Tour Plan
Day 1 – Rome: Arrival and Rome by Night Tour with Dinner
Upon landing of your flight at Rome Fiumicino airport, you will meet your private English speaking driver who will escort you to your Hotel: Grand Hotel De La Minerve 5*****. We will reserve for you 1 Double Superior room. Check in and time to rest. In the evening, meet your private English speaking driver and reach the restaurant we selected for you: Restaurant Imagò. Entering Imàgo, the Hassler’s 6th floor panoramic Michelin Starred Restaurant in Rome with its unique view over the city, you will be greeted by a beautiful life-size painting that fills each window of this spectacular location. Soft music, elegant marble floors with an antique-wooden inlay, and the romantic play of light reflecting on the mirrored tables, all conspire to create a magical atmosphere, a sense of being in another time and space in a restaurant steeped in memorable history. We will reserve for you a Tasting Menù, which will be a Gourmand Experience. After dinner, you will meet again your private English speaking driver who will delight you with stories and also with the history of the most famous Roman monuments. You will be able to admire, photograph and learn about their incomparable history by moonlight: this is a unique experience that Dragonfly Tours has reserved exclusively for you. After the tour, your driver will accompany you back to the hotel where you will spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.
The Grand Hotel De La Minerve is housed in a magnificent mansion dating from the 1600s. Set in Rome’s historic center, the hotel overlooks the Pantheon and is just a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Completely renovated to better meet the needs of its modern, sophisticated clientele, the hotel has retained its noble, elegant lines and the warmth of a comfortable, welcoming aristocratic “home”.
Day 2 – Rome: Ancient Rome Tour with lunch & Vespa Sidecar Tour
After breakfast, meet your private English speaking driver at the lobby of your hotel and direct transfer to the Ancient part of the Eternal city: Colosseum and Roman Forum. With direct access to this remarkable landmark and no waiting in long lines; you will be awestruck even before entering. Once inside, your personal English speaking guide will bring to life the ancient world of the various emperors, noblemen, aristocrats, gladiators and wild beasts that once populated this building. At the end of the tour, lunch will be served in a really nice restaurant where you will enjoy the typical Roman dishes. After lunch, you will have free time at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will meet your private English speaking driver-guide and your sidecar and will be ready to drive through Quirinale Square. The Palace, the Obelisk and Fountain are protagonists along with the Panoramic view towards S.Pietro. Riding down Quirinal Hill, you will reach Fontana di Trevi. With no effort, you will park the Sidecars and walk to the Fountain. You will proceed towards Trinità dei Monti. This stop also provides a beautiful panoramic over Rome. It also gets specific as your guide narrates the Church’s history along with the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna on which you can have a complete overview. The next stop will be in Piazza del Popolo and then you will have the opportunity to walk under the colonnade of St. Peter square. Then, you will reach one of the must to see of Rome for its view, the Gianicolo, a highlight that usually isn’t so practical to reach on the Vespa Sidecar, becomes a pleasant stop, allowing sightseeing and time for taking pictures. On the way to the next stop you will drive you through Trastevere and Jewish ghetto ,two important areas of Rome. Trastevere’s narrow streets colored by boutiques & trattorias and lively squares with markets & cafés, allows you to sense Rome’s authentic soul, going beyond usual touristic attractions. Jewish ghetto besides its beauty, is imbued in tangible main historical facts. The last stop will be at Pantheon, where you will do a complete visit of the inside. For afternoon riders this stop also combines a happy Gelato. You will not miss driving through the central hub of the Capital, Piazza Venezia, where you can get an idea of where to shop , as it intersects via del Corso and via dei Fori Imperiali. Finally, you will briefly stop your vehicles between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill and, due to its strategic position, you will circumnavigate the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, entirely narrating miracles & legends of this important Church. End of the tour and rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 3 – Rome: Vatican Museums
After breakfast, you will meet your private English speaking driver at your hotel and transfer to the Vatican Museums. Once there, your personal English speaking guide will introduce you to the masterpieces of such great painters as Raffaello, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. This one of the greatest collections of art in the world, a collection gathered over the centuries by the Popes of the Catholic Church. You will be enthralled and enchanted by the stunning vision of the Sistine Chapel and also continuing on to the Cortile della Pigna ( "Court of the Pinecone" ) and the celebrated Raphael’s rooms, and finally direct access into Saint Peter's Basilica; a sacred place designed and executed by some of the greatest architects of the XV century, from Bramante to Michelangelo and from Raffaello to Bernini. After this visit, you will have the rest of the day at your leisure.
After breakfast and check out at your hotel, you will meet your private English speaking driver for a direct transfer to your boutique hotel near Siena: Boutique Hotel La Lupaia. We will reserve for you 1 Double Deluxe Room. Check in and rest of the day at your leisure. Overlooking the rolling hills of Tuscany, set in province of Siena between Montepulciano and Pienza, the Romantic Relais Hotelito Lupaia features a unique combination of nature and history, blended in total harmony. This Luxury Tuscany B&B in the heart of Val d'Orcia offers at the same time the unique experience of being in a Farmhouse, or like the Italians call an "Agriturismo" in the middle of the Tuscan landscape which is so world renowned for its arts, food and wine. Upon arrival at the hotel in the Sienese hills, you will be free to relax and admire the splendid Tuscan valleys that surround your resort. Enjoy a glass of good wine or relax in the beautiful swimming pool that offers an enchanting view of the Tuscan hills.
Day 5 – Tuscany: Wine Tour in Montalcino & Montepulciano
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private English speaking driver and get ready for a splendid day in Montalcino and Montepulciano. You will be chauffeured in luxury car to the magnificent medieval village of Montepulciano and taken to one of the most famous wineries in the region, home to the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (meticulously produced with 100% Sangiovese grapes: those that the Tuscans define as “the true table wine”). Here, you will visit the estate vineyards which reflects the importance of terroir. Then, you will move to the ageing cellars and the Vinsantaia, concluding with a four-course wine-paired gourmet meal in the elegant and panoramic Foresteria. After lunch, you will meet again your private driver and transfer to one of the most famous wineries in Montalcino. Here, we will reserve for you a Classic Tour, which is a great introduction to Brunello di Montalcino region and to the wines produced in this area. Together with your private guide, you will explore the process “from grape to wine” while visiting the cellars and the ageing room. The tour will make you experience also the exclusive “Members’ Cellar”, before enjoying a tasting of four wines, including Brunello di Montalcino and the “Millecento” Brunello Riserva. During the tasting, you will be served grissini and water. End of the tour and transfer back to your hotel and rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 6 - Tuscany to Florence & PM Walking tour including Accademia Gallery
After bresakfast and check out at your hotel, meet your private English speaking driver for a transfer to your hotel in Florence: Relais Santa Croce 5*****. We will reserve for you 1 Double Grandluxe Room. Check in and free time for lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will meet your private English speaking guide and get ready for a pleasant walking tour of Florence. You will have the opportunity to observe up close the priceless Dome (Duomo) by Brunelleschi, the largest brick dome in the world, stretching protectively over the Florence Cathedral. You will also see its splendid bell tower: the famous Campanile of Giotto. Your walking will leads you to the Accademia Gallery Museum where the more symbolic work of Michelangelo is housed: Il David, an expression of beauty and physical perfection. It also has other sculptures by Michelangelo and a collection of Renaissance paintings: you will admire also the “Il Ratto delle Sabine” by Giambologna (The Rape of the Sabine Women), as well as “La Madonna ed il Bambino” (Madonna and Child) and “la Madonna del Mare” (Madonna of the Sea) by Botticelli. End of the tour and rest of the day at your leisure. In the heart of Florence, an 18th-century palazzo is home to the exclusive and elegant hotel Relais Santa Croce. You will be enchanted by this truly extraordinary setting with sumptuous furnishings and frescoed ceilings while being assisted by the highly professional staff. The 24 rooms are all thoughtfully furnished: period furniture combined with design elements, elegant upholstery and luxury finishings like the wood-paneled walls.
Day 7 – Florence: AM Food tour and Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel and meet your private English speaking guide at the lobby of the hotel and start a walking tour that will lead you to the nearby San Lorenzo Market, where you will have a taste of Tuscany’s “green gold”, its renowned olive oil, as well as a variety of cheese, salami and prosciutto, truffle sauces and oil and balsamic vinegar. You will have also a wine tasting where you will enjoy some of the region’s finest wines. Not full yet? Next stop will be at a local “fiaschetteria” where you will have a tasting of some of the city’s traditional recipes. The tour will finish in grand style with one of the finest gelato parlors of the city where you can pick your flavor made with genuine and fresh products. After this culinary experience, you will have time to rest. In the evening, we will reserve for you a typical dinner in a very nice Italian restaurant. Rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 8 - Florence to Venice and Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Meet your private English speaking driver for a transfer to the railway station in Florence where you will take your fast train to Venice. At your arrival, you will meet your private English speaking assistant and personal water taxi for a direct transfer to your boutique hotel: Centurion Palace 5*****. We will reserve for you 1 Double Deluxe Room. Check in and time to rest. In the evening, dinner will be reserved in one of the most romantic restaurants in Venice. End of the dinner, rest of the day at your leisure. The hotel is in the historical Palazzo Genovese, inside one of the two cloisters of the San Gregorio convent in the oldest part of Venice. Located on the Grand Canal, the hotel has an incomparable position overlooking St. Mark’s Basin. All the 50 rooms, including 8 junior suites and 4 suites, are decorated in a contemporary style, enriched with a refined Venetian touch. In the elegant and comfortable Antinoo’s Lounge and Restaurant overlooking the Grand Canal, the Venetian Executive Chef is happy to help patrons choose from seasonal, regional and international menus. The bar is the ideal place to relax and enjoy a drink while admiring one of the most spectacular views in the world.
Day 9 – Venice: Walking tour and Private Gondola Ride with Cicchetti tasting
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your personal English speaking guide and start a perfect tour for those who want to know the history of Venice starting from the most important site of the city: Saint Mark’s Square. The tour consists of a visit of Saint Mark’s Square and the explanation of its main monuments: Basilica (inside), Doge’s Palace (from outside), Bridge of Sighs, Clock Tower, Bell Tower. After this historical tour, your guide will accompany you to the meeting point with your gondolier: we will reserve for you a unique Gondola Ride with a food experience. The tour will start in Rio di San Polo and from there, you will explore the jewels of this undiscovered corners, with its numerous Palazzi and noble families’ homes constructed in diverse architectural styles. During this pleasant ride, you will have a quick stop in front of a typical “Bacaro” and your waiter will give you a bottle of Prosecco with some appetizers, the Venetian Cicchetti (classic Venetian appetizers) made with the best ingredients found in the city accompanied by well-known wines. You will taste them while sailing the hidden canals of Venice and let you guide along the magic views and perspectives which only a gondola can provide from the water. After the tour, you will have the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 10 – Venice: Departure
After breakfast and check out at your hotel, meet your English speaking assistant and take your private water taxi for a direct transfer to Venice Airport.
3 nights at Grand Hotel De La Minerve 5***** in Rome (or similar): 1 Double superior room
All meals not mentioned in the program
A perfect holiday in Italy! - From the time we arrived in Naples until the time we left Sorrento a week later, everything was perfect! The driver that we had was wonderful ( his name... read more 
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