This 12-day trip is designed for those who have lived long enough to know what they like, and this theme will remain constant from the very moment you step into the living masterpiece of Italy. There is something about the Mediterranean world that values leisure more than other countries of the Western world. Attend a concert that displays the musical genius of Vivaldi, partake in a private cooking course, indulge in a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Venice – Orientation by Gondola
The winding alleys and watery corridors of Venice will be your playground for the first leg of your 12-day Italy tour. Upon arrival, you will be transferred by private car and then a water taxi to ensure your rapid transfer to the city center and your luxurious accommodation. After settling in, a private gondola tour will help orient you to your new surroundings. A few steps from your accommodation, you will board a comfortable craft that will carry you through the city and introduce you to the major spots that you can later explore on foot.
What's Included:
Day 2
Venice – Ponder Vivaldi’s Genius
Day 3
Venice – Floating Tour of Venetian Villas
Day 4
Florence – Tuscan Culinary Excellence
Day 5
Florence – Ageless Splendor of the Old Town
Day 6
Florence – The Largest Brick Dome in the World
Day 7
Rome – A Roman Garden Reverie
Day 8
Rome – The Vastness of St. Peter’s
Day 9
Rome – Ramble Through Ancient Rome
Day 10
Amalfi – Boutiques and Beaches
Day 11
Amalfi – A Breathtaking Voyage
Day 12
Amalfi – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy your first day in Venice on a private gondola tour of the city’s many waterways and bustling canals
- Savor the stringed melodies and musical genius of Vivaldi at a concert that will exhibit the talent that made this native son of Venice a world-class artist
- Bask in the rural charm of Veneto on a boat tour of the Brenta Riviera, which separates Padua from Venice and exhibits some of the regions most exquisite villas
- Roll up your sleeves during a cooking tour that is designed to introduce you to the proud tradition of Italian gastronomy and some of the secrets that make Tuscan cooking some of the best in the world
- Ramble through the red-roofed neighborhoods of Florence and lose yourself in the ageless splendor that inspires and uncovers the youth in all
- Wind up the narrow passages and carry you to the best view of Florence from the top of the Dome on a guided tour
- Step into the wonderful world of the Roman elite with a visit to the Villa Borghese, where you can wander the pristine gardens or marvel at the stunning artwork acquired by this famous Roman family
- Witness the stunning views of the Amalfi Coast on a private boat tour
Detailed Description
Timeless is just one of many praises Italy receives. The country is a playground for those who have also stood the test of time. With a history that dates back to before Christianity with all the modern amenities a traveler could desire, now is the best time to indulge in the perfect combination of comfort and adventure.
This adventure will begin on the shores of the Adriatic sea and the bustling port of Venice. The city overgrew the Italian archipelago that supported it, and today, it has to rely on a series of pontoons, pilings, and piers to support the growing sprawl. Through musical performances, recommended attractions, and guided tours, you will uncover this idyllic setting and fall in love with a city that is home to over 400 bridges. Next, you will venture to Florence and immerse yourself in the culinary capital of the region. From wines to steak, Tuscany boasts quite a legacy of food and drink, and it is here that you will learn the secrets of the Italian kitchen. After tasting two of the country’s most vibrant cities, you will transfer to Rome. Finally, you will conclude your tour on the pristine shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Amalfi Coast. Elevated to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Amalfi sits at the midpoint of the coast that shares its name and presents visitors with world-class restaurants, beaches, and shopping. Whether reclining with a book, partaking in the subtle art of the haggle with a street vendor, you will truly enjoy your time here.
The early spring is the best time of year to book this tour because mild temperatures will have arrived but not the crowds. Summer can still be a great time to visit, but higher temperatures and crowds will flood public services and contribute to long lines at the top attractions. No matter when you arrive, you can rest assured that this tour will place your comfort above everything else.
Starting Price
$5,400 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 5981 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.
