November 2, Sunday Day 1:
Welcome to Venice and the start of your 10 days in Italy! I’ll pick you up at the airport and take you to our hotel via water taxi. Your room will be ready when you get there if you wanna take a nap or freshen up. The rest of the day is all yours.
Meet in the lobby of the hotel to walk over for a tour of the Grand Canal via Gondola before our Welcome Dinner!
November 3, Monday Day 2:
After breakfast (which is included all week), we’ll be heading St. Mark’s Square to tour the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
Delve into Venetian history on this tour that showcases two of the city’s most iconic structures and sheds light on the stories behind them both. Enjoy skip-the-line access to both popular attractions.
Your first stop is the legendary St. Mark’s Basilica. Wander around the mosaic-covered interior and Byzantine treasures while a local guide fills you in on how this collection came to be.
Then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.
- Skip-the-line access and tours of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
- Explore two of the floating city’s most iconic sites and learn the stories behind them
- Visit the opulent apartments and the Hall of the Great Council at Doge’s Palace with a guide
- Take a walk over the Bridge of Sighs
After our tour, we’ll have free time where I can show the Rialto Bridge and some of the other sights or you can go your own way for a few hours.
In the evening, we’ll be meeting back up for a food and wine tour (other beverage options available). There’s nothing like being shown the best of Venice by a local!
November 4, Tuesday Day 3:
We’re off on a little boat trip this morning! Today’s adventure is a day trip out to Murano and Burano Islands via boat.
Our guide will keep you entertained on the short boat ride to the small island of Murano, famous for its glass-making traditions. Find out the fascinating story of Murano glassblowers and how their skills were so valued they were banned from leaving Venice on the threat of execution. Watch a craftsman in action and listen to a description of the process in English.
Learn how silica sand becomes glass, and how the glass is given color. Afterwards, there will be time to browse the huge collection of glass art, and wander the island on your own.
Cruise to the tiny island of Burano to see the brightly-painted houses huddled tightly together along streets and canals. Uncover Burano’s centuries-old lacemaking tradition as you visit a building where women still partake in this tradition of stitching lace. Your guide will explain the process of this dying art.
We’ll get back to Venice in the afternoon and the rest of the day will be yours to finish up whatever you haven’t seen in Venice because we leave for Florence in the morning. All free time will have personalized suggestions available.
November 5, Wednesday Day 4:
Heading out of Venice this morning, via first-class high-speed train, we’ll be in Florence before you know it!
Upon arrival, we’ll drop our luggage off at the hotel and then off to a Tuscan Farmhouse where we will be learning how to make pizza and gelato. Dinner and drinks are included. It’s an exceptional evening.
November 6, Thursday Day 5:
This morning we’ll be going to the Accademia Gallery to admire Michelangelo’s David. Obviously, we’ll have priority entry so we won’t spend all morning in a line. 😎
After making our way through the museum, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free before we go on an evening walking tour of Florence. It will include dinner and a wine tasting!
November 7, Friday Day 6:
Today is a pretty epic day out and about as we go on a day trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano.
Start in the morning with a tour of Pisa. Have time to admire the cathedral, the baptistery, the monumental cemetery, and the famous Leaning Tower. Then move on to a typical winery in the Chianti Hills on the slopes of San Gimignano. Enjoy a Tuscan lunch (included) accompanied by a local wine tasting.
Following lunch discover one of the most beautiful medieval villages of San Gimignano, or the “Medieval Manhattan, where you can explore the maze of cobbled streets, small squares, and many local craft stores.
Continue on with a panoramic view of the Chianti countryside before arriving in Siena, where if desired, your professional guide will take you to see the most important squares, from Piazza del Campo to the cathedral, passing through the most beautiful contrade that characterizes this city.
November 8, Saturday Day 7:
This morning, we’ll be taking another cooking class! This time to learn how to make pasta and a dessert. Lunch is included!
Under the expert guidance of a multilingual chef, learn how to make high-quality fresh pasta, both using a rolling pin and a pasta machine. Use classic recipes and methods that you will remember and use for years to come.
Make 3 different types of delicious pasta with 3 different sauces, as well as a typical Italian dessert. The course will be followed by lunch featuring the dishes you have prepared during the class as well as a fine Tuscan wine in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
The rest of your day is yours to enjoy as we wrap up our time in Florence!
November 9, Sunday Day 8:
Off to Rome we go, again via first class, high speed train! Once we’ve dropped our things off at the hotel, I’ll take us over to my fav pizza shop for a very quick lunch before our tour of the Colosseum.
In the evening, we’ll be taking a walking tour of Rome to see all the fountains and piazzas lit up. Magical!
November 10, Monday Day 9:
After breakfast this morning, we’ll be going to Vatican City to see the Sistine Chapel and St. Pete’s Basilica. This is also a priority entrance tour so we won’t have to wait around for hours out front.
The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours and I’d be more than happy to suggest a few places to go if you need help.
November 11, Tuesday Day 10:
Today we’ll be getting out of Rome to see a tiny bit more of Italy before the end of our trip.
We’ll start our journey down to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pompeii. Upon arrival at Pompeii, breeze past the long lines with another priority entrance ticket and enter a time capsule of the ancient Roman world. Let your local expert guide give you a tour of these marvelously-preserved ruins.
Go to Positano, where the houses tumble down the hillside, and stroll among the boutique stores. Purchase some of the local limoncello liqueur, visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta or people watch from a restaurant terrace.
We’ll continue further south along the picturesque seaside roads of the Amalfi Coast. Marvel at the spectacular coastline as the mountains cascade into the sea and romantic villages climb up the mountains.
When we return to Rome, we’ll go for a farewell dinner to celebrate and incredible 10 days in Italy!
November 12, Wednesday Day 11:
Sadly, we will all go our separate ways today but I’ll get you going in the right direction to the airport so you can start your journey home.
Safe travels!
Included with your 10 days in Italy Tour:
- Airport transfers from Venice’ Airport and to Rome’s Airport
- Ten nights over three hotels
- Included Meals
- 10 hot breakfasts at the various hotels
- 2 dinners at local restaurants
- 1 entree, a side, and one alcoholic beverage or dessert
- 2 food tours
- 2 cooking classes that include meals
- 1 lunch on a day trip
- Tickets and Audio Guides (where applicable)
- St. Mark’s Basilica
- The Doge’s Palace
- The Accademia Gallery
- The Colosseum
- The Vatican
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Any entry tickets needed on day trips
- Activities:
- 2 Cooking Classes
- 3 Walking Tours
- Three guided day trips
- Murano and Burano Islands
- Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano
- Pompeii and Positano
- Train tickets
- First Class Venice to Florence
- First Class Florence to Rome
- Suggestions and recommendations for your free time
- One guide who is a text away if you need her (that’s me!)
- Brighter Things Amenity Kit mailed to you before the trip to make your flight more comfortable
- A pre-trip group Zoom call to say hey to everyone and go over any details you may be uncertain about.
- For example: flying internationally if this is your first time.
- A swag bag waiting for you in your hotel room full of fun stuff.
NOT Included with your 10 days in Italy Tour:
- Flights
- Public transportation or cabs used during free time
- Meals not included:
- Any meal not listed above
- Meals and snacks during day trips
- Entry tickets to places suggested for free time
- Shopping
This tour is an Activity Level 4. Click here for terms, conditions, and cancelation policies.
*Subject to change. Updated on May 17, 2023*
