Relaxed Winter Trip to Italy: Venice, Milan, Florence, & Rome

Morning/Mid-Day

Visit the Dorsoduro District

Discover the less well-known sestiere (district) of Dorsoduro and visit its world-famous art collections at Gallerie dell'Academia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Cà Rezzonico. Once a haven for artists before rising rents drove them out, it is still a charming and unique district with many lively spots, such as the Campo Santa Margherita, one of Venice's largest squares. Be sure to take a walk along its enchanting waterfront promenade known as Zattere and explore the cafes along its canals.

Morning/Mid-Day

Rialto Bridge & San Polo District

The graceful arch of the Rialto Bridge is perhaps the single most iconic sight in Venice since nearly everyone passes beneath it on their journey along the Grand Canal. It connects Venice's two most visited districts, San Marco and San Polo. While San Marco is famous for St. Mark's Square, San Polo more than holds its own as a must-see destination, as it contains some of the city's oldest neighborhoods and most picturesque canals and bridges. It is also home to some of the best restaurants in Venice, and admittedly some of its worst tourist traps as well. Among many highlights is the bustling Rialto Market, which was once one of medieval Europe's busiest financial and trade markets, and still does a brisk trade in fresh seafood and produce.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Best of Milan Private Walking Tour

Milan is the center of business and the capital of Italian fashion, but it also has an ancient heritage and a fascinating history; here you find some of the greatest masterpieces of Italian art! Together with your guide, you’ll explore the magnificent Duomo, Galleria, Scala opera house, merchant square, financial district, food street, and Sforza Castle.

Morning/Mid-Day

In Da Vinci's Footsteps: The Last Supper & Surroundings

Preserved in the refectory (i.e. the dining hall) of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is not only one of Milan's top attractions, but one of the most famous paintings in the world. Painted between 1494 and 1498, it depicts the last "dinner" between Jesus and his apostles. The painting shows the dramatic moment in which Christ reveals that he will be betrayed by one of the twelve apostles sitting at the table, as told in the Gospel of St John.  A mandatory reservation has to be made either online or over the phone if you wish to visit The Last Supper. Reservations for each calendar month go on sale approximately 3 months in advance. Spots are very limited, so if you miss your chance, then the best bet is a guided tour which includes The Last Supper. With so much to learn about the painting, seeing it with an expert is a good idea in any case. The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci is undoubtedly one of the most important works of art of all time, but Milan is a city full of surprises and you'll find numerous other sights linked to the great artist just a short distance away.

Morning/Mid-Day

Visit Italy's Greatest Display of Art at the Uffizi Gallery

As the capital of the Renaissance, it's only fitting that Florence should also host Italy's greatest art gallery at the Uffizi. It's understandably busy throughout the year, but it's nevertheless worth the crowds to see to see some of the most sumptuous masterpieces of Renaissance art, including Botticelli's Primavera and Venus, and works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. If you're planning to visit other galleries and museums in Florence, then it's definitely worth investing in a Firenze Card, which gives you free entry and priority access to 72 venues in the city. At a minimum, you should book ahead for the Uffizi to avoid very long queues.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Best of Florence: Half-Day Walking Tour

Enjoy a 3-hour private walking tour of Florence, the perfect introduction to the masterpieces of this city. Stroll around the historic center and take in sights such as the Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signora and end your tour at the famous Galleria dell'Accademia where you can enter to see Michelangelo's marble masterpiece, the statue of David.

9:15 AM

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains depart from Firenza S.M.N. (i.e. Florence Santa Maria Novella Station) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option; trams and buses drop off next to the station. Uber is available in Florence, and if staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags.

Morning

Exploring Rome's Historic Center (Centro Storico)

Rome's tangled historical center is packed full of some of the most fascinating and incredible sights. Explore elegant squares and piazzas, centuries-year-old churches, and baroque fountains and wander at leisure the labyrinth of ancient Roman cobbled lanes. Highlights include the Baroque grandeur of Piazza Navona and the great and endlessly copied Roman Pantheon.

Early Morning to Afternoon

Explore the Vatican City's Many Wonders

Rome is unique in the world in that it contains an independent country within its city limits - the Vatican City, from where the Pope administers the Catholic Church. The symbolic center of Catholicism is St Peter's Basilica, the second-largest Catholic church in the world and among the most beautiful. The Vatican Museum contains one of the greatest collections of art in existence, including Michelangelo's jaw-dropping Sistine Chapel. The popes had a bigger influence on Rome than just the collection of art. The Pope's title is actually Bishop of Rome, and popes administed the city for centuries, shaping its architecture & public spaces. Rome was re-built to be an example of urban beauty, and the Vatican was meant to be the showcase within the showcase. Their success is evident from the throngs of visitors who flock here even today.

9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Private Cooking Class in Rome, including a Trip to the Market

Join this ultimate food experience in Rome where you'll have the opportunity to shop for delicacies and discover hidden treasures on a "Shopping trip" to a local market before heading back to a relaxed and welcoming home located in the heart of Ancient Rome. Get your hands stuck in and prepare a seasonal menu paired with local wine.

To Be Determined

Private Transfer to Rome Fiumicino or Ciampino Airport

A car service will pick you up from your hotel and take you directly to Rome Fiumicino Airport. This is a private transfer for you and your travel party. You do not need to pay the driver as the cost of the private transfer is included in your itinerary.   IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.