Don't wait for another year... discover Italy with WalkEurope in 2021!

 

The Heart of Italy Grand Tour is a wonderful week to see and experience the astonishing beauty, experience its old world culture and learn about the rich history of Italy. We'll visit awe-inspiring Rome & The Vatican... embrace the art & architecture of majestic Florence, the Renaissance capital... travel through the picturesque Tuscany countryside and visit Siena, the UNESCO World Heritage site town... and spend a memorable a day in magical Venice!

 

We'll be based three nights in Rome and delve into Rome's ancient history. We'll see Rome's top landmarks, engage with its people, and experience today's modern Roman city life. We'll take private tours with local historian guides of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica... take a private tour of The Colosseum and The Forum. We'll visit the Pantheon... Spanish Steps... Borghese Gardens... Piazza Navona... and toss coins into Trevi Fountain.

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There will be free time for personal exploring and sightseeing... shopping in Rome's markets and boutiques... enjoying Italian cuisine and gelato... relaxing at a sidewalk cafes.

 

Mid-week we'll travel north where we’ll be stay three nights in Florence, considered the “Cradle of the Renaissance." We'll stay in a choice of personally-selected boutique hotels in the heart of Florence's historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stroll along the picturesque Arno River with its beautiful medieval bridges.

 

We'll have private tours with local Florence historian guides of the Uffizi Gallery to see the museum’s masterpieces -- Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Titan’s Venus of Urbino and Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch paintings. We'll visit Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David statue… visit Florence Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore... and see Boboli Gardens, one of Europe's grand gardens, with its magnificent fountains, grand sculptures, and shady lanes lined with towering cypresses.

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We’ll take a day trip traveling 1st-class by train from Florence to magical Venice where we’ll meet our local historian guide to learn about the history and architecture of this unique city. We'll take a private boat (weather permitting) on Venice's iconic Grand Canal, explore the quiet back canals, see Piazza San Marco, Saint Mark’s Basilica, and Rialto Bridge. 

 

We'll have a Tuscany and Chianti wine tasting session with a region expert and cocktail hour soirees.

 

There will be free time for personal exploring and sightseeing... and shopping in Florence's fabulous boutiques and markets.

 

Optional before breakfast group pleasure walks are organized for travelers who want some morning exercise before starting their vacation day.

 

Heart of Italy Grand Tour Is Designed To Provide:

• A fabulous vacation experience visiting Italy's Big 3 top destinations in one week - Rome, Florence and Venice.

• Friendly and fun small group environment limited to 15 persons. Enjoy the camaraderie and begin friendships with like-minded travelers.

• Many activities -- private tours with local historian guides of top Rome, Florence and Venice landmarks & sites... welcome reception... Italian wine tasting session with a region expert... cocktail hour soirees... gala farewell dinner

• Free personal time to discover and enjoy Florence at your own pace.

• Optional group morning pleasure walks led by WalkEurope president, Tom Harter.

• Recommended restaurants should you want to explore on your own, yet everyone is invited to join local-cuisine group meals.

• Concierge service & support – fully escorted tour, personal & customized service for a WORRY-FREE vacation!​ 

 

What's Included:

• Six nights in a choice of personally-selected charming boutique or premiere/luxury hotels.​

• Daily hotel breakfasts.

• Rome Activities

  • Tour of The Colosseum and The Forum with local historian guide.

  • Tour of Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica with local historian guide.

  • Walking visits to the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and Borghese Gardens.

  • Free time for personal exploring & sightseeing... shopping... relaxing.

  • Optional before breakfast pleasure walks through Rome's historic city centre and along the Tiber River

• Florence Activities

  • Tour of Uffizi Gallery with local art historian guide.

  • Tour of Accademia Gallery with local art historian guide.

  • Tour of Florence's Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore with local historian guide.

  • Walking visits through Boboli Gardens, along the Arno River, and over Ponte Vecchio bridge.

• Day trip to Venice - tour with local historian guide, including private boat tour on the Grand Canal (weather permitting).

• Drive through the Tuscany countryside and visit to Siena - the UNESCO World Heritage site town located in central Tuscany, known for its brick medieval buildings, shell-shaped Piazzo del Campo where horse races are held twice a year; and the Siena Duomo, a Romanesque-Gothic art-packed cathedral with mosaic floors, Michelangelo statues and Bernini sculptures.

• Welcome Reception – with Italian wines and hors d'oeuvres hosted by WalkEurope.

• Italian Wine Tasting Session – with region expert.

• Cocktail Hour Soirees – enjoy before dinner local wines hosted by WalkEurope

• Gala Farewell Dinner – featuring traditional Italian cuisine and wines hosted by WalkEurope.

• Cathedral, museum, palace & garden entrance fees for all group activities and day trips.

• Ground transportation for all group activities including 1st-class train transportation between Florence & Venice.

• Palace, cathedral, museum, archeological site & garden entrance fees for all group activities and day trips.

• Concierge service & support.

 

Arrival & Departure City:

Arrinal City: Rome, Italy

Departure City: Florence, Italy

 

Trip Cost:

Charming Boutique Hotels Option:

• TBA – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. Tour cost does not include airfare.

• Added cost for private single room hotel accommodation option - TBA

Premiere/Luxury Hotel Option:

• TBA – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. Tour cost does not include airfare.

• Added cost for private single room hotel accommodation option - TBA

         

Space Is Limited -- Reserve Early!

Small Group Tour. Limited to 15 persons.