When the plane arrives in Rome, our special car is waiting at the airport and will take you directly to your hotel. You will stay in a design hotel converted from a 16 th-century girls’ school. This building itself carries history and was once the property of the Borgsay family, starting you on a unique Italian journey.

Today we will immerse ourselves in the art world of the Vatican. Visit the Vatican Museums (at least 2.5 hours), look up at Michelangelo’s masterpieces Genesis and Last Judgment on the dome of the Sistine Chapel, and admire paintings by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Caravaggio, as well as exquisite sculptures from ancient Roman times. Then step into St. Peter’s Basilica (at least 1 hour) and admire up close the gorgeous bronze canopy designed by Bernini and Michelangelo’s youthful sculpture “The Sacred Memorial”.

At noon, enjoy lunch in a warm family tavern, taste the fresh seafood purchased in the early morning, accompanied by a glass of white wine, and let the soul settle down from the rich art and history.

If time and physical strength permit, the guide will also take you to explore several ancient churches with few tourists, and see precious 6 th-century wax paintings of the Madonna and the finest 13 th-century mosaic frescoes in Rome.

In the morning, take a leisurely stroll through the ancient city of Rome and punch in classic landmarks such as the Wishing Fountain (Trevi Fountain), the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Don’t forget to sample authentic gelato, fragrant tiramisu and a cup of pure espresso along the way. We will also visit Villa Farnesina and admire the exquisite frescoes painted by Raphael.

In the afternoon, you can choose from the following three ways according to your interest:

○ Take a retro convertible sports car, pursue the classic Roman scenes in Fellini’s movie La Dolce Vita, and experience the romance and amorous feelings in the movie.

Today take a bus to Orvieto, which has a history of three thousand years. Visit the magnificent church built in the 13 th century and enjoy the frescoes of Revelation and Last Judgment painted by Sinolelli.

In the afternoon, we will stay in a Tuscan-style country hotel, where we will stay for two consecutive nights and enjoy a leisurely rural vacation. In the evening, head to the charming mountain town of Pienza, which is home to many excellent taverns. You can taste excellent Prosecco sparkling wine, pecorino cheese with unique flavor and authentic Tuscan beef and mutton cuisine.

○ Wine & Food Tour

Visit the medieval mountain town of Montepulciano, famous for its wine. Walk the valley vineyards and taste locally produced DOC and DOCG grade wines to appreciate the nuances of flavor. At noon, we will prepare the table for you in the olive grove for an authentic Tuscan country seder.

Cycling (dominated by downhill peace roads), follow idyllic paths through olive groves, vineyards and golden wheat fields, visiting small rural churches along the way. At noon, enjoy a simple and delicious picnic in the shade of the lake amid birdsong.

Accommodation: Hotel Pres Florence (Deluxe Room)

Take an afternoon ride to San Gimignano, known as the “City of Towers”, a town famous for its unique skyline of 15 medieval stone towers. Visit the Church of San Lorenzo and admire the wet frescos by Italian painter Martini. The Venaccia white wine produced here is very famous, and the guide will arrange a small restaurant with a scenic view of the open Tuscan landscape, so that you can taste wine with delicious local ham.

Dining: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Pres Florence (Deluxe Room)

In the morning, we will have a baptism of top art in the Uffizi Gallery (minimum 3 hours). There are Caravaggio’s thrilling Medusa, Botticelli’s elegant and timeless Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s delicate and moving Annunciation and Raphael’s tender Our Lady of the Goldfinch.

In the afternoon, take a bus to Venice, and transfer to a private speedboat on arrival, which leads directly to the hotel dock and starts your trip to the water city.

Optional upgrade experience (April to October)

After nightfall, follow experienced boatmen and learn how to steer a traditional gondola boat on the main canal. Looking at the halo of oil lamps turning from dim blue to dim yellow, the buildings on both sides of the strait are becoming more and more dreamy and blurred (90 minutes of private experience, non-public sightseeing projects).

Dining: Breakfast

Accommodation: The St. Regis Venice

In the morning, take a private speedboat to the colorful island of Burano. This island has been settled since the 5 th century AD, and the exterior walls of every household are painted in bright colors, which makes it particularly pleasant to stroll in the sun. Lunch at noon at a family restaurant that began in 1946.

Return to the main island in the afternoon to explore Venice’s core landmarks. Visit St. Mark’s Cathedral, once the starting point of the Fourth Crusade (visit inside), and then stroll through the streets and lanes to the famous Rialto Bridge. There are many authentic Venetian taverns near the bridge. You can taste traditional Cicchetti snacks, such as fried squid and sardines in vinegar, paired with local Spritz or Ombra wine, and experience the Venetian nightlife immersively.

Accommodation: The St. Regis Venice

○ Step into the country cheese workshop and learn about the traditional process of making Parmesan cheese, invented by Benedictine monks from the 10 th century onwards.

○ Visit a private cellar with a history of more than 600 years, which is still used to store and ripen excellent ham and cheese.

Tonight we will stay in a castle tower in a secluded countryside. You might as well find a good book in the chair by the fireplace in your room and enjoy a peaceful evening. Taste authentic Parmesan cuisine for dinner.

Take a ride to Portofino today. Compared with the popular Cinque Terre Village, this exquisite small port is more loved by Italian locals. We will enjoy lunch at an organic farm facing the sea. In the afternoon, you can choose to spend a leisurely vacation in the hotel; Or, hike through forests and cliff paths, visit an ancient 10 th-century monastery tucked away in a bay, and finally sail back across the azure Ligurian Sea.

Accommodation: Baymond Hotel

Depending on your flight time, a special car will transport you to Milan airport to end this wonderful trip to Italy. If you have plenty of time, we strongly recommend staying on the beautiful Portofino coast for an extra 1 or 2 nights to make the pace of your vacation more soothing and the experience more perfect.

Dining: Breakfast

Accommodation: None