THE ITALY
GRAND TOUR

Day 1: Arrival in Venice.

Landing in Venice airport – As with all our Italy tours, you’ll be warmly welcomed with a smile and a wave by both your private driver and Alma Italia tour host. Trips to Italy can be tricky but with Alma Italia guided tours of Italy you can relax knowing your Alma Italia host will take care of every little detail for you during your trip to Italy, ensuring you experience the very best of the soul of Italy. 

 The Alma Italia philosophy is that guided tours of Italy should be for rest, fun and adventure, to inspire and restore you. The day of your arrival is meant to be for you to recharge after your long flight. What better way to do that than by enjoying a cool glass of Veneto`s finest Prosecco and some Italian appetizers while gazing over the quiet canals of Venice from the rooftop bar of your beautiful boutique hotel. You will end the day with a private Gondola ride to transport you through the peaceful canals to an early dinner at a family run traditional local restaurant. Here you’ll get your first taste of the delicious Venetian regional cuisine before having a well deserved rest in the comfort of your canal side hotel.

Day 2 Venice

We like to begin our private guided tours of Italy  in style and  so we will start the day with a relaxing stroll in the city center of Venice. Venice is undoubtedly an icon and a must on any guided tours of Italy. You will have fun getting lost in the magical alleys and canals of the city while your tour host will entertain you and bring the history of the city to life recounting the fascinating stories of your surroundings. If you think the 2020`s are a crazy time to be alive you will be amazed at what the Venetians and their rulers got up to over the years!  After lunch we will head across the lagoon by boat to Burano island. You will fall in love with the explosion of colors of the buildings and the many artisanal shops specialized in Pizzo (lace) and glass.  We will finish the day with a delicious dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, a real Venetian treasure . Chef Giusesppe never fails to delight us!

Day 3 Valpolicella Wine day to Lake Garda 

Your private driver will take you away from Venice in the morning to reach the beautiful Valpolicella countryside and vineyards,  where you will visit a prestigious wine estate for wine tasting and lunch at the renaissance era villa. Wine is such an important part of Italian culture that we think all Italy guided tour packages should include a visit to a vineyard. The vineyard cellars date back to the 16th century, and the vines and olive trees stretch out before us across the beautiful valley like a sea of green. Frescoed rooms will accentuate the elegant ambiance as you sample the Veronese wines, some of the most highly regarded in Italy. 

After lunch among the vineyards, we will make the short journey to reach the stunning Lake Garda, the biggest of all Italy’s Northern lakes and perhaps a personal highlight of our guided Italy vacation packages. Once At Lake Garda, you can relax at your boutique lake side hotel for a restful evening with a view of azure waters, small ports, and shores decorated with palms, olive and lemon trees.

Day 4 Lake Garda

After a relaxing morning, we will hop on an exclusively chartered boat to discover the hidden corners of the lake in privacy. Take a seat and admire the beauty of the Italian Alps while navigating the lake. The beauty of this region cannot be overstated and is an often overlooked stop for on many guided tours of Italy . The visit includes the Fortress city of Sirmione, built right on to the lake, perfect also for some shopping! If shopping doesn’t appeal, you can catch some rays and maybe a nap at a private beach club on the shore of the lake. As always, every Alma Italia itinerary is customisable. If you have longer, we’d sincerely advise you to stay a few more nights on the lake and enjoy the slower pace of lakeside life. Not all guided Italy vacation packages will take you here, but trust us, you won’t regret it!  At Lake Garda you can discover charming historical villages amidst the natural beauty of one of the most impressive destinations in Italy. Did you know for example, that Salo, a pretty lakeside town halfway up lake Garda was for a short period home to Mussolini’s wartime residence, now an exclusive hotel.

Day 5  Bologna, ‘The Fat one’

After a delicious breakfast of fresh produce grown on the lake shores, and perhaps a gentle stroll around the lake and village, your private driver will take you towards our next destination, Florence, the Renaissance capital of Italy. Florence is another must see destination for all Italy guided tour packages.

We will stop enroute for lunch in Bologna, the city lovingly known, (for reasons that shall become obvious!),  as “The Fat One,”. Our first visit will be at an artiginal parmesan cheese producer. This traditional producer has worked since the 13th century when it was first operated by monks who produced authentic, large wheels by hand. The factory continues the practices of using fresh ingredients with no added preservatives. We`ll learn about the process and of course, taste some cheese, a taste that defines the region. Together with some parma ham and a dash of balsamic vinegar from nearby Modena it will make for a fantastic lunch at the farm. Alma Italia trips to Italy really are delicious!

After lunch we will enjoy a stroll around the historical centre of Bologna with a local guide to help understand the soul of this city dedicated to all things gourmet. 

By dinner time we will be in Florence, hopefully with enough appetite left to enjoy a gourmet tuscan dinner in a traditional restaurant much loved by local Florentines.

Day 6 Florence, The Renaissance Capital of Italy

There are a myriad of things to see and and culture to enjoy in Florence, truly the Renaissance capital of Italy and 500 years later, still as relevant as ever for Italy tours 2022. Whether it is art, architecture, antiques or artisans,  fashion, food markets or fine dining, Florence has something for everyone on guided Italy vacation packages. Your Alma Italia private guided tour of Italy host will help you plan the things that appeal to you and your group the most while discovering the soul of this, one of the world’s most beautiful historic cities.

You could take a tour of the Uffizi gallery, to see the worlds largest collection of renaissance art, climb to the top of the Duomo, Florence’s Cathedral to marvel at this extraordinary feat of architecture or even explore the luxurious residences of the Medici, the most influential family of Florence about whom so much has been written, even recently for TV.  We could behold the wonder of the work of Michaelangelo including his famous statue of David or discover the ingenious inventions of Leonardo De Vinci, born nearby. Whatever you choose to do, you will be guided by a local expert and get time to soak up the atmosphere of Florence as the locals experience it with a guided walk through the city to discover its many treasures.

Day 7 Chianti, The quintessential Italian countryside 

On this day of your Italy guided tour your driver will escort you through the stunning countryside and scenery of the hills of Chianti on your way to Rome. Peppered with hilltop villages, vineyards, olive groves and forests , the Tuscan countryside is a stunning place to spend the day in tranquility surrounded by perhaps the most classic views you would expect from Italy guided tour packages.

Alma Italia’s guided tours of Italy are completely customisable for your private group so again, according to your interests, we could visit one of Chianti’s famous vineyards or olive farms for a wine tasting session or cooking class to discover some of Tuscany’s culinary secrets. Alternatively you could simply take a stroll through the countryside or explore a medieval hilltop hamlet such as San Gimignano.

We will stop for lunch and a look around Siena, Tuscany’s other famous Renaissance town set on a hill affording spectacular views of the verdant countryside below. The main square of Siena, itself a wonderful place to have a coffee after lunch while taking in the surrounding renaissance architecture.

You’ll arrive to Rome in time for a relaxing dinner at your boutique hotel in the city centre.

Day 8 Exploring Rome, The Eternal City

After a hearty Roman breakfast, a private guide will be waiting to take you on a walk through the centre of Rome to soak up the unique atmosphere and introduce you to the soul of the Eternal City.  Rome is one of the most cinematic cities on the planet and often the first stop on our guided Italy vacation packages. After a lifetime of living here, we continue to be breathtaken when confronted with the majestic elegance of monuments like the Colosseum and Pantheon, and excited by the simple pleasures of having a coffee in a vibrant piazza that is over 2000 years old. This is sure to be a day to remember as we skip the lines and make private guided visits to some of Rome’s most iconic wonders.

Day 9: A Divine Appointment at The Vatican 

Across the river lies the sovereign state of the Vatican City, the home of the Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope. Perhaps no Italy guided tours are complete without a private guided tour of this spiritual sanctuary. Learn how spiritual authority turned into secular power while exploring the enthralling Vatican Museums and gaze upon the remarkable works that lie within them. From the incredible, hallowed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the renowned Renaissance stylings of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican City is an ode to Catholicism. This is sure to be a divine encounter!  After, enjoy lunch beneath the stunning walls of the Pinecone Courtyard. 

 In the afternoon and evening your Alma Italia host will give you advice on where to find the best of Rome’s shops and boutiques, giving you time to discover more of the eternal city at leisure, and of course your host will book one of the best locals favorite dining spots for your evening.

Day 10 Naples and Amalfi Coast,  Italy Coastal tours

Leaving Rome behind, your driver and host will take you south, to the final destination of this luxury Italy vacation, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. For good reason,  this is Italy’s most famous stretch of coast for Italy coastal tours. Italy beach holidays start here! Stopping in Naples we will stroll in the city with a guided tour that will show you all the glamour of this mediterranean seaside city with a dangerous history. All trips to Italy, and especially Naples also means the best pizza in the world, and for lunch you will have an authentic Neapolitan pizza that will be worth the journey alone.

We will arrive on the Amalfi coast at your boutique hotel overlooking the mediterranean sea in time for a sunset drink and a relaxing dinner full of fresh produce from the verdant coastline.

Day 11 : Italy coastal tours ~ Amalfi coast, Ravello and Positano

 Today you’ll set off for a spectacular day on the iconic Amalfi Coast, one of the most amazing coastlines that you’ll ever see. Italy beach holidays don’t get more special than this! Your scenic drive takes you around breathtaking cliffs that overlook the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. The dramatic scenery is awe-inspiring.  In the morning you will explore the picturesque villages that dot along the coast and in the afternoon relax, sampling a taste of Italy beach holidays at their best at a private beach club on a secluded cove.  In the evening, you’ll take a boat ride to a renowned restaurant that has an exclusive and romantic ambience with an incredible view of the Amalfi Coast. The restaurant specializes in local cuisine, especially fresh fish dishes. After dinner, your private boat will take you back to your hotel.

Day 12 : Capri by Private Boat

After breakfast, you will experience the highlight of all Italy coastal tours. Today you will spend the day on a private boat to sail to the renowned island of Capri, whose beauty has drawn generations of the rich and famous from Roman emperors to Hollywood stars. All Italy luxury tours must have a day in Capri! Lunch on the boat will give you a secluded and private view set between the distant shores of the Amalfi Coast and beckoning coves of Capri. As you sail around Capri, the boat will pass the Faraglioni sea stacks as they protrude from the turquoise water resembling giants set from beneath the soaring island cliffs reaching upwards of 200 feet tall. This is certainly not your average Italy beach holiday. We’ll dock for some time to explore the main village of the island and enjoy an aperol spritz at a beach club before a sunset cruise home. If you aren’t already a Hollywood star you will definitely at least feel like one today.

Day 13: departure from Naples airport

Departure from Naples airport. Enjoy the final Italian breakfast of your trip to Italy before heading to the airport by private transfer. We will have achieved our goal if you are feeling relaxed and inspired in equal measure, having created memories of a lifetime with your friends or family. It’s time for us to say goodbye…or maybe just `Ciao for now`! Now you have had a taste of Italy you can always come back to experience one of our signature ‘Go deeper’ regional Italy luxury guided tours 2022.

Unlock the beauty of the real Italy with authentic experiences and local expertise. Step out of the ordinary. Travel deeply.