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Overview

Private guided travel in Italy

Travelling in Italy is like a trip back to the past to meet remains of Antiquity, treasures of the Renaissance and the romantic landscapes immortalized by so many painters. That's what this private guided travel offers throughout the country to discover its most grandiose landmarks at your own pace with a private guide.
Let yourself be carried away in the streets of Rome, where centuries dance majestically to the rhythm of imposing monuments: from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Pantheon as well as the Colosseum, the capital of Italy is a true open-air museum full of memorable vistas.
From now on, a private guide will drive you around the country, and the journey takes you first to the lascivious bay of Naples and its legendary casualness, following the lazy rules of dolce vita: iconic Vespas, sunny terraces where you can sip a very strong espresso and beaches form an ideal setting for a few days of relaxation. In Pompeii, you'll dive back into the daily lives of the Romans while walking the streets looking up to the finest frescoes and mosaics that cover the walls of beautiful villas.
Maybe your heart will beat even stronger driving on the Amalfi Coast hairpin bends that connect villages of unparalleled beauty like Positano or Ravello, fiercely clung on to the mountain slopes.
Discover the Tuscan cities where art has thrived for centuries and spread across Europe in the painting and sculpture fields. Siena, Pisa and Florence ruled the art world from the top of their bell towers and domes, and this audacity remains unmatched in the history of architecture.
Venice, where words are powerless to sing the praises of the city, can’t be described properly and has to be lived at least once in a lifetime: the Grand Canal, the Doge's Palace, the gondolas and the Bridge of Sighs will whisper their guarded secrets into your ear for an incredible experience..
The grand finale of this private guided travel in Italy will take place in Verona, famous for being the setting of a timeless passion, and the ghosts of Romeo and Juliet will probably wave at you from their legendary balcony.

Feel free to contact our Italy expert consultant at Uniktour for more information about this private guided travel!

Itinerary

Day 1| International flight

Day 2| Rome
Arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport. Meet and greet with your driver and transfer to your 4* hotel where you’ll be spending the night.

Day 3| Rome
After the breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a full day of discoveries in the Eternal City. You might want to start with the Pantheon, one of the oldest monuments of the ancient Rome. Continue to Piazza Navona to see this architectural masterpiece by Bernini. In the middle of the square, you will look up to the impressive Fountain of the Four Rivers. Have lunch at one of the terraces that line the facades to taste some delicious Italian cuisine.
After lunch, roam in the narrow streets on your way to the Vatican. Along the way, stop by the Castle of St. Angelo originally erected to be the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, and that eventually became the residence of the popes, and a prison. The imposing bridge is lined with magnificent statues of angels also sculpted by Bernini. Climb on the top terrace to enjoy breathtaking views on the capital. Follow the Via Della Concillazione and let yourself be embraced by the marble arms of Saint-Peter’s Square and his classical-style colonnades. Step into the grandiose and majestic basilica, covered with gold and marble, and feel the Christian soul at its highest. In late afternoon, the typical district of Trasvetere, to the south-west, will reveal the true Roman spirit and some of the best restaurants addresses across the city.

Day 4| Rome
Breakfast at your hotel. You could dedicate the day to the exploration of the other face of Rome: Piazza della Colonna, Galleria Sordi, Via del Corso - the main shopping district - the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, all mythical places that fire up the imagination. In the afternoon, go to Piazza Venezia which faces the ostentatious monument Vittorio Emanuele, or as the Romans nickname it affectionately, the "typewriter", in relation to its overall appearance. A few steps away stand the remains of the Imperial Forum and the Colosseum, which are among the most famous monuments of ancient Italy.

Day 5| Naples
In the morning you will meet your driver-guide and start your tour of Italy that takes you through the richest cities in art and history. Arriving in Naples, you‘ll settle down at your hotel after a quick tour of the city. In the afternoon, visit the major sites like the Galleria and the Piazza del Plebiscito, and enjoy a superb view over the bay. Finally, go enjoy a Neapolitan pizza followed by a delicious Tiramisu or Tartufo dessert.

Day 6| Pompeii
Enjoy this day to visit Pompeii, a few miles from Naples (access to the site: 11.50 € per capita). Your guide will tell you the incredible story of the martyred city, literally buried under ashes after the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 AD. Do not miss the houses of the Fauna, of the Lovers, the ones of Menander and of the Vettii with their luxurious interior design, as well as the Villa of the Mysteries, the Forum or the barracks of the gladiators. Frescoes, mosaics and sculptures abound around the city and resuscitate the daily life back then.

Day 7| Capri
Breakfast, then join the Naples Pier to board on for Capri. Facing the Sorrento peninsula, this beautiful island, one of the most fascinating areas of Italy, will be a magical stage of your trip. Accompanied by your guide, you will visit one of the favourite mistresses of Caesar Augustus and Tiberius who spent the last ten years there of his life and built luxurious villas like a king would honour a courtesan with fabulous jewels. The deep blue sky is streaked with gulls and overlooks the citrus crops and the vineyards on the slopes rich in rare varieties like Palmetto. The Faraglioni (gigantic rocks) are also typical. Capri is famous for its craft shops and the local specialty; extracts of bergamot - a basic ingredient for perfumes and a delicious and refined cuisine. The Piazzetta is a hangout for VIPs and those who have elected this paradise as the capital of luxury tourism.

Day 8| Anacapri - Marina Grande
Anacapri, in the heart of the island, was a favorite residence of composer Claude Debussy. Take the chairlift that leads to Mount Solaro, the highest point with 589 meters high of Capri. It offers a picturesque and sublime panorama to the south coast. Nearby is the Villa San Michele, built in the 20th century on the ruins of Tiberius villa, and whose beautiful gardens contain many relics and works of art dating back for some to ancient Egypt.
The charming seaside village of Marina Grande is located north of the island and faces the Gulf of Naples. The houses along the harbor are typical of old Capri dwellings and fishermen customs. A long time ago, these houses were literally built at sea level, with the water tickling their front door. They now reflect the memory of the traditional Capri.

Day 9| Capri - Blue Grotto
Visit the Blue Grotto option (not included in the package).
This is a natural site of absolute beauty: the sunlight, glowing into the submarine cave, shines through the seawater, creating a blue reflection that illuminates the cavern. This gem of nature was known to the Romans, as proved by the antique statues discovered in various parts of the cave, all evoking a marine sanctuary of rare and intriguing poetry.

Day 10| Sorrento
Leave Capri after breakfast to Sorrento, another enchanting place of Italy built on top of the cliffs. Visit the bay and walk through the narrow streets packed with shops selling local crafts, before enjoying a glass of limoncello, a sweet lemon liquor.

Day 11| The Amalfi Coast
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day to drive along the beautiful Amalfi coast and its villages. Built on both sides of a narrow valley, Positano is an exceptional destination and its coastal surroundings are among the most beautiful of the Italian seaside. In the middle of the village, down to the beach, rises the dome of Santa Maria Assunta, a church which contains sculptures of the 13th and 16th centuries. The countless "porches" (stairs) are very typical: they start from the hills, and cut the small streets on the way, offering a multitude of vistas.
The town of Amalfi is settled in the bottom of a gorge and is overlooked by Mount Cerreto (1315 m), covering part of its slopes. The beauty of the natural landscape, the maze of medieval steep streets and the specific mix of cultural influences from all over the Mediterranean were enough to get it enlisted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. The most famous monument of Amalfi is certainly the cathedral (Duomo) of Arab-Norman style and dedicated to St. Andrew, the patron saint.
Finally, overlooking the sea more than 300 m high, on the top of the Valley of the Dragons, Ravello is a garden village which has always inspired a sense of freedom to its residents, visitors, travelers, artists and intellectuals like Boccaccio and Wagner. Ravello contains architectural jewels such as the Villa Cimbrone, built around the 11th century. The Cimbrone gardens still are an example of grace and innovation. During the 13th century, the wealthy Rufolo family built the eponym villa on a promontory, offering an outstanding romantic scenery.

Day 12| Siena
Siena is located on three gently sloping hills in the heart of Tuscany. The Sienese people speak the purest Tuscan dialect that, after the unification of Italy, became the national language. The beautiful Piazza del Campo, the cathedral, the Tower of Mangia and the Palazzo Publico, the museums, the Palio (traditional horse race held in early July and mid August) and popular culture make it an essential stage for any travel to Tuscany. In addition, Renaissance painting and architecture from Siena rank it the second largest city after Florence in the history of Italian art.

Day 13| Pisa
Sprawled on the banks of the Arno river, Pisa is the capital of the province of Tuscany and an archbishop. It is one of the most important cultural centers of Italy. The city maintains a rich artistic heritage, an original rework of medieval, Islamic and local Lombard influences. Among the most important monuments, go visit the famous Square of Miracles, the marble cathedral erected between 1063 and 1118 in Pisan Romanesque style. On the square next to the cathedral stand the Baptistery and the famous bell tower: the Tower of Pisa is 56 meters high. Its characteristic inclination began 10 years after construction began, and made it one of the top attractions from all over Italy.

Day 14| Pisa - Florence
After breakfast, you travel through the enchanting countryside of Tuscany, dotted with rolling fields, roads lined with cypress trees, vineyards and exquisite remote villas. This is one of the most beautiful sceneries in the country or even the continent, propitious to a complete serenity and unlimited daydreaming. You reach your hotel after arriving in Florence.

Day 15| Florence
Visit the birthplace of the European Renaissance. In contrast to the bashful Venus of Botticelli, Florence displays all her charms to the visitor. Don’t miss the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery of St. John and the Church of the Holy Cross, and the 13th century Franciscan church and the crucifix by Cimabue. Finish the day in visinting the Palazzo Pitti, crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio. The house-covered, inhabited bridge spanning the Arno is probably the most famous image of Florence. The imposing Palazzo Pitti was the other residence of the Medici from the sixteenth century and now houses splendid masterpieces of the Renaissance (Raphael, Titian, Botticelli, Perugino, Veronese, Caravaggio, Tintoretto, etc). Finally walk around the very romantic and quiet Boboli Gardens.

Day 16| Florence
After breakfast, go for example to the Piazza della Signoria. Considered the most beautiful square of the city, it is the political heart of Florence. Bordering the square, the Palazzo Vecchio used to be the Republic headquarters, before it was refurbished to become the apartments of the Medici in the 16th century. Between political intrigues and tearing passions, the Medici family rose to the top of European society with an insatiable thirst for power. Popes, kings, army generals, they stuck at nothing to assert their status as a sovereign dynasty. But they also were great patrons and played a significant role during the Renaissance, ordering to the greatest artists ever. Just right off the Palazzo Vecchio, get into the Uffizi Gallery. With its four centuries of history, it is the oldest museum in the world. It now contains one of the largest art collections of all time, including ancient sculptures, wood paintings and paintings of Italian and foreign schools from the 13th to the 18th century.

Day 17| Florence - Venice
After breakfast, hit the road to Venice. The pearl of Italy will unfold before your eyes all the treasures accumulated over centuries. Venice is like a perfume that you smell once and never forget, and sometimes myths are even below reality: the Grand Canal, the Doge's Palace, the St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Bell tower and the Rialto Bridge provide visions and sensations like no others. Families of aristocrats, decadent courtesans and wealthy doges have all contributed to build the legend of this unique city that still sparkles like the stars with its majestic, decrepit palaces.

Day 18| Venice
Optional visit of the other islands of the lagoon (shuttle trips not included).
The island of Murano is famous for the art of Venetian glass. This production dates back to the 13th century. On the fondamenta dei Vetrai, you can stroll among the workshops and glass shops. Murano, a sort of model Venice with its Grand Canal, houses beautiful buildings like the church of San Pietro Martire, the convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the glass museum.
Lively and colorful, Burano is dedicated exclusively to "merletto", a craft lace made there since the 16th century. Traditionally, houses were painted by women in almost fluorescent colors to help fishermen to recognize their homes.
After the animation of Murano and Burano, Torcello almost seems to be an abandoned island, with houses that can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Aside from its superb cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, its isolation and quiet serenity make for a pleasant stay.

Day 19| Venice
There are so many wonders to discover in the city of the Doges. You might want to visit the picturesque neighborhood of the Ghetto, where tourist venture less often, and that offers a very different face of the city. Originally a separate island that could only be accessed via a drawbridge, it is there that in 1516 the Doge decided to herd all the Jewish population; the place still has today a very special atmosphere. Continue the day by visiting one of the many workshops of handmade Venetian masks, or relax lying in a gondola going down the Grand Canal - there is no moment more magical. In the evening, return to St. Mark's Square where pigeons still roam til very late and sip a glass of Prosecco on the terrace of the legendary Café Florian, where an orchestra of classical music seems to play only for you, in front of the solemn facades.

Day 20| Venice - Verona
Breakfast at your hotel before you drive to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet.

Day 21| Verona
This town of the Veneto region has preserved numerous monuments from Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Go visit for example the Roman theater dating from the 1st century AD or the famous Verona Arena housing every year a famous opera festival. The city also has several palaces mainly clustered around the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza dei Signori, and one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy: the Basilica di San Zeno. But Verona is best known for the tragic passion of Romeo and Juliet. You can also access the famous balcony immortalized by Shakespeare in visiting the Casa di Giulietta.

Day 22| Back to Rome
After breakfast, return trip to Rome, free time around the city before you enjoy your last evening in Italy. Many buildings still await your visit, such as the Baths of Caracalla, the ruins of the imperial palaces on the Palatine hill overlooking the Circus Maximus or the Capitoline Museums which contain incredible works of art.

Day 23| International flight
Transfer from your accommodation to the international airport for your flight back.

Budget

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Overview

Italy – a land so rich and varied that the villages and small towns have as much to offer as the big cities. Practically everywhere you go in this country, you encounter history, art, folklore, gastronomy, and tradition: every visit is an opportunity for reflection – or simply a chance to enjoy yourself! Italians have managed to enter the modern age without having to let go of their creativity, their love of beauty, and their traditions. Between the archeological sites, cathedrals, churches, ancient houses, and statues, there are over 100,000 monuments to discover. As for Italian cuisine, each region has its own savory specialties waiting to delight your palate. Of course, Italy’s big cities also have much to offer: the eternal city, Rome, with its wide avenues and famous Squares. Venice and its charming canals. Florence and its unique arts scene. Pompeii, a fascinating Roman archeological site. These cities will capture your imagination and invite you to discover more and more of romantic Italy. Villa rentals, self-drive tours (freedom), train travel (freedom), private guided travel, customized travel…Uniktour brings you to Italy on your own terms! Contact one of our travel specialists today for more information on how to get started on your trip to Italy!

Tourism

Eat well. Drink better.
Long live the spaghettis, pizzas, tomatoes, olive oils, espressos and cappuccinos! Is that all Italian cuisine has to offer? Of course not! Italy has thousands of succulent dishes, hundreds of gastronomic specialties, and countless savory local products, thanks to a modern agro-industrial system that has managed to maintain traditional flavors, savors and values (even dietary!).
Quality and freshness are the basic ingredients to Italian specialties and all their variations: from fonduta Piedmontese to Sicilian caponata, from risotto Milanese to mozzarella di Campania, from the Venetian “risi e bisi” to the Roman porchetta, from the Ligurian “trenette al pesto” to beef Florentine, to lasagna emiliane or Abruzzo spaghetti chitarra, the list is endless! In fact, one reason many travelers come to Italy is to get to know (and sample!) its fine cuisine. There is no shortage of choice when it comes to where to eat: world-renowned restaurants in the big cities, countless trattorias lining the streets of every village, taverns and bistros scattered across the country. The latter personalize traditional dishes and allow visitors to rediscover typical agricultural products (spelt wheat, barley, corn, vegetables, olive oil, etc.) in a savory cuisine that manages to be gentle on the waistline! As for wine, Italy has caught up to countries with an older and more established wine culture. These days, in no way do Italian wines pale in comparison to those of other countries. There is plenty of variety and quality to choose from: whites, reds, rosés, straw wines, muffatos (with a characteristic moldy aroma), sparkling wines, etc. In Italy we eat and drink like nowhere else on earth!

Geography

The Italian peninsula is located north of the Mediterranean basin, with the Tyrrhenian Sea to the West, the Adriatic to the east, and the Mediterranean to the south. Italy counts some of the Mediterranean’s largest islands as its own, including Sicily and Sardinia. While the Alps line the borders with Switzerland and France in the north, a long mountain chain with an average altitude of 1,000 m running from north to south occupies the central part of the peninsula and the northern part of the country: the Apennines. No industrial or economic activity of importance has developed in these rugged regions. A rich agricultural area is found in the north of the country, in the valley of the Po. Other plains are located next to coastline. Once swamplands, they were drained and made viable to allow agriculture and tourism to flourish. Tuscany offers beautiful scenery with green hills sprinkled with small country homes and characteristic cypress trees. In the south, some of Europe’s last active volcanoes still grumble: Etna in Sicily, Vesuvius close to Naples, and Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands.

Culture

Already during the reign of the Etruscan civilization, Italy was a well-known geographical territory, as evidenced by ancient manuscripts on display in museums, particularly those of Tuscany and Latium. Though this is where the main remnants of Etruscan civilization were found, this ancient culture was also present in Umbria, Campania, and certain areas of current day Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. Starting in the third century BC, Italy was the land of the Romans, under whose rule the peninsula was unified (as was much of Europe).

The word Italy appears on a coin dating back to the first century BC, made by a confederation of peoples who were revolting against Rome. This money was found in ancient Corfinium (now Corfino, Abruzzo), capital of the Italic confederation. Rome’s longstanding domination (from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD) has left an unmistakable mark in Italy: roads, aqueducts, temples, monuments, cities, bridges, theatres, etc. All reminders of a distant past that is still extraordinarily present all across the country. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Italy was invaded and dominated by foreign forces for many long centuries, mostly in the north and in Sicily. Thanks to the development of independent cities in the centre and in the North such as Venice, Florence, Sienna, Genoa, and Milan, Italian arts and commerce flourished and helped the country prosper and develop into a rich civilization. In the period that followed, the small independent states were unable to resist invasions by larger states such as Spain and Austria. Only the small kingdom of Piedmont managed to remain independent. After a brief Napoleonic occupation, it became the driving force behind the Risorgimento, a movement that paved the way for the definitive unification of Italy in 1870 under the rule of the house of Savoy. After the Second World War, a referendum abolished the monarchy and established a Republic in 1946. The rest is current history. To be continued.

Climate

Italy’s Mediterranean climate changes with the seasons and varies considerably between regions. Summers get longer and dryer as we travel south, reaching temperatures of 40°C at the lower end of the peninsula. In the southern regions of Calabria, Apulia, Basilicata and Campania, the summer drought can extend for more than its usual five months, from may to September. Sicily and Sardinia also suffer from this temperate aridity. In both the Apennines and the natural boundary formed by the Alps to the north, winters are colder and harsher with temperatures dropping below 0°C. In the north, particularly in the valley of the Po, the climate is continental, with cold winters (between 0°C and 10°C) and warm summers (30°C) and more precipitation than in the rest of the peninsula.
The best times to visit Italy are spring and autumn, avoiding July and August, when temperatures can become unbearably hot, unless you stay on the Adriatic coast (25°C). During the winter, ski resorts in the Italian Alps offer similar skiing conditions to those found in their French and Swiss equivalents.