BESPOKE LUXURY JOURNEY

Italy: Renaissance to Serenity

Where art meets elegance

Venture into a realm where centuries of artistic passion meet contemporary dolce vita, where same-sex couples stroll hand in hand through Renaissance piazzas, and where the journey from papal majesty to lagoon romance unfolds like an opera. This meticulously crafted ten-day sojourn weaves through Italy‘s most compelling cities, each embracing visitors with a warmth as rich as their history, celebrating love in all its expressions beneath frescoed domes and along lamp-lit canals.

Italy at a Glance

n Italy, acceptance flows as naturally as wine at a Tuscan table, particularly in the sophisticated urban centers where ancient gardens host modern pride celebrations and centuries-old palazzos house trendy LGBT+ venues. Rome’s cultural evolution flourishes in Monti’s bohemian lanes, where rainbow flags wave above baroque fountains and contemporary galleries showcase queer artists in former papal palaces. This progressive spirit courses through Florence’s artisan workshops and Venice’s masked revelry, creating spaces where authenticity is celebrated as enthusiastically as artistic genius.

Here, beauty speaks in many tongues: Michelangelo’s marble whispers tales of divine love, Tuscan vintages tell stories of sun-soaked hillsides, and Venetian canals mirror centuries of romantic encounters. Summer evenings in Rome see the Spanish Steps transform into an open-air salon of diversity, while Florence’s Renaissance squares pulse with an energy that bridges centuries. In Venice, traditional bacari welcome all with equal measures of prosecco and warmth, proving that true hospitality knows no bounds.

10-day Travel Itinerary

This journey traces the artistic and cultural heart of Italy through three distinct acts, each with its own character and allure. Begin in Rome, where imperial grandeur and papal splendour create an intoxicating duet of power and beauty. Here, early morning access to the Vatican Museums allows for intimate encounters with mankind's greatest artistic achievements, while evenings in trendy Monti reveal Rome's contemporary soul. The narrative then flows north to Florence, curator of the Renaissance spirit and keeper of Tuscan traditions. In this living museum of human creativity, witness art restoration in progress and savour wines aged in medieval abbey cellars. Each meal becomes a celebration of regional passion, from market-fresh delicacies to Michelin-starred interpretations of traditional cuisine. The journey culminates in Venice, where reality and fantasy dance together on waters that have inspired romantic souls for centuries. Here, mornings reveal the authentic rhythms of local life in markets and bacari, while afternoons explore the legacy of master craftsmen on the islands of Murano and Burano. As the sun sets, private gondolas glide through quiet canals, offering privileged views of a city that reveals her true beauty only to those who linger.

DAY 1

Rome | First Whispers of Eternal Grandeur

Your Italian odyssey begins in Rome, where the weight of empire meets the lightness of la dolce vita. Settle into your design-forward hotel—perhaps the sophisticated Hotel Locarno, where artistic souls have found inspiration for generations. As evening approaches, join Rome's creative community for aperitivo on a rooftop terrace, where the setting sun gilds ancient domes in rose-gold splendour.

DAY 2

Rome | Dawn at the Vatican

Experience the Vatican Museums in privileged solitude as morning light streams through Renaissance windows. In the hushed moments before public hours, the Sistine Chapel becomes your private meditation on genius, while St. Peter's Basilica reveals its magnificence through stories of the artists who transformed faith into architectural poetry.

DAY 3

Rome | Echoes of Empire

Let ancient stones speak their secrets as you ascend Capitoline Hill, where Rome's political heart still beats in magnificent museums. Your expert guide weaves tales of power and passion through the Roman Forum's ruins before the Colosseum's sweeping arches frame stories of spectacle and glory. As twilight embraces the city, find yourself in the chic streets of Monti, where Rome's queer community brings new life to ancient quarters

DAY 4

Orvieto | Tuscan Prelude

The journey northward becomes a feast for the senses. Pause in dramatic Orvieto, where Signorelli's frescoes startle with their power, before the Tuscan landscape unfolds in waves of cypress and vine. A historic wine estate welcomes you with centuries of tradition poured into Riedel crystal, each vintage expressing the soul of its terroir.

DAY 5

Florence | Renaissance Revelations

Dawn reveals Florence in its most authentic light, before the crowds claim its treasures. Brunelleschi's dome commands the skyline as your private guide leads you through a city where art and life are inseparable. Witness the intimate work of restoration artists bringing Renaissance masterpieces back to life, then encounter Michelangelo's David in the hushed galleries of the Accademia.

DAY 6

Florence | Chianti's Embrace

The medieval serenity of Badia a Passignano sets the stage for a day of epicurean excellence. Descend into centuries-old cellars where wine secrets are shared like precious heirlooms, then ascend to a Michelin-starred lunch where each plate celebrates Tuscan tradition. The afternoon brings you to either timeless Montefioralle or charming Greve, where Italy's rural soul remains beautifully intact.

DAY 7

Florence to Venice | Artistic Legacy

Morning light floods the Uffizi's corridors as you discover the Medici's artistic legacy, each masterpiece a chapter in art's evolution. After savouring artisanal delicacies in the Mercato Centrale's vibrant halls, board your first-class carriage to Venice. Your entrance to La Serenissima comes via private water taxi, gliding past palaces that whisper tales of doges and lovers.

DAY 8

Venice | Island Artistry

Discover how Venetian craftsmanship elevates tradition to art. Watch master glassblowers shape molten dreams on Murano, then witness the delicate precision of Burano's lace-makers. Return to Venice proper where privileged access reveals St. Mark's golden majesty and La Fenice's theatrical splendor away from the crowds.

DAY 9

Venice | Lagoon Rhythms

Begin in the Frari Church, where Titian's masterworks still command their original altar settings. Let the authentic Rialto Market reveal Venice's culinary soul before embarking on a bacaro tour through hidden squares. As the day wanes, a private gondola carries you through quiet canals where Venice reserves her most intimate beauty for those who seek it.

DAY 10

Venice | Farewell Reflections

Let your final morning unfold at the gentle pace Venice demands, perhaps with coffee and brioche on a sunny campo, before bidding farewell to La Serenissima.

Additional Recommended Experiences

Extend your Italian journey with carefully curated moments that reveal the country's diverse spirit. Arrange after-hours access to the Vatican Museums, where Michelangelo's frescoes become a private revelation. Discover the art of Venetian mask-making in intimate workshops where tradition meets personal expression. In Florence, private cooking classes in noble palazzos unlock family recipes passed through generations. For those seeking deeper cultural connection, contemporary art tours reveal Rome's evolving creative scene, while early morning photography walks capture Venice before the city wakes. Adventure seekers might choose helicopter tours over Tuscan vineyards or private boat excursions to secret Venetian islands. Throughout the year, Italy offers exclusive experiences matching its artistic legacy with contemporary sophistication, ensuring your journey creates memories as timeless as the country itself.

Transform Your Italy Dreams into Reality

Allow us to craft your bespoke Italy journey. Whether inspired by our curated itinerary or envisioning something entirely your own, we'll shape every moment to reflect your distinctive style and preferences.