Signature: Italy's Venice, Florence, Tuscany & Rome
Overview
Itinerary
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 and to meet your fellow travellers. Gather for a welcome dinner before an 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.
- Arrival Transfer: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
- Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group: Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
- Evening Orientation Walk Around Giudecca Island: Starting from the industrial-chic Molino Stucky, you’ll trace the island’s transition from a manufacturing powerhouse to a peaceful, Palladian sanctuary. By the time you reach the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore, ( A Renaissance masterpiece designed by Andrea Palladio in the 16th century) you are rewarded with panoramic views of Piazza San Marco and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.
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.
- Water Taxi: Jump in and cross the water to the next stop.
- Guided Walking Tour of Venice: Discover iconic Venetian landmarks on a guided walking tour. Revel in the labyrinth like alleyways, charming bridges, and bustling squares, while gondolas glide through serene canals. Enjoy the unique ambiance of this historic city where every corner tells a story.
- The Human Safety Net: The mission of The Human Safety Net is to unlock the potential of people living in vulnerable circumstances so that they can transform the lives of their families and communities. Visit this unique space located in the Procuratie Vecchie building. Once home to the offices and residences of the Procurators of San Marco, the site is now open to the public for the first time in 500 years.
- After Hours Visit St. Mark's Basilica: An after-hours visit to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice is one of the most profound "behind-the-scenes" experiences in Europe. Once the massive bronze doors are locked to the public and the midday crowds have vanished, the atmosphere shifts from a busy tourist site to a silent, golden sanctuary.
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.
- Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
- Mercato Centrale Visit and Lunch: A visit to the Mercato Centrale is a sensory bridge between historic Florence and modern culinary innovation. The orientation walk guides you through the traditional ground-floor stalls where locals shop for seasonal produce, followed by a curated lunch in the vibrant upper-floor food hall. It is an experience of "controlled chaos" that offers the most efficient and delicious way to understand the Tuscan palate in a single afternoon.
- Join an Art Historian for a Tour of Galleria Uffizi: A tour of the Uffizi with an Art Historian is a masterclass in the Italian Renaissance. By filtering the museum's thousands of works into a coherent story of perspective, humanism, and patronage, this specialist ensures you don't just see the "greatest hits," but understand why these specific paintings changed the course of Western history. It is the difference between looking at a painting and truly seeing the mind of the artist.
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 Walking Tour: A locally guided Florence walking tour is a masterclass in urban evolution and human achievement. By pairing exclusive architectural marvels with the local storytelling, it transforms the "museum city" of Florence into a living laboratory of Renaissance innovation and modern conservation.
- Florence Food Tour: Uncover the treasures of Florence, savoured by locals for generations, on this 3-hour walking tour through Oltrarno. Experience the unique flavours and foods that make the cuisine of this region so distinct from the rest of Italy. Famous for being the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, Florence is a city rich with culture, history and of course, some of the tastiest Tuscan food in the region. Wander the streets and soak up the bohemian vibe as you stop to sample wine and salami.
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.
- Truffle Hunting and Farm to Table Lunch: A visit to Cucina Giuseppina is a raw, authentic journey from the roots of the Tuscan forest to the table. Led by a Master Hunter and his dog, you’ll spend the morning unearthing the elusive Marzuolo truffle before retiring to a private hunting cottage. There, you’ll enjoy a multi-course, farm-to-table lunch where your fresh finds are shaved generously over handmade pasta, all paired with the farm’s own Chianti.
- Private Introduction to Castello di Gargonza: The current owner, Neri Guicciardini, is deeply involved in the daily life of the castle. As part of your stay, enjoy a private meeting with him or a member of his family. Typically held in the main villa or the historic tower, this gathering offers a warm, personal conversation over coffee or an aperitivo. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of how his father, Roberto, rescued the village from abandonment in the 1970s. Furthermore, you will learn about the family’s noble lineage, which dates back to the 11th century, and the castle’s connection to Dante Alighieri, who stayed here during his exile in 1304.
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.
- Walking Tour of Gargonza and Tuscan Woods: A walking tour of Gargonza offers a rare lens into cultural preservation, often led by the Count himself. Explore the fortified walls of a 13th-century castle before retreating into the silent beauty of the Tuscan woods. It is a story of a ghost town brought back to life, celebrating Dante’s legacy, Renaissance architecture, and the enduring bond between a noble family and their land.
- Tuscan Cooking Class: A cooking class at Chateau Gargonza is a hands-on masterclass in "Cucina Povera" made elegant. It is an intimate journey where you transform humble ingredients—flour, eggs, and herbs—into a multi-course Tuscan feast. By the time you sit down to lunch with a glass of estate wine, you aren't just eating a meal; you are consuming the heritage of a village that has been feeding travelers since the time of Dante.
- Wine Tasting and Dinner at the Castle: A wine tasting and dinner at Gargonza is a sensory time-capsule. It begins with a sophisticated analysis of high-altitude Sangiovese in a medieval cellar and concludes with a farm-to-table feast that celebrates the seasonal bounty of the Tuscan woods. It is an evening defined by "quiet luxury"—where the quality of the ingredients and the depth of the history do all the talking.
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.
- Minibus: It's bigger than a van, smaller than a bus, and just the right size for adventure.
- Walking Tour of Rome: This walking tour is a choreographed journey through Rome’s high-points. Starting with the Trevi Fountain, the ancient engineering of the Pantheon, and the Baroque drama of Piazza Navona, you experience the city’s transition from a superpower of the ancient world to a curated masterpiece of the modern one.
- Vatican Museum Visit: The Vatican Museums near St Peter's Basilica contain priceless works of art from ancient to modern times. There are many different museums to choose from, but two of the most well known are the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael rooms.
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.
- Private Visit to Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Miranda: Guided by an archaeologist, you move from the imperial grandeur of a deified Empress to the scientific heritage of a 600-year-old medical guild. It is an experience of "exclusive vantage points"—standing atop a 2,000-year-old podium to look out over the Forum, while surrounded by the quiet, scholarly atmosphere of one of Rome’s oldest professional guilds.
- Guided Visit of Colosseum: A guided visit to the Colosseum today serves as a profound lesson in archaeological storytelling, bringing the ancient stones to life. By navigating the newly restored Travertine Piazza, the Imperial Passage, and the Underground Hypogeum, the experience moves beyond a simple photo-op to reveal the complex logistics of ancient Roman control. It remains the world’s most powerful symbol of how architecture was used to entertain—and pacify—a superpower.
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.
- Departure Transfer: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.
Trip Inclusions
- 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.
- 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
- Private Vehicle, Train, Walking, Water Taxi
- National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout
- Hotel (8 Nights)
- 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
These ultra-premium journeys combine deep cultural immersion with five-star comfort and the authority of National Geographic. Created in collaboration with G Adventures, each experience offers rare access, meaningful connections with communities, and expert insight from leading specialists.
With world-class service, thoughtfully curated inclusions, and unforgettable Signature Moments throughout, these journeys are designed for travellers who seek refined luxury without losing a sense of purpose or discovery.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
