Venice's marble palaces, Florence's Renaissance masters, the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the eternal grandeur of Rome — Italy distills millennia of art, power, and culture into one remarkable expedition. Unlock noble estates, savour farm-to-table harvests, and uncover the ancient secrets of the Roman Forum alongside those who know them best.
Travel Style
National Geographic Signature
Service Level
Luxury
Physical Grading
2 - Light
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Venice
Your Foodie Moment: Mercato Centrale Visit and Lunch, Florence
Local Life: Florence Food Tour, Florence
Your Foodie Moment: Truffle Hunting and Farm to Table Lunch, Tuscany
Signature Moment: Private Introduction to Castello di Gargonza, Gargonza
Your Foodie Moment: Tuscan Cooking Class, Gargonza
Your Foodie Moment: Wine Tasting and Dinner at the Castle, Gargonza
Signature Moment: Private Visit to Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Miranda, Rome. Arrival and departure transfers. Evening Orientation Walk Around Giudecca Island, Venice. Guided Walking Tour of Venice. The Human Safety Net, Venice. After Hours Visit St. Mark's Basilica, Venice. Join an Art Historian for a Tour of Galleria Uffizi, Florence. Florence Walking Tour. Walking Tour of Gargonza and Tuscan Woods. Walking Tour of Rome. Vatican Museum Visit. Guided Visit of Colosseum, Rome. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert Throughout. Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles. Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Meet a member of the noble Guicciardini family for a private talk at their 13th-century castle, Join an archaeologist for a private visit inside a temple-turned-church in the Roman Forum, Experience the bohemian heart of Oltrarno Florence’s "Left Bank" through a sunset tour of artisan food and wine.
How large will the group be?
Max. 22, Avg. 16
What meals are included in this trip?
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private Vehicle, Train, Walking, Water Taxi
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotel (8 nights)
Itinerary
Venice
Welcome to the Floating City. Your expedition begins in Venice, where your arrival by boat offers a cinematic first look at the marble palaces rising from the lagoon. After settling into your hotel, meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert for a presentation that illuminates the city’s maritime legacy. Gather for a welcome dinner before a sunset orientation walk to the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore. From this Renaissance vantage point, watch the light fade over the iconic silhouettes of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, feeling the pulse of Venetian life.
Venice
Navigate the shimmering waterways by vaporetto to begin a guided walking tour through Venice’s historic heart. Cross the Rialto Bridge and wander toward the grand expanse of Piazza San Marco. Along the way, visit a community social enterprise dedicated to empowering vulnerable locals; enjoy a coffee while learning about their vital mission. After a free afternoon to explore the glassmaking heritage of Murano or the city's hidden calli, gather for dinner overlooking the moonlit canals. The night culminates with special evening access inside St. Mark’s Basilica, where the golden mosaics glow across the night sky.
Venice/Florence
Board a high-speed train and journey into the heart of Tuscany to reach the magical city of Florence. Head directly to the vibrant Mercato Centrale to enjoy a lunch of local specialties amidst the bustle of artisan food stalls. In the afternoon, join an art historian for a private tour of the Galleria degli Uffizi. Stand before the world’s finest collection of Renaissance paintings, including Botticelli’s "The Birth of Venus," as your expert brings the genius of the masters to life. The evening is yours to wander the cobblestone streets where the Renaissance began.
Florence
Spend the morning uncovering the architectural wonders of the "Cradle of the Renaissance" alongside a local guide. Walk past the historic Piazza della Signoria and the medieval stone spans of the Ponte Vecchio. After free time for a leisurely lunch, cross the river to Oltrarno, Florence’s bohemian heart. Join a sunset food and wine tour through this neighborhood of centuries-old workshops and family-run delis. Savour handmade pasta and artisanal gelato in easygoing piazzas, experiencing one of the city's most genuine culinary destinations as the locals gather for an aperitivo.
Florence/Tuscany
Travel into the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the farm of Cucina Giuseppina. Join a master truffle-hunter to forage for truffles in the damp earth before indulging in a sumptuous four-course farm-to-table lunch featuring your finds. Continue to the 13th-century Castello di Gargonza, a fortified village owned by the noble Guicciardini family. Enjoy a private meeting with a family member in the historic tower to hear firsthand accounts of their 11th-century lineage. Explore the "hidden" Gargonza, including private gardens where the scent of rosemary and ancient stone fills the air.
Tuscany
Awaken to the serene beauty of the Tuscan countryside. Begin your day with a guided walk through the old-growth forests surrounding the castle, learning about the local flora and fauna from those who call this estate home. Later, join your hosts for a hands-on cooking demonstration to master the art of preparing local delicacies before sharing the meal together for lunch. After a restful afternoon soaking in the baronial splendour of the estate, enjoy a curated wine and cheese pairing. Gather for a final Tuscan dinner as the sun sets over the vineyards, painting the hills in shades of gold and violet.
Tuscany/Rome
Continue to Rome a city where ancient ruins and baroque piazzas exist side by side, still humming with the energy of nearly three millennia of continuous life. A walking tour moves through the layers: the coin-scattered waters of the Trevi Fountain, the perfectly preserved dome of the Pantheon, and the narrow streets of Trastevere where locals gather as they have for centuries. After free time for lunch, the Vatican draws you in — vast, overwhelming, and unmistakable. Stand beneath Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel as the light filters down from high windows, the painted figures above feeling close enough to touch. The evening is yours to explore Rome's illuminated piazzas at your own pace.
Rome
Step into the ruins of the Roman Forum for a private visit inside the Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Miranda. Meet a local archaeologist who will bring the historic ruins to life with stories of the ancient Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. Continue to the imposing Colosseum to walk in the footsteps of gladiators before an afternoon at leisure. In the evening, gather with your fellow travellers to toast your Italian sojourn at a festive farewell dinner, celebrating the memories of the Renaissance masters and ancient empires witnessed together.
Rome
After a final Italian breakfast, take a moment to reflect on the masterpieces and noble traditions encountered from the lagoon to the Seven Hills. Your expedition to Italy concludes today with a transfer to the airport. Carry with you the enduring spirit of the Renaissance and the timeless beauty of ancient Rome.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
