Venice & Florence

This wonderfully luxurious and leisurely tour allows you to experience Venice and Florence according to your interests. Enjoy the best each city has to offer, from museums and noted boutiques, to colorful local food markets and popular wine bars.

Begin in Venice for three nights and enjoy private touring of favorite local neighborhoods, museums, architectural landmarks, outdoor markets and specialty shops. Also enjoy a privately guided boat ride through the lagoon to visit the islands of Murano (famous for glass), Burano and Torcello. Your guide will ensure that you discover the best of Venice—whether you are interested in a "secret itineraries" tour of the Doge's Palace, learning about the Eastern architectural influence of many of Venice's buildings, shopping for high quality glass, or simply discovering hidden neighborhoods and sampling specialties at local wine bars.

Next, depart by car for Florence, stopping en route as you desire. Perhaps tour Bologna and its art treasures, or taste prosciutto, parmigiano and balsamic vinegar in Parma and Modena. Arrive in Florence for four nights. During private touring, you might like to explore the market squares, antique districts and artisan workshops of the Oltrarno district. Perhaps visit the world-renowned Uffizi or visit smaller museums such as the Salvatore Ferragamo Shoe Museum. Learn about Tuscan cuisine at specialty food shops and the wonderful Mercato Centrale. Tour the beautiful Boboli Gardens. Enjoy plenty of free time for leisurely meals and time to stroll along the river and shop for Florentine gold jewelry, handmade paper, gloves, leather, antiques and housewares.

Spend a day on a private excursion in Tuscany. Travel through olive groves and vineyards to explore celebrated hill towns such as Siena and San Gimignano. Repeat visitors to Tuscany may wish to visit beautiful towns of Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano or other enchanting towns such as Lucca, Pisa or Arezzo. Walk the medieval alleys and admire palazzi and ancient towers, and enjoy free time to browse for olive oil, wine, baskets, cheeses, olive wood, and ceramics. Taste wines at their source, listen to white-robed monks sing the haunting melodies of Gregorian chant in a Romanesque church, or shop for designer goods at excellent outlet shops—the day's itinerary will be determined by your interests.