Welcome to the Italian Escape!

Experience an all-inclusive retreat to Italy’s most iconic destinations. Begin your 9-day, 8-night Italian journey in the Eternal City of Rome, where ancient history and vibrant modern life blend seamlessly. Explore the grandeur of the Colosseum, wander through the Roman Forum, and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain before stepping inside the awe-inspiring Pantheon. A visit to Vatican City offers the chance to marvel at the masterpieces of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Between guided discoveries, savor authentic Roman cuisine in charming piazzas and soak in the timeless atmosphere that makes Rome unforgettable.

From Rome, travel north to Florence, the heart of Tuscany and the cradle of the Renaissance. In Florence, admire Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia and stroll across the Ponte Vecchio while taking in the city’s elegant architecture. Venture into the rolling hills of Chianti for wine tastings at historic vineyards, where world-renowned vintages are paired with traditional Tuscan cuisine. A guided day trip to Siena reveals medieval streets, the stunning Piazza del Campo, and the rich traditions of its famed contrade. This portion of the journey blends art, wine, history, and breathtaking countryside views into a quintessential Tuscan experience.

Conclude your adventure in the enchanting canal city of Venice. Glide along the Grand Canal, explore the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, and step inside the ornate Doge’s Palace to uncover the legacy of the Venetian Republic. Lose yourself in quiet backstreets, discover artisan boutiques, and enjoy fresh seafood overlooking the water as gondolas drift by. From ancient ruins to Renaissance masterpieces and romantic canals, this carefully curated Italian escape captures the very best of Italy in one unforgettable journey.

Please note that this retreat is more active in nature. Traveling between Italy’s remarkable cities requires time on the move, and exploring them involves a fair amount of walking. Many historic areas feature uneven steps and cobblestone streets, so comfortable footwear and steady mobility are essential.

As with all of our retreats, participation in each activity is entirely optional. Should you prefer to skip an excursion or enjoy independent time on any given day, you are always welcome to do so—this is your vacation, and we want you to experience it in the way that feels best to you.

Kindly keep in mind that the itinerary may be adjusted due to weather conditions or availability.

Please arrange airfare arriving in Rome and departing from Venice, Italy.

All Walker Wellness Retreats require a 25% non-refundable deposit of the total retreat price to secure your booking. Should you need to cancel your trip, your deposit will not be refunded regardless of the reason for cancellation.

For International Destinations, the next 25% is due 120 days before the trip, and the final remaining balance is due 90 days before departure.

Trips can be paid in full at any time. If booking after the final payment deadline, trip payment in full is due at time of booking.

Invoices NOT paid in full within 7 days of the above-mentioned deadlines are subject to trip cancellation. No refunds will be issued for trips canceled due to lack of payment.

BEFORE the final payment deadline: If you cancel your reservation before the final payment deadline, any additional payments made beyond the non-refundable 25% deposit will be refunded. However, the 25% deposit remains non-refundable. 

AFTER the final payment deadline: If you cancel your reservation after the final payment deadline, all payments made (including the deposit and any additional amounts) are non-refundable due to financial commitments with our retreat venues, guides, and service providers. 

In the unlikely event that Walker Wellness Retreats cancels a retreat, you will be given a 100% full refund. 

We strongly encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance to protect your investment in case of unforeseen circumstances.  For additional details on travel insurance coverage and pricing, visit the link below:

Travel Insurance Details

Welcome to Italy! When you exit with your luggage, please look for Amy Walker, Owner of Walker Wellness Retreats, who will be holding a Walker Wellness Retreats sign. Private transfer to your hotel is included. 

You will have free time today to explore as you wish until the group dinner and orientation. The retreat officially starts at the welcome dinner on this day.

Please pack light, as space is limited. Due to limited space in the vehicles and on the trains, you can only bring one suitcase and a handbag or backpack.

Depending on when you arrive, you may have free time before the retreat starts. Here are some suggestions for optional excursions that you can book on your own. Please book in advance to ensure space.

3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu

Rome Wine & Food Tour in Trastevere Jewish Ghetto Campo de Fiori

Rome Highlights by Golf Cart: Private Tour

Please meet in the lobby at 7:00 PM for a brief meet and greet before walking to dinner as a group.

7:30 PM: We have a group dinner reservation at Pro Loco Pinciano, right around the corner from our hotel. 

Hotel/Lodging: 

The Tribune

Breakfast at your hotel at your leisure. 

9:00 AM:  Pick up out front of the hotel for today's group excursion: Tour of Classic & Imperial Rome, with Colosseum. Please make sure you bring your ID with you. 

Our driver will pick us up at the hotel and take us to the Colosseum area, where we'll meet our private guide. We'll visit the Colosseum theater, which is a symbolic place in Rome and is known around the world for its gladiatorial shows. Our guide will share the main stories linked to its history, such as how gladiators were trained and how the spectacles took place. 

Afterward, a private transfer to the Trevi Fountain area and a walking tour through Baroque Rome, passing by Marco Aurelio Column, the Palazzo di Montecitorio, the Palazzo Madama, Piazza Navona, the Campidoglio, with a guided tour inside the Pantheon. Entering the Pantheon, also known as "the church of all religions," you will be struck by the peculiarity of its Dome, a true hope on the roof towards Heaven; it is still the largest Dome in the world, bigger even than St Peter's Dome. 

The final transfer was to San Pietro in Vincoli, which is famous for the mausoleum commissioned by Michelangelo as the funeral monument dedicated to Pope Giulio 2nd. Michelangelo's first plan was to build more than 40 statues inside it; it finally shows a total of 7 statues, among them the Mosè by Michelangelo, one of the best monuments from Renaissance times. The final drop-off will be back at your hotel. The entire tour will last approximately 5 hours.

7:00 PM: Group dinner at the hotels Terrace restaurant.

Hotel/Lodging: 

The Tribune

Breakfast at your hotel at your leisure. 

8:30 AM: Today, we will be picked up out front of the hotel for a private day excursion to Vatican City. Please make sure your shoulders and knees are covered. 

Vatican City is the world's smallest sovereign state, with one of the wealthiest art collections! During this in-depth Vatican Private Tour, we will give you a comprehensive understanding of the prestigious collection of the Vatican Museums, allowing you to discover the secrets of this remarkable place.

We'll transfer to the Vatican area to meet our private guide. The Vatican museums are undoubtedly one of the main symbols of Western culture. Here, you will appreciate the genius of artists like Michelangelo, Raffaello, Bernini, Giotto, and many others. The last room will be the nicest one, the Sistine Chapel: admire Michelangelo's frescoes while observing a religious silence, which will help you feel relieved from the sight of The Last Judgment. You will also visit Saint Peter's Basilica.

At the end of the tour, our driver will take us back to the hotel to collect our belongings before we are transferred to the train station for the 2:55 PM ITALO train to Florence. 

Train Details:

14:55  Roma Termini - 16:31  Florence S.M.Novella

Time on train: 1:36

Train number: 8918

We will be picked up at the train station in Florence at 4:31 PM and transferred to the next hotel. It's approximately a 45-minute drive from the Florence train station to Villa Petriolo

Transfer Details:

September 3rd at 16:31 from Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station to Villa Petriolo.

The driver will have a sign with the name AMY WALKER  and he will wait inside the train station at the pharmacy which is left side with the train trails on your back. 

Upon arrival at the hotel, free time until dinner.

7:00 PM: Group dinner at Osteria di Golpaja at the Villa.

Hotel/Lodging: 

Villa Petriolo

Breakfast at your leisure. 

8:30 AM: Group Pick-up for our group city tour of Florence.

10.00 AM - Our guide will show us a mosaic workshop that dates back to 1400, a jewelry maker who can show you the tricks to manipulating silver and gold, and a paper mill that still maintains the practice of marbleizing and xylography of handmade paper. Lastly, we'll see the leatherworkers transform premium Italian leather into belts, shoes, and purses of unparalleled quality.  

As we walk from one artisan workshop to the next, our guide will also show us the city's art and architecture, from Renaissance palaces to Medieval towers built by warring families. While most of the sites can be best viewed from the outside, the splendor of Chiesa Santa Croce deserves a visit inside (tickets and skip-the-line access included). 

1:00 PM:  Group lunch at a local restaurant in Florence.

2:00 PM:  Immerse yourself in the masterpieces of the Western world at the Accademia, home to some of the most notable works of the Renaissance and the symbol of Florence's cultural zenith.

The museum's main hall centers around Michelangelo's David, who stands under the skylight of the tribune designed just for him. Yet David is just one of many breathtaking works to witness in the museum: there are also excellent examples from Botticelli, Perugino, Giambologna, Filippino Lippi, and many other Renaissance masters. After the Accademia, take a walking tour to see the rest of Florence's beauty. 

Afterward, we'll enjoy some free time to shop before having pizza at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel.

Hotel/Lodging: 

Villa Petriolo

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. 

9:00 AM - Pick up from Villa Petriolo hotel by our private guide.

10:30 AM - Visit the historic winery in the Chianti Classico region, in the heart of the Gallo Nero wine designation. Relax outside on the terrace, overlooking the countryside surrounded by vineyards, while you savor the perfect pairing!

12:30 PM - We'll enjoy a typical Tuscan Lunch after a spectacular drive through the famous rolling hills of Chianti. Afterward, we'll sightsee local villages, castles, and ancient abbeys until your driver stops at a local restaurant to get a genuine, homemade taste of Tuscany.

2:30 PM -Visit to a second Chianti winery. While our morning was spent enjoying an international brand winery, by contrast, the afternoon will be spent at a family-run cellar, where you will have a chance to meet the producers one-on-one for a personalized experience, giving you an opportunity to really get a complete picture of the different winemaking methods.

7:00 PM: Group dinner at Osteria di Golpaja at the Villa.

Hotel/Lodging: 

Villa Petriolo

Breakfast at your hotel at your leisure. 

9:30 AM: Group pick-up at the hotel.

11:15 AM - Discover Siena on a two-hour tour with a professional guide. We'll walk through the historic city center and see the city's most important masterpieces of art and architecture. We'll also discover the rivalrous history of the 17 city districts ("contrade"), which still compete today (granted with much less violence than in the 13th century!)., taste the sweet local delicacies, and indulge in the spectacular Piazza del Campo.

2:00 PM - We'll enjoy a pairing Lunch and wine tasting at a historic Chianti Classico winery, famous for its hospitality and wines. Experts here will explain the local wines while pairing them with delicious food for your lunch. 

4:00 PM - Free time to explore San Gimignano. The historic city center has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique architecture and exceptional 14th- and 15th-century frescoes. Discover the extraordinary art and history of the area. Take a stroll along the medieval walls encircling the city, or delight in the breathtaking panorama of the Tuscan hillside. Stop by the many artisan and gourmet shops, too - and don't forget to taste the best gelato in the area!

7:00 PM: Group dinner at Osteria di Golpaja at the Villa.

Hotel/Lodging: 

Villa Petriolo

Breakfast at your hotel at your leisure. 

8:30 AM: Your driver will pick you up and take you to the Florence train station for your 10:39 AM ITALO train to Venice. 

Transfer Details:

September 7th pick up at Villa Petriolo at 8:30am to Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station, train at 10:39am.

Train Details:

10:39  Florence S.M.Novella - 12:55  Venezia S.Lucia

Time on train:2:16

Train number:   8906 (8906) 

Once we arrive at the train station in Venice, our tour guide, RAPHAEL TOURS, will greet us and transfer us to the Hotel Ai Reali. 

Lunch at a local restaurant. 

You will have free time to explore on your own as you wish before dinner. You can meet us in the lobby of the hotel at 6:45 PM to walk to dinner, or you can meet us there.

7:00 PM: Dinner at Antico Dolo, walking distance from the hotel. 

Hotel/Lodging: 

Hotel Ai Reali 

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure.

10:00 AM: Venice City Tour: The Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica.

We will have a private tour with RAPHAEL TOURS. A transfer from the Hotel Ai Reali will be provided, and the tour will last 2.5 hours.

Guided tour to St Mark's Basilica and the Doge Palace. The sumptuous oriental walls of the Doge Palace have been welcoming great politicians, princes, and ambassadors throughout the years. The identical building houses, often hidden behind wooden panels, narrow offices, sinister prisons, and the notorious torture chamber. 

This is an unforgettable tour that will take you from the pomp of staterooms with their golden ceilings to the combi (lead) cells. Relive Casanova's legendary escape and walk across the wood-beamed ceilings of the vast Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Great Council Hall). 

Afterward, enter St. Mark's Basilica and explore this magnificent church. 

Lunch at a local restaurant after the tour.

There will be free time to explore on your own as you wish before dinner. We'll meet in the lobby of the hotel at 6:45 PM to walk to dinner as a group, or you can meet us there.

7:00 PM: Dinner at Antico Calice, walking distance from the hotel.

Overnight stay at your hotel.

Hotel/Lodging: 

Hotel Ai Reali 

Breakfast at your hotel at your leisure. 

You will have free time to explore Venice on your own before your flight back home. You can depart at any time this day. RAPHAEL TOURS will provide airport transfers from the Hotel Ai Reali to the airport in Venice. The retreat officially ends after breakfast on this day.

Depending on your departure time, here are some suggested activities you can do if you find yourself with free time:

Tour of The Real Hidden Venice

Eat, drink, and repeat: Wine tasting tour in Venice

Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Venetian Chef

Venice Private Food Walking Tour With Locals: 6 or 10 Tastings

Venice in a Day Private Tour

Thank you so much for booking your Highlight of Italy retreat with Walker Wellness Retreats. We genuinely hope to see you again soon!