EyeItalia

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: You board your overnight flight bound for the eternal city of Rome.
Day 2: Upon arrival in Rome you are met by your guide who will take you on an orientation tour of the city including a light lunch before delivering you to your hotel. Relax and enjoy dinner in the hotel this evening.                                                       (L, D)

Day 3: Early in the morning you are taken to the Vatican where your private guide will take you through the Sistine Chapel, the Painting Gallery and the Raffaello Rooms; after lunch you have the afternoon free. This evening you are taken to a lively trattoria for good food, good wine and the good people of Rome.                   (B, L, D)

Day 4: Today your expert guide will take you to a selection of the famous piazzas and fountains of Rome, many the work of one man, Bernini. Readers of “Angels and Demons” will recognize many of the fountains.                     (B, L, D)

Day 5: In the morning you will visit the Borghese Gallery to see masterpieces by Titian, Caravaggio and Bernini. After lunch the afternoon is free. In the evening you are taken to a fine restaurant for dinner, followed by a private nighttime tour, revisiting the piazzas and fountains that are now illuminated, including the Trevi Fountain.                                  (B, L, D)

Day 6: After breakfast you are taken to the station where 1sst Class seats are reserved for the trip to Florence. Upon arrival in Florence you are met by your guide and taken to a local enoteca or wine bar where you have lunch and discuss your stay in Florence. In the evening dine at your hotel’s restaurant overlooking the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio.                           (B, L, D)

Day 7: Today take a privately guided walking tour of Florence including the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell tower and the Basilica de Santa Croce, final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. In the evening enjoy true Tuscan cuisine at one of our favorite restaurants.      ( B, L, D)

Day 8: Your day starts with a private tour of the Uffizi, built by the Medici’s and housing famous works by DaVinci, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raffaello. After lunch visit the Accademia Gallery for Michelangelo’s 19-foot masterpiece “David”.             (B, L, D)

Day 9: The Pitti Palace, with its elegant terraced gardens is you first stop today. The highlight of the visit is the Palatine Gallery, one of the richest art galleries in the world with an outstanding collection of 16th, 17th and 18th century masterpieces. The afternoon is free for shopping. In the evening visit several wine bars to sample Tuscan specialties and wine.                            (B, L, D)

Day 10: You have the morning for shopping before meeting your guide for lunch and a transfer to the train station for your 1st class journey to Venice. Upon arrival in Venice you are met by your guide and taken by water taxi to your hotel. Enjoy your Grand Canal view before having a glass of prosecco, followed by dinner on your hotel’s terrace on the Grand Canal.               (B, L, D)

Day 11: After breakfast your guide meets you for the start of your walking tour in Venice. You will start in the Piazza San Marco including the Doge’s private apartments and St. Mark’s Square. After a coffee at Florian’s you visit the Correr Museum with many fine exhibits including a large collection of sculptures by Canova. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure. In the evening your host will take you to a series of wine bars where you’ll enjoy glasses of wine as well as light food called “Chichetti”, the Venetian equivalent of tapas.                         (B, L, D)

Day 12: Your day begins as your guide picks you up in a private boat to take you on a tour of some of the palazzos on the Grand Canal, some turned into hotels (like yours) and others into museums. You will visit Ca’Rezzonica to view 18th century paintings, frescoes and furnishings. You next visit is Frari Church, with its annex known as “Tintoretto’s Sistine Chapel”. After lunch a visit to the Galleria dell’ Accademia will expose you to Venetian art from the 14th through 18th centuries.                    (B, L, D)

Day 13: Today you will spend the morning at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, the former home of an avid American collector of 20th century artists, many of whom were her friends. The collection houses major works by Miro, Magritte, Boccioni, Picasso, Chagall, Mondrian, Kandinsky and Dali. In the evening you will be taken to Harry’s Bar for a Bellini followed by a farewell dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.  (B, L, D)

Day 14: After breakfast your guide picks you up for the boat ride to the mainland and the trip to the airport where your return flight to the U.S. awaits.    (B)

Accommodations:

While visiting the eternal city of Rome:

Hotel St. George
A harmony of modernism and classicism and a timeless atmosphere born from a reworking of styles and trends: this is the St. George, the new 5 star luxury boutique hotel with a contemporary air, designed by Lorenzo Bellini in one of the most enchanting areas of Rome. The hotel rises along the distinctive Via Giulia, a street beloved of the Romans for its antiques dealers, churches and old noble palazzi, and for the delightful side streets that surround it such as via del Pellegrino and via dei Cappellari, still bearing their ancient Sampietrini paving stones. This evocative 15th century street was born from Pope Julius II Della Rovere’s vision and Bramante’s genius. Here in 1508 work began on the impressive Palazzo dei Tribunali project. The Pope’s plan went beyond the construction of a new road – he actually intended to modernize the city’s medieval organizational structure and thus he commissioned Bramante to build the giant palazzo to house all the law courts and notaries. Unfortunately the great architect died before either completing the impressive project or taking possession of the new workshop that he himself had bought in the area. A new hotel enters onto the capital’s luxury hospitality stage. It has all the key qualities – design, comfort, a historic location and a strategic position close to the city’s most important monuments, its most renowned restaurants and it most fashionable nightspots – making it the ideal base from which to set out in discovery of the marvels of the eternal city and perfect for both business and leisure travelers.

While savoring the art treasures of Florence:

Hotel Lungarno
Standing on the south bank of the River Arno, the Hotel Lungarno offers you your very own ‘room with a view’ with stunning aspects over Florence – the cultural capital of the world. A monument to the Renaissance, few cities can rival Florence. And, at the heart of it all is the Hotel Lungarno. The large windows in the lobby frame the masterpiece view of the Ponte Vecchio and the palazzi that face the river. The interior design is a smart balance of ivory toned fabrics and ocean blue carpets, with details that recall the elegance of an aristocratic Florentine home. Guest rooms are luxurious, even dramatic, and splendidly appointed. Privileged access to the restaurant, Borgo San Jacopo, provides a delicious view equal to its timeless Italian home cuisine.

While enjoying the scenic delights of Venice:

Hotel Ca’Sagredo
Located in the very heart of Venice, Ca’Sagredo Hotel typifies the perfect Venetian Palazzo hotel – where exceptional decoration and style combine with contemporary chic. Just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square, this luxury five-star boutique hotel surpasses the expectations of even the most discerning of guests. Dating back to the 15th Century, the hotel retains many examples of its glorious past; period furnishings, precious fabrics and magnificent art works can be seen throughout. Each of the hotel’s spacious rooms and suites is elegantly decorated; most offer wonderful views onto the Grand Canal. The theme of luxury is also reflected in the hotel’s restaurant, L’Alcova, which has a panoramic terrace on the waterfront.

Prices:
$10,859 per person based on 2 traveling
$7,948 per person based on 4 traveling
$6,840 per person based on 6 traveling

For more information on Italian Art Afficionado, please contact us.