Day 1

Depart from NYC to Rome

 

8:00 hr non-stop

Details: The Inn at the Spanish Steps, located in Via Dei Condotti 85, is one of Rome's best-kept secrets. Member of The Small Luxury Hotels of the world is uniquely located on Rome's famed shopping street near Spanish Steps and and other famous monuments such as the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Listed as a national monument, our building was a stately home in the 1800's and is now fully renovated with all modern comforts. Fully air-conditioned, quiet and exclusive in Rome, it retains the flavor of that era with its period decor. Friendly and efficient staff are always available to arrange limousine services and sightseeing tours. The Inn, since it's a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the world in Rome, is pet friendly .

Day 2

Details: Treat yourself to an exclusive evening out in Rome that combines a dinner fit for a Roman emperor with an intimate nighttime tour of the Colosseum. This experience starts at the rooftop restaurant of the Hotel Forum, which overlooks the ruins of Ancient Rome. Sip prosecco and dine on a 4-course gourmet meal on the terrace, and then walk over to the Colosseum to explore the arena and its restricted underground chambers without the usual crowds. 
Highlights

• 4-course dinner at the Hotel Forum rooftop restaurant and small-group night Colosseum tour

• Sip on a glass of prosecco at a glamorous rooftop restaurant while gazing at the ruins of Ancient Rome

• Take a seat at an intimate private table on the terrace and dine on a 4-course, gourmet meal Savor a variety of famous Roman specialties such as rigatoncini alla carbonara

• Tour the Colosseum at night without the daytime crowds, and visit the first tier, arena floor and underground chambers

Day 3

Details:

With the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE, Rome entered a period of political upheaval settled only when Caesar's nephew Octavian defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra, took control of the Empire, and claimed the title of Caesar Augustus. In this tour of central Rome we look closely at this period and how, under the influence of the first emperors, Rome rapidly developed into one of the greatest capitals of the ancient world. Along the way we weave a narrative of power and legacy as we visit some of the most important monuments of ancient Rome, including the Pantheon, the Theater of Marcellus, and Largo Argentina.

Our walk begins at the Theater of Marcellus, originally conceived by Julius Caesar as a statement of prestige in his war of status with Pompey, but built by his nephew Augustus after his death. As one of the largest Roman theaters still standing and an amazing testament to Rome's ability to adapt and reuse its buildings throughout history, we use this monument as a jumping off point to lay the groundwork of our time together. Depending on our docent, who may be an archaeologist, classicist, architect or other specialist, our discussion may take any number of paths. But, some central themes will emerge: the story of the Caesars and their political adventures at the turn of the millennium; the intersection of art and power; the development of Rome as the center of an empire; and the role of city-making in history.

Day 4

Details: 

The Sistine Chapel and Pietà by Michelangelo, and the frescoes by Raphael in the Stanze, are just some of the many artistic treasures we visit in this in-depth Vatican tour. Led by a trained theologian or art historian, our critically acclaimed Arte Vaticana is the most popular of our guided tours of the Vatican. During this tour we will visit the Vatican museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica of St. Peter’s. By limiting our group size to no more than six people we are able to take a deeper approach to the Vatican as we explore papal history and the role of art throughout the history of the Catholic Church.

• Skip-the-line entry into the Vatican

• Small groups—max 6 people

• Includes Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's

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Day 5

Details: When you’ve got Italian designers on your mind, but can’t burn more on that purse than you did on your flight over here, there’s a solution: Italy’s outlet malls.

We have put together a guide of the most wanted shopping destications. Click here to see the full list.

Details:

Rising up from the ashes of the declining Roman empire, Venice, during the Middle Ages, was able to transform itself from a collection of fishing villages into a powerful Republic. During this period, the city grew to be a force that controlled a large portion of the trade and commerce in the Mediterranean, making Venice a vital link between Europe and the East. This unique relationship, coupled with Venice's place as one of the richest cities in Europe and an epicenter of the arts, generated architectural and artistic styles heavily influenced by Byzantine and Islamic designs. Led by a trained local scholar, this walk is the most popular of our guided tours of Venice, as it explores the city's distinct relationship with the East, and how it shaped the political, commercial, social and aesthetic development of Venice.

 

• Visits St Mark's basilica and explores the surroundings of St Mark's square

• Small groups—max 6 people

• Explores Venice's historical relationship with the East

Day 7

Train To Venice

 

2 hr total travel time

Details:

Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda is located in Gargnano, one of the most picturesque villages on Lake Garda. The Resort is situated inside an 11 hectares natural park in the heart of the spectacular and renown Riviera dei Limoni, surrounded by gentle hills and natural terraces rich in olive trees overlooking the lake. Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, the first jewel of the Lefay Resorts Collection and it has been conceived and realized according to the innovative Lefay concept of overall wellness, which embraces the entire holiday experience. Finally at Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda everything, from the interior design to the local materials and the building shapes were conceptualized and fashioned respecting the surrounding landscape and environment. Lefay´s green policies reach from architecture, energy saving and water saving to waste management.

Day 9

Details:

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is a popular holiday location and is located in northern Italy, about half-way between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan. Glaciers formed this alpine region at the end of the last Ice Age. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona (to the south-east), Brescia (south-west), and Trentino (north). The name Garda, which the lake has been seen referred to in documents dating to the eighth century, comes from the town of the same name. It is the evolution of the Germanic word warda, meaning "place of guard" or "place of observation."

Details: This modern business hotel is a 4-minute walk from a metro stop and 12 minutes' walk from both the Duomo cathedral and the Palazzo Reale palace. 

Polished rooms and suites feature refined decor, and come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers. Upgraded suites add cathedral views, terraces and whirlpool tubs.

Details: Milan, a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region, is a global capital of fashion and design. Home to the national stock exchange, it’s a financial hub also known for its high-end dining and shopping. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco “The Last Supper,” testify to centuries of art and culture.

Day 11

Depart from Milan

 

8:15 hr non-stop

Train to Florence

 

1:30 hr total travel time

Day 6

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is, perhaps, the greatest repository of Renaissance and Mannerist works of art in the world. One of our most popular Florence, Italy tours, this walk introduces you to some of the museum’s grandest pieces as well as often overlooked gems. Originally created by Cosimo de’ Medici I as office space for Florentine magistrates, this immense space soon began housing the resplendent art collection of the Medici family. It was officially opened for public viewing in the late 18th century. Here we will encounter some of the most important works of Renaissance art in the world, including masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Giotto, and Da Vinci. Along the way, we will explore the concepts of beauty, technical mastery, and the deep relationship between art and politics in Renaissance society:

 

• Led by an art historian.

• Small group walks of no more than six people.

• Visit the Uffizi museum and explore an in-depth explanation of selected works.

 

Rent a Car and Drive to Verona

 

3 hr total travel time

Day 8

Details:

Verona is a city on the Adige river in Veneto, northern Italy. It is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy, owing to its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows, and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans.

Three of Shakespeare's plays are set in Verona: Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Taming of the Shrew. The city has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture.

Drive to Milan

 

2 hr total travel time

Day 10