Day 1:  Rome for 3 nights

Meet & greet private transfer from airport to hotel

1 double executive room, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Inn at the Spanish Steps****

With illustrious fashion houses for neighbours and iconic views all around, The Inn and The View at the Spanish Steps is made for unforgettable escapes. A stately townhouse dating back to the 18th century, part of this boutique hotel was once home to Hans Christian Andersen. From the moment you open the door, you’ll feel you’ve stepped into a fairytale of your own.

This luxury hotel is set on the Via dei Condotti, where you’ll find exclusive boutiques showcasing all the latest trends. But walk in the other direction and you’ll journey back into Rome’s past. Stroll up the Spanish Steps to the Trinita dei Monti church, or throw a penny in the Trevi Fountain. Ancient treasures such as the Pantheon and the Roman Forum are also close by.

http://www.theinnatthespanishsteps.com/en/luxury-hotel-rome-penthouse.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiAv5-zBRCAzfWGu-2jo70BEiQAj_F8oGUbYXe-84ze6OL-TG_5FZ6GwjPFIPIP9BtfPll2rrsaAmka8P8HAQ

 

Day 2:

3 hour private Jewish Heritage walking tour

Their private Jewish ghetto tour in Rome will take you to a charming neighborhood off the only island over the Tiber: not your stereotypical “ghetto.” In this Jewish ghetto tour, you will visit the modern-inspired, metal-domed Synagogue, twisty side streets facing the only ancient Roman theatre still visible in the area, and the nearby ancient fish market with its marble stalls.

From the island, you will walk over to Trastevere, a perfect place for dining out spot or an evening stroll. This is the zone off the Trastevere bank, mere steps away from the island, which you can reach by walking over an ancient Roman bridge.

Some historical facts…

Pope Paul IV issued a legislation that revoked all the rights of the Jewish community and imposed religious and economic restrictions on Roman Jews on July 14, 1555.  This includes restrictions on their personal freedom. The legislation established the creation of the walled  and gated ghetto where the Jewish community were forced to move.  At the time there were about 2,000 Jews who were locked in at night.  They imposed Jewish males to wear pointed yellow hats and Jewish females a yellow badge. They were restricted to only have 1 synagogue and were forced to attend Catholic sermons on Jewish Shabbat.

The Roman Jews could only hold unskilled jobs as fish mongers, pawnbrokers or secondhand dealers.  They were forbidden to own properties and to practice medicine on Christians.

Pope Paul IV’s 2 successors continued the expansion to create other ghettos in most Italian towns and other bordering states. The oppression was finally abolished in 1882.

 

Day 3:

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Semi-Private 

Duration of tour: 3 hours

Meet with your guide and your small group (maximum 10 people) and enter the Museums before the general public.Avoid the lengthy queues and explore one of the world’s most extensive art collections with an expert local guide on this fascinating tour of the Vatican.Your guide will share the stories and secrets contained within the Museums’ walls, pleasures originally meant for the exclusive enjoyment of the Pope.Experience Michelangelo’s famous Creation of Adam with you own eyes as you explore the Sistine Chapel and wander Raphael’s Rooms. After taking in the Museums, be humbled by the imposing beauty of Saint Peter’s Basilica, where you will encounter another of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, La Pieta’. For a fascinating finish, you will stop to admire the magnificent Saint Peter’s Square, as your guide points out Bernini’s ingenious use of optical illusion.

Includes:  Private guide, privileged entrance to the Museums ahead of the general public, entrance ticket and reservation fee for the Vatican Museums.

Skip the Line Colosseum and Ancient Rome by Night Tour  at 7 pm

Duration of tour: 3 hours

See the Colosseum in a different light on this original night walking tour, visiting after the crowds have left when this monument is at its most beautiful and its most mysterious. Our tour starts with the Campidoglio, the suggestive Piazza outside the Capitoline Museums designed by Michelangelo. We will round the museums to have a vantage point overlooking the Roman Forum (closed at this hour) . Here your guide will tell you about temples, arches and the sanctuary of Ancient Rome’s famous Vestal Virgins. On our way down to the hill your guide will point out Trajan’s Column and Caesar’s Forum . Then it’s on to the highlight of our tour- the Roman Colosseum. At this time the Colosseum is virtually empty and we will wander the arena floor from where you will understand the magnitude of Ancient Rome’s foremost amphitheater and venture into the underground, treading the tunnels that gladiators and beasts walked before being hoisted onto the arena floor via trap doors. Few visitors ever get to the visit the Colosseum underground, and fewer still see it at night, making this peaceful, spooky visit even more special.

Includes:  English speaking guide, Skip the Line Entrance to the Colosseum, Groups no larger than 25 people.

 

Day 4:  Positano for 3 nights

1st class train from Rome to Naples with seat reservations

departure at 10 am, arrival at 11:10 am

Meet & greet private transfer from Naples train station to hotel with a stop and 2 hour private guided tour of Pompeii

Your licensed Pompeii tour guide will then take you for a private guided tour of the lost city of Pompeii. Thirty feet of hot mud and volcanic ash buried this Roman city completely when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. Your private Pompeii tour will be conducted by a licensed local guide who will take you through this once-prosperous city, established in 12th century B.C. You will see villas, baths, storefronts, houses, pizza parlors, forum and other artifacts from Pompeii’s heyday.

Entrance fees to be paid locally

 

1 double deluxe sea view terrace, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel San Pietro*****

Offering a private beach, fitness centre and a Michelin-starred restaurant, Il San Pietro di Positano is located in Positano. This luxurious 5-star hotel features elegantly furnished rooms with a terrace and sea views.

The spacious rooms all include bathrobes, slippers and a flat-screen TV with satellite and pay-per-view channels. Some also feature a design sofa or chair.

Local organic food is used to prepare gourmet dishes at the restaurant. A generous sweet and savoury buffet breakfast is served daily. On request, breakfast is provided in your room.

At the San Pietro di Positano hotel, you can enjoy drinks and cocktails at one of 2 bars, one of which is at the beach. A tennis court, state-of-the-art spa and a free outdoor pool are also available.

This hotel includes free on-site parking. A free shuttle bus to/from the centre of Positano can be arranged on request.

http://www.ilsanpietro.it/it/

 

Day 5:

Cooking Class at Buca di Baco

Classes start at 3:30pm and last two hours, finishing at 5:30pm with a tasting of the dishes prepared (appetizer, first course and second course).

Where: cooking classes are held in the open kitchen of the Ristorante Buca di Bacco.

Tasting: at the end of the class, participants taste the fruits of their labour and receive a souvenir gift of the culinary experience.

 

Day 6:

English speaking driver at disposal for the day to go to Vietri.

Vietri sul Mare is a fascinating town, gate door of the Amalfi Coast. With a wonderful panorama on the Salerno Bay and the Amalfi Coast, it could be a nice welcome to the most beautiful Coastline of the South Italy. Stroll along the colorful houses and narrow streets of Vietri sul Mare, built in relation to the Arab defensive strategies. People say that during the incursions, inhabitants threw things down from the balconies to block the entrance of enemies. History and traditions, art and traditional crafts of the Amalfi Coast, the picturesque village will impress you with its charm and curiosity!

Renoun all over the World, the colorful Ceramica of Vietri is a tradition dating back to the 15th century. Today the Ceramic Handmade Artworks are, also, an attraction for tourists and visitors coming to the Amalfi Coast. We will visit a local Ceramic Factory, assisting at the ceramic processing. Locals will show all the working steps to make Ceramic handicrafts and then you will join the Ceramic class, making a personalized ceramic work.

 

Day 7: Florence for 3 nights

Private transfer from hotel to Naples train station

1st class train from Naples to Florence with seat reservations

departure at 10 am, arrival at 12:51 pm

1 double deluxe, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Brunelleschi****

Completely renovated in 2012, Hotel Brunelleschi is in a restored Byzantine tower and Medieval Church overlooking Florence Cathedral. Its elegant rooms come with parquet floors and 42″ LCD TVs.

The Brunelleschi’s contemporary style rooms have air conditioning, an iPod docking station and a laptop safe with power outlet. The bathrooms come with a make-up mirror, hairdryer and toiletries by Maison Dr. Vranjes. The rooms have a twice-daily cleaning and turndown service.

There is a new restaurant, Osteria della Pagliazza, and a new Tower bar where you can enjoy a drink. The Brunelleschi Hotel also has a fitness center, private museum and 3 meeting rooms. Wi-Fi access is available and you will find a selection of local and international newspapers.

The hotel is in a pedestrian area half a mile from Santa Maria Novella Train Station. It is surrounded by popular shops and cafés, just a 5 minute walk from the famous Uffizi Gallery

http://www.hotelbrunelleschi.it/

 

Day 8:

Priority access tickets to see David

 

Day 9:

Day at leisure

 

Day 10:  Tuscany for 2 nights

Private transfer from Florence to Cortona

1 deluxe suite, breakfast & taxes included at In Borro Relais & Chateau*****

Set in the Tuscan countryside, Relais & Chateaux il Borro is less than 5 minutes’ drive from San Giustino Valdarno. It offers air-conditioned accommodation, 3 restaurants and an outdoor pool.

With free Wi-Fi, accommodation at Il Borro feature suites or apartments with 1 or 2 bedrooms, a living area with satellite TV and a fully equipped kitchenette or kitchen. They overlook the garden or surrounding countryside.

On-site parking is free and wine tours are available on request. The different restaurants offer either quick lunches, gourmet or traditional cuisine. Arezzo is a 30-minute drive away, while Florence can be reached by car in 1 hour.

http://www.ilborro.it/en/

                       

Day 11:

English speaking driver at disposal for full day truffle hunting and wine tasting

An English speaking private tour leader meets you in the morning and accompanies you to the premises of a local truffle hunter. Together with the hunter, his dog and the guide you walk into the surrounding woods, in the charming area of the Pisan hills, for a truffle hunting session of 1.5 hours.
After the walk in the woods, you get back to the hunter’s place, which is also a famous shop of fresh truffles, and taste truffle oil, truffle sauces and very original truffle-based products like honey, balsamico and cheese. The truffle hunting walk is followed by a delicious lunch based on truffle products and fresh truffles.
In the afternoon, you drive for about 15 minutes and reach a spectacular winery in the middle of a very scenic hilly countryside, right in the middle of charming vineyards. The company produces excellent Chianti and superb Igts, which are exported all over the world..
At first you will get a detailed introduction to the wine production of the area, making use of autoctonous grapes only along with very advanced techniques for optimizing the harvest.
Then you enter the winery and have a guided tour of the production areas, the storage rooms and the bottling facilities. The winemaker in person shows you all the phases of the winemaking process to help you understand and identify the features of an excellent wine.
After the visit, you sit in the panoramic tasting room of the winery and sample 4 different types of wine, served along with some local specialties. The company is able to ship their wines to almost any destination in the world.

 

Day 12:  Venice for 2 nights

Private transfer from hotel to Florence train station

1st class train from Florence to Venice with seat reservations

departure at 11:30 am, arrival at 1:35 pm

Meet & greet private transfer from train station to hotel by boat

1 junior suite lagoon view, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Londra Palace****

Located on the Riva degli Schiavoni, Hotel Londra Palace is just a 5-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square. It offers free Wi-Fi, and rooms with antique furniture. Some offer views of St. Mark’s Basin and St. George Island.

Rooms at the Londra Palace are uniquely decorated, and feature original paintings and silk furnishings. All rooms come with a minibar and satellite LCD TV, and some have a balcony.

The award-winning Do Leoni restaurant specialises in modern Venetian cuisine. In fine weather, both dinner and breakfast can be enjoyed on the terrace on the banks of St. Mark’s Basin.

The Londra Palace Hotel is 165 feet from St. Zacharias’ Church and 1,313 feet from the Doge’s Palace. The vaporetto water bus departs from the nearby San Zaccaria stop.

http://www.londrapalace.com/en/

2 hour private guided walking tour of Venice pm  

On this private guided tour of Venice, you will see three of the city’s most important sights. You will start your Venice tour in at St. Mark’s Square, the political and religious center of the Republic of Venice. You will see many of its historical and artistic treasures dating from antiquity: the Basilica with its precious mosaics; the Ducal Palace with its well-known Bridge of Sighs; the Procuratie palaces and the Napoleonic Wing; and the Clock Tower, the Campanile and the Marciana National Library. You can decide whether to include in the tour the visit to the Doge’s Palace inside or continue your walk to the Rialto area.

Instead of visiting the Doge’s Palace, you can also visit the Castello district, which centers on St. John and St. Paul’s Square. Here you can visit the beautiful Renaissance Church of the Miracles or the Querini Stampalia Foundation, housed in a famous Venetian palace with its original antique furniture as well as a precious art collection.

All our private tours in Venice can be fully customized for your family or private group. Unique activities or arrangements can be made. Example: opening of the Basilica in Venice for private viewing or touring.

 

Day 13:

Murano Glassblowing and Burano Lace Making Tour at 2:15 pm

Duration of tour: 5 hours

We start our tour with a short and comfortable boat ride to Murano. There is a lot to see on the way and your guide will keep you entertained with a description of the sights as you pass them. It’s no time at all until we are off the boat again, taking our first step on glassblower’s workshop in Murano, a small beautiful island world famous for its glass. We will see the craftsman working while he will describe to you the process. Afterwards you will have time to browse the huge collection of glass art and wander the island on your own. Then it’s back on to the boat and off to our next stop, Burano. The tiny island is famous for two reasons, for its houses, huddled tighly together along streets and canals, each one is painted a different colour with laundry strung up across narrow streets. According to the legend, fishermen painted their houses in bright shades to see their homes from a distance. But Burano’s major claim is its centuries old tradition of lacemaking. Your guide will take you through the streets and across the bridges of Burano to a small building where three women sit in a circle, stitching lace like their mothers and grandmothers before them. Stay and watch their painstaking work, listen a full commentary on what has become a dying art and take the time to explore the fascinating museum at the back.

Includes:  English speaking guide, roundtrip transportation by boat, glassmaking demonstration at Murano’s factory, lacemaking demonstration at Burano shop.

 

Day 14

Private transfer from hotel to airport by boat