobbled lanes. The enchanting ambiance stems from the irresistible artwork, architecture, and Tuscan cuisine, ranging from works of Michelangelo and Donatello to decadent seasonal flavors that capture the essence of the Italian spirit.

Your guide will greet you in your hotel lobby and will be eager to introduce you to the splendors of Florence before you to the highlights of the city. You will see everything from the Duomo to the Palazzo Vecchio and from the renowned Ponte Vecchio to the Old Bridge that spans the banks of the Arno River. The bridge has become a traditional image of the city that dates back to the 14th century and is lined with a dazzling array of jewelry shops. Graceful arches and colorful facades add to the luster of the bridge and the romantic ambiance that sweeps through the streets of Florence.

Discovering the prestige of Florence will become your goal for the day amid the comforting atmosphere that is cast across the glorious city. The aromas of leather and coffee will blend in the neighborhood of San Lorenzo where merchants open their shops for the day to showcase their handbags, shoes, and coats. Your guide will meet you in the hotel after breakfast and will be ready to lead you through the majestic galleries of the Uffizi.

The museum was originally constructed in the 16th century as the magistrate’s office but now displays Florentine and Tuscan masters who produced work between the 13th and 18th centuries. The sunlight will fill the large windows in the hall, making them shine against gilded filigree and polished marble floors, which lead to the greater collections that span nearly 139,000 square feet. One of the most popular paintings that you will find is Botticelli’s Primavera, which depicts a lavish celebration of spring with deep, allegorical meaning. The marvelous images of dancing nymphs, cherubs, and Zephyrus as they surround a stoic Venus embody the magnitude of the Renaissance by shining with intricate realism and impressive color.

In the afternoon, you will meet your chef for a private cooking class that will be located inside a palace in the heart of Florence. The aromas of the kitchen will captivate you as you find hints of garlic, onion, and fresh herbs. Your chef will provide insight into the importance of fresh, seasonal ingredients that provide the specific layers of flavor to the Tuscan cuisine as you learn the art of a traditional multi-course meal and how to properly craft fresh handmade pasta. You will follow the guidance of your chef as you blend the egg and flour before hand-rolling the dough into a long, thin noodle that is known as pici and is typical of the Tuscan countryside.

In the morning, you can enjoy the luxurious comforts of your room with a creamy and frothy cappuccino that is accompanied by a delicious, spongy cake and topped with icing, sugar, and filled with whipped cream and chocolate. You will then meet your private transfer in the hotel lobby. You will travel through the Tuscan countryside to reach the fascinating city of Pisa, which ruled the Mediterranean seas until the 13th century. The dynamic architecture captures the rich history of the city with Romanesque churches, grand Renaissance piazzas, and a beautiful 15th-university and vibrant cafes.

You will follow your guide to the Piazza dei Miracoli where the renowned Leaning Tower leans nearly four degrees. After visiting the tower, your guide will show you the lesser-visited Campo Santo, which was built on soil that was brought back from the Golgotha during the Fourth Crusade. The unique, Gothic burial ground contains Roman sarcophagi and Pisan patricians with an interior that was once adorned by 15th-century frescoes but was damaged during World War II.

You will continue to the walled city of Lucca, whose medieval churches and ancient foundations create a serene, romantic ambiance that is accentuated by the luscious parks that circle the defensive ramparts. The town walls reach up to 98 feet thick at the base and stand 40 feet tall. The city contains the aromas of blossoming flowers and freshly baked cookies that are made from almonds. You can stroll through the city and wander up the steps that lead to the top of the Torre Guinigi, which stands 148 feet tall. You will feel as though you have stepped into a secret garden with seven oak trees, which create a horseshoe atop the tower that overlooks the charming, medieval rooftops of the city.

In the morning, you will wake up in the enchanting coastal town of Vernazza, which is one of the five famous villages of Cinque Terre in the region of Liguria. The colorful tower homes wind along the narrow, cobbled lanes at the point where they overlook a small, natural marina. Fishing boats return to the safety of the bay after sunrise, carrying a selection of freshly caught seafood that can range from mussels, calamari, octopus, or clams. The scent of the sea merges with the herbaceous aroma of the towering basil plants that grow along the terraced gardens. The day will be yours to enjoy the charms of Vernazza and visit the connecting towns at your preferred pace by either taking the train or following the famous trails that were once used by villagers and their donkeys to carry goods from one market to the next.

You will visit the town of Manarola, which is one of the five towns of Cinque Terre where your guide will lead you on a fantastic wine tour that introduces you to the traditional flavors of the coastal region. Your tour will begin with a visit to the terraced vineyards that cling to the steep cliffs, overlooking the Ligurian Sea. The scent of parched soil adds to the fortified flavor of the grapes as well as their skin’s waxy texture. After learning about the local winemaking methods, your guide will lead you into a tasting room to sample the wines that have been produced on the property. Your tasting will be accompanied by customary focaccia and cheese. As you sample the wine, you will find aromas of sun-dried herbs, sweet lemon peel, and the sea as it gives way to hints of orange zest, thyme, and oregano.

The city of Verona is famous for hosting the star-crossed lovers from Shakespeare’s classic tale of woe that concerns Romeo and Juliet, growing to international acclaim as one of the most romantic cities in all of Italy. You will travel to Verona with a private transfer and arrive in the charming city that rises out of the banks of the River Adige with the elegant Roman Amphitheater that dates back to the 3rd century AD.

You will stroll along the cobbled lanes and pass medieval architecture that is filled with charming boutique shops and vibrant cafes. Following this route will lead you to the trickling fountain of Piazza delle Erbe and the nearby villa of Juliet Capulet. The famous palace that is connected to the epic love story glows with letters, which have been hung in the passageway from fans that have been written to the heroine, speaking with adoration, hope, and personal stories of love and loss. A bronze statue of Juliet stands beneath the iconic balcony.

You will continue to the city of Padua to board a boat that will take you down the Brenta Canal. The grandeur of the waterway showcases the wealth of the Venetian Republic and the former aristocracy of the villas that once crowned the banks. As you glide down the tranquil waters, you will uncover villages that fill the spaces between the majestic grounds. You will stop at a selection of the villas where you can find opulence in the artwork that decorates the architecture. Weeping willows shade the walkway, which leads to the palatial façade that is celebrated for its interior and is adorned with lavish trompe l’oeil frescoes that depict scenes from the Roman epic Ovid.

The floating city of Venice will spring to life in the morning around the Rialto Market with vendors calling to passersby with samples of produce or references to the freshness of their seafood that was caught that morning in the eponymous lagoon. Your guide will meet you at the hotel after breakfast and lead you through the sensational city that is connected by 118 islands and over 400 bridges. The Grand Canal snakes through the heart of Venice and buzzes with vaporetti and barges in view of the 17th-century Santa Maria delle Salute church and the soaring golden weathervane of St. Mark’s campanile.

You will spend time exploring the captivating history and allure of the Venetian Republic, which is enchanted by the gilded Byzantine mosaics that spread across the 45,639 square feet of vaulted ceilings and pillars that fill St. Mark’s Cathedral. The sunlight will pour through the windows, causing an ethereal glow as it reflects against the gold leaf and tiny pieces of colored glass. In the evening, you will board a private gondola and sail down the secluded canals of the quiet city, indulging in the romantic ambiance of restaurants that are lit by candlelight along the water and serene sounds of the canal as it laps against the edges of the cobblestone lanes.

The sunlight will spread across the magnificent façade of Palazzo Corner della Ca’ Grande in the morning, highlighting the beauty of the High Renaissance aesthetic in Venice. Ionic columns adorn the first floor with Corinthian columns that the second floor, connecting the architecture of the Renaissance with the splendor of classic designs. The tranquil morning will retain a touch of the romance that you enjoyed the previous night as you glide through the canals of the famous city. Your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and escort you away from the city to reach Marco Polo International Airport with plenty of time to check in for your flight home.