Italy Elite

Enjoy a truly special day in Rome and experience an exclusive private evening visit to the Vatican museums when it is closed to the public. Imagine the peace and quiet - just yourselves and your Guide to take in surroundings in awe and wonder.

Start your day by enjoying a guided visit of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli. With its palace and garden, it is one of the most remarkable and comprehensive illustrations of Renaissance culture at its most refined. Its innovative design along with the architectural components in the garden (fountains, ornamental basins, etc.) make this a unique example of an Italian 16th-century garden.

At the end of your visit of Villa d'Este and its gardens, you'll be taken to the picturesque spot of Castelgandolfo for lunch. The restaurant in question enjoys wonderful views of Catelgandolfo Lake and is located next to the Pope's Summer residence.

After a relaxing meal, relax on the private transfer back into Rome and take in a private visit of the Vatican Museums outside of opening hours. This is truly a very special way to see this awe inspiring monument to Christianity. At the end of your guided tour, you'll be brought back to you hotel.

Meet your private guide & driver at the hotel to head to for a day to discover the art and life of two men that left an indelible mark on Roman and Italian art. Your private local guide will take you through churches and collections where Caravaggio & Bernini's most characteristic masterpieces are set. You will also pay a visit to the famous Galleria Borghese that houses a large collection of masterpieces. You will later return to your hotel. Entrance fee to Galleria Borghese included.

Meet your driver for a private train station transfer.

Enjoy the train ride from Rome to Florence. Train duration is approximately 1 hour 30 mins.

Take a private train station transfer in Florence.

Discover the richness and creativity of Tuscan and Italian cuisine in the exclusive and inviting setting of the Hotel Lungarno overlooking the Arno. Resident chef Beatrice Segoni invites you to sample her delightful interpretations over lunch or dinner in the unforgettable Borgo San Jacopo Restaurant gourmet restaurant  in the heart of the elegant Hotel. The Picteau Bar in the lounge of the luxury hotel is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee or a cocktail surrounded by original art by Picasso and Cocteau, while the beautiful terrace of the Sky Bar on top of the medieval Consorti tower, seems just one step away from heaven and the famous sights of Florence.

Travel back to the Renaissance period during this half day walking tour that explores the renowned Italian city of Florence.  This guided tour ensures that you visit some of the many landmarks and sites that have made Florence a global tourist hub, and one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.  This walking tour begins with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, boasting some true masterpieces of art including Raphael’s “Madonna of the Goldfinch” and Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Annunciation.”  The tour continues with a walk through the Signoria Square to marvel at the re-created duplicate of Michelangelo’s statue of “David.”  Next is a visit to the elegant Ponte Vecchio, which translates to “old-bridge,” dating back to 1345, this bridge was actually built to replace the once previous bridge structure that was unfortunately swept away during a vicious flood.  Along either end of the bridge, take this opportunity to view, and purchase if you’d like, some of the many items for sale including souvenirs, snacks and jewelry.  Your final visits on this tour include stops at the 14th century Cathedral Square to view the Duomo, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower.

Overnight guests at the Hotel Lungarno receive complimentary access to the Ferragamo museum in Florence - an artistic centerpoint in Florence. The museum’s footwear collection documents the entire span of Salvatore Ferragamo’s career, from his return to Italy in 1927 to 1960 the year he died. It highlights his technical and artistic skills which, through his color choices, the creativity of the designs and use of innovative materials made a fundamental contribution to the growth and establishment of "Made in Italy". Some of the items reveal Salvatore Ferragamo’s relationships with artists of his day, such as the futurist painter, Lucio Venna who created some advertising sketches and the famous Ferragamo footwear label. Others document his continuous quest for the perfect fit and the invention of special constructions and materials, from the famous cork wedge patented in 1936 and immediately imitated all over the world, to the raffia or cellophane vamps, and candy-wrapper paper used during World War II. In addition, there are the shoes that are famous because they were made for Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn. This museum truly gives an insight into a century of history told by footwear. The items on display are periodically selected from the over 10,000 models in the museum’s archives and featured in biennial exhibitions that present different themes through Ferragamo shoes.
The Collection is also enriched by footwear production after the death of Salvatore Ferragamo, down to the present day. Every year, in fact, a number of models suitably representative of the season are entered in the Salvatore Ferragamo Archives which the museum draws on for its exhibitions. 

What better way to see the spectacular Tuscan countryside then by hot air balloon! After being picked up from your hotel, you will be brought to the launch field where everything will be explained to you before you hop aboard. Take photos or video the extraordinary 360 degree panorama or simply live in the moment and take it all in. Hot air ballooning is typically done in the early morning as this is when weather conditions are best, so launching takes place a half an hour after sunrise. After landing, celebrate with a bottle of wine and a Chianti breakfast.

Afterwards you will be brought back to Florence and dropped off at the Cantinetta Antinori, located in the historic center of the city on the ground floor of the Antinori Mansion where you can enjoy a wonderful lunch. The building is one of the best examples of Florentine architecture of the mid 1400’s. In order to provide as much flexibility as possible we have not included the cost of this lunch so you can choose what you like off the a la carte menu. Fully sated, stroll back to your hotel or grab a cab at leisure.

Choose from any number of optional private guided activities including; a tour taking in the artisanal side of the city where you can visit an artist's workshop and see how ancient methods of production are still carried out, spend the morning or afternoon being shown the finer details of Italian cooking as you enjoy a hands on cooking lesson followed by lunch or dinner, enjoy a private guided tour of the city - either walking or not, of the general sights or of somewhere specific such as the Uffizi or the Academia, If you are interested in exploring further afield, consider a private guide tour to towns such as Lucca, Pisa, Siena or the picturesque villages in Chianti where you can visit local farms and vineyards to sample the produce such as wine and olive oil. Walking and biking excursions can also be arranged - all you need to do is ask! If you are interested in luxury cars, you may like to consider a tour to Maranello - the home of Ferrari. Your Sales Advisor will be more than happy to help!

Take a private train station transfer in Florence.

Enjoy the train journey from Florence to Venice by fast speed train. Travel time is approximately 2 hours 40 mins.

For your added comfort, we will have a Meet & Greet assistance for you upon your arrival who will be waiting for you at the beginning of the platform which your train arrives in on. If a private train station transfer has been arranged, this representative will help to co-ordinate meeting up with your private water taxi driver and accompany you to your accommodation.

Any trip to Venice needs at least one romantic gondola ride, a form of transportation dating back to the 16th century, created specifically for the Venetian waterways. Reach on foot the Gondola Station. Board a traditional craft, riding up to four per gondola, and begin your 35 minute non-narrated ride through some the city’s canals. See the reflections of colourful buildings dance on the ripples below. To complete the setting, a singer and accordionist will accompany you.

A singer and an accordionist will make your gondola ride more enjoyable.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Meet your English speaking guide in the hotel lobby. You will discover the most renowned sites in Venice with a walking tour of Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Square and Cathedral. A prime example of Gothic architecture, the open-faced rooms and ornate façade demonstrate the splendor of this beautiful city. Climb the Golden Staircase and cross the Bridge of Sighs, spanning the palace to a historic prison across the canal. Visit St. Mark’s Square with elegant buildings and cafes, the site of many musicians and artists, and the magnificent St Mark’s Cathedral. Get an explanation from your guide outside of the basilica prior to entering, as they are not allowed to give narration inside. Follow your guide through the impressive interior of the cathedral, and proceed to the glass showrooms where you have an opportunity to purchase authentic Venetian glassware. Entrance fee to Doge`s Palace included.

Meet your English speaking guide at the hotel to begin your day with a private walking tour of Venice. Visit St. Mark's Square, the heart of political and religious power of the Venetian Republic for centuries, and learn the history that lies behind the walls of its most famous landmarks; the Basilica and its Byzantine heritage, the Doge's Palace and its adjoining prisons that retain the true secrets to comprehend how a city built on swamps became one of the most enlightened cities in the western world. Then, leave St. Mark's behind you to discover the enchanting Hidden Venice. Following a monumental route, your guide will narrate the in-depth history of Venice from its origins to the modern-day. You'll hear tales of illustrious Venetian characters like Marco Polo and Casanova. And you'll see Marco Polo's House, a Merchants’ Warehouse, explore the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa with its outstanding Venetian Palaces, the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo (the Pantheon of Venice), and at the Scuola di San Marco you'll learn about the famous Confraternities (Schools) of merchants and artisans of Venice that provided the foundations of the Venetian mercantile empire. Continue to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection ,one of Europe’s premier museums devoted to modern art. With masterpieces ranging in style from Cubism and Surrealism to Abstract Expressionism, the collection has become one of the most respected and visited cultural attractions in Venice. (Entrance fees to Guggenheim Museum and Basilica are included) .

Meeting at the hotel with your English Speaking escort to please the palette. Enjoy the city as locals do, visiting traditional Venetian bacaros (bars), for cicheti (similar to Spanish Tapas) accompanied by a glass of wine or beer. Each Baroco includes: 1 glass of wine or Spritz + 2 apetizers. The 'Giro di Bacari' is still a consolidated Venetian tradition, a perfect way to mix with the locals and savour some of the best Veneto Region wines and traditional food.

You will be met at your hotel by our local representative who will accompany you on the transfer from your hotel to the Marco Polo Airport by private water taxi.