September 1:  Newark to Venice – UA 170 Sep 1, 6:55 PM–Sep 2, 9:05 AM

September 19:  Rome to Newark – UA 509 Sep 19, 12:55 PM–4:25 PM

Day 1 (Sept. 2) 

EUR 80 (paid in full) WATER TAXI VOUCHER   Booking code: AG-23-00404823  - By Bucintoro Viaggi +39 041 5210632. 

Once you leave the conveyor belts, you will to enter the arrival hall. Your meeting point is Box #71 at the arrival hall. Look for a counter office with the sign "VENICELINK".  NOTE: Wait time is between 20-40 min. Show voucher or booking code.

🏠 Check in Sept 2 - Check out Sept 5 :  Hotel Donà Palace   - Duchessa Exclusive Suite (breakfast included) - will be done by 12:00

Eur 124 Private Gondola ride VOUCHER 30-40 min  2:00 pm.  

Meeting point: Calle larga XXII  Marzo 2091/b. Tel + 39 548-8725-524 - Manager contact: Kele +39 393 934 5551

EUR 79.20 (was 88)  drinks paid on site about EUR 10 per person Cicchetti TOUR VOUCHER

Meeting point: Campo San Bartolomio (this is very close to Rialto Bridge) - Manager contact: Dani + 39 548-8725-524

Cicchetti (street food) tour 2.5 hours - This is a small group tour - No raw fish

Tour starts at 5:00 PM.  Venice has a food culture quite unlike anywhere else in Italy.  On this tour, you'll get to the heart of the city through its stomach, and sample the famous venetian cicchetti (typical tapas eaten by locals and accompanied by wines or “spritz” drinks) while on an evening walking tour.  Drinks are paid on site according to your selection. Along this walking tour we will visit some of the best local "osteria" to taste cicchetti (venetian tapas).

Highlights:

• Rialto Bridge

• Grand Canal

• Campo Santa Margherita

• San Paolo district with Marco Polo’s home

• Basilica dei Frari

• Food Stops - Throughout the walking tour we will make several stops (3 or 4 different ones) where we will flavor the venetian cicchetti. Before the end of the tour we will make a final gelato stop.

Day 2 (Sept. 3) 

Eur 350     TOUR VOUCHER  2.5 Hours Private Walking Tour with Basilica  

Tour Manager contact: Kele +39 393 934 5551 

Starting Time at 2:00 pm 

Includes skip the lines tickets to St. Mark Basilica skip the line tickets + Pala d’Oro viewing + Basilica Terrace access

MEETING POINT: being a private tour guide you can meet the guide at your hotel

Venice is dense in history and picturesque sites, as we’ll see during our guided walking tour from Rialto Bridge to the  monumental Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square), the political core of the glorious Venetian Republic. Along the way, we’ll include an explanation of all major sites of interest. We will finish the tour with a guided visit of the golden Basilica of S. Mark where we will include the access to view the famous Pala D’oro.  See tour highlights below:

• Tour will start at the Rialto bridge or at your hotel

• Visit the famous Rialto market

• Discover hidden spots and secrets on our walk from Rialto bridge to St Mark’s square

• Explore the ‘hidden’ Venice of small canals, palaces, and bridges often missed by visitors

• Learn about Venice’s rich history and its role as a major maritime power in the Middle Ages

• Scala del Bovolo

• St. Mark’s Square, belltower

• St. Mark’s Basilica and Pala D’oro

• Ponte dei Sospiri

• Doge's Palace - The guide will provide a commentary of the palace and then leave you at the entrance where you will continue for an on your own visit  this majestic palace.

Doge's Palace on your own  - latest entrance at 6:00 pm

Eur 68  (about $74  ) price for 2 people. (1h time approximately) see pictures.  Entrance tickets only, independent visit .

NO NEED FOR A VOUCHER: your guide will give you the entrance tickets at the end of the walking tour.

Tour Manager contact: Kele +39 393 934 5551 At the end of the Basilica Tour, your guide will provide a commentary of the palace and then leave you at the entrance where you will continue for an on your own visit  this majestic palace.

Day 3 (Sept. 4) 

Eur 50  (about $55) price for 2 people. 4 hours Panoramic group City Tour with  Murano and Burano stops

NO NEED FOR A VOUCHER: your guide will give you the tickets on the day of your walking tour (Sept 3rd)

Tour Manager contact: Kele +39 393 934 5551 

Departure time at 2:00 pm from "San Marco Giardinetti" pier next to St Mark square. See map

A half-day excursion to discover the most beautiful islands of the Venetian Lagoon: Murano, Burano and Torcello:

• Excursion by motorboat in the northern area of the Venetian Lagoon

• Explore the three famous islands Murano, Burano

• Hear multilingual commentary provided on board by an expert hostess

• Visit and demonstration of the ancient art of glassblowing is included

Day 4 (Sept. 5) 

Private water taxi from Hotel to Piazzale Roma

EUR 114    WATER TAXI VOUCHER  9:00 am  Booking code: AG-23-00404823  - Provided by Bucintoro Viaggi +39 041 5210632.

Ask the hotel concierge to coordinate your water taxi pick up  with Bucintoro Viaggi. 

NOTE: Make sure to tell them that you have an appointment at 9:30 at the Piazzale Roma stop where you will meet your driver.

Once at arrived at Piazzale Roma your driver will meet you holding a sign with your name.

Day 4 (Sept. 5) 

Transfer day to Verona: Visit  Lake Garda. End the day in Verona and overnight.

EUR 750 - 175 deposit + 575 cash VOUCHER CHAUFFERED TOUR 

Manager: Silvio & Anna Presa   +39 045 898 0367

Meet the driver at 9:30  right at the water taxi arrival pier. He will hold a sign with your name.

Lake Garda  is f one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe,  with the Dolomites to the north and Verona to the east, it offers  scenery of green hills, rocky cliffs, and honey-hued lakeside towns. It’s these views that have enticed visitors here for centuries, from poets and artists to politicians and actors. Reach the town of Sirmione and spend a couple of hours at leisure visiting this unbelievably charming town. Visit the amazingly preserved medieval Scaligero Castle in Sirmione (see pictures).  Drive along the Lake Garda cost to reach what is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world: Strada della Forra. Famous for bein featured in several movies (like James Bond) and for being called by Winston Churchill the 8th wonder of the world. See Video here.

Driving time:

• Venice to Sirmione (on Lake Garda) 2h drive, stop 2h visit the tow and the Castle on your own

• Drive along the panoramic road up to Strada della forra at 2:00 arrive at 3:30

• Depart for Verona at 4:30 arrive at 6:00 pm and check in

🏠 Check in Sept 5 - Check out Sept 7 Hotel Colomba d'Oro Verona (Superior Double - breakfast included) 

Day 5 (Sept. 6) 

EUR 327  = E 90 deposit + E237 cash (about $352)   VOUCHER 3h GUIDED WALKING TOUR - with skip the lines tickets to Arena and Juliet house - 

Guide: Deborah - Tel: +39 335-8291188  

Meet Deborah at 12:00 pm at your hotel - The guide will have the tickets

Verona  (setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet) is an incredibly romantic city with a rich architectural heritage. It has been an important cultural and commercial hub since the 3rd century. Today, its streets reveal their rich, multi-layered history at every turn, the enchanting medieval core a labyrinth of cobbled laneways and grand squares peppered with ancient Roman structures. The most complete of these is the wonderful Arena di Verona (Roman amphitheater) which serves as the venue for the city’s world renowned summer opera festival.

• Meet your local guide at your hotel for a morning guided tour of Verona. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Here is a great Wikytravel article. It is famous for it's:

• Verona Arena: perfectly preserved Roman amphitheater and the world's largest open-air opera venue.

• Walk Verona's most famous shopping area, the Corso Porta Borsari and its adjacent squares.

• Juliet's House - Romeo and Juliet. Three Shakespeare plays are set in Verona: Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

• Optionally visit Juliet’s Tomb: located in the vaults of the Abbey of San Francesco al Corso, not very far from the Arena di Verona

• Admire the Castelvecchio Bridge: Verona's historic castle was a product of the Della Scala family dynasty during the Middle Ages. 

Day 6 (Sept. 7) 

check out and Transfer to Florence

Day 6 (Sept. 7) 

Transfer day from Verona to Florence with stop at Parmigiano factory .

EUR 700 -  125 deposit + 575 cash  (about  $750) for 2 people VOUCHER  CHAUFFERED TOUR see itinerary

Manager: Silvio & Anna Presa   +39 045 898 0367

FERRARI Museum order number: VIVATK133632023260  and TICKET (valid for 1 year). Present the ticket at the entrance to skip the lines.

Cheese Factory tour at Caseificio 4 Madonne - here is your RESERVATION. You will pay by credit card upon arrival.

Meet the driver at your hotel at 9:00 assuming the cheese tour is at 11:00

On our way we will stop at the Caseificio 4 Madonne for a guided tour of the factory and final tasting of Parmigiano Reggiano. Tour will start at 11 am and last 1 hour. Includes tasting.

YES include Ferrari Museum: Near Modena, in Maranello, or inside Modena there are the Ferrari Factory museums (Entrance EUR 22 pp). See here 

🏠 Check in Sept 7 - Check out Sept 11  Palazzo Montebello (Deluxe Double Room with balcony and breakfast included)

Day 7 (Sept. 8) 

EUR 250: 100 deposit + 150 cash to guide (about $270) - VOUCHER  3h GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF FLORENCE - 

Guide Virginia  +39 328 955 7242 

Meet  your guide at hotel at 12:00 pm. 

Your private guide will meet you at the hotel and spend 3 hours with you showing the best of Florence. Optionally you can choose to enter the  Accademia (house of the David) and/or the Uffizi gallery. Prices of tickets are not included.  Rest of the day on your own. We need to decide the starting time of your guided tour.

The cradle of Renaissance with world-class art and architecture, Florence is one of  top destinations in Italy. Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, the Cathedral are just the tip of an iceberg that will amaze you. I can suggest a tour with an amazing guide that can also take you to taste the superb flavors of Tuscan cuisine. 

Day 8 (Sept. 9) 

Day trip to see Siena, San Gimignano and the Chianti region. 8h tour, meet your driver at your hotel at 9:00

EUR 520:  120 deposit + 400 cash/card to driver  (about  $560) for 2 people CHAUFFERED TOUR. 

EUR 100 payable at winery by card  (about $108). Winery tour, tasting and lunch 

EUR 200: 50 deposit + 150 cash/card to guide (about $216)  2h private guided walking tour of Siena and 1 hour in San Gimignano EUR 200 (about $216) 

VOUCHER - Driver and Guide:  Lorenzo     +39 3336186669 (backup contact Michelangelo: +39 338 506 4254)

A trip to the countryside is something I would absolutely recommend (with a visit to a winery to taste  the amazing wines of the Chianti region for example) or a day trip to Siena and San Gimignano. History, art and food are amazing!  

You will also stop and visit a Farm/Winery in the chianti region for wine tasting and light lunch at Podere La Marronaia - Winery & Farm (follow the link to see the wine tour/tasting/lunch. EUR 50 (about $54) yes per person payable at the winery. 

Day9 (Sept. 10) 

extra day in Florence on your own

Day 10 (Sept. 11) 

 Check out and transfer to Rome

Day 10 (Sept. 11) 

Transfer day from Florence to Rome  with stops at Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio

EUR 750:  100 deposit + 650 cash  to driver  VOUCHER  for 2 people CHAUFFERED TOUR 

Driver Giuliano +39 347 986 6394 

meet the driver at your hotel at 9:00

Transfer  from Florence and overnight in Rome.  On the way you would visit the two most important location in Umbria: Orvieto  and Civita di Bagnoregio. The visit  to Orvieto will provide a full-immersion of Medieval Italy, where you can bear witness to the dramatic "dying town" of Civita di Bagnoregio (actual population 8!),  and the art and architecture of the Hills of Lazio and Umbria. 

Note: there is a EUR 5 per person entrance fee to Civita Di Banoregio town payable in cash right there.  This is to use the walk path to the town.

Driving time: 

• Florence to Orvieto 2h + 3h stop in Orvieto

• Orvieto to Civita 30 min, + 1h stop

• Civita to Rome 2h driving

🏠 Check in Sept 11 Check out Sept 14  - Royal Suite Trinità Dei Monti (Suite exceptional breakfast included) 

Day 11 (Sept. 12) 

EUR 445:  E165 deposit + E280 cash  to guide  for 2 people   VOUCHER 5h Piazzas and Colosseum private walking tour  

Guide Rosanna +39 +39 320 402 6298

9:30 am to 2:30 pm (get a taxi from your hotel at no later than 9:00 am. Ask the concierge to call a taxi for you)

ENTRANCE TICKETS (no need to print guide has them): Colosseum Tickets and  Pantheon Tickets 

Meet your guide Rosanna at 9:30 at the Colosseum (as the driver to be taken to at Via di San Gregorio in front of the Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino)). Your Guide will meet you there holding a sign with your name. Together you will visit the Colosseum and explore the fantastic downtown areas of Rome (see here for locations pictures and details):  Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia, Capitoline Hill, Roman Forum, Altar of the Fatherland, Imperial Forum Way.. 

Day 11 (Sept. 12) 

EUR 124.20 (E 62.10 per person) with the agent discount (Was 180 EUR). Paid with your Amex on Aug 20 (receipt)  

FOOD TOUR VOUCHER  Manager contact: Dani + 39 548-8725-524

Meeting point: Piazza Farnese by the fountain near the church- Please reach the meeting point at 5:15. Tour starts at 5:30. To reach the location you can walk from your hotel (30 min) or take a taxi (20 min).

I have talked at length with the organizers of the tour and since the original one was a 4 hours tour I would like to suggest to change it to a 3h with sit down dinner, drinks and stops at other favorites locations (see full tour description here). This is in Campo dei Fiori and the location is just as nice as Trastevere.   

This 3-hour Taste of Rome Walking Food Tour lets you experience Rome like a local, in an authentic neighborhood where people live, eat and have fun after working hours. Your guide will take  you to popular establishments and hidden gems loved by locals for a variety of food and drink tastings. Stories about landmarks and neighborhoods passed along the way leave you with an inside perspective on the city’s history and culinary scene.

I suggest going to Trastevere for dinner the next night.

Day 12 (Sept. 13) 

EUR 310:  160 deposit + 150 cash  to guide  (about $335) VOUCHER 3h Private Guided tour of the Vatican w/Vatican skip the lines tickets- 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Guide Rosanna +39 +39 320 402 6298

SKIP THE LINES TICKETS RESERVATION CODE: GYG48Z6ZHQ6Y.  Vatican Tickets,  Your guide will have the tickets with her.

Take a taxi and ask to be taken to the entrance of the Vatican Museums. You will meet your guide at the entrance of the Vatican Museum at 1:00 pm. for a private walking tour of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica and St Peter's square. (See here for locations pictures and details)

Day 13 (Sept. 14) 

 Check out and transfer to Sorrento

Day 13 (Sept. 14) 

Transfer day from  Rome  to Sorrento with 2 Unesco Heritage sites stops in  Tivoli  (to visit  Villa D'este) and Pompeii

EUR 750:  150 deposit + 600 cash/card  to driver   (about  $805) for 2 people CHAUFFERED TOUR/TRANSFER meet driver 9:00 am 

EUR 16 payable on site (about  $17) for 2 people Entrance tickets to Villa D'este  (according to the official site)

EUR 232:  76 deposit +E 156 cash  to guide (about  $250) for 2 people 2h private guided tour of Pompeii included the skip the lines entrance tickets (your guide will have the tickets).

• Driver Manager: Giovanni +39 338 961 9043   VOUCHER CHAUFFERED TRANSFER/TOUR

• Guide in Pompeii: Alessandro  +39 333 646 9590   VOUCHER GUIDED POMPEII TOUR

On your way to your hotel in Sorrento we will take you to 2 very important locations.:

• At 10:00 you will reach the town of Tivoli, located just outside Rome. Take a moment to see here what this this beautiful town has to offer. Among it's most important locations are Villa D'este with it's amazing gardens and fountains, and the Roman Villa that belonged to emperor Adrian, or Villa Adriana (no time for this). You will likely have the time to visit one of the two  and I suggest Villa D'este. Entrance tickets to the gardens and palace are EUR 8 per person, not included in proce above.

• At 3:00 pm your driver will take you to the archaeological site of Pompei  where you will meet your private guide for a  2hours private guided tour of the famous excavations. 

Driving times (times are approximate): 

• Rome to Tivoli 1 hours + 2h stop to visit

• Tivoli to Pompeii 3h drive + 2h tour

• Pompeii to Sorrento 40 min to 1 h - arrive around 6:00 pm

🏠 Check in Sept 14 Check out Sept 18  Hotel Cristina (room with sea view/balcony  and breakfast included) 

Day 14 (Sept. 15) 

EUR 400:  100 deposit +E 300 cash  to guide   for 2 people  - Full Day private Guided tour to  Capri. 

EUR 120 payable on site (about $130) for 2 people  - All transportation costs:  Ferry to/from Island (schedule here), Transportation on the Island. 

EUR 44 payable on site (about $46) for 2 people - Tour around the Island by boat (see description here)

Optional EUR 20 (about $22) for 2 people - entrance to  Villa S. Michele (see the amazing villa here)

 GUIDE Manuela  + 39 338 944 0886  - VOUCHER

Ferry to Capri at 11:20, meet the guide at 10:30 at the hotel or at an easy location in Sorrento

AVAILABLE FERRY DEPARTURES: 9:50,  10:45, 11:10, 11:20, 11:25

Your guide will include some "discover Sorrento" time in order for you to get acquainted with the location. Thus depends on your meeting time and ferry schedule.

Together you will go to the port in Sorrento to transfer by ferry to Capri (20-30 min). Once in Capri your guide will coordinate with you the perfect customized visit to the island. Your guide is an expert in this area and is eager to customize shore excursions that reflect your unique travel interests while showing you the very best his homeland has to offer.  Once in Capri you will be able to visit some or all of the following sites in the island to be coordinated directly with your guide:

• Port of Marina Grande in Capri: from here you can board the tour around the island by boat. The tour will stop in front of the Blue Grotto. Row boat access to the Blue Grotto depends on weather conditions and costs an additional EUR 14 per person.

• In Anacapri: Optional Villa San Michele(€10 per person payable on site), built by Swedish writer Axel Munthe over Roman remains;

• In Capri: wander the pedestrian area to the best view point for a great photo, some free time, shopping time, lunch time. Walk along the small streets and the famous Piazzetta, the meeting point of celebrities.

• Reach the Augustus' garden, a beautiful public garden situated at a point sheer overlooking the sea for a gorgeous view of the Faraglioni Rocks.

• Return to Sorrento by ferry

Day 15 (Sept. 16) 

EUR 470:  70 deposit +E 400 cash/card  to driver   (about  $505) for 2 people Full day Chauffeured Tour to Positano, Amalfi & Ravello. 

Driver Manager: Giovanni +39 338 961 9043   VOUCHER CHAUFFERED TRANSFER/TOUR

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel at 9:30

Positano is a town which owes its good fortune to the stunning scenery. It is a dreamlike place that almost does not seem real while you are there. Fashion and Shopping in Positano are well worth your visit, the collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta, which dates back to the 1200s is a must, the port area is worth the trip down to see.

Ravello is about 40 minutes drive from Positano. Ravello is not a seaside town, but it lies on a spur: the view over the Amalfi Coast you can enjoy from here is one of the most picturesque and sublime sights that human eyes can gaze upon. Its buildings have an Arab-Sicilian style and, while there, you can enjoy a tour of the ancient cathedral and take a stroll through the Gardens of Villa Rufolo (EUR 7 pp) and Villa Cimbrione (entrance cost not included and are optional but highly suggested) - Arriving in Ravello you will stop next to a pedestrian tunnel, from there the street leads to Piazza Duomo in Ravello. The first villa on the left side is Villa Rufolo.  From the Piazza Duomo follow the signs to "Villa Cimbrione". It  is about a 10/15 minute walk from the square. 

Amalfi is a coastal town and was a very important outpost in the Middle Age. Here you can explore interesting and historical sights as the Medieval St. Andrew’s Cathedral with its evocative cloister and the Paper Museum. Here you can also have a rest, losing yourself in the little and picturesque alleys where you can buy handmade products and souvenirs or enjoying the local cuisine and the delicious pastry-making.

Day 16 (Sept. 17) 

extra day in Sorrento on your own. 

Sorrento is an attractive resort, nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean sea. It is a peaceful place, with lemon groves, coloread flowers, a spectacular cliffside and a lively old quarter. Here the souvenirs are a must, with a lot of fine workshop selling ceramics, lemon works and marquetry items, a longtime production of the town.  Here we have the opportunity to stop at a Limoncello factory  

It will be a good time to visit a Limoncello factory if you have not done it yet. There are two very famous one in the downtown area: Limonoro and Giardini di Cataldo . They are both highly rated on TripAdvisor and a lot of fun to visit. 

Another option would be to visit a Mozzarella factory/farm. A highly rated one is  Azienda Agricola la Sorgente. They are  at 10 minutes drive fom your hotel. It is definately a simple farm  where the owners will offer you limoncello, olive oil tasting, ricotta, honey, their own wine,  and lunch. Pretty much everything is produced there. You can also  see a mozzarella making demonstration by a nice lady named Maria. I am not sure what the price is for the whole thing. It can be fun. Allow a couple of hours for it (transfer, demo and lunch). 

Day 17 (Sept. 18) 

 Check out and transfer to Fiumicino (Rome Airport) .

Day 17 (Sept. 18) 

Transfer day from  Sorrento to Fiumicino  with stops in Caserta to see the Royal Palace 

EUR 750:  150 deposit + 600 cash/card  to driver   (about  $805) for 2 people CHAUFFERED TOUR/TRANSFER pick up time at 9:00 am

EUR 28 payable on site (about  $31) for 2 people Entrance tickets to the Caserta Royal Palace (according to the official site here)

Driver Manager: Giovanni +39 338 961 9043   VOUCHER CHAUFFERED TRANSFER/TOUR

Your driver will take your to the less known, yet spectacular Royal Palace of Caserta,  a palace comparable to the famous France's Versailles, for a 1.5 hours visit on your own

• • • Drive time considerations (time are approximate):

      • 9 to 10:30 drive to Caserta

      • 1.5h visit the Royal Palace and gardens

      • 12:00 to 3:00 pm drive to Fiumicino

🏠 Check in Sept 18 - Check out Sept 19 QC Termeroma Spa and Resort (Double Room with terrace and Spa) 

Day 18 (Sept. 19) 

Flight back home from Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO) arrive in the US on the 19th. According to the map, the transfer to the Airport a is only 10 minutes away, but check with the hotel.

Ask the hotel concierge to arrange a taxi transfer to the nearby airport.