Classic Italy, Small Groups

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Grand Hotel La Favorita. A transfer is included from Naples International Airport or Naples Train Station to Grand Hotel La Favorita in Sorrento. Surrounded by gardens and perched atop a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Naples in Sorrento's historic center, your landmark hotel has a rooftop restaurant and poolside terrace with stunning views. Classic Italy, Small Groups gets underway with a welcome cocktail reception at the hotel, followed by dinner at a nearby local restaurant. Note: We're offering guests who pre-stay or arrive early in Sorrento an optional daytime sightseeing tour from Sorrento to the Isle of Capri on Day 1; see Pricing & Availability for details or ask at booking.

Rise early for an unhurried drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of the most spectacular drives in the world! Fantastic rock formations drop vertically into the sea; sub-tropical vegetation on the hillsides, together with colorful Mediterranean flora, create bewitching landscapes. Stop for a visit in the seaside cathedral town of Amalfi on the Bay of Salerno, with its many medieval antiquities. Continue winding through vine-draped hills to Ravello, a "terrace over the sea" known for its dramatic villas; its panoramic views of the coast offer a picture-perfect backdrop for a lunch of local specialties. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon to explore its charming piazzas, small alleys, historic center and old Roman streets on your own this evening.

Travel from Sorrento to Pompeii, a prosperous Roman city of 27,000 until it was frozen in time at the moment it was completely buried by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The doomed city lay undisturbed for more than 1,700 years, until ex­ca­va­tions began in the 18th century and are still in progress today. Most Italy vacations include a visit to Pompeii – but with Tauck, a walk through the ruins of Pompeii with a local expert provides a special connection as you learn what life was like in Italy in the 1st century AD. Arrive late af­ter­noon in Rome, where you'll spend the next three nights.

Explore the glories of "eternal" Rome – once the virtual capital of the ancient world, and now Italy's capital city – with a local guide who knows them best. See the ruins of the Imperial Palace; the Circus Maximus, the 4th-century BC stadium where chariot races were held; and the Forum, best known as the location for important political, social and religious activities in ancient Rome. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for you to pursue what interests you most in Rome on your own.

No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Vatican, a state and city all in one. First, your small-group sightseeing is highlighted by a visit to St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square to view the art and architecture of one of the largest and most famous churches in the world. Following an afternoon spent as you wish, your evening is highlighted by a guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (subject to availability and day of the tour may vary). See the Candelabra Gallery, Map Gallery, and the Tapestries, as well as an impressive collection of paintings by renowned artists such as Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael. In the Sistine Chapel, you'll view artist Michelangelo's masterpiece frescoes adorning the chapel's famous ceiling. 

Journey to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot-high plateau overlooking vineyards below. Visit the Duomo of Orvieto, a notable Romanesque-Gothic cathedral built over a span of 300 years. The façade is a visual treat, a blend of sculpture and mosaic splashed with a palette of colors and magnificent bronze doors. Inside, view inspiring frescoes by renowned artists. After a trattoria lunch near the Piazza del Duomo, continue through the wine-producing regions of Umbria. Arrive in the little town of San Martino in Campo – just outside of Umbria's capital city, Perugia – and your home for the next two nights, Posta Donini. The present-day hotel was created from two renovated villas dating to the 17th century – former homes to the Donini counts – whose guest rooms feature wood-beamed ceilings, canopy beds, period furniture, frescoes, drapery and exquisite fabrics; its warm hospitality, elegant decor and exquisite cuisine are reminiscent of the aristocratic country houses of centuries past. Tonight, attend a private recital in the frescoed music room of the Donini family, followed by dinner at the hotel.

Take a short drive to Assisi, a well-preserved medieval hillside town spread across the slopes of a mountain. Assisi was the home of St. Francis, who left a position of wealth and turned to a life of poverty, chastity and obedience, founding the order whose followers became known as Franciscans. The town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant art and architecture. You'll visit St. Francis Basilica, built by the people, which today houses some of Italy's great 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, as well as the final resting place of Assisi's beloved favorite son, the patron saint of animals. Enjoy some free time in the center of town, then return to your hotel for the evening. Please join us tonight for a private wine tasting at the hotel, followed by dinner with wine included.

Depart Umbria and traverse Tuscany's lush, rolling landscapes; the beauty of nature has blended with the ingenuity of mankind for centuries – your travels through the rolling Tuscan hills take you through landscapes dotted with olive and fig trees that produce delectable local food products. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon.

Travel this morning to lovely Cinque Terre. For hun­dreds of years, Cinque Terre was ac­ces­si­ble only by sea – five picture-book fishing villages nestled between the Medi­ter­ra­nean's blue waters and the rugged coastal mountains. Cruise along the Italian Riviera (weather permitting) for unparalleled views of this dramatic coast en route to the village of Vernazza for free time and lunch as you please. Experience a taste of daily life as you stroll the cobblestone streets and alleyways, stopping to sample locally produced wine, olives, and citrus fruit. Get a different perspective of the scenery as you travel back to La Spezia by train. Journey to Florence for a three-night stay in the heart of the city.

Art and architecture whisper the history of the ages in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Your in-depth exploration of this beautiful city begins with a briefing by an art history lecturer, whose insights prepare you for a guided walking tour of Florence's Renaissance heart. Then enjoy a guided visit through the collections of works by many of the greatest artists of the 14th and 15th centuries – including Michelangelo's famous sculpture of David and paintings by Botticelli, Uccello, Ghirlandaio, del Sarto and others – at the inimitable Galleria dell'Accademia. Flourishing for more than four centuries, this world-renowned institution was established in 1563 as the first art school in Europe. After a guided walking tour and lunch at a local restaurant, the rest of the day and evening are yours to enjoy as you wish in Florence. On select "Ferragamo" departures, today includes an exclusive visit to the Ferragamo Museum in Florence, and a wine tasting reception hosted by a member of the Ferragamo family; ask at booking for details.

Join our local expert for a guided tour of Florence's inspiring Uffizi Gallery, a highlight of Tauck's Italy vacations. Originally a suite of offices, it was first used to display the Medici family's private art treasures in 1581 – thereby making it the oldest art gallery in the world. Its vast collection includes some of the most revered works of the Italian Renaissance, such as Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, Michelangelo's The Holy Family, da Vinci's unfinished Adoration of the Magi, Bellini's Allegory and Raphael's Madonna of the Goldfinch. The remainder of the day is yours to explore as you please.

Your journey continues as a high-speed train whisks you from Florence to Venice. Built on 118 small islands traversed by a canal network, this extraordinary city is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Transfer by canal boat to your hotel, conveniently located near the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco); after lunch at your hotel, you'll indulge in the quintessential Venetian experience, a serenade aboard a gondola on the canals followed by an afternoon to explore Venice as you wish. Join us tonight for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. 

This morning, enjoy a guided tour with your local guide through St. Mark's Square and an inside visit of the Doge's Palace, with its lavishly decorated rooms and Venetian masterpieces – including the legendary Bridge of Sighs, and the palace prison. The day is free to do as you please in Venice  – and to say that you have a lot to choose from is an understatement. There's visiting the museums, an eclectic group housing some of the world's most famed art; strolling the winding, narrow streets that lead to countless bridges; taking a boat to one of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon such as Murano, Burano or Torcello where the arts, centuries-old crafts, and a kaleidoscope of color wait. This evening, join us for a farewell cocktail re­cep­tion at the hotel.

Tour ends: Venice. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Splendid Venice to Marco Polo Airport and/or Santa Lucia (only) Train Station; you should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.