The Grand Tour

The Great Italian Cities

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the "Grand Tour" was the essential conclusion of the education of every young man of status in England and France. To become a person of the world and a noble member of society, a father paid for his son to travel to Venice and Rome for the better part of a year, where he would experience life, romance, and history to its fullest extent. Without the social pressure, your honeymoon will trace this same route in more luxurious accommodations, affording you a complete education in relaxation, history, and gourmet living. You'll receive all the old-world hospitality and attention you truly deserve!

One of the nicest things about this itinerary is...

that it can be done any time of the year with beautiful results - as you'll be taking in the countryside from first-class train, you won't have to worry about driving in rain or snow, timing your journey to stay at properties only open half the year, or worrying about too many tourists in the summer or too few services in the winter. These cities are immortal, and lovely in every season. With seasonality, one important item to note is that prices in Italy do change. If you're willing to adventure outside of the top tourist season, you can stay at some wonderful places at a better value, and still experience a mild climate and the continuous warmth of the Italians.

This journey can be done in either direction, but for now, we'll start your Grand Tour in Venice, spending your time on the exclusive Lido beach in the summer, or the canalside shops, churches and taverns in the winter. Your gateway to Venice will be the masterpiece Hotel Bauer, where you'll stay for three nights in a boutique wing reserved for honeymooners and celebrities, dubbed "Il Palazzo." Enjoy a rooftop spa treatment while looking down onto Piazza San Marco or Santa Maria Salute across the water, and then join the beautiful people for dinner and drinks at one of the finest restaurants in Italy. During the day, explore cathedrals, palaces, and boat workshops, eat fresh fish, and gaze out over the Adriatic.

A high-speed train ride will...

then bring you through Tuscany and along the tributaries of the Arno River to Florence, the capital of the Renaissance. Here, you'll be met by a bilingual, personal escort to take you to the beautiful and wonderfully restored Four Seasons Florence. This art-filled Florentine Palazzo is a true five star experience, and one you will savor after each day's explorations. The center of Florence is just a short stroll away, but this is a perfect place to enjoy a bit of down-time together in a truly romantic and authentic environment. When not taking in this beautiful Renaissance city and its cultural, historical and shopping treasures, you'll enjoy a trip out to the Tuscan countryside for a half day to learn how to prepare a delicious Tuscan meal. Buon Appetito!

The final leg of your journey...

will be accompanied by a rapidly changing view of the countryside as you zip along in the ultramodern luxury of the Florence-Rome Eurostar train. Arriving under the vaults of Rome Termini station, you'll be conveyed by private limo transfer to the the Portrait Suites, a private and contemporary design hotel just moments from the Spanish Steps, in central Rome. From this privileged location, you'll explore they city's great monuments, museums, art galleries, and piazzas, and perhaps take daytrips to its outlying ruins. Finally, you'll transfer to Fiumicino airport to fly home richer in spirit and in culture!

Who will enjoy this trip:

Lovers of culture, urban excitement, and rail travel. Those seeking top Italian experiences.

Who should avoid this trip:

Those travelers wishing a more independent itinerary with the freedom to drive; honeymooners looking for a quaint backcountry experience, and those on modest budgets.