ITALY

RELAXING ITALIAN HIGHLIGHTS with CINQUE TERRE, by TRAIN

13 days/12 nights

Experience the history and the beauty of Italy by train. During this trip you will be enchanted by the most popular cities of Italy. Discover the majesty of the ancient architecture of Rome, marvel at Michelangelo’s Davide in Florence, and wonder at waterways of Venice, a city built on the water. Between seeing the highlights of these cities visit the Cinque Terre, Italy’s famous five villages located along the coast. 

Day 1  Arrive Rome

Arrive Rome. You can spend the afternoon exploring Rome on your own or add a tour. 3 overnights in Rome.

Day 2  Rome

Day at leisure in this Imperial City. We suggest visiting the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Borghese Gallery, and Pantheon.

Day 3  Rome

Day at leisure to explore Rome. We would suggest an excursion to the Vatican City.

Day 4  Rome-Florence

Travel by train to Florence. Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring Florence, we suggest a visit to the Accademia to see the original Davide. 3  overnights in Florence.

Day 5  Florence

Day at leisure. We suggest reserving a Walking Tour of Florence in the morning and in the afternoon, enjoy a cooking class.

Day 6  Florence

Today we suggest visiting Pisa as well as the Tuscany with a group tour.

Day 7  Florence - Cinque Terre

Travel by train to Levanto, the village just north of the Cinque Terre. Afternoon at leisure. 3 overnights at a B&B property with either garden or sea view. 

Day 8 & 9  Cinque Terre

Days at leisure to hike/visit the Cinque Terre Villages or perhaps rent a boat for a view of the villages by sea. You can even go north and visit Santa Margherita and Portofino.

Day 10  Cinque Terre - Florence

Travel by train to Venice. Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring Venice. 3 overnights in Venice. 

Day 11  Venice

Day at leisure to explore Venice. Be sure not to miss Doge's Palace, Saint Mark's Basilica, the Grand Canal, and St. Mark's Square. We suggest you use a private guide.

Day 12 Venice

Time at leisure to explore Venice. We suggest taking a water taxi to visit the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello and watch the master craftsmen making beautiful creations of blown glass.

Day 13  Depart Venice

Transfer to Venice Marco Polo airport for your flight home. End of itinerary.

Contact us if you would like to work on a customized itinerary for your clients.

SICILY IN STYLE

12 days/11 nights

Sicily is the largest of the Italian islands and considered one of the pearls of Southern Italy. There is no better way of getting to know this destination than by having your own English speaking driver-guide. Explore the mountains hills, the sea, the volcanoes and the archaeological sites that tell the story of Sicily's origins.

Day 1  Arrive Palermo

Arrive Palermo Airport. Meet your driver and transfer to the coastal city of Cefalù. This will be your base for the next 3 nights. 3 overnights in Cefalù.

Day 2  Cefalù

Start your day with a walking tour of Cefalù before visiting the Cathedral of Monreale.

Day 3  Cefalù

Today your guide will take you to Palermo where you visit the Royal Palace, Palatine Chapel, etc. Lunch is included in a typical Sicilian restaurant. Afternoon visit to Castelbuono before returning to Cefalù for overnight.

Day 4  Cefalù-Agrigento

Today you travel to Segestaand visit the Doric Temple, continue on to Trapanifor lunch, then Erice to taste almond biscuits before arriving in Agrigento. Overnight in Agrigento.

Day 5  Agrigento

Visit of a cultural farm in the morning and Valley of Temples in the afternoon. Overnight in Agrigento.

Day 6  Agrigento-Ragusa

Today we visit Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, enjoy a farmhouse lunch with local wines before arriving for a visit of Ragusa. Overnight in Ragusa. 

Day 7  Ragusa

Full day visit and chocolate tasting in Modica and on to visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Scicli. Return to Ragusa for overnight.

Day 8  Ragusa-Siracusa

Visit the Palazzo Nicolaci in Noto, the fishing village of Marzamemi before arriving in Siracusa. Overnight in Siracusa.

Day 9  Siracusa

Half day walking tour of Siracusa and a half day at your own leisure. Overnight in Siracusa. 

Day 10  Siracusa-Taormina

You will be excited to visit Etna volcano, enjoy a wine tasting and a visit of Catania before arriving in Taormina. Overnight in Taormina. 

Day 11  Taormina

 Visit the Greek Theater in Taormina, the hill town of Savoca and Forza d'Agrò which were made famous as film locations for "The Godfather" movies. Return to Taormina for overnight.

Day 12  Depart Catania

Transfer to Catania airport for your flight home. End of itinerary.

This itinerary can also be done as a self-drive with a rental car.

Contact us if you would like to work on a customized itinerary for your clients. 

Puglia Region of Italy 

10 days/9 nights

By private car and driver, with tours (or as a self-drive with rental car)

2N Bari – 2N Monopoli – 2N Locorotondo – 1N Matera – 2N Lecce

Day 1 Arrive Bari-BRI Airport. Meet with the driver for your private transfer to the Bari hotel. 

2 Overnights in a hotel in Bari.

Day 2 Morning to explore the Old Town; either a walking tour or by segway. Afternoon pasta cooking class. Bari is the second largest city in southern Italy and is so rich in art, history, and culinary tradition.

Day 3 Private transfer to the hotel in Monopoli. Afternoon walking tour of the city. A Puglia port town that's equal parts historic and functional, with medieval churches and castles jutting above the Adriatic. 

2 Overnights in a hotel in Monopoli. 

Day 4 Enjoy a tour of the Caves of Polignano a Mare. Ringed by dramatic cliffs, the Lama Monachile Beach—also known as Cala Porte—is one of the most coveted, and most photographed, in the region.

Day 5 This morning, checkout of the hotel. Private transfer to the hotel in Locorotondo. Later, enjoy an afternoon tour of the Old Town. One of the prettiest towns in Puglia's Valle d'Itria, boasting white-washed walls, panoramic views, and a picturesque town center. 

2 Overnights in a hotel in Locorotondo.

Day 6 Day trip to visit the Trulli di Alberobello (stone huts). There are more than a thousand UNESCO-listed Trulli to be explored. This can be done on your own by bus, or with a private car and driver.

Day 7 Meet the driver for your private transfer to the hotel in Matera, located in the Basilicata region. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of Sassi in Matera Barisano and Caveoso. A place rich in scenery, unique architectural works, views of incomparable charm, and has captivated many artists. 

1 Overnight in a hotel in Matera.

Day 8 Private transfer to the hotel in Lecce. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure. The beating heart of Salento, Lecce enchants visitors with its stunning Baroque historic center and the splendid sea right on its doorstep. 

2 Overnights in a hotel in Lecce.

Day 9 Half-day history and street food tour in Lecce. Lecce is renowned for its cucina povera – it literally means “poor cuisine,” but refers to the tasty home cooking of rural families, which adds to its amazing history.

Day 10 Check-out of the hotel in Lecce, and meet up with the driver for your private transfer to the airport. Depart from the Brindisi-BDS Airport, and fly home. 

Contact us if you would like to work on a customized itinerary for your clients.