Take your family and friends on the trip of a lifetime to see the soul of Italy in one Grand private guided tour of Italy. If Italy was releasing an album, this would be the guided tours of Italy ‘Greatest hits’

This Italy tour will immerse you in elegant art, tranquil nature, and the legendary “Dolce vita”.  You will celebrate history and heritage with exclusive experiences that take you away from crowds. 

From the Vatican Museum to Tuscany’s hilltop  towns, from islands in the Venetian Lagoon to the Amalfi Coast’s  panoramas, you will find joy, rest, and inspiration for life during our Italy guided tour specifically designed for you.  

We’ll take you to see Italy’s iconic locations and help you experience them like a local.  With a lifetime of  local knowledge and relationships in Italy and we are happy to open our  ‘little black book’  of insider info and exclusive experiences  and share them with you to  make sure you enjoy the very best of this beautiful country.

Landing in Venice Marco Polo airport .

Venice of course has no cars and so you will transfer from the airport to your hotel by private boat! What a way to arrive in style! 

For your ease and comfort, a private English-speaking assistant will meet you on the arrivals platform, holding a sign with your name on it. They will locate your awaiting private water taxi, and accompany you to your hotel for check-in.

The Alma Italia philosophy is that our private tours of Italy should be for rest, fun and adventure, to inspire and restore you. The day of your arrival is meant to be for you to recharge after your long flight.  Unless you specifically request it, we won't plan any activities but give you the time for settling in and get a first sense of this magical city.  There is little more joyful than strolling the streets of Venice for the first time soaking up the atmosphere of the historical centre passing by some of the major sites such as st Mark's square, all within walking distance from your hotel. 

We will make reservations for you at one of our favorite family run traditional local restaurants. Here you’ll get your first taste of the delicious Venetian regional cuisine before having a well deserved rest in the comfort of your canal side hotel.

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, today a qualified local guide will lead you for a walking tour of the stunning historical center if Venice. 

Meet your private guide in the hotel lobby and set out on foot for a 2-hour walking tour,  discovering the highlights of Venice. Head to St Mark's Square, the heart of political and religious power of the Venetian Republic for centuries. Here you can spot the grand 11th century church of St Mark’s Basilica, nicknamed the Church of Gold for its sheer opulence and position as a status symbol of Venetian wealth. 

Adjacent is St Mark’s Campanile, the imposing 12th century bell tower, standing at 323 feet tall. Visually dominating the entire northern stretch of the square are the arcaded Procuratie Vecchie buildings, in classical and Gothic style. 

Just off the square, and lining the Grand Canal, admire the Gothic style exterior of the 13th century Doge’s Palace, former residence to the supreme ruler of the Venetian Republic of antiquity. Learn of its adjoining former prison, connected to the Palace by the Bridge of Sighs, which retains the true secrets of how a city built on swamps became one of the most enlightened cities in the western world. Hear tales of illustrious Venetian characters like Marco Polo and Casanova, continuing along to the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa with its outstanding Venetian palaces, and the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo (considered the Pantheon of Venice). 

Your walking tour concludes at the evocative Rialto Bridge overlooking the Grand Canal. From here, you may continue with independent exploration or return to your hotel.

In the afternoon, after time for lunch, sit back, relax and admire the views during a traditional Venetian Gondola ride. You'll find it remarkable how peaceful it is to see this bustling city from the water.

After boarding your gondola, your fully licensed Gondolier will navigate your vessel through the narrow canals and beneath the many stone bridges of Venice during a serene, half-hour gondola ride. Gently guide on this traditional means of aquatic travel along the Venetian Grand Canal, passing the many landmarks and sites that have made Venice a global tourist hub, including the 16th century Rialto Bridge, and the stunning Ca' d'Oro mansion with its arched Gothic exterior. A quintessential Venetian experience!

In the evening enjoy a canal side dinner at one of our restaurant recommendations. 

Embark on a half-day tour to the famed islands of Murano and Burano, accompanied by your private guide. 

Make your way to a private boat, departing through the canals of Venice. Set sail past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the relaxed green space of Giardini Publicci, the tip of Sant'Elena, and the famous Arsenal of the Venetian Republic - a reminder of Venice's maritime dominance of centuries past. Your first stop is picturesque Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Cruise through colorful canals, and visit one of the most famous and ancient glass factories, where if you're lucky, you can enjoy a live glass blowing demonstration performed by a master glass maker. 

Continue by boat to the island of Burano, famous for its lace production and its traditional fishermen houses brightly colored on the canal edges. Take some time to relax and admire the surroundings of the island before returning back to Venice. 

It is time to leave the north of Italy and move to your next destination, Florence.

After breakfast you will board on a high speed train and reach Florence by lunch time. Your hotel will be a short 10-15 minute taxi ride from the station.

After some time for settling in at your new hotel a private local guide will meet you for a walking tour of the historical centre.

Starting in Piazza del Duomo, Florence’s medieval and religious heart, dominated by the Duomo, or cathedral, topped by Brunelleschi’s famous dome. 

Now walk down Via de’ Calzaiuoli, Florence’s principal axis, which links Piazza del Duomo to the city’s civic focus, Piazza della Signoria.  Enroute pause at the church of Orsanmichele, admiring the ground-breaking Renaissance sculpture on its exterior and its lovely, fresco-covered interior.

In Piazza della Signoria, wander the sculptures dotted around the square, especially those of the Loggia della Signoria, where Cellini’s Perseus is the star turn. We'll admire the astonishing interior of the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall for some seven centuries, stepping into its beautiful frescoed courtyard.

Lastly, we'll walk from the square for views of the river Arno and the celebrated Ponte Vecchio. (Old ridge).

In the evening try some of Florence's famous local cuisine.

Today it's time to dive deeper into the culture of Florence.   

This morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel for your private guided visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's 'David'. Following the Accademia, you'll carry on to the Pitti Palace with your guide. At the end of your tour, you may want to linger on this side of the river and visit the beautiful Boboli Gardens or head to one of the cafés on the riverfront.

 Enjoy time in the afternoon browsing the artisanal boutiques aruobd the Piazza Santo Spirito  - after all  - Florence is home to some of the workds most celebrated designers and artists.

Today we will take you to explore the Chianti region.

Your driver will first take you at one of our favorite wineries located in a Medeival castle where you will visit the property, the wine cellar and will then taste their wines paired with a gourmet lunch.

After we will take you for a quick visit of Greve in Chianti, one of many charming villages of this area where you will find many artisan stores and cafes where relax and see some of the "Piazza life" typical of the Italian culture.

Your driver will return you to Florence in time for dinner.

Enjoy taking the train to Siena today - the second city of Tuscany and fierce rival of Florence.

This beautiful town is the perfect place to spend the day enjoying the architecture and having lunch in the town piazza. sample the local salami and hams and enjoy watching local Italians go about their daily business in the square. Be sure to get a gelato  - some of the best in Tuscany can be found here.

It is time to leave Florence and move to Sorrento.

You will board first on a high speed train that will take you from Florence to Naples, where a private driver will take you on the one hour road tip to Sorrento.

Once in Sorrento take your time for settling in and exploring the pretty streets and at evening enjoy a delicious dinner at your hotel's restaurant or at one of excellent restaurants in the back streets of Sorrento

Today you’ll set off for a spectacular day on the iconic Amalfi Coast, one of the most amazing coastlines that you’ll ever see. 

Reputed as one of the most beautiful drives in all of Europe, depart Sorrento with your private driver on an excursion which drives the majestic Amalfi Coast, stopping to explore the picturesque towns of Positano and Amalfi, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. By private transportation, you'll follow the scenic coastline to the cliffside town Positano, made popular largely by writer John Steinbeck. Wander this colorful town's steep and narrow streets, as you soak in the magical aura which Steinbeck suggested, "bites deep". 

Continue along the breathtaking and winding road to the town of Amalfi, where you'll have a chance to take in the stunning scenery of this popular holiday area. Backed by dramatic cliffs, and home to an 11th century cathedral, you'll likely also spot some of the area's renowned lemons grown on the terraced gardens here. 

Get back to Sorrento in time to relax before a well earned dinner at one of Sorrento's many fantastic seafood restaurants.

A private driver will transfer you to the legendary site of Pompeii, where a private local guide will lead you on a 2-hour visit of the historic remains. 

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Pompeii was completely destroyed in the catastrophic 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius, leaving the ancient Roman city buried under 15 to 20 feet of volcanic ash, and preserved therein.

 Modern archaeologists have since uncovered the remains of the former city, leaving an incredibly vast, and somewhat somber site to explore. Walk through some of the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see the baths, forums and villas built by the prosperous Romans over 150 years before the eruption. 

Marvel at the fabulously preserved fresco paintings which adorn the walls and floors of the villas. See the ancient amphitheaters, gladiator barracks, and houses of former Pompeii residents.

After the tour your driver will take you to a local winery and farm for a delicious lunch before taking you back to your hotel for a well deserved rest.

After breakfast you will board on a high speed train and move from Naples to Rome. At your arrival at the train station you will find your driver waiting for you to escort you to your hotel.

In the afternoon we will arrange a private walking tour to introduce you to the real Rome. 

Meet your private guide and embark on a half-day highlights tour of the archaeological center of Imperial Rome. 

No visit to Rome is complete without experiencing the interior of the historic Colosseum, one of the world's most celebrated buildings. Built 2,000 years ago, this epic stadium formerly held gladiatorial contests and other public spectacles. Visit this UNESCO-listed structure, and gaze out across the stadium floor imagining the roar of 80,000 boisterous spectators from ancient Rome! 

The Roman Forum, the center of Imperial Rome, lies just down the valley, situated between three of Rome's seven hills- Palatine, Quirinale and Capitolium. Stroll the ancient Roman Forum with your guide, passing the rostrum where Mark Anthony made his impassioned speech over the body of Julius Caesar. With history dating back well over two millennia, picture yourself as a citizen of ancient Rome, walking the site of triumphal processions, political and social debate, criminal trials and more. Surrounded by several temples, triumphal arches, ancient basilicas and other monuments, this valley is effectively its own open-air museum.

In the morning, meet your private guide and driver, setting out on a half-day cultural journey to the center of Christianity; the Vatican.

Across the river lies the sovereign state of the Vatican City, the home of the Catholic Church and the  residence of the Pope. Perhaps no Italy guided tours  are complete without a private guided tour of this spiritual sanctuary.  

Skip the line with your private guide and learn how spiritual authority turned into secular power while exploring  the enthralling Vatican Museums and gaze upon the remarkable works that lie within them. From the incredible, hallowed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the renowned Renaissance stylings of Saint Peter’s Basilica,  the Vatican City is an ode to Catholicism. This is sure to be a divine  encounter!  

In the afternoon enjoy strolling the streets of historic Rome at your leisure. Pass by the Trevi fountain, stop for a gelato and browse the best of Rome’s shops and boutiques, situated around the Piazza Spagna. 

Enjoy your last day to relax and explore Rome at your own pace. Perhaps it's time for a bit of window sopping in the boutiques in the streets around the Spanish steps!

Enjoy a gelato and your last Italian dinner-

Departure from Rome airport. Enjoy the final Italian breakfast of your trip to Italy before  heading to the airport by private transfer. We will have achieved our  goal if you are feeling relaxed and inspired in equal measure, having  created memories of a lifetime with your friends or family. It’s time  for us to say goodbye…or maybe just `Ciao for now`! 

The Venice Times offers contemporary design and ultra-modern rooms, all in a enviable location in Venice's historic centre, 250 metres from Santa Lucia Train Station and a few steps from Venice Casino, Ca d'Oro and the Grand Canal.  Rooms are bright and spacious and come with wooden floors, air conditioning and flat-screen TVs.  The Venice Times has great Vaporetto water bus links around Venice and is a 15-minute walk from La Fenice Theatre and Rialto Bridge.

Hotel Orto de' Medici features free WiFi, a charming internal garden from the 16th century, and a panoramic terrace with views of Florence. It is a 10-minute walk from the Duomo.  Guests can relax in the lounge, decorated with original frescoes and antique furniture. This historic building also boasts a Tuscan stone staircase and a suggestive corridor with vaulted ceilings.  All air-conditioned rooms are decorated in modern style. Some offer views of the medieval roofs, or of the garden. They provide satellite channels, a minibar and a private bathroom.  The hotel is 1 km from Santa Maria Novella Train Station, and has good public transport connections. A pleasant 20-minute stroll through the historic centre leads to Ponte Vecchio.

Hotel Antiche Mura is set just off Piazza Tasso in the heart of Sorrento. It features a citrus garden with a swimming pool. Wi-Fi access is completely free.  The helpful staff at Antiche Mura welcome you as family. They are always there to help. Pick up maps of the area, public transport schedules, and tourist information at reception.  A generous American buffet breakfast is included in your room rate. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, while the rooms also have free wired internet access.  Around the pool you will find free sun loungers, umbrellas and beach towels. There is both an American bar and a poolside bar.  The property features 1 of the 4 ancient towers of Sorrento.

Located in central Rome, Horti 14 Borgo Trastevere Hotel is just 10 minutes' walk from the heart of lively Trastevere. The 4-star hotel offers a garden and bar.  Modern and fully equipped, rooms at the Horti 14 Borgo Trastevere Hotel come with air conditioning, free WiFi, a minibar and flat-screen TV with Sky channels. All rooms include slippers, and some also provide bathrobes.  Saint Peter's Square and the Vatican City are a 15-minute from the hotel, while Campo de Fiori is 1 km away.