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Exploring Central Italy
Everyone is more or less familiar with Italian culture, from watching movies, learning about the Roman Empire, or simply eating pizza. But not until you arrive in the country do you realize that everything you thought you knew is really just the tip of an enormous iceberg. Every region—every town even—has a unique personality, so no matter how many times you visit Italy, you’re always left with the craving for more.
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Weather
In September, Rome and Tuscany enjoy warm, pleasant weather with daytime temperatures typically in the high 70s to low 80s, while evenings cool down to the high 50s or low 60s. There’s plenty of sunshine, though occasional rain showers can occur, especially later in the month. Tuscany, with its rolling hills, might feel slightly cooler than Rome, particularly in the mornings and evenings. Overall, it’s a great time for sightseeing and outdoor activities without the intense summer heat.
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Itinerary Preview
Day 1: Benvenuti in Italia!
Day 1: Benvenuti in Italia!With an uncanny sense of foresight, Rome was first called the Eternal City 2,000 years ago. Even by today’s standards, it’s still grand in a way that few other places can compare to. The buildings are dilapidated and the roads disheveled, but chaos has never looked so exquisite. The cobblestone streets may be nonsensical, but a wrong turn always leads to an unexpected delight: an intimate piazza, a baroque fountain, or a homey trattoria serving house-made cacio e pepe.
Private Transfer
Your Stay: Crossing Condotti
- Why we love it for you: From the moment you walk through the front door, Crossing Condotti feels more like your own private Roman townhouse than a hotel. There’s no lobby, spa, or restaurant, but they’d only be distractions from the endless trattorias, cafes, and shops that are within walking distance. The options could be overwhelming, but you’ll get a treasure trove of recommended local boltholes from the concierge team that’s as Roman as carbonara.
- Deluxe Room
- Coffee, soft drinks, and light breakfast are included.
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Day 2: Exploring the Eternal City
Day 2: Exploring the Eternal CityGlide through Rome: A Golf Cart Adventure
Today, you will enjoy an exciting ride through Rome by golf cart! Your guide and driver will whisk you around the city in comfort, showing you off-the-beaten-path sites. Cool off in the breeze as you drive through quiet streets, hidden corners, and straight to the doorstep of your chosen area. With your customized tour, Rome is your oyster! As you’ve visited Rome before, this experience will be focused on hidden gems that most tourists don’t get to experience.
Tour Duration: 3 hours
Crossing Condotti
- Deluxe Room
- Coffee, soft drinks, and a light breakfast are included.
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Day 3: Re-Visit the Vatican
Day 3: Re-Visit the VaticanInto the Vatican
Embark on a captivating morning Vatican tour for four hours, exploring St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and the Vatican Museums. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, admire Raphael’s Rooms, and witness centuries of art and history in this sacred and awe-inspiring journey through the heart of Catholicism.
Crossing Condotti
- Deluxe Room
- Coffee, soft drinks, and a light breakfast are included.
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Day 4: Rome -> Florence
Day 4: Rome -> FlorencePrivate Transfer
After breakfast and check-out, meet your driver for a private transfer to the Roma Termini train station.
Train
Catch the high-speed train with first-class seats from Rome to Florence.
Travel Time: about 1 hour 40 minutes
Private Transfer
Meet your driver in the arrivals hall of Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence for a private transfer to your hotel in the city center.
In many ways, visiting Florence today feels like a trip directly into the Renaissance. The energy that inspired the likes of da Vinci and Michelangelo is still palpable, from the grandiose pink and green facade of the Duomo to an unembellished plate of Florentine steak with potatoes. It’s easy to get engrossed by the art and shopping in the historic center, but walk across the Ponte Vecchio to find Florence’s most authentic osterias and enotecas on the left bank of the river.
Your Stay: Il Tornabuoni
Why we love it for you: Nestled in one of Florence’s oldest and most prestigious historic buildings, IL Tornabuoni immerses guests in Renaissance splendor with a modern twist. Just steps from Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, and the city’s major attractions, the hotel offers an authentic Tuscan experience where centuries of art history envelop you. The Renaissance-modern styled rooms feature carefully curated details that transport guests to another era while providing contemporary comfort in the heart of artistic Florence.
Il Tornabuoni
- Premium King Bed
- Breakfast included
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Day 5: Exploring Florence
Day 5: Exploring FlorenceIntro to Florence & Accademia Gallery
Florence’s cultural patrimony is unrivaled the world over. No visit to Italy would be complete without viewing its vast collection. Begin the tour with an orientation experience of the city’s highlights, gazing upon the external artistry of the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio. Then you will enter one of Florence’s main galleries, the Accademia, gaining expert insight to the city’s cultural history and admiring Michelangelo’s masterpiece: David.
Il Tornabuoni
- Premium King Bed
- Breakfast included
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Day 6: Tuscan Gastronomy
Day 6: Tuscan GastronomyTo the Tuscan Kitchen!
Immerse yourself in the essence of Tuscan cuisine and its traditions that have been handed down for centuries by learning to prepare its delicacies. Visit an authentic cooking school at the center of Florence and prepare a three-course meal while being guided by an expert chef. Or you can indulge in a unique experience by taking your cooking class at the charming apartment of a chef at the center of Florence. At the end of the experience, enjoy the mouth-watering meal that you have prepared, accompanied by rich local wines.
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Day 7: To the Tuscan Countryside
Day 7: To the Tuscan CountrysideIt’s easy to get wrapped up in the magic of Florence, but there’s so much more to Tuscany outside of the capital city. Hop in the car and the city quickly gives way to medieval villages, terracotta estates, and endless rows of vineyards. The region is renowned for its history and art, but sensual pleasures reign supreme: copious glasses of wine, simple cooking with seasonal ingredients, natural thermal baths. If you’re seeking la dolce vita, you’ll find it in Tuscany.
Private Transfer
Meet your driver this morning after breakfast for a drive through the Tuscan countryside, with a couple of exciting pit stops along the way.
Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano
Explore two of Tuscany’s less-visited wonders—Siena and San Giignano. This tour offers the perfect opportunity to explore two stunning medieval towns. Admire the architecture spread throughout the seemingly cinnamon-sprinkled city of Siena before moving on to San Gimignano to explore the perfectly preserved town of the 14 towers. You’ll have time to have lunch at leisure in one of the towns at a recommended restaurant.
Check-In
After your day tour, continue on to your hotel in the small town of Bagno Vignoni and check in to your wellness retreat.
Your Stay: Hotel La Posta
Why we love it for you: Nestled in the UNESCO World Heritage Val d’Orcia, this thermal retreat channels the essence of Tuscany through its healing waters and timeless hospitality. From the property’s three temperature-graduated thermal pools, guests gaze upon the magnificent Rocca d’Orcia while soaking in waters that have flowed beneath Bagno Vignoni for centuries. The medieval charm of the surrounding countryside infuses every experience, from garden-to-table dining to meditative walks along the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage route.
Hotel La Posta
- Romantic Panorama
- Breakfast included
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Day 8: Cheese & Wine Tasting
Day 8: Cheese & Wine TastingPecorino Making & Pienza
Nestled amid the scenic Tuscan hills, the village of Pienza is a postcard-worthy destination, boasting breathtaking views and Renaissance charm. Take a stroll down its winding streets, soaking in the rustic beauty of its buildings. Extend your experience with a guided visit to a Val d’Orcia farm, where you can immerse yourself in the rhythms of rural Tuscan life. Explore the intricacies of cheese production, with a focus on the traditional pecorino. To round off your day, savor the flavors of local wines during a tasting at a winery in Montalcino.
Hotel La Posta
- Romantic Panorama
- Breakfast included
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Day 9: At Leisure in Tuscany
Day 9: At Leisure in TuscanyRelax in the Thermal Baths
Your hotel is located on top of natural springs, with water that is heated in the earth and filled with minerals. Take a dip to fully relax, ideally coupled with time spent in the spa for a luxurious end to your trip.
Local Recommendations
As your trip gets closer, we’ll make local recommendations of what you can and do around the area. You may wish to rent E-Bikes, go for a walk, or visit another winery.
Hotel La Posta
- Romantic Panorama
- Breakfast included
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Day 10: Back to Rome
Day 10: Back to RomePrivate Transfer
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up and taken back to Rome for a final night before your flight out.
Drive Time: about 2.5 hours
History in Ostia Antica
Ostia Antica is a must-visit for history buffs—a perfectly preserved city, Rome’s answer to Pompeii. Its plethora of temples, mosaicked houses, amphitheaters, and warehouses capture the daily life of imperial Rome. It was a sprawling cosmo-polis, numbering 75,000 inhabitants between the second and third centuries CE, functioning as a bustling port city through which all goods en-route to Rome were unloaded and
shipped up the Tiber. This private tour brings this bustling city to life, giving a fascinating insight into ancient imperial life.
Private Transfer
After your guided tour of Ostia Antica, your driver will take you to your hotel nearby.
Your Stay: Hilton Rome Airport Hotel
Why we love it for you: Staying at the Rome Airport Hilton Hotel offers convenience and comfort for travelers needing easy access to Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport. Connected directly to the airport terminals via a covered walkway, the hotel provides a stress-free transition between flights.
Hilton Rome Airport Hotel
- King Executive Room
- Breakfast included
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Day 11: Departure Day
Day 11: Departure DayToday, it’s time to pack up and head back home after an amazing trip through Italy. Thankfully, in Italy, we don’t say goodbye but rather a dopo, or until next time.
Walk
It’s just a 10-minute walk through a dedicated Sky Tunnel from your hotel to the Rome Airport terminal. When you’re ready, walk over to check in for your flight.
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