Beautiful Italy
Venice to Rome with Modena
Venice to Rome with Modena
A magnificent trip through enchanting Italy. We have put together a highlight trip of Italy-Venice to Rome.
Truly an immersion into the culture, food and history that this beautiful country has to offer.
June 2017
Truly an immersion into the culture, food and history that this beautiful country has to offer.
June 2017
Day 1:
The beautiful city of Venice is the start of our odyssey. Join us in our centrally located hotel as we sip some Prosecco and taste test some of Italy’s favorite olives.
After introductions we will head out for a leisurely stroll along romantic canals and over quaint bridges, on our way to dinner. We have a special trattoria picked out for our first dinner together!
Prosecco & olives taste testing. Dinner together.UNESCO World Heritage Site (Venice & The Lagoon)/ Overnight Venice.
The beautiful city of Venice is the start of our odyssey. Join us in our centrally located hotel as we sip some Prosecco and taste test some of Italy’s favorite olives.
After introductions we will head out for a leisurely stroll along romantic canals and over quaint bridges, on our way to dinner. We have a special trattoria picked out for our first dinner together!
Prosecco & olives taste testing. Dinner together.UNESCO World Heritage Site (Venice & The Lagoon)/ Overnight Venice.
Day 2:
We head out early for our walk of historic Venice. We will start at the Basilica di San Marco to tour this magnificent church. Climbing up to the balcony to see the bronze horses up close, we will be treated to a stunning view of Venice. We will walk theRialto Bridge, catching a great view of "main street", the canal, with majestic buildings rising from the water. A stop at the famousRialto fish and produce market is in order as we make our way through the San Marco neighborhood. We will eat lunch together in a local cafe, trying the regional wine.
After lunch you will be free to explore on your own, sit at a sidewalk cafe and people watch, or go for a gondola ride. Dinner on your own with recommendations from us.
Breakfast/ lunch together/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Venice & The Lagoon)/ Overnight Venice.
We head out early for our walk of historic Venice. We will start at the Basilica di San Marco to tour this magnificent church. Climbing up to the balcony to see the bronze horses up close, we will be treated to a stunning view of Venice. We will walk theRialto Bridge, catching a great view of "main street", the canal, with majestic buildings rising from the water. A stop at the famousRialto fish and produce market is in order as we make our way through the San Marco neighborhood. We will eat lunch together in a local cafe, trying the regional wine.
After lunch you will be free to explore on your own, sit at a sidewalk cafe and people watch, or go for a gondola ride. Dinner on your own with recommendations from us.
Breakfast/ lunch together/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Venice & The Lagoon)/ Overnight Venice.
Day 3:
We say goodbye to Venice after breakfast today. We’ll take a ferry ride to meet our bus on the out- skirts of town. We are off to Modena, the home of Ferrari, the birth place of Luciano Pavarotte and of course, known for it's balsamic vinegar. We will have a local take us around this beautiful town where you can also take some time to sit and have a cafe in the main piazza. Afterwards, a local producer will provide not only some of the best balsamic vinegar to be had, but also the local cheeses, prosciutto and wine for an extended taste testing.
We’ll end the day in Bologna, famous for its culinary delights. You can taste these delights at dinner on your own at any of several great ristorantes close to our hotel.
Breakfast/ Tour of Modena/ Balsamic vinegar taste testing & local specialties/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Modena)/ Overnight Bologna.
We say goodbye to Venice after breakfast today. We’ll take a ferry ride to meet our bus on the out- skirts of town. We are off to Modena, the home of Ferrari, the birth place of Luciano Pavarotte and of course, known for it's balsamic vinegar. We will have a local take us around this beautiful town where you can also take some time to sit and have a cafe in the main piazza. Afterwards, a local producer will provide not only some of the best balsamic vinegar to be had, but also the local cheeses, prosciutto and wine for an extended taste testing.
We’ll end the day in Bologna, famous for its culinary delights. You can taste these delights at dinner on your own at any of several great ristorantes close to our hotel.
Breakfast/ Tour of Modena/ Balsamic vinegar taste testing & local specialties/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Modena)/ Overnight Bologna.
Day 4:
We are exploring Bologna today. We will join a local guide whom will take us on a highlight walk of this medieval city, home to one of the oldest universities in the world. After lunch on your own you can catch up on your rest or further explore the city.
Be ready in the afternoon as a local chef gives us a lesson on pasta making. She will share her family's recipe and even divulge her secret to great Tortelloni. Together we will make these great dishes and along with some appetizers, feast on what we just made. We will also enjoy some local wines and toast to another wonderful day!
Breakfast/Tour of Bologna-on the tentative list for UNESCO/Pasta making lesson & dinner together.
We are exploring Bologna today. We will join a local guide whom will take us on a highlight walk of this medieval city, home to one of the oldest universities in the world. After lunch on your own you can catch up on your rest or further explore the city.
Be ready in the afternoon as a local chef gives us a lesson on pasta making. She will share her family's recipe and even divulge her secret to great Tortelloni. Together we will make these great dishes and along with some appetizers, feast on what we just made. We will also enjoy some local wines and toast to another wonderful day!
Breakfast/Tour of Bologna-on the tentative list for UNESCO/Pasta making lesson & dinner together.
Day 5:
We leave Bologna early and travel to a co-op producing one of the finest olive oils in this part of Italy. We will tour their production facilities and have a taste testing. We will also see their very unique way of dispensing wine! We have a special lunch planned at an out-of-the-way spot for you.
After lunch we make our way to Florence, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. After checking into our hotel, you are free to roam this Renaissance city. You can enjoy dinner on your own at any number of outdoor trattorias or pizzarias, with recommendations from us.
Breakfast/ Olive oil tasting/ Lunch together/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Florence)/ Overnight Florence.
We leave Bologna early and travel to a co-op producing one of the finest olive oils in this part of Italy. We will tour their production facilities and have a taste testing. We will also see their very unique way of dispensing wine! We have a special lunch planned at an out-of-the-way spot for you.
After lunch we make our way to Florence, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. After checking into our hotel, you are free to roam this Renaissance city. You can enjoy dinner on your own at any number of outdoor trattorias or pizzarias, with recommendations from us.
Breakfast/ Olive oil tasting/ Lunch together/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Florence)/ Overnight Florence.
Day 6:
We will leave early this morning for our tour of the Galleria dell’Accademia, were we will see renowned works of art, such as as Michelangelo’s David. Next we will make our way to one of the most impressive monuments in all of Florence, the Duomo. Here you can take your time to visit the sanctuary or climb to the top of the tower, for some of the best views of the city. Lunch is on your own.
We will continue on to the main part of the city where we will walk by the Uffizzi gallery, cross the Pont de Veccchio, and end up at the Palazzo Pitti (former residence of the Medici family) on the other side of the river. The rest of the afternoon will be yours to further explore the beautiful city. We will meet later and walk to dinner together at a traditional tuscan trattoria.
Breakfast/ Galleria dell'Accademia/Tour of Florence/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Florence)/ Dinner together/ Overnight Florence.
We will leave early this morning for our tour of the Galleria dell’Accademia, were we will see renowned works of art, such as as Michelangelo’s David. Next we will make our way to one of the most impressive monuments in all of Florence, the Duomo. Here you can take your time to visit the sanctuary or climb to the top of the tower, for some of the best views of the city. Lunch is on your own.
We will continue on to the main part of the city where we will walk by the Uffizzi gallery, cross the Pont de Veccchio, and end up at the Palazzo Pitti (former residence of the Medici family) on the other side of the river. The rest of the afternoon will be yours to further explore the beautiful city. We will meet later and walk to dinner together at a traditional tuscan trattoria.
Breakfast/ Galleria dell'Accademia/Tour of Florence/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Florence)/ Dinner together/ Overnight Florence.
Day 7:
We’ll leave the city of Florence today for rural Tuscany. Here we take the back roads through the Chianti region. We will take our time wandering through the town of Greve where you can sample wine, olives & olive oils. We’ll pick out some great cafes for lunch on your own.
We glide into the heart of Tuscany where we’ll stay in a converted farm estate. We will organize a shuttle to take those who want to to the mideval hill top town of San Gimignano. Join us back at the estate where we will have a special meal together.
Breakfast/ Town of Greve/ UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano/ Dinner together/ overnight San Gimignano.
We’ll leave the city of Florence today for rural Tuscany. Here we take the back roads through the Chianti region. We will take our time wandering through the town of Greve where you can sample wine, olives & olive oils. We’ll pick out some great cafes for lunch on your own.
We glide into the heart of Tuscany where we’ll stay in a converted farm estate. We will organize a shuttle to take those who want to to the mideval hill top town of San Gimignano. Join us back at the estate where we will have a special meal together.
Breakfast/ Town of Greve/ UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano/ Dinner together/ overnight San Gimignano.
Day 8:
We stay in enchanting Tuscany today at our estate, in the midst of vinyards and cyress trees. You can further explore San Gimiagnano, or stay around the pool lounging and reading. Either way, join us for a taste testing of local wines before another multi-course dinner together.
Breakfast/ UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano/ Dinner together/ Overnight San Gimignano.
We stay in enchanting Tuscany today at our estate, in the midst of vinyards and cyress trees. You can further explore San Gimiagnano, or stay around the pool lounging and reading. Either way, join us for a taste testing of local wines before another multi-course dinner together.
Breakfast/ UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano/ Dinner together/ Overnight San Gimignano.
Day 9:
We are off the the spectacular city of Siena. We'll start at the church of Saint Catherine of Siena, where we will visit this impressive building. Then we head to the center of town to one of the finest piazzas in Italy, the Piazza del Campo, home to the twice yearly horse races, the Palio. We will enjoy lunch in Siena together. Then we take our time and make our way to Italy's most famous city, Rome. After we will check into our hotel in the center of the city, we’ll have a few recommendations for you for dinner on your own. Be sure to follow up with some of the best gelato!
Breakfast/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Siena)/ Lunch together/ Overnight Rome.
We are off the the spectacular city of Siena. We'll start at the church of Saint Catherine of Siena, where we will visit this impressive building. Then we head to the center of town to one of the finest piazzas in Italy, the Piazza del Campo, home to the twice yearly horse races, the Palio. We will enjoy lunch in Siena together. Then we take our time and make our way to Italy's most famous city, Rome. After we will check into our hotel in the center of the city, we’ll have a few recommendations for you for dinner on your own. Be sure to follow up with some of the best gelato!
Breakfast/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Siena)/ Lunch together/ Overnight Rome.
Day 10:
We start out visiting one of the most iconic ruins in Rome, the Coliseum. We will take our time exploring this impressive ruin before making our way through the heart of the city to the Trevi fountain and then onto one of the oldest monuments in Rome, the Pantheon. We end our walk in the Piazza Navronne where the sidewalk cafes are a must to sit and people watch. In the afternoon you are free to continue exploring Rome: the Spanish Steps, the Vatican City and Museum, (which houses the Sistine Chapel) or simply hit the shops. We will be there to help facilitate.
A special farewell dinner is planned tonight.
Breakfast/ The Coliseum/ Trevi Fountain & The Pantheon/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Rome)/Farewell dinner/ Overnight Rome.
We start out visiting one of the most iconic ruins in Rome, the Coliseum. We will take our time exploring this impressive ruin before making our way through the heart of the city to the Trevi fountain and then onto one of the oldest monuments in Rome, the Pantheon. We end our walk in the Piazza Navronne where the sidewalk cafes are a must to sit and people watch. In the afternoon you are free to continue exploring Rome: the Spanish Steps, the Vatican City and Museum, (which houses the Sistine Chapel) or simply hit the shops. We will be there to help facilitate.
A special farewell dinner is planned tonight.
Breakfast/ The Coliseum/ Trevi Fountain & The Pantheon/ UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Center of Rome)/Farewell dinner/ Overnight Rome.
Day 11:
After breakfast together we will say good-bye. There is plenty more to explore. You can spend another day in Rome or traipse off to other parts of Italy. Either way we will say Arrivederci!
After breakfast together we will say good-bye. There is plenty more to explore. You can spend another day in Rome or traipse off to other parts of Italy. Either way we will say Arrivederci!
Tours Cost-
TBD
Deposits of $1000 per person are due by _____ To secure a place on this tour you are encouraged to place your deposit as soon as possible. No one has a space on this tour until deposits are in and a Trip Term contract signed and returned. Final payment is due _____. Until final payment date all deposits are fully refundable.
To email us your questions click here.
What do you get with this tour?
Visits to the following historical sites:
- Basilica San Marco (venice) UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Piazza San Marco (venice) UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Palazzo Ducale (venice) UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Piazza Grande & Cathedral - Modena UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Historic center of Florence UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Galleria dell’Accademia (Florence)
- San Gimignano (Tuscany) UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Piazza del Campo & the Historic Center of Siena (Tuscany) UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Pantheon (Rome) UNESCO World Heritage site
- Piazza Navronna (Rome)
- The Coliseum (Rome) UNESCO World Heritage site
- Trevi Fountain
PLUS!
- Always small groups
- Great Italian food
- Visit to an olive oil producer
- Tour of Venice
- Custom itineraries
- The vineyards of Tuscany
- Balsamic vinegar taste testing in Modena
- Cheese and prosciutto taste testing
- Special wine tastings
- Visit to local markets
- Pasta making lessons in Bologna
- Prosecco sampling
- Olive Oil & Olive tasting
- Meetings with the locals
- Ten full Breakfasts
- Three multi-course lunches (including wines)
- Six multi-course dinners (including wines)
- Experienced tour leaders
- Comfortable transportation
- Carefully selected hotels in great locations
- Careful Attention paid to the pace of the trip, so you get the most impact!
What you are responsible for
Airfare and transportation to and from the airport at the start and end of the tour.
Some lunches and dinners (when noted) that will be on your own, with plenty of recommendations from us.
Expenses arising from personal needs such as medications, vaccinations, travel documents, communications or any other expenses incurred due to traveling.
Price is inclusive of all hotels, meals where indicated, and entrance to historic sites where noted. Also included is bus transportation starting after day one until the end of the scheduled tour. Bucket-list tour if Italy!
Our tour starts in Venice and ends in Rome. Please book your flight accordingly.
Who are Your leaders?
Patricia Hajifotiou:
A native of the U.S.A., Patricia has been leading tours in Greece, Italy, France & Spain for 26 years. She lives on the island of Evia, Greece with her husband Manolis. When she is not on tour, she lives off the grid in a rock house, powered by the wind and sun. There she likes to spend her time tending her olive trees and digging in the garden.
Manolis Hajifotiou:
A native of Greece, Manolis has been leading tours in Europe for 26 years. Besides traveling, his passion is playing his guitar and creating his own music. Designing one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry (using olive kernels!) takes up some of his spare time besides trimming olive trees and keeping up the stone house he shares with his wife, Patricia. He looks forward to showing you his favorite places and making sure you feel right at home.
A native of the U.S.A., Patricia has been leading tours in Greece, Italy, France & Spain for 26 years. She lives on the island of Evia, Greece with her husband Manolis. When she is not on tour, she lives off the grid in a rock house, powered by the wind and sun. There she likes to spend her time tending her olive trees and digging in the garden.
Manolis Hajifotiou:
A native of Greece, Manolis has been leading tours in Europe for 26 years. Besides traveling, his passion is playing his guitar and creating his own music. Designing one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry (using olive kernels!) takes up some of his spare time besides trimming olive trees and keeping up the stone house he shares with his wife, Patricia. He looks forward to showing you his favorite places and making sure you feel right at home.
