Day 1: Depart the USA for Rome, Italy

 

Day 2: Rome

 

Upon arrival you are met and escorted by private car to La Posta Vecchia, the once private villa restored by Jean Paul Getty. Enjoy the museum quality art collection amassed by Getty. View the remains of the ancient Roman Villa unearthed during the renovations and housed in the basement of the Hotel. Explore the surrounding Roman town of Viterbo. Diner will be at a restaurant on the lovely shores of Lake Bracciano. Sample the famous Est Est Est wine of Montefiascone.

 

Day 3: Ladispoli

 

Today you will visit Tarquinia’s Archaeological Museum that houses one of Italy’s finest collections of Etruscan treasures. After a lovely local lunch on to Cerveteri, a fascinating Etruscan necropolis.

 

Day 3: Castiglione della Pescaia

 

Drive along the scenic Tyrrhenian coast en route to Castiglione della Pescaia and your hotel, L'Andana. Experience Tuscany's gastronomy: your hotel's Trattoria restaurant is managed by world-acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse, and you join him for a two hour cooking class.

 

Day 4: Castiglione della Pescaia

 

Spend another beautiful day in Tuscany. This afternoon we will head out to Then head to Bolgheri for an exclusive tour of Ornellaia Wine Estate with a wine tasting in their cellar.

 

Day 5: Portofino

 

Make your way by private car up the Ligurian coastline to visit one of Tuscany's oldest pasta makers for a traditional demonstration. Then we are off to the majestic Hotel Splendido in Portofino. The highlight of the day is a private boat ride along the picturesque Cinque Terre past lovely unspoiled fishing villages on the steep cliffs of the coastline. Get ready for a great experience. We will take time out to fish for mussels. The chef will prepare our catch on board for dinner tonight.

 

Day 6: Portofino

 

Explore the shops and cafes of this lovely seaside town. Every side street holds wonderful surprises. Stop and have lunch at a local restaurant. Relax and people watch for a while. Stay in town for dinner or return to the hotel.

 

Day 7: Verona

 

Today your private car will take you to the lovely town of Corubbio outside of Verona. This is the famous town of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. We will stop at the house on the Piazza Delle Erbe to see the balcony that Juliet spoke from. Perhaps you will get a chance to try your lines. Our hotel is the deluxe Byblos Art Hotel. After lunch we will visit a world-renowned balsamic vinegar producer. Until recent years these vinegars were unknown outside of Italy.

 

Day 8: Verona

 

This morning you are free to explore Verona. We will visit Juliet's house and the Roman Arena, one of the largest and finest preserved amphitheaters. Then explore the classic Valpolicella wine region and stop at a neo-classical estate for a tour and a wine tasting in its 18th-century cellar. Dinner tonight will be at the hotel.

 

Day 9: Venice

 

Travel to romantic Venice and take a private boat through the Grand Canal to your hotel, Bauer II Palazzo. Walk through the city this afternoon to visit St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, once the seat of Venetian government. Lunch will be at a waterfront canal restaurant. Our visit to the Murano Glass factory will be a unique opportunity to shop and view demonstrations of glass blowing. Murano is world famous for its color and clarity.

 

Day 10: Venice

 

Transfer by private boat to the airport for your departure flight to the USA.

 

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