Tantalizing Gastronomy Tour of Venice, Florence, Rome, and Amalfi Coast

View over the tuscan town of Montepulciano in Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

From the placid shores of Venice to the urban bustle of Rome, this 11-day tour of Italy will acquaint you with the culture and customs of a county that is known for an abundance of both. From the food to the architecture, this Italy tour emphasizes interaction at every destination and is not designed for the complacent or passive traveler. Through cooking courses, craft classes, and private tastings, you will savor your way across the country and produce memories that will last a lifetime.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Venice – Introduction to Vivaldi

After you arrive, a private driver will transfer you from the Marco Polo International Airport to your luxurious accommodation in Venice. The buildings will get older and older as you make your way to the heart of the city. When you finally reach your hotel, you will have time to relax or to explore the maze of villas and palaces that typify the Old Town. Your first night in the city will highlight the culture of Venice and one of its most famous sons: Antonio Vivaldi. Your first taste of Italian culture on this trip will come in the form of an elegant exploration of the artist and his musical achievement when you attend a concert that showcases the musician's genius.

What's Included:

Activity
Accommodation
Transfer
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2

Venice – Venetian Mask-Making Tradition

Day 3

Venice – Explore the Brenta Riviera by Boat

Day 4

Florence – A Tour of the Davids Part I

Day 5

Florence – A Tour of the Davids Part II

Day 6

Florence – Tuscan Winemaking

Day 7

Rome – A Tour of the Davids Part III

Day 8

Rome – Iconic Attractions and Gelato

Day 9

Amalfi – Pizza-Making Course

Day 10

Amalfi – Getaway to Capri

Day 11

Amalfi – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Bask in the melodious sounds of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with a concert that displays the musician’s genius
  • Survey the stunning landscape of the Brenta Riviera on a boat tour from Venice to Padua that allows you to explore stunning villas
  • Marvel at the Renaissance art during a visit to Florence’s main museums and galleries
  • Plunge into the proud Tuscan tradition of winemaking with a day trip to Montepulciano, where you can descend into its famous wine caves and sample the product of local vineyards
  • Compare masterful renditions of David, which are displayed in Florence and Rome
  • Savor the subtle notes and flavors of gelato on a tour of Rome’s major attractions with frequent stops at the city’s many gelaterias
  • Roll up your sleeves during a pizza-making course in Amalfi that will teach you the secrets of making Italian pizza
  • Uncover the crumbling ruins, secret gardens, and intimate corners that make Capri a top attraction for both locals and international travelers alike

Detailed Description

This journey into Italy is all about immersion. From the elegant splendor of Venice to the vibrant region of Campania, this 11-day tour is designed for the culturally and culinarily curious and is filled with exotic dishes, breathtaking artwork, and a survey of the various depictions of David by Bernini, Michelangelo, and Donatello.

This tour begins in Venice, which is a small city with a big reputation. A short stroll around the old town will reveal a town that once dominated the region as a maritime and trading power. Instead of an army of merchants and sailors, the city is infused with tourists as it perennially ranks as a top destination in Europe. You will then leave the shores of the Adriatic for Florence. Here, you will be introduced to the origins and highlights of the Renaissance in addition to the more flavorful winemaking traditions that can be found throughout Tuscany. Next, you will venture to the Italian capital, where well-dressed locals zip around on Vespas, and the disparate treasures of the various regions of Italy are concentrated. Finally, you will return to the sea on a trip to the Sorrentine Peninsula and the famed Amalfi coast. The namesake of the stunning coastline will afford you time to relax and bask up the sun. You can also explore the rugged mountains, cliffs, and islands of this picturesque riviera.

Early to mid-Spring provides the best time for this tour because the crowds of summer have not yet arrived, and the temperatures remain fairly mild. July through September are the hottest months of the year and will find tourists fleeing in all directions for shade, the beach, or a cool beverage. The unique blend of courses, activities, and flavors of this tour afford plenty of opportunities for the active traveler to get involved with the local culture and make the most of their visit to each destination.

Starting Price

$5,000 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

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 501 reviews

Italy Trip Review: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Pope Francis’ Funeral, Wine, Cuisine, Culture, Museums, Relaxation, 10 Nights

Zicasso’s tour operator planned the most amazing trip to Italy for us! My requirements were culture, romance, and relaxation. She delivered on every aspect. Although we missed our tour of the Vatican due to the Pope's funeral, my husband and I actually attended his funeral!! Our hotel, though planned many months before, was next to the basilica where Pope Francis was laid to rest. Talk about being a part of history!

We stayed in a beautiful converted villa to boutique hotel in Florence; got whisked away through the Tuscan countryside in a vintage Fiat 500; took cooking classes; sipped lovely wine, accompanied by excellent lunches on our winery tours; soaked in Italy's rich culture and museum scene; and even ticked the relaxation box by spending time by the pool, in the spa, and resting on our large deck overlooking the Amalfi coastline.

Every tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and it was evident they loved their jobs. Between memories of the boat ride along the Amalfi Coast, tips from the cooking classes I have already started using at home, and the cases of wine we are eagerly awaiting delivery of, my husband and I will forever hold Italy in our hearts and la dolce vita it provided us. 

Talk with our tour operator; you will be glad you did!

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Italy Tour Review: Venice, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Cooking Class, Ferrari Experience, 2-Week Vacation

We had the best time during our wonder trip to Italy. We explored Venice, Tuscany, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast. Zicasso's travel agency arranged the most beautiful hotels, with exceptional service, and fun and exciting tours in each location.

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Italy Vacation Review: Florence, Venice, Tuscany, Siena, Cooking Class, Tasting Tour, 9-Day Trip

From the moment we began working with Zicasso's trip planner, our every need was met. He listened and planned an epic trip based on our conversations. Then, for our trip, we worked with another trip planner who was extremely responsive and professional, especially when we were in Italy. Any questions we had were promptly answered. Everything they planned was pure luxury and fantastic. The private pick-ups, drivers, and tour guides were absolutely prompt and fantastic. Every tour was super-fun and informative. Highlights included the wonderful hotels, food tour in Florence, tour in Venice, cooking class, and tasting track in Tuscany. I would highly highly recommend. It was a five-star, wonderful trip!

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Italy Trip Review: Rome, Venice, Florence, Opera, Walking Tours, 10 Nights

We had a fantastic experience for a first-time trip to Italy. I wasn't sure how this would be, considering I learned about Zicasso while trying to plan the trip myself. Zicasso put me in touch with a travel specialist and the whole team was incredibly responsive to my many, many questions. If they were ever annoyed, it didn’t show.

I really wanted a smooth experience for my family of five, including three teens, one of whom has Celiac. Our agent was great in helping plan out the experience we wanted. As you may know, it is challenging to find rooms for five in Europe, but the travel company found apartments (usually two bedrooms with a pull-out couch) in the heart of town. You can really customize what you do, but we elected to plan our own meals and handle some of our own transport. We did have one issue where the van driver taking us to the train failed to show. I got one with Uber and the travel company quickly (I mean before we got home quickly!) refunded that amount.

Our contact in Italy was amazing and patient. I can’t give her enough credit. Any time I was unsure of something, she was there. The tours were great, especially Florence and Rome. You may be able to find the companies online, but ours seems to have the connections to get the best guides.

As for meals, we didn’t have any issues. We used an app and got a few recommendations from the travel company and local guides. Even our wine-tasting tour out in Tuscany was accommodating.

I would use our travel company and Zicasso again. I think the only downside is we tried to cram a lot in and it was hot. I probably should have asked for one to two fewer or shorter walking tours, especially on days we switched cities. Otherwise, it was excellent.

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Italy Mother-Daughter Vacation Review: Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Boat Ride, Local Cuisine, Art, 10-Day Trip

Zicasso's trip planner booked us the most amazing mother-daughter trip. We traveled to Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast, and every piece was perfectly timed and planned. Each experience that was planned was with great guides and chefs, making every day fun and engaging. I highly recommend her and her team!

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Italy Trip Review: Rome, Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, 12 Nights

The Zicasso travel team did an outstanding job in organizing our trip to Italy, including stays in Rome, Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, and Lake Como. The hotels, private car and boat tours, and guides were excellent. Everything went very smoothly and was first rate. Everyone was on time, polite, and knowledgeable. It was a pleasure working with the team to finalize the itinerary and the trip was all-encompassing. Definitely five stars!

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Customizable Itinerary

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

30,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews