Tour Overview
Embark on the "Ultimate Italy" tour, a luxurious journey through Italy's most iconic destinations. Begin in Rome, exploring the Vatican and the Colosseum, before heading to the ancient ruins of Pompeii. Experience the charm of Capri with a private cruise and Michelin-starred dining. Discover the medieval allure of Assisi and Perugia, and indulge in wine tasting and gelato in San Gimignano. In Florence, choose between art or culinary explorations, and learn to make pasta in Tuscany. Marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the stunning Cinque Terre. Conclude in Venice with a gondola ride and exclusive after-hours access to the Doge's Palace. This tour offers a blend of cultural, culinary, and historical experiences, all while staying in exquisite accommodations. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Buongiorno Rome
Location: Rome, Pantheon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento.
Meals Included: Dinner
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a centre of celebration. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City. Begin your Italy luxury tour journeying to your luxurious hotel by private chauffeur. Tonight, enjoy the ambience of the Eternal City strolling through cobbled streets before dining on fine Italian cuisine beneath the gaze of the Pantheon.
...more ...less
Day 2: Rome and the Vatican
Location: Vatican City, Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore the Eternal City and Vatican Museums with the guidance of a Local Expert. Admire magnificent frescos and unlock religious history before crossing the Tiber to view the mighty Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Day 3: Pompeii and the Isle of Capri / Sorrento
Location: Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Quisisana Hotel, Hotel Sorrento Palace (Seaview Executive Rooms).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
At the foot of Mount Vesuvius, your Local Expert paints a vivid picture of the past at the ruins of Pompei. Journey south through dramatic coastal scenery and lemon groves to your luxurious hotel in Capri or Sorrento (date dependent) and enjoy an elegant dinner of local specialties.
Day 4: Explore the Isle of Dreams Relaxed Start
Location: Capri, White Grotto, Piazzetta, Capri
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Quisisana Hotel, Hotel Sorrento Palace (Seaview Executive Rooms).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
For guests staying in Capri, indulge in a Relaxed Start. A private cruise shows off Capri’s dramatic coastline as you wind your way into hidden coves and visit the White Grotto. Enjoy a ride on the historic funicular to admire breathtaking scenery before strolling through the famous Piazzetta. Dine in style at Michelin-starred restaurant Le Monzù.
Day 5: Umbria, Assisi and Perugia
Location: Umbria, Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi, Perugia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Brufani, Perugia.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through vineyards and olive groves discovering Umbria and personalise your day. View the 28 incredible frescos of the Basilica of St. Francis with a local historian. Or, with the help of your local gourmand, learn the roots of Umbrian cuisine and taste heavenly flavours including local olive oils and truffle-infused cured meats. Tonight stay in the heart of Perugia's medieval town.
Day 6: San Gimignano and Tuscany Relaxed Start
Location: San Gimignano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Montebello Splendid, Florence.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Fourth-generation weaver Marta shares the art of medieval Umbrian tradition of loom-weaving on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Delight in a private wine tasting tour with the owners of Guardastelle Estate and lunch surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. Indulge in sensational gelato with World Champion Gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli.
Day 7: Renaissance Florence
Location: Florence, Accademia Gallery
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Montebello Splendid, Florence.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Personalise your morning in Florence with an art or gourmet exploration. Join an art historian to explore Renaissance Florence in the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David, or explore markets and gourmet stores with a local food expert, illuminating Florentine specialties. Take a fascinating foraging trip for the region's aromatic truffles guided by an expert truffle dog. Dine on regional dishes including 'Fiorentina' — Tuscan steak seasoned and grilled to perfection — over dinner at a Tuscan Villa.
Day 8: Tuscan Cuisine and Pisa Relaxed Start
Location: Florence, Pisa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Montebello Splendid, Florence.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Savour a Relaxed Start before exploring a former hunting lodge built in the 1200s by the Medici family. Using produce from the estate's vegetable and herb garden, do as the locals do, learning from a professional Italian chef how to roll pasta by hand. Sample the fruits of your labour accompanied by some of the estate's exquisite wines. In Pisa, marvel at the gravity-defying tower, Duomo and baptistery with a Local Historian.
Day 9: Exploring the Cinque Terre
Location: Cinque Terre, Manarola, Monterosso, Rapallo
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Excelsior Palace Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
At the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre, join your Local Expert and visit the cliffside towns of Manarola and Monterosso. Here, colourful houses perched upon steep, rugged coastline overlook the sparkling Mediterranean. Reach Rapallo for your stay at your luxurious hotel.
Day 10: Venice and the Doge’s Palace
Location: Venice, Grand Canal, Venice, Doge's Palace, Venice
Accommodation Name: Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross the fertile plains of the River Po and arrive by water taxi. Cruise the elegant Grand Canal to view the luxurious palaces before sitting back in a classic gondola to ride through the quieter, hidden canals. Step behind the velvet ropes as you enter the Doge's Palace for an after-hours tour guided by a local art historian.
Day 11: The Magic of Venice Relaxed Start
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Unlock the centuries-old craft of glassblowing and join a Local Expert to explore the hidden lanes of Venice, learning the secrets of its past and present. Delight in a celebratory evening of local delicacies this evening.
Day 12: Arrivederci Venice
Location: Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Italian voyage ends in style, with a private boat ride to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport.
What's Included
-
Meals
Meals are included as detailed in the itinerary.
-
Additional Services
Personal radio headsets are provided for freedom during visits to famous highlights, and complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi is available where possible.
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
Complimentary airport transfers are included on start and end dates and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold.
-
Fully Guided
You will be escorted by a Travelling Concierge, serving as your expert guide and organizer.
-
Local Expert Guides
In select destinations, Local Expert Guides will provide deeper insights into your journey.
-
Hotel Taxes and Tips
Hotel taxes, porterage, and tips for included dining experiences are covered.
-
Transfers
Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold.
-
Curated Experiences
Exclusive experiences such as entering the Vatican Museums and the Doge's Palace for an after-hours tour are included.
What's Not Included
International Travel
International travel to and from the destination is not included.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
- Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey. From securing exclusive reservations, to organising transportation, your Travel Concierge ensures every aspect of your travel is tailored to your tastes and preferences.
- In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level. ?
- Included at all hotels.
- Hotel taxes, porterage and tips, as well as tips for included dining experiences, are included.
- Enjoy breakfast every morning, and an array of incredible dining options throughout your journey, infused with discovery and adventure.
- On days where a Relaxed Start (RS) is indicated, you can select to indulge in breakfast in bed.?
- Enjoy complimentary hotel Wi-Fi. And, on select coaches, onboard Wi-Fi may also be available.
- Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city as the itinerary, may be requested.
Curated Experiences
- : Enter the Vatican Museums and visit the Sistine Chapel on a tour with your Local Expert. Be awed by the frescoes that adorn the walls and roof, painted by masters such as Michelangelo, Botticelli and Ghirlandaio.
- Venice: Triumphantly enter the Doge's Palace as a guardian permits only you and your travelling companions to enter for an after-hours tour. Discover the art, culture and history of the Venetian Republic in a small, intimate group.
Magnificent Stays
- Capri: In the heart of Capri, Quisisana Hotel is in prime position for exploring the Isle of Capri. Rooms are designed with effortless Mediterranean elegance, matching perfectly with the idyllic backdrop of lush greenery and turquoise water.
Passport Moments
- Rome: Every side street has something to offer, as you’ll see on a guided exploration of the hidden sites of Rome with your knowledgeable Local Expert. Discover more culture and art in this living masterpiece.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century, when a volcanic eruption engulfed the streets. Hear more about the lavish lives the locals lived and visit well-preserved ruins of baths and local shops.
- Capri: Arrive in style for your overnight stay as the jet-set do, travelling to your luxurious Capri hotel by open-top taxi. Don’t forget your headscarf or hat and sunglasses so passersby can speculate about the visiting VIP.
- Capri: Embark on a private cruise that takes you around the dramatic coast of Capri to seek out hidden coves and grottos that few get to see. The White Grotto is a dazzling sight with the stalactites that dangle over its entrance.
- San Gimignano: Visit this small hillside city and find out why it's called the 'medieval Manhattan of Italy'. Enter the exquisite Porta San Giovanni, the main city gate, that has stood the test of time since the 13th century. Explore well-preserved streets and beautiful ceramic stores.
- Pisa: Accompanied by your Local Expert, marvel at the gravity-defying Leaning Tower of Pisa and see the Duomo and baptistery.
- Cinque Terre: Experience some of the most awe-inspiring coastal scenery on earth at the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre. Join your Local Expert and discover charming Manarola, a picturesque ?shing village, before travelling by train to the historic and colourful resort town of Rapallo.
- Venice: Take a private water taxi along the Grand Canal to make an elegant arrival at your luxurious hotel, which sits right by the water’s edge. Soak up the romance of this enchanting city as you experience a relaxing journey on the water.
- Venice: Enjoy a private cruise of Venice's Grand Canal, admire historical palaces, eastern architecture and daily Venetian life from your private water taxi cruising through the most famous of Venice's canals.
- Venice: Let yourself be swept away by romance with a ride on a traditional gondola through the canals of Venice. See hidden corners of the city and soak up the atmosphere while being serenaded by your gondolier.
- Venice: Join your Local Expert for an enriching exploration of the many wondrous secrets of Venice. Get an insider's perspective on what it is like to live in this unique city.
Personalise your day
- Assisi: Join a Local Expert for a guided visit to the imposing Basilica of St. Francis.
- Assisi: Treat your palate as you sample Umbrian specialties at an exclusive tasting experience. Sample fine wines, olive oil, local cheese, and truffle infused delicacies.
- Florence: Join an art historian to immerse yourself in Renaissance Florence. Visit the Accademia Museum and marvel at the statue of David, a Michelangelo masterpiece. See the impressive trio of the Duomo, Bell Tower and Baptistery before arriving to Piazza della Signoria, traditionally the political heart of the city.
- Florence: Join a local foodie and get to know Florence one bite at a time on your walking tour. Learn about Florentine specialities and sample a selection of gourmet highlights.
- Venice: Join a Local Expert to uncover the secrets of Hidden Venice. Wander through its peaceful streets and gain insight into what it is really like to live in this unique city.
- Venice: Join a Local Expert to explore the Jewish Ghetto, one of the world’s oldest Jewish quarters, steeped in history. It stands as a testament to resilience, community, and heritage, offering a glimpse into the lives of its past inhabitants. Wander through its narrow streets and discover the enduring legacy of this unique Venetian neighborhood.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with private chauffeurs, water taxis, and luxury coaches, ensuring seamless transfers between destinations. Enjoy complimentary airport and train station transfers, and experience the romance of Venice with a private boat ride to Marco Polo Airport.
Accommodation
Experience luxury at its finest with stays at the NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento, Quisisana Hotel, Hotel Sorrento Palace, Brufani, Hotel Montebello Splendid, and Excelsior Palace Hotel, offering elegant rooms and prime locations for exploring Italy's iconic destinations.
Check out our Q&As
-
What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several unique experiences such as a private after-hours tour of the Doge's Palace in Venice, a private cruise around the dramatic coast of Capri, and a visit to the Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti in Perugia to learn about medieval Umbrian loom-weaving. Additionally, guests can enjoy a private wine tasting tour at the Guardastelle Estate in San Gimignano and a hands-on cooking class in Tuscany. ...more ...less
-
What dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
The tour offers a variety of exceptional dining experiences, including a dinner near Rome's Pantheon, a meal at the Michelin-starred Le Monzù restaurant in Capri, and a traditional Venetian meal in Venice. Guests will also enjoy a lunch of Tuscan specialties in San Gimignano and a dinner featuring the famous 'Fiorentina' steak in Florence. ...more ...less
-
Are there any personalized activities available during the tour?
Yes, the tour offers personalized activities such as choosing between a guided visit to the Basilica of St. Francis or an Umbrian tasting experience in Assisi. In Florence, guests can choose between an art-focused tour with an art historian or a gourmet walking tour with a local foodie. ...more ...less
-
What cultural experiences are included in the tour?
Cultural experiences on the tour include a guided exploration of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, a visit to the ancient ruins of Pompeii, and a tour of the Accademia Gallery in Florence to see Michelangelo's David. Guests will also explore the Jewish Ghetto in Venice and learn about the art of glassblowing. ...more ...less
-
How does the tour support local communities?
The tour supports local communities through the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, such as visiting the Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti in Perugia, which empowers women and preserves traditional loom-weaving, and supporting the Venetian glassblowing arts center, which helps sustain this traditional craft. ...more ...less
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Absolutely! We are very selective in who we work with and choose to only use hotels that take the health and well-being of our guests as seriously as we do and agree to meet expected guidelines and specifications. We only work with establishments that we are confident will consistently adhere to our standards.
-
Which countries does Luxury Gold visit?
We offer incredible luxury trips in Europe, North America, South America, Hawaii, South-East Asia, the Indian sub-continent (including India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka), Australia and New Zealand.
-
What other modes of transport does Luxury Gold use?
A Luxury Gold tour will include touring on high-speed trains, alpine cable cars, hydrofoils, river cruisers and horse-drawn carriages, in addition to our high-deck luxury coaches with extra legroom.
-
Who travels with Luxury Gold?
We are delighted to welcome guests who have a shared love of travel, adventure, entertainment and exploration. A mix of solo travellers, couples, and groups of friends and family join us from all over the English-speaking world.
-
What is the role of the Well-Being Director?
Working closely together with your Travelling Concierge, the Well-Being Director* will help make sure all necessary protocols are followed to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our guests. This includes our enhanced screening and hygiene protocols, complying with distancing and other requirements set by government authorities. They are also there to support our guests & answer any questions.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions
Ultimate Italy
12 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Venice, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Pantheon, Vatican City, Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento, White Grotto, Piazzetta, Capri, Umbria, Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi, Perugia, San Gimignano, Florence, Accademia Gallery, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Manarola, Monterosso, Rapallo, Venice, Grand Canal, Venice, Doge's Palace Venice ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
G200ZM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Please advise request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
Expert Knowledge
We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
Trusted Agent
Multi award-winning agency with almost 50 years experience.
Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot – the highest-rated high-street travel agent.
We look after you every step of the way.