A beautifully, culture-packed trip, this Italian Adventure takes you around some of Italy's most iconic must-see destinations.Starting in Rome, 'The Eternal City', you'll discover elements of history dating back to the Roman Empire, the most successful Empire in history. Moving on to Florence, you'll discover two of the world's most renowned museums, one being home to Michaelangelo's famous statue of David: Accademia and Uffizi. As no trip to Italy is complete without a visit to Venice, your tour guide will take you on a walking tour of 'The Floating City' to discover some of the most important attractions of Venice. A traditional gondola ride will top-off your visit to Venice.Ending this trip on a high note, you will then visit Lake Garda. With leisure time to soak in the sun, as well as amazing activities such as a wine tour and a boat tour of the lake, this adventure will make you never want to return home!
Upon your arrival in Rome, your private driver will take you from Rome Fiumicino Airport to your hotel in the city centre. You'll then have the afternoon to relax at the hotel or explore the city as you wish.
Day 2: Explore the Vatican Museums
Today, you'll learn about the centuries of history within the walls of the Vatican City from your expert tour guide. Beginning with the Vatican Museums, you'll take the beautiful spiral staircase and continue through the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps. You'll then explore the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgement by Michelangelo before having some free time to visit St. Peter's Basilica.
Day 3: Explore Imperial Rome
Today, you'll have the morning free before an afternoon tour of exploring Imperial Rome on foot. Beginning at Piazza Venezia, you'll then head to the famous Piazza Del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo, where you'll have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. You will then head to the Circus Maximus, one of the largest sporting arenas ever built but of course, you'll save the best til last, The Colosseum.
Day 4: Travel to Florence
This morning, your private driver will pick you up from your hotel in Rome for your train transfer to Florence. Upon arrival in Florence, a private transfer will take you to your hotel. After checking in, you'll have the afternoon to relax or explore the city as you wish.
Day 5: Explore Florence
This morning, you will explore this vibrant Italian city and take in the most iconic Florentine sights such as Piazza del Duomo and the magnificent Florence Cathedral, as well as the Accademia Gallery, known for its numerous collections of art, the most famous perhaps being the statue of David by Michelangelo.
Day 6: Uffizi Gallery Tour
Today, you'll explore one of the world's most famous museums with a licensed local tour guide. Constructed between 1560 and 1580, the Uffizi Gallery is famous worldwide for its outstanding collection of ancient sculptures and paintings that date from the Middle Ages to the Modern period. You'll explore these true masterpieces whilst learning all about their history from your guide.
Day 7: Travel to Venice
After a private transfer from your hotel in Florence to Florence Train Station, you'll embark on a high-speed train to Venice. Upon arrival in the city built on water, your private water taxi will take you to your hotel. The rest of the day will be yours to explore this wonderful city as you wish. From museums and art collections to bridges, piazzas, basilicas and the beautiful houses, Venice is bursting with an artistic heritage waiting to be explored.
Day 8: Walking Tour of Venice
Today, you'll take in the beauty of Venice on a walking tour of the 'Floating City'. The morning will see you take on the most iconic sights of Venice including the Piazza San Marco, the religious and cultural centre of the city, Doge's Palace, as well as the grandeur of St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Bell Tower and the Clock Tower. The afternoon will be yours to explore the city as you wish or perhaps base yourself in a square with a bottle of wine and watch the world go by.
Day 9: Leisure Day with Gondola Ride in the Evening
Today is yours to explore the city at your own leisure, you can find a great spot and people watch in one of the many cafes and restaurants, go shopping or perhaps take a different excursion out of the city. In the evening, you'll embark on a traditional journey through the magical network of the Venetian canals on a typical wooden boat known as a gondola.
Day 10: Travel to Lake Garda
This morning, your private water taxi will pick you up from your hotel in Venice ahead of your train journey to Desenzano del Garda (Lake Garda). From here, your private driver will take you to your hotel in Sirmione, one of Lake Garda's most sought-after destinations. You'll have the afternoon to spend as you wish to enjoy this serene location on the shores of Lake Garda.
Day 11: Wine Tasting Tour
Today, you'll head out into the rolling vineyards to explore the towns surrounding Lake Garda and taste some of the wines of this region. This tour will take you to discover places such as Borghetto, Sigurta Park and Selva Capuzza, where you can discover how local wines are made, as well as taste them. Beginning in the picturesque mill town of Borghetta, you'll visit the beautiful gardens of Sigurta Park followed by the Selva Capuzza winery for a tasting!
Day 12: Lake Garda Boat Tour
One of the best ways to visit Lake Garda, this boat tour will take around some of the most beautiful places around the lake. Beginning in Lazise, a beautiful medieval hamlet, you'll then head to Malcesine, a pretty medieval village with an interesting castle housing a museum. After a lunch break in Riva, considered to be the most important town on the lake, you'll head to Limone, the most picturesque village along the lake, with a wide choice for bars and restaurants.
Day 13: Leisure Day & Castle Visit
Today you will have the chance to soak in the glorious sun of Lake Garda, with an optional visit to the beautiful Castelo Scaligero. The 13th-century castle guards the lake and its two towers stand imposing over the town of Sirmione. Allowing the only entrance into the historic centre of the town, you can enter the castle via a drawbridge over the lake.
Day 14: Leisure Day & Boat Trip
Soak in the sun, discover local restaurants or go shopping in the beautiful towns that surround the lake - you choose! There are also plenty of incredible trails and walks to take around the lake so you will have plenty of choice on how to spend this day. If you would like, you can take a boat trip to Isola del Garda, an island renowned for its extraordinary Venetian neo-Gothic style villa.
Day 15: Arrivederci, Italia!
Time to say goodbye to Italy. Your private driver will pick you up from your hotel in Sirmione and take you to the airport for your return flight home.
