Day 1 - Arrival Venice

Upon arrival at Venice airport you will be met and transferred by private motor launch to your hotel. Your Guardian Angel will meet you at your hotel to offer any assistance you may require. Spend the rest of the day at leisure relaxing after your flight.

Venice is a city that appeals to art and culture enthusiasts, lovers of Italian cuisine and romantics. With no specific season for visiting, explore this magnificent lagoon city anytime from November to March.

Constructed entirely on water by those who dared to challenge the sea, Venice is a unique destination. This miraculous city imperturbably floating on its calm blue lagoon is often called La Serenissima, "the most serene," a reference to the monstrous power, majesty, and wisdom of this city that was for centuries the unrivalled leader in trade between Europe and the Orient, and the staunch bulwark of the West against the tides of Ottoman expansion. Its most famous buildings, the Basilica di San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale, are delightfully idiosyncratic, an exotic mix of Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. The charming islands of Murano and Burano, famous for their glass workshops and linens, are just a short boat ride away across the lagoon, as is Torcello, home to the famous Locanda Cipriani Restaurant. Venice is a city full of secrets, indescribably romantic, and at times devoted entirely to pleasure.

Overnight: Splendid Venice

Meal Plan:

Day 2 - Venice

Visit the Floating City's most celebrated landmarks today. Immerse yourself in the rich history of what was once the centre of political power in Venice; the Doge's' Palace is a triumph of Gothic architecture that boasts lavish frescoes, graceful staircases and intricately gilded stuccowork, that clearly revealing the glory and opulence of this period. Step back in time to experience what it was like to be a prisoner under the Doge’s rule as you explore its underground dungeon (or secret itineraries). Learn about its famous inmate Casanova who made a dramatic escape across the rooftops in 1756.

Continue to the stunning Byzantine-style St Mark's Basilica, with a history dating back to the 9th century AD. Many of St Mark's treasures, including the beautiful bronze horses, were acquired from the Crusades and Constantinople. As you step back into St Mark's square, soak up the vibrant atmosphere and admire the iconic 98.6-metre (323-foot) campanile and the handsome Clock Tower by Paolo Uccello. (4 hours, walking guide)

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may want to visit Campo Santo Stefano which is transformed into a Christmas Village, filled with craftsmen and food producers, whose displays are housed in 30 little wooden cabins. The square is lined with a backdrop picturing several Venetian palaces, creating a festive atmosphere.

Overnight: Splendid Venice

Meal Plan: B

Day 3 - Venice - Florence

Today, following a private motor launch from your hotel to Piazzale Roma, you transfer from Venice to Florence, stopping en route to discover the beautiful and ancient small city of Verona.

Verona is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year but there is nothing like Christmas for the magic which infuses every part of the city. With its colourful lights, Christmas trees, decorations and traditional sweet treats, it is very much the most wonderful time of the year!  Begin at the original Roman entrance to the city, the Porta Borsari, which now marks the start of the bustling main street. Stop for a coffee tasting in the popular Café Bursari before continuing your tour at Piazza Bra, the city's largest piazza and home to Verona’s most iconic building, the Arena. This third-largest Roman amphitheatre in Italy once hosted gladiator battles and is still used today as a modern music venue. End your tour at the 14th century Casa di Giulietta, said to be the home of Shakespeare’s famous Capulet family.

You may also want to stop to visit the Christmas market and taste pandoro, the famous Christmas cake was created in Verona in 1894 by the patissier Domenico Melegatti. Did you know that this cake has an even older ancestor? It was baked to celebrate the first Christmas in Verona under the rule of the Della Scala family. This sweet bread, whose name literally translates to “golden bread,” is traditionally shaped like a frustum with an eight-pointed star section. When served with a dusting of vanilla-scented icing sugar, it resembles the snow-capped peaks of the Italian Alps during the holiday season.

After time for lunch at leisure (up to 1 hour) continue your journey to Florence. (up to 8 hours, driver; 2.5 hours walking guide and private motor launch in Venice)

Florence is a city that captivates and enchants like no other. Whether its the breath-taking art, the stunning views of the Arno at sunset, or the delectable Florentine cuisine and wine, there’s something about this city that casts a spell on all who visit. Perhaps it’s the fact that Florence has remained largely unchanged since the 16th century, a living monument to the Renaissance. Visitors will marvel at the architectural wonders of the Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace, and Brunelleschi’s awe-inspiring Duomo. For art lovers, a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia, and the Bargello Gallery is nothing short of a cultural pilgrimage. Florence truly is a city that captures the heart and imagination.

Overnight: Hotel Plaza Lucchesi

Meal Plan: B

Day 4 - Florence

Florence is a truly magical city, and its charm is only amplified during the Christmas season. A visit to this magnificent Renaissance city is well worth it even in the colder months. With its unique flair and festive atmosphere, Florence is a winter wonderland that will enchant and delight all who visit.

Along with your expert guide, enjoy an introduction to Italy's favourite Renaissance city - Firenze. Listen to intriguing tales of feuding painters, Medici rulers and religious fanatics, who all left their mark on the city. The excitement, artistry, and intrigue of Medieval and Renaissance Florence truly comes alive as you stroll through the glorious city and maze of backstreets. Your guide points out Florence's most important highlights, including the gigantic Duomo - the city's most famous Cathedral with its iconic dome (seen from the outside), Piazza della Signoria - home to the Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio - Florence's oldest bridge. Your tour concludes with a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia (Florence's Academy of Fine Arts), where you witness the original statue of David, one of Michelangelo's most impressive sculptures.

After lunch at leisure enjoy a Cantuccini cooking class which is a fun and delicious way to learn how to make the traditional almond biscuits that are typical of Tuscany. You will learn how to prepare the dough, shape the biscuits, and bake them in the oven. During the workshop you will also learn how to cook the typical Schiacciata. Schiacciata means “flattened” or “squashed” and it is a simple dough made with flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil. It is usually topped with coarse salt and sometimes rosemary or grapes.

Overnight: Hotel Plaza Lucchesi

Meal Plan: B

Day 5 - Florence - Rome

This morning, set off from Florence in a private vehicle and transfer to Rome, stopping en route in Orvieto.

Perched on a plateau overlooking local vineyards, Orvieto is one of Umbria's most popular attractions and offers lovely views of the surrounding area. Upon arrival you are met by your local guide for a 2-hour tour through the picturesque narrow streets, stopping to see the majestic frescos in the Gothic Cathedral. You will also have the time to enjoy a wine tasting.

A wine tasting in Orvieto is a wonderful way to discover the local wines that are produced in the Umbrian countryside. Orvieto is famous for its white wine, made from a blend of grapes such as Grechetto and Trebbiano. You can also find red wines, such as Rosso Orvietano and Sangiovese.

After lunch at leisure (up to 1 hour), meet your driver and continue your drive to Rome. (7 hours, driver; 2 hours local guide in Orvieto)

Italy’s capital city, Rome, is a heady blend of artistic and architectural masterpieces, classical ruins and extravagant baroque churches and piazzas. The city's 2,700 years of history are on display everywhere, the term "living museum" has never been more appropriately used than with Rome. Julius Caesar and Nero, the Vandals and the Borgias, Raphael and Caravaggio, Napoleon and Mussolini - they and countless other political, cultural, and spiritual luminaries have all left their mark on Rome. This is where a metropolis once bustled around the carved marble monuments of the Roman Forum, where centuries later Michelangelo Buonarroti painted Christian history in the Sistine Chapel, where Gian Lorenzo Bernini's nymphs and naiads dance in their fountains, and where an empire of gold was worked into the crowns of centuries of rulers. Nestled in the heart of Rome is the world's smallest state, the Vatican City, home to one of the most spectacular museums in the world and to the breath-taking Sistine Chapel.

Overnight: Palazzo Navona

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - Rome

Rome is a magical place to visit during Christmas time. There are many things to do and see in the Eternal City: visit the Christmas markets in Piazza Navona where you can find decorations, gifts, food, and crafts.  Admire the nativity scenes that are displayed in churches, museums, and public squares. Some of the most impressive ones are in St. Peter's Square, Santa Maria Maggiore, and Piazza del Popolo. Enjoy the Christmas lights that illuminate the streets, monuments, and fountains of Rome. Some of the best places to see them are in Via del Corso, Via dei Condotti, and Piazza di Spagna.

During your today you might want to stop and enjoy a hot chocolate in one of the many bars and gelaterias of the eternal cities such as Venchi, a famous chocolate shop that offers a variety of flavours and toppings for your hot chocolate. 

After lunch at leisure you may want to go ice skating in one of the outdoor rinks that are set up around the city such as in Castel Sant' Angelo or in Villa Borghese.

Overnight: Palazzo Navona

Meal Plan: B

Day 7 - Rome

Established by the Lateran Treaty in 1929, the Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world.

Cross the Tiber River into this awe-inspiring place which is home to the Vatican Museums, estimated to contain 1,400 rooms, chapels and galleries and home to an extraordinarily rich collection of precious arts, maps, sculptures and antiquities. However, the most breath-taking masterpiece remains Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling, which famously adorns the Sistine Chapel.

Witness this iconic work of genius before the crowds during a special early-morning visit arriving at the Vatican Museums for 07:45. Following a light cafeteria-style breakfast, you enter the actual museums and have one hour before the museum opens to the general public at 09.00. Once inside the museums, walk through the galleries before reaching the Sistine Chapel, where you have the opportunity to really appreciate Michelangelo’s mesmeric paintings.

Afterwards, proceed to the Basilica of St Peters, the world's largest church. The present cathedral is a beautiful mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, formed under the hands of masters such as Michelangelo. Take in its stunning interior, an elaborate and detailed display of marble, mosaic, gilt and bronze. (4 hours, driver and guide)

Please note: The Vatican requires visitors to cover upper arms and legs to below the knee.

*For this early entrance visit please note that only a limited number of people will be inside the Vatican between 07.45 and 08.00, however the Vatican opens its doors to other small groups of visitors from 08:00 onwards before opening to the general public at 09.00.

Important: Your visit to the Vatican is subject to availability until it is confirmed back to you due to unprecedented visitor numbers.

Overnight: Palazzo Navona

Meal Plan: B

Day 8 - Rome - Naples

Today, you are met and transferred to the railway station to board your train to Naples.

For today's journey (1 hour approximately), you are treated to A&K's Concierge Rail service. A&K's exclusive Concierge Rail Service offers a unique and seamless experience, allowing you to thoroughly enjoy the ride. Your Guardian Angel accompanies you as close to the train as possible, according to the station's policy and, if possible, shows you directly to your pre-reserved business-class seats, finding assistance for luggage where available. When you arrive at your destination, you are welcomed by your A&K Guardian Angel as close to the train door or platform as possible and escorted to your private vehicle for your onward transfer.

In late morning it’s time for your hands-on pizza making class followed by an original Neapolitan pizza lunch, where you taste an authentic Neapolitan fried pizza, as well as your own creation. (3 hours)

At the foot of Mount Vesuvius, Naples has been subject to the volcano’s perilous wrath for centuries, and yet it is still considered to be one of the most vibrant cities in Italy. Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe, covering 4,200 acres and enclosing 27 centuries of history. One of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world with Bronze Age Greek settlements dating back to the second millennium BC, the area was re-founded as Neápolis (‘new city’) in the sixth century BC, becoming a lynchpin of Magna Graecia and playing a key role in the merging of Greek culture into Roman society. Naples is also a great base for visiting Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum, towns frozen in time since their burial in AD79 under the molten ash of Vesuvius. The excavations reveal everyday life held transfixed - the villas, the brothels, the marketplaces, temples and even its people.

Overnight: Grand Hotel Santa Lucia

Meal Plan: B/L

Day 9 - Naples

Christmas in Naples is probably one of the most ancient and traditional festivities in all Italy, and it brings a colourful, lively atmosphere in the streets of the city, with its folklore and artistic sense. Surely Naples is one of the top travel destinations in Italy regardless of the season, but it is a fact that,  Naples in December and during Christmas time, its major monuments and squares look even more fascinating thanks to the illumination and twinkly decorations.

Walking down Christmas Alley in Naples (also known as Via San Gregorio Armeno) is a must do when visiting the city. This pedestrian street is only about 200 meters long, but it is filled with artisan workshops and hundreds of nativity scenes, known as presepe.

Christmas Alley is the ultimate place to find specialty figures for a nativity scene. Each shop on the narrow street sells everything to complete a Neapolitan presepe. Nativity scenes from Naples are not just about Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. They are elaborate scenes that depict an entire village and are quite unique from your average manger. You’ll also find modern politicians and celebrities right alongside biblical characters.

Another location that you can’t miss in Naples at Christmas is the Chiostro of Santa Chiara. The cloister is dated back to 1300 and is one of the most suggestive places in the entire city. During Christmas time, the cloister host an important and huge Nativity scene, with over 200 metres of exposition.

Another feature you will love about Christmas in Naples is the seasonal food, characterized by ancient recipes and genuine ingredients. In the market districts, like the Quartieri Spagnoli or Via Pignasecca, immerse yourself in the colours and the scents of the renowned Neopolitan gatronomy. The many pastry shops and delis display foods of all kind, such as roasted meat, pizzas, fried stuffed-panzerotti, baked cakes, pastries and delicious sfogliatelle, delicious cakes that boast a long history and an important tradition.

The most typical Christmas recipes include: the Capitone, baked eel cooked grilled and flavored with herbs; the baccalà, fried cod-fish filets; the Neapolitan ragù, a tomato sauce with big pieces of juicy beef; and for dessert, you cannot miss a classic babà, an cake shaped like a mushroom, completely immersed in rum. (4 hours, driver and guide)

Overnight: Grand Hotel Santa Lucia

Meal Plan: B

Day 10 - Depart Naples

Meet your driver and Guardian Angel and transfer in the comfort of your private luxury vehicle to Naples airport where you are assisted with check-in.

Overnight:

Meal Plan: B