13D Hidden Gems of Italy

Upon your arrival at Venice airport, your assistant will escort you to your hotel along its romantic canals.

The second day of your tour is dedicated to discovering the iconic historic centre of the floating city. With your guide, you will explore the narrow streets, the romantic bridges suspended over the water and the masterful Venetian architecture found in St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

Today, you will leave Venice behind and head towards Bologna: gentle rolling hills and agricultural terraces will welcome you to the heart of Italy’s food valley. After checking into your hotel, your guide will accompany you as you discover the meanders of this beautiful city that everyone refers to as “red, fat, learned” for its three most important characteristics: its red arcades, good food and its university, one of the oldest in the world.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have the day at leisure to enjoy the city at your own pace. Lose yourself in its narrow streets in search of Lucio Dalla’s house, seek out the famous finestrella, taste the famous tigelle washed down with a good glass of Sangiovese or stroll along the 25 or more kilometers of arcades that lead to the famous sanctuary of San Luca.

After breakfast in your hotel, you will leave the lands of Emilia, crossing the border that separates them from Liguria and head for the famous Cinque Terre: five seaside villages connected by paths overhanging the jagged coastline of the Ligurian Riviera. What were once small fishing villages are now picturesque villages with colourful houses and vineyards clinging on to the coast.

After breakfast at the hotel, the crisp breeze of the Tyrrhenian Sea will accompany you as you discover the Cinque Terre. You will spend the day exploring the islands by sea to discover the pastel-coloured towns of Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso, Corniglia, and Manarola. Green and blue are the main colours that will capture your gaze on this scenic voyage as you pass through lush hills, sheer cliffs and picturesque villages.

After breakfast at the hotel you will leave the marvellous Cinque Terre and head towards the green Tuscan hills where Siena lies. Medieval rival of Florence, this delightful town boasts an immense historical and artistic heritage as well as an extraordinary food and wine tradition: this is why, in the afternoon, you will roll your sleeves up and take part in a cooking class to unveil the secrets of the most traditional recipes of Tuscan cuisine.

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will take you to discover the mastery of Romanesque-Gothic architecture that characterises the Siena style, finding its ultimate expression in its Cathedral. The unfinished walls of the eastern transept tell the story of Siena’s great builders and their ambition, interrupted by the devastation of the Black Death. Not to be missed is a stop in the famous Piazza del Campo, the venue of the historic Palio.

On your ninth day, you will leave green Tuscany and head further south: your destination is Sorrento, even further beyond the bustling bay of Naples. Upon your arrival at your hotel, you will have plenty of time to relax and begin exploring the colourful coastal town at your own pace.

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will introduce you to the enchanting Amalfi Coast: for centuries it has fascinated travellers from all over the world and today it is still a renowned destination for romantic trips and vacations. The panoramic but winding road that covers the almost 40 km separating Positano in the west from Vietri sul Mare in the east, will introduce you to the most emblematic places of this dream location. Why not take a cooking class and try your hand at learning the secrets of the local cuisine?

Today you will spend time getting to know the true pearl of the coast: the island of Capri. The tour will begin with a visit to Anacapri, a true concentration of Mediterranean colours in which to glimpse hidden gems. Your expert local guide will then take you to the Piazzetta: the true pulsating heart of the island, also known as the “drawing room of the world”. A ride aboard an elegant private boat is the perfect conclusion to your tour of Capri, to fully enjoy the magic of the island from the sea, and visit the marvellous Grotta Azzurra — whose natural beauty is renowned all over the world. In the evening you will return to your hotel in Sorrento for one last night on the coast.

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will be waiting for you for the transfer to Rome, the last stop of your busy stay in Italy. Upon arrival in the eternal city, an expert local guide will lead you to discover its most emblematic places: Piazza di Spagna, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona. Then, in the afternoon, you will visit one of the city’s most spectacular attractions: the majestic Colosseum.

One last espresso before saying goodbye to Rome. Your chauffeur will be waiting to take you to the airport.