The Heart of Italy: Venezia, Firenze & Roma

8 days
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
Off the beaten path... Venice is around the corner, over the bridge, another island... Hidden places that most visitors miss. Like secluded vineyards outside Florence or the rare skill of classical art restoration... maze-like medieval streets in Rome's Trastevere... learning the secrets of local cuisine... Explore the new, and see the old, in a whole new lig...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Small groups (averaging 21 guests)
    • cooking class in Rome
    • after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums including rooms usually not open to the public
    • private demo at a Venetian glassblower's studio
    • wine & olive oil tasting and dinner at Frescobaldi vineyards
    • lunch with a contessa at a Venetian palazzo
    • private piano recital
    • exclusive behind-the-scenes look at art restoration at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence
    • tour of a Trastevere open-air market with a food & wine expert followed by a cooking demonstration

What's this trip about?

    Off the beaten path... Venice is around the corner, over the bridge, another island... Hidden places that most visitors miss. Like secluded vineyards outside Florence or the rare skill of classical art restoration... maze-like medieval streets in Rome's Trastevere... learning the secrets of local cuisine... Explore the new, and see the old, in a whole new light.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityVenice, Italy
End CityRome, Italy

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Small groups, averaging 21 guests A private demonstration by a cutting edge glassblower in Murano Lunch with a contessa at her family's private Venetian palazzo A private wine-pairing dinner at the Frescobaldi family vineyards in Chianti Rufina Private aperitivo & recital at the Palazzo Bargellini in Florence An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at art restoration at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure A drive amongst stunning villas from Venice to Padua & to see Giotto's masterful art at Scrovegni Chapel An after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, including rooms seldom open to the public Airport transfers upon arrival and departure 15 meals, service charges, gratuities to local guides and drivers, admissions, taxes and porterage

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Venice
Tour begins: 3:00 PM, BAUERS L'Hotel. A transfer from Marco Polo Airport brings you to your hotel just off the Grand Canal. Your entrée to Venice begins with a guided visit to Byzantine St. Mark's Basilica, followed by a short orientation walk. Join us for a welcome reception at your hotel and walk to dinner at a local restaurant. MEALS : D LODGING : Bauer Palazzo PORTOFCALL : Venice, Italy

Day 2 Glass art of Murano
A private boat transports you across the Venetian Lagoon to the studio of Fabio Follon, a contemporary glassmaker known for his exceptional technique and talent, on the island of Murano. Learn about the island's history of glassmaking and the deft hands it takes to work ...
Day 3 The Renaissance by way of Padua
Today's drive heads out along the Brenta Canal, built in the 16th century to connect the Venetian Republic with her inland "empire." The city's newly landed aristocracy lined the canal with magnificent villas - like La Malcontenta, designed by Andrea Palladio (called "un...
Day 4 Florence, the Uffizi and the Frescobaldi family wine cellars
Discover your Florence surroundings on a morning walk: the green-and-white marble Renaissance façade of Basilica Santa Maria Novella and Signoria Square, the civil center of Florence and an open-air museum of sculptures. End at the Uffizi for a private tour of works by G...
Day 5 Insider art and politics in Firenze
Open to the Culturious only, Opificio delle Pietre Dure is today's first stop. Once a workshop specializing in designs using pietre dure (hard stones like lapis lazuli and malachite) this prestigious institute, rarely open to the public, now specializes in art restoratio...
Day 6 Rome... and the Vatican seldom seen
Travel in First Class by high-speed train to Rome, where a walking tour introduces the Pantheon, the extravagant fountains of famed Piazza Navona, and the church of San Luigi dei Franchesi; inside take a closer look at a triptych of Caravaggio's dazzling works including ...
Day 7 Seeing the sights in Rome, an Italian food experience with a culinary expert, and a special farewell dinner
A morning tour by motor coach provides a broader look at Rome, from Via Veneto to monumental Piazza Venezia, with stops to view the Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Continue on to the district of Trastevere, where labyrinthine alleys will have you reaching for your camera o...
Day 8 Journey Home
Tour ends: Rome. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Residenza di Ripetta to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in. MEALS : B

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,490
Price per day$561
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Skip this cruise - not worth it

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-VV2016

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