Venice, Veneto and Tuscany 2023

Our small group tours of Veneto, Venice, and Tuscany provides guests with unforgettable encounters with the rich culture of these unique regions of Italy.

In Vicenza, our boutique, four-star hotel — selected for quality of service, comfort, and location — is an easy five-minute walk from the main square, Piazza delle Biade, wonderful restaurants, and other main sites of this gorgeous city. 

In Tuscany, you’ll enjoy accommodations at a stunning villa, selected for comfort, safety and location, on the outskirts of a beautiful village, offering easy access to restaurants and shopping. The views of olive groves and vineyards can be appreciated from the villa pool. The villa hosts guests in lovely private  bedrooms, all with en-suite baths, numerous gathering places both inside and outside the villa, a large terrace, and a swimming pool.

Tuscany is the most famous region in Italy; Italian cypresses line gorgeous villa gardens, the Chianti area vintners create world-famous wines, and the art of Florence enchants visitors. For the past eleven years, Condé Nast travelers have overwhelmingly voted the Veneto region, Florence, and Tuscany as a top world-wide travel destination. Join us for a remarkable visit to an enchanting land!

Itinerary

Please note this itinerary indicates a typical tour with us. Some dates and destinations are subject to change to support the highest quality tour possible.

• Day One: Meet-and-greet at Venice airport. Transfer to Vicenza city center hotel. Afternoon at leisure and welcome dinner.
• Day Two: Private guided tour of Vicenza to include several Palladio villas and other sites.
• Day Three: Transfer to Venice for guided tour including St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Exploration of the island of Burano, Torcello, and Murano before returning to Vicenza.
• Day Four: Open morning. Transfer to the Palazzo Te in Mantua for a guided visit. Transfer to villa. Dinner prepared by the villa’s cook.
• Day Five: Guided visit to the city of Siena including the Duomo, Baptistery, and the Crypt of the Duomo. Lunch, then visit to Santa Maria della Scala and the Museo Civico before returning to the villa for dinner.
• Day Six: Full-day guided tour in Florence including the Accademia to view the David, the Palazzo della Signoria, and the Baptistery of the Duomo. Following a group lunch, guided visit of the Museum of the Works of the Duomo then free time in the city. 
• Day Seven: Art excursion across the central region of Chianti with a local art expert including visits to the Abbey of Passignano, the convent church of Carmignano, a small church with a recently attributed fresco by Michelangelo in Marcialla, and several other sites. Group lunch during this day’s excursion.
• Day Eight: Transfer to the lovely small village of Settignano to visit one of the most famous gardens in Tuscany at the Villa Gamberaia. Transfer across the valley of the Arno to an olive oil producer for an introduction to olive oil and then an unforgettable dinner in the owner’s private home.
• Day Nine: Open morning and early afternoon. Late afternoon tour of a small family-owned winery in the Chianti region followed by dinner in the owner’s villa.
• Day Ten: Guided tour of the walled city of Lucca, a lovely winery in the hills above the city, and lunch. Visit two private country villas in the hills near Lucca before returning to our villa for dinner.
• Day Eleven: Full open day in Florence for explorations, shopping, and enjoyment. Return to the villa early evening for dinner.
• Day Twelve: Guided visit to the walled city of Assisi including the Basilica of St. Francis, the Basilica of Santa Chiara, and others. 
• Day Thirteen: Visit to the walled village of San Gimignano. Upon arrival, our guests will be given a brief orientation to the village and then are free until after lunch. We will return to the villa early afternoon.
• Day Fourteen: Transfer to a lovely family-owned winery estate in the Classico region of Chianti for a tour and tasting of the 10th century estate followed by lunch at the estate’s fabulous restaurant. Visit to the village of Greve in Chianti before returning to the villa for dinner.
• Day Fifteen: Early morning transfer to the airport in Florence for return flights.