Ciao’s Grand Tour of Italy

Meet your group and your tour leader in Rome. Begin your day with a walking tour exploring the heart of the ancient city. The morning will start at the iconic Colosseum, the world’s largest Ancient Roman amphitheater, and then continue through the ruins of the Imperial Forum, where you will walk in the footsteps of over 2000 years of history. After a group lunch in a typical Roman restaurant, you will continue to uncover the mysteries of ancient Rome with a visit to the Pantheon and other highlights. Enjoy free time in the afternoon before a welcome dinner at one of our favorite spots in the historic center.

Today, journey to the religious heart of Europe: Vatican City. In the morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums (including the iconic Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms) and St. Peter’s Basilica (the largest church in the world, home to Michelangelo’s Pietà). Immerse yourself in one of the greatest collections of art in the world, surrounded by hundreds of years of religion, architecture, and history. Enjoy a group lunch at a favorite nearby spot before exploring Rome on your own for the afternoon. Do some shopping, or perhaps relax and have an aperitivo in a classic Roman cafe before dinner on your own. Enjoy one last overnight in the Eternal City before your adventure continues in the Italian countryside.

Say ‘arrivederci’ to Rome, and head north into Umbria, “the green heart of Italy.” Enjoy a scenic drive through the Umbrian countryside with visits en route to two classic hilltop towns. Stop first at Orvieto, soaring and perched high on a cliff, where you will visit the town’s stunning 14th-century cathedral and explore its ancient Etruscan origins. Near Orvieto, you’ll stop for lunch at a winery and eat your fill of classic local dishes, paired with some of the area’s best wines. Next, continue to Perugia, where you will settle into your hotel and share a group dinner.

Today explore Assisi, a UNESCO world heritage site framed between the gently undulating hills of Umbria and Mount Subasio. The day will start with a visit to the impressive Basilica of St. Francis to admire its majestic frescoes. Then continue your journey back in time on a guided tour through the alleys and squares of this quaint medieval town. For lunch, the group will head to Spello, another charming medieval hilltop village where you’ll dine at a favorite local enoteca and explore a bit on your own before returning to your hotel. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own and perhaps a nighttime stroll through Perugia’s historic city center.

Depart early in the morning and make your way into Tuscany, internationally renowned for its wineries tucked amongst the gently rolling hills. You’ll start with lunch at one of the oldest wineries in the Chianti region, where you’ll savor a wine tasting paired with local specialties.. In the afternoon, the group will visit the UNESCO-listed historic city center of Siena and explore its winding streets, beautiful brick facades, and bejeweled Gothic cathedral with a local guide. Finally, arrive in Florence and enjoy a group dinner featuring Florentine favorites.

Today, immerse yourself in Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Start off at the Accademia gallery, one of the first art academies in Europe, now best known as the home of the world-renowned David statue by Michelangelo. Your private guide will make the collection come to life and show you the secrets of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Afterward, enjoy lunch together and sample traditional Tuscan fare. Take time in the afternoon to explore Florence with free time, perhaps visiting the leather markets or strolling the iconic Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy dinner on your own before retiring for the night at your hotel.

Continue your exploration of Florence with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, home to one of the most outstanding Renaissance collections in the world. Your private guide will bring history to life through vivid masterpieces by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and many others. After the tour, enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant, followed by free time on your own in the afternoon. Reconnect in the evening to explore the magic of Florence at dusk with a guided tour of the Oltrarno, a charming neighborhood across the Arno River filled with artisan shops and elegant cafes. Enjoy an aperitivo and light dinner together, a perfect way to wind down after a long day.

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day today before continuing your trek north towards Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s legendary love story, Romeo and Juliet. On the way, you’ll stop in Modena to experience one of the most quintessential items of Italian cuisine, balsamic vinegar, with lunch and a guided tour of a balsamic vinegar producer. Once you reach Verona and settle into your hotel, you’ll have a group dinner featuring a typical Italian “apericena” with a rich array of hors d’oeuvres and finger foods, served along with an aperitivo. Buon appetito!

Today begins with a guided walking tour of Verona, with its many attractions and rich history, from Juliet’s balcony (yes, it’s a real place!) to the Ancient Roman arena, now used as an opera house. You will experience a hands-on cooking class to learn the secrets of northern Italian cuisine and enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll be free to explore Verona and eat dinner on your own, before one last overnight stay in the city.

Say farewell to Verona and head to Venice. On the way, stop in Padua, a hidden, off-the-beaten-path gem. Padua is full of rich history and beautiful architecture, and its quiet atmosphere near Venice makes it the perfect stopping point for lunch. Enjoy a tour of its major sites and time to grab lunch on your own before continuing on to Venice. Once there, you’ll have a group dinner of “cicchetti” – small finger food like tapas, unique to Venice and something every traveler should experience. Immerse yourself in the magic of the floating city on your first night in Venice.

Today, discover all the secrets that Venice has to offer. You’ll start with a walking tour of the city with one of our expert local guides, learning about the rich art of Venice and immersing yourselves in its thousand-year history as the longest-running republic in the world. Next, stop for lunch together before embarking on a visit to Murano- the second largest island in the Venetian lagoon, famous for its glass blowing. Experience the beauty of Venetian glass before returning to the main city for a farewell group dinner together and your final night in Venice.

Today, your grand tour comes to a close. As a farewell, enjoy private transportation to the airport in Venice for your flight back home. Or if you wish to extend your stay, you can continue on to your next Italian destination, be it the Dolomites, the Lakes, or another one of the country’s many treasures.

We bid you arrivederci and buon viaggio!