Immersive Italy Vacation: North to South

Civita di Bagnoregio is one of the most unusual sights in Italy.

What to expect on this itinerary

Interweave luxury and culture, authenticity, and heritage during your custom-tailored Italy tour brimming with exclusive experiences. Wander the galleries of the Vatican with a guide before the doors open to the public, enjoy a simple pastry after witnessing the intricacies of Michelangelo’s David, explore the vast halls of the Uffizi Gallery after-hours and immerse yourself into the secrets of the Venetian Republic uncovering hidden histories akin to legend. Whether indulging in fashionable company in Milan or relaxing with a glass of delicious wine in Montalcino, your Italy vacation brings the best of La Dolce Vita’s many opulent pleasures.

Countries Visited

Italy, Vatican City

Places Visited

Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Rome, Civita di Bagnoregio, Vatican City, Comaccio, Padua

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Milan – Arrive in Milan with a Private Art Tour of the Fashionable City

Relaxed cafes are tucked between medieval buildings and structures adorned with 19th-century splendor are set among trundling trams and charming piazzas making famous Milan. Arrive in Milan at Malpensa Airport, where your private transfer greets you at customs and escorts you to a luxurious hotel near the fascinating soaring spires of the celebrated Duomo. The art of Milan inspires visitors and locals with historical proportions and grand designs, and your eyes will be working to take it all in as you arrive in the city.

2019 marked the 500th anniversary since the death of Leonardo da Vinci resulting in an Italian celebration spanning from Milan to Florence with great museums and majestic villas paying homage to the master artist, inventor, and architect. If visiting Milan in February, the Borsa Internazionale del Turismo will showcase the contributions of the Renaissance man at venues like Sforzesco Castle, the Ambrosiana Library and Art Gallery, and the Museum of the Vinciano Cenacolo displaying reproductions of a number of machines da Vinci designed.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Milan – Embrace Style with a Personal Shopper Experience and Tour

Day 3

Venice – Travel the Brenta Canal to Venice for an After-Hours Art Visit

Day 4

Venice – Enjoy the Secret History of Venice and Local Food Excursion

Day 5

Bologna – Relish Comacchio before a Private Pasta-Making Class

Day 6

Bologna – Delight in a Truffle Hunt and Enjoy a Ravenna Art-Walk

Day 7

Florence – Venture to Florence for an After-Hours Visit of the Uffizi

Day 8

Florence – Breakfast at the Academia before Florence at your Leisure

Day 9

Florence – Indulge in Wine and Food at Montalcino and Pienza

Day 10

Rome – Visit Fascinating Civita di Bagnoregio en route to Rome

Day 11

Rome – Navigate Vatican City and the Hidden Gems of Rome

Day 12

Rome – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Visit the Sistine Chapel without the crowds with an exclusive tour of the Vatican Museum galleries before regular opening hours
  • Bask in the attention and service of a personal shopper in the iconic city of fashion, Milan, visiting famous boutiques, including the first Prada store
  • Delight in the complex flavors of Brunello di Montalcino wine during a private wine excursion through the Val d’Orcia in Tuscany
  • Relish the distinctive flavors and elevated tastes of truffles shaved over traditional Emilia-Romagna dishes after a private truffle hunting tour
  • Navigate the halls and fascinating works in the Uffizi Gallery during an after-hours tour away from the tourists to view artists like Botticelli
  • Enjoy an early morning tour of the Accademia Gallery in Florence for exclusive access to Michelangelo’s iconic statue of David
  • Discover the enchanting canals and preserved architecture of the 13 connected islands that make hidden Comacchio
  • Embrace the magnitude of contemporary artwork on display inside the Guggenheim Museum in Venice with a private after-hours tour
  • Witness the exceptional charisma of the vibrant colors and unique depiction of biblical characters in Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper
  • Indulge in the warm glow and mesmerizing aesthetic of ancient Byzantine mosaics preserved in the churches and baptistries of Ravenna

Detailed Description

Savor your immersion into the heart and soul of Italy during your 14-day luxury tour with exclusive excursions perfect for discovering splendor around every corner. From fashion to art, architecture to archeology, the many faces of Italy shine behind the facade of cities and towns with welcoming extravagance. Devoted travelers will find delight in uncovering new and antique styles cast in the modern fashion capital of Milan and the ancient ruins of Rome, the Byzantine art of Ravenna and cooking traditions of cucina povera in Bologna. Your Italy vacation takes place at your pace in the way you always dreamed as you evoke the sophisticated charms of famous cities and classic charisma of the countryside.

Your exclusive exploration of Italy begins in Milan with your private transfer meeting you at the airport. The city brims with sensational art ranging from the architecture like the Duomo to the great works on display in the select art museums. Historical churches contain priceless artifacts like Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, and the galleries offer insight into the styles of the past, present, and future offering shopping experiences in boutiques and with famous brands like the original Prada store. Move next to the Brenta Canal to explore the lavish heritage of the Venetian Republic along the waterway that connects Padua to the Venetian Lagoon lined with villas from the former aristocracy. Venice embraces its reputation as a city of extravagance showcasing marble palaces and divine artistic masters inside museums like the Guggenheim. The secret history of the city immerses you into the hidden chambers and prison cells of the Doge’s Palaces, as well as illuminating your taste buds with insight into the iconic flavors of the city’s cicchetti.

The region of Emilia-Romagna encapsulates the often overlooked magnetism in Italy with towns like Comacchio, known as the “Little Venice,” for its canals. Make fresh pasta and hunting for truffles to further understand the connection the region has with its cuisine and the delectable ingredients offered year-round. Bologna has become a gem of a regional capital with medieval arcades and cherished restaurants while the city of Ravenna boasts incredible gilded mosaics from the Byzantine era, as well as the tomb of epic poet Dante Alighieri. The emblematic region of Tuscany enchants you with verdant hills and radiant artwork in Florence by avoiding the crowds at the Uffizi and Accademia galleries touring after-hours and before the doors officially open, respectively. Traveling the picturesque countryside engages you in the treasured wine region of the Val d’Orcia at Montalcino and the enchanting Renaissance town of Pienza.  

Traveling to Rome takes you through the countryside of Lazio and the small, nearly deserted town of Civita di Bagnoregio, located on a volcanic rock eaten away by the elements over the centuries. Finish with the city of Rome, which boasts the brilliance of the past and the wealth of Vatican City for a collection of mesmerizing fountains, grandiose piazzas, and elegant museums. Spend time in the Vatican galleries before they officially open to the public and uncover the secret wonders of the city including a hidden view of St. Peter’s Basilica.  Read more here about the other exceptional experiences our travelers have appreciated in their travel reviews of Italy.

Starting Price

$5,400 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 5670 reviews

Grace B.
Italy, Greece Honeymoon Review: Culture, Cuisine, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, 12 Nights

My husband and I went through Zicasso to plan our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. This was the best decision ever! We worked closely with our travel specialist to plan our trip and she was absolutely phenomenal. This was our first international trip outside of the US, so we were a bit nervous at first! However, our specialist ensured every aspect of the trip was organized and that we were taken care of every step of the way.

The biggest relief was transportation. We did not have to give a second thought as to how we were getting places; we had drivers set up at every destination and for nearly every activity. Also, we had 24/7 support if anything were to go wrong, which gave us peace of mind.

If you are hesitant to use Zicasso for your next trip, I want you to know that I was too, but it was the best decision! We were able to personalize and tailor our trip to our needs without the hassle of dealing with the details.

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komal P.
Italy, Malta Trip Review: City Tour, 20 Days

I was very pleased with the entire planning of the trip. The communication with Zicasso's tour company was excellent. The meals that were pre-arranged by them were fantastic and we probably would not have found them on our own.

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Mitch A.
Italy, France Travel Review: Scenery, 10-Day Trip

The trip was amazing all around. Incredible. The service and itinerary were perfect. We highly recommend Zicasso's travel company.

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Helena H.
Greece, Italy Travel Review: Rome, Athens, Santorini, Local Cuisine, 14-Night Trip

Our trip was absolutely amazing! This was the trip of a lifetime. Zicasso and our trip planner were incredible. He was repeatedly helpful, offering personalized attention to our needs. He booked amazing tours for us and seemed to really grasp what we wanted. Everything was incredible.

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Robert K.
Italy Vacation Review: Ravenna, Padua, History, Art, Scrovegni Chapel, 13 Days

It was a great pleasure working with Zicasso's tour agency. Our travel designer and her staff were attentive to the kind of trip we wanted and planned a great itinerary. The hotels, restaurants, and drivers were all top-notch. For us, the acid test was the quality of the guides, and they excelled there as well. We would happily have them plan another trip for us.

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Danielle S.
Italy Tour Review: Ravenna, Verona, Rimini, Scrovegni Chapel, Private Tours, History, 12 Nights

My husband and I had a great time on our trip to the northeast Adriatic Coast of Italy. We have very specific tastes as far as where we like to stay and the private tours we like to have during the trip. Zicasso's travel company did a great job, giving us fantastic hotels, and all of our tour guides were top-notch.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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