Classic Italy tour: Rome, Venice, Florence & Tuscany

Today you will have a private guided tour of Saint Mark's Basilica and the 15th-century Doge's Palace. You'll be able to go behind the scenes and uncover the hidden chambers where the Doge administered the republic as well as visit the Bridge of Sighs.

Today you will have a full day at leisure to explore. One option is to visit the islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is particularly famous for its glass and you'll be able to visit one of the glassmaking workshops here. Afterwards, explore Burano's narrow streets and brightly painted houses. Burano is known for producing intricate handmade lace and you'll find many shops on the island dedicated to this craft.

Departing by private water taxi you'll head to the train station for your journey to Florence. You will have premium class tickets for this two-hour journey. Upon arrival in Florence, a private driver will escort you to your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to take some time to explore the stunning Piazza del Duomo, home to Florence's iconic Renaissance cathedral. If you are feeling energetic, it's possible to climb both the bell tower and the dome for wonderful views of the city.

This morning you have a private cooking class with one of Florence's top chefs, Marcella Ansaldo. The exact recipes you'll learn will be determined on the day so you may be perfecting your own pasta or creating mountains of homemade gelato. After spending the morning working in the kitchen, relax and enjoy the delicious meal you created, before taking a private transfer back to your hotel.

Enjoy a full-day private tour exploring the two world-class art galleries of Accademia and the Uffizi with a local art expert. The Uffizi is home to masterpieces such as Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' and da Vinci's 'The Annunciation'. In the Accademia, you will find Florence's most famous resident — Michelangelo's wonderful 'David'. This is a long but rewarding day and a fantastic introduction to Florence's art legacy.

Spend the day hunting for truffles with your private local guide and truffle dog in the woodlands just outside Florence. Learn the secret behind the surprisingly difficult art of truffle hunting and gain insight into the different types of truffles and how they can be used. At the end of your expedition, enjoy a full truffle-tasting lunch complete with a selection of traditional Tuscan dishes. The tour includes round-trip private transfers.

You'll be met this morning by a driver for your private transfer to Badia a Coltibuono, your hotel in the heart of Tuscany. Along the way, you'll pass medieval villages and hillside vineyards. Badia a Coltibuono is a former monastery dating back to the 11th century and is a wonderful historic property to explore. If you have some free time this afternoon we highly recommend visiting the ancient wine cellars.

Spend the day exploring Tuscany. You will start with a privately guided tour of Siena including the famous cathedral, which features one of the most impressive façades in the country, as well as the sprawling Piazza del Campo, which hosts the 'Palio' horse race every summer. Continuing on, you'll stop for lunch at a traditional Tuscan farmhouse that overlooks vineyards and olive groves. Finally, on your way back to the hotel you will have a short stop to explore the beautiful medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano.

Today you will head back to Florence with your private driver for your train journey to Rome. The train ride will take around an hour and a half, passing through some beautiful countryside. On arrival in Rome you will be met by a driver and privately transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you'll have some time to explore the city at your leisure.

Today step back in time to 80 AD when Rome's most famous landmark, the Colosseum, was completed. Skip past the lines and enjoy direct entry into the landmark, where your private guide will explain the significance of the Colosseum during the Roman era. The Forum, the heart of Roman public life, is just next door so you will visit this vast site with your guide afterwards. This afternoon is unguided and a good time to travel into the Trastevere district (very close to your hotel) where modern-day Romans go for an evening aperitivo.

This morning you will have a private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. In the afternoon, you will embark on a Vespa tour around the city and discover some lesser-known areas of the city while enjoying superb views.

After one final breakfast at your hotel, you will be met for your private transfer to the airport and your flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.