Ultimate Italy

Day 1  Rome          
Arrive into Rome and transfer to your elegant hotel in the heart of this eternal city. This evening, join your fellow travellers and tour director for a short stroll through the charming streets as night begins to fall before enjoying dinner in a restaurant near the famous Pantheon.

Day 2  Vatican City          
Enjoy VIP entry into the Vatican Museums today to see the timeless Papal art collection. Visit Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel with a local expert before it opens to the public, before gazing in wonder at St Peter's Basilica. Later, explore the Roman Forum and visit the Colosseum before enjoying time at leisure this afternoon to explore further at leisure.

Day 3  Rome to Capri    
Journey to the ill-fated town of Pompeii, frozen in time since 79AD after being engulfed by a volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius. Join a local expert to learn of life of the people that used to live here and explore the remnants of ancient shops, baths and patrician villas. Continue to the Bay of Naples to board a jetfoil bound for the sun-drenched Isle of Capri. Upon arrival, enjoy an escorted ride in an open-top taxi to your exclusive hotel.

Day 4  Capri        
Embark on a dazzling cruise to see the white grotto and spectacular cliffs of this island, before cooling off with a refreshing lemon granita in Capri Town. Join a local expert for a walk through the gardens of Caeser Augustus to see the legendary Faraglioni Rocks jutting out of the water. Later, enjoy exclusive views over the Gulf of Naples whilst savouring Mediterranean flavours created from fresh, local produce by chef Salvatore La Ragione at Michelin-starred Mamma.

Day 5  Capri to Perugia        
Return to the mainland and travel north along the Highway of the Sun to the cobbled streets of Assisi for a guided visit to the imposing Basilica of St Francis with a local expert, before continuing your journey to the Umbrian capital of Perugia. Ascend from the lower town through the maze of medieval streets to your five star deluxe hotel, before joining a local expert for a walk along Perugia's Corso Vannucci. See the Great Fountain, Collegio del Cambio and the splendid Prior's Palace and spend the evening at leisure.

Day 6  Perugia to Florence    
This morning, meet Marta, the recipient of Luxury Gold's TreadRight grant to continue her business of preserving the heritage craft of textile loom weaving. Later, travel to the 15th Century wine domain of 'Guardastelle' for some spectacular views over the rolling vineyards of Tuscany and the medieval city of San Gimignano. Learn of the various grape varieties of the vineyard and visit the ancient cellars to enjoy a wine tasting, before indulging in a lunch of Tuscan specialties while soaking up the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Day 7  Florence        
Explore Florence your way today with a choice between an insider's guide of the city with a local art historian to admire Michelangelo's original statue of David in the Accademia Museum as well as the cathedral, baptistery and open-air gallery Piazza della Signoria or join a local foodie to discover the city's best gastronomic treats. This evening, forage for the region's famous aromatic truffles with an expert truffle dog. After a tasting of these precious 'diamonds', enjoy dinner in an elegant villa.

Day 8  Pisa        
Join a professional chef and uncover the secrets of Tuscan cooking during an authentic culinary masterclass in a historic villa and enjoy the 'fruits of your labour' for lunch. In the afternoon, travel to Pisa and meet a local expert to explore the splendid Duomo, baptistery and the famous gravity-defying Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Day 9  Florence to Rapallo        
Surround yourself in coastal beauty journeying northwest to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cinque Terre. Join your Local Expert in the fishing village of Manarola, perhaps the most picturesque of the “five lands.” Take in the colourful houses perched upon rugged cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. In the town of Monterosso, stroll through the medieval quarter and view the beach in the company of Neptune whose statue overlooks this stretch of warm sand. In the town centre, a quaint piazza welcomes with seafood restaurants. This evening, relax in your hotel with a dip in the pool.

Day 10  Rapallo to Venice    
Today's journey will take you across the Appenine mountain range with spectacular scenery to Venice where you will then take a water taxi to your luxurious hotel. This evening, you are invited to an after-hours private visit of the magnificent Doge's Palace while you wait for the crowds to disappear so you can wander the streets discovering the history, art and culture of the Venetian Republic.

Day 11  Venice      
Experience the magic and wonder of Venice visiting a craftsman’s workshop for an inside look at the age-old skill of glassblowing. Join a Local Expert meandering down hidden alleys and discovering your favourite pasticceria or cicchetti bar while learning the alluring history behind La Serenissima. Then sit back in a classic gondola for a serenade through the romantic canals before a celebratory evening. Enjoy Venice's celebrated cocktail, the Bellini on arrival and sip it as your aperitivo at dinner in the atmospheric Ai Due Vescovi.

Day 12  Venice        
After breakfast, transfer by private boat to the airport for your onward flight.