Your first two days will be spent in Venice’s “floating city” where a mesmerizing blend of history, culture, and mouth-watering food awaits you. This city is a living museum with its intricate maze of cobble-stone streets, canals, ancient bridges, and the rich mosaic of architectural styles.
After touching down in Venice, your local host will take you from the airport to your 4-star hotel via private boat.
Take some time to settle in before exploring Venice's winding canals by boat with a small group tour. Along the way, you'll see landmarks such as St. Mark's Square, Rialto Bridge, and the famous Bridge of Sighs.
Dinner reservations this evening will be at a restaurant famous for its welcoming atmosphere and delicious seafood.
Begin your morning with a leisurely breakfast, before meeting with a local expert for a food tour to remember.
As you meander through Venice’s magical maze of streets and canals, you’ll visit ancient cafes, hidden bars, open-air markets, and locals-only restaurants… while sampling world-renowned Venetian classics: From traditional “tramezzini” and savory “cicchetti”, to refreshing prosecco, spritzes, and more.
After a short repose, you will get to meet another historical expert for privileged access to some of Venice's most iconic monuments: Saint Mark’s “Golden” Basilica and Doge’s Palace.
Dinner reservations this evening will be at a restaurant as famous for its friendly welcome as its seafood.
Next, you’ll venture to Florence, nestled in the heart of Tuscany. Prepare to experience some of history’s most iconic artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Of course, Florence is known for much more than its Renaissance masterpieces. You will also taste some of its most mouth-watering culinary delights as you stroll along the banks of the Arno.
After breakfast in your hotel, you will get a private transfer to Venice’s train station, where you will journey to Florence. A private transfer awaits you in Florence and will take you to your gorgeous, central 4-star hotel. That afternoon, you will experience the world-famous Uffizi Gallery with a small group (bypassing the long wait).
An art historian will introduce you to Botticelli's ‘Birth of Venus’, Caravaggio’s ‘Medusa,’ and other must-see masterpieces, then leave you to explore the museum at your leisure.
Finish the evening at one of Florence's most quintessential trattorias, which will be reserved for you.
After a relaxing breakfast and leisurely morning in your hotel, you will get to skip the long line outside the Galleria dell’Accademia for a small group tour. Here you will see Michelangelo's iconic “David” statue, while an expert guide details how this symbol of the Renaissance came to be.
Your professional guide will then take you around Florence’s enchanting historic center, walk you over the world-famous Ponte Vecchio (with its historic jewelers), and make you feel like a local expert.
Dinner will be reserved for you at an renowned restaurant that merges gourmet pizza with sophisticated cocktails.
You’ve seen a lot over the past few days! Take a breather with a lovely hotel breakfast and enjoy some free time to wander through Florence. Maybe even shop in some of its famous stores (Florence is globally recognized for its rich leather-making tradition).
As the sun sets, you'll dine in true Florentine fashion: with a fun and delicious food and wine tour in one of its most well-loved neighborhoods. From aperitivo and prosecco, to the iconic Florentine steak and gelato, your heart will be as full as your belly.
As you bid farewell to Florence, it’s time to say “Buongiorno” to Italy’s capital city… once home to the Roman Empire. This ancient city will thrust you back in time to a world of epic gladiator face-offs in the colosseum along with the Vatican City’s splendor, the storied Sistine Chapel, and much more.
That said, it wouldn’t be Italy if the city’s fascinating history wasn’t paired with some delicious local cuisine.
After breakfast in your hotel, you will get a private transfer to the Florence train station. Here, you will get a train to Rome, with a private transfer to your 4-star hotel on arrival.
In the evening, you will eat and drink in style, and even enjoy a cocktail on a private rooftop. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, as they say. This evening, this will mean tasting iconic Roman foods, craft beer, and spritzes with kindred spirits… all while staying away from the tourist traps.
Hmm… to breakfast or not to breakfast? Because today you will take in a traditional Italian farmers' market before hitting the kitchen! This memorable cooking class will teach you how to make a fabulous 4-course Italian meal with fresh products from the market.
After this meal fit for a gladiator, you will jump back in time with a small group tour of Ancient Rome’s iconic amphitheater: the Colosseum.
In the evening, you will get to eat at a classic Roman Osteria which specializes in handmade pasta.
Eat a hearty hotel breakfast because you have a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience ahead of you.
Today, you and your small group will receive priority entrance to the legendary Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with an experienced historical guide. You will spend the morning walking through centuries of fascinating history in the world’s smallest nation. After your tour, you will have the opportunity to explore the Basilica in your own time.
Later, your dinner reservation will be at a revered restaurant whose rich history dates back to the 18th century. Here a shaded garden and ancient Roman fountain provides a serene escape from the bustling city.
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2 nights Venice
3 nights Florence
3 nights Rome
Fly into Venice - Airport code VCE
Fly out of Rome - Airport code FCO
Must arrive in Venice on either Tuesday or Thursday. Arriving on another day will mean some experiences are unavailable.
Prices starting at €6,355.00 EURO per person
Prices starting at €7,640.00 EURO per couple
Prices are listed in Euro. Double occupancy. Custom designed, personalized travel package. Pricing subject to change.
Important Currency Exchange Note: All pricing for La Dolce Vita Trips to Italy are priced in Euros. All payments for trips are processed in USD, and reflect the current daily exchange rates.
A €700.00 non-refundable deposit per person required upon booking.
Yes. Depending on the package you select you will need to fly into Italy on a specific day in order to secure participation in all activities. Transatlantic flights to and from Europe are not included in the package price and will need to be sourced independently.
For clarification on which days to fly, please consult the "Specific Trip Details" section at the bottom of each 8, 10, and 12-day trip's page.
Your travel package includes the following items: four-star hotel accommodations in all locations, private transfers from Venice Airport to your hotel, all private transfers between train stations and hotels, breakfast each morning, all second-class train tickets between cities, activities outlined in each itinerary, and dinner reservations (meals not included unless specified).
Your travel package does not include transatlantic airfare to or from Italy, trip insurance, gratuities, lunches, dinners, and drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) unless specified in the itinerary, personal charges such as room service, laundry, phone calls, or SIM cards, early check-in or late checkout from your hotel, additional sightseeing, activities, or experiences outside of your itinerary, passport fees, visas, and local hotel taxes (when applicable).
You must purchase your chosen trip package a minimum of 90 days before your departure date. (Although we recommend booking as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment.)
Once confirmed, all deposits are non-refundable.
If you choose to cancel your trip with For The Story Vacations, a written cancellation notice must be delivered via email to dreamtrips@forthestory.vacations with a confirmation of receipt from us no later than 61 days prior to departure by 9:00 AM European Central Time Zone.
The following cancellation fees apply:
89 - 61 days prior to departure - 50% of the remaining balance is non-refundable
60 days - day of departure - 100% of the remaining balance is non-refundable
Flight delays are a common occurrence in transatlantic travel. It’s important to understand any missed accommodations, activities/tours, etc., due to delayed flights are non-refundable.
If your trip is delayed, any additional trains, transfers, etc., required to reach the current day's itinerary will be the sole responsibility of the client.
For The Story Vacations HIGHLY encourages clients to purchase travel insurance to protect themselves financially from situations caused by airline delays or any other unforeseen circumstances.
We do not run our 8-day trips from December 14 to January 7th each year, as many things close down during the extended holiday season. We prefer to send clients during a time when you will see each iconic location at its very best, and this avoids disappointment.
We do not run our 8-day trips during the week before and week of the Easter holidays. Many things in Italy close down for the Easter holiday, many tours do not operate, and in general, the cities become very overcrowded.
We do not run our 10- and 12-day trips from October 15th to April 30th each year, as this is the off-season for the Amalfi Coast. We prefer our adventurers see this area of Italy in seasons when the weather is the best and everything is open for them to enjoy.
Not at all! We have many wonderful contacts in Rome who have assured us this year will be busy but nothing overly insane. While it will be a massive year for many parishes and people making the pilgrimage to Rome, it’s good to remember that the city is massive. As long as we book far enough in advance, we can ensure you can experience the Vatican City, Basilica, & Sistine Chapel and then enjoy the other iconic sites and areas Rome offers.
We totally understand how daunting booking flights can be! After booking, we will send you our transatlantic flight PDF guide, which explains the booking platforms we recommend for your flight search, why booking direct with the airline is key, safe layover times, and why a multi-city flight pattern is 100% what you will need to book. We also go over departure days, so it’s very clear what date you’ll need to book your flight to avoid confusion. All these things can feel confusing with big changes in time zones, but our PDF guide will walk you through this and ensure it’s as easy as possible for you.
"Highly recommend Rachael & her team!"
Rachael planned our first trip to Italy and it was a wonderful experience! From her comprehensive questionnaire to the lovely drivers she paid attention to the details! The places we ate, the tours and guides and the accommodations were all fantastic! I would highly recommend Rachael!
"We will never travel without FTSV!"
Rachael was truly amazing and planned our dream family vacation to Italy. Every detail was planned out which made this amazing experience even better. She and her team are truly a gem. Thank you For The Story Vacations for all you did and for a lifetime of unbelievable memories!
"Rachael made everything so easy!"
I was overwhelmed with all of the details of planning a trip & Rachael made it easy! The small group experiences and tours she recommended were top notch! She even made dinner reservations at some fabulous places. I wouldn’t hesitate to use her again. I highly recommend her to anyone!
To purchase your Italy trip, please complete the form and payment details below.
Upon completion, you will be prompted to sign our Package Agreement to finalize your booking.
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