Romantic Italy

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Amalfi Coast & Capri, Florence, Tuscany, Rome

This tour is perfect for honeymooners or anyone ready to fall in love with Italy's fine food, luxurious hotels and romantic landscapes.

Begin on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. With your private guide and driver, tour seaside villages such as picture-perfect Positano or other local towns such as Ravello, Sorrento or Amalfi. Depending on your interests, opt to browse local markets, tour Moorish gardens and churches, go wine tasting, or visit studios specializing in local items such as ceramics, cameos and sandals. Also enjoy ample time at leisure to frequent the pool or spa, shop at fashionable boutiques and sample the excellent local cuisine. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange private boat charters. One day, enjoy an excursion by hydrofoil to the fabled island of Capri. While there, tour the village of Anacapri, see the Blue Grotto, and enjoy time to explore Capri’s shops and cafes.

Next, continue to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. With your private expert guide, tour the city’s highlights according to your interests. Enjoy skip-the-line access at world-renowned museums such as the Uffizi and Accademia, browse antiques and artisan workshops of the Oltrarno district, tour historic squares, learn about Tuscan cuisine at specialty food shops and the Mercato Centrale, see the impressive Great Synagogue or stroll through the beautiful Boboli Gardens. Perhaps also visit less-frequented but fascinating museums, such as the Convent of San Marco Museum, with its frescoes by Fra Angelico, local fashion museums (Gucci, Ferragamo and others) or the excellent Museo del Bargello, a prison in the 13th century and now home to sculpture by Michelangelo and Donatello. During free time, enjoy leisurely meals, walks along the Arno River and shopping for Florentine gold jewelry, handmade paper, leather goods, antiques and housewares. Also enjoy a private Italian cooking class and learn to prepare favorite Tuscan dishes. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional touring such as access to private art collections and specialty museums, visits to renowned local gardens.

Next, you will be transferred into the heart of Tuscany. Travel through olive groves and vineyards to explore celebrated hill towns such as Siena and San Gimignano. Other beautiful towns you may wish to visit include Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano. Walk medieval alleys and admire palazzi and ancient towers, and enjoy time to browse for olive oil, wine, baskets, cheeses, olive wood and ceramics. Taste wines at their source, listen to white-robed monks sing haunting Gregorian chants in a Romanesque church, or shop for designer goods at excellent outlet shops—the Tuscany touring will be determined by your interests. During free time at your beautiful hotel, additional activities can be arranged, such as truffle hunting, a private tour and tasting at a winery, a Tuscan cooking class, guided nature walks, biking, hiking and more.

Enjoy a stop in Orvieto, a small city perched on a cliff in Umbria, en route to Rome. Enjoy comprehensive private touring and experience the best of Roman culture, history and lifestyle. Discover ancient pagan and Christian monuments, the splendors of Baroque and Renaissance palaces and churches, and the surprising urban additions of the modern city. Highlights include the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, Saint Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, Via Veneto, the morning fruit and flower market of Campo dei Fiori, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese, the Jewish Quarter, the ruins along the Appian Way, beautiful Aventine Hill, and the catacombs and "Underground Rome." Artisans of Leisure can also arrange special activities such as visits to other ruins and museums according to your interests, a private cooking class, tickets to evening cultural performances, tours of important churches, garden tours, wine tasting and more. During free time in Rome, enjoy la dolce vita and the city's excellent restaurants and boutiques.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Amalfi Coast Private transfer from Rome or Naples to Amalfi Coast for 3 nights Day 2 Amalfi Coast At leisure at resort Day 3 Amalfi Coast & Capri Private transfer to hydrofoil to Capri for private island tour in morning and afternoon at leisure Day 4 Amalfi Coast - Florence Private transfer to Florence for 3 nights with stop en route Day 5 Florence Half day private walking tour in Florence, including skip-the-line access at museums Day 6 Florence Morning private cooking class. Afternoon at leisure Day 7 Florence - Tuscany Private transfer to Tuscany for 2 nights, with Siena, wine tasting and visits to other hilltowns en route Day 8 Tuscany At leisure at resort Day 9 Tuscany - Rome Private transfer to Rome for 3 nights, with stop in Orvieto en route Day 10 Rome Full-day private tour Day 11 Rome Private half-day tour Day 12 Depart Italy Private airport transfer

Hotels

Amalfi Coast: Belmond Hotel Caruso or Le Sirenuse Florence: Four Seasons Florence, St. Regis Florence or Hotel Savoy Tuscany: Castiglion del Bosco or Il Pellicano Rome: Hotel de Russie or Hotel Eden

Cost

Upon request