ITALIAN DREAMS 2018 Please join us!
$4950 June 9 - 18: Venice, Florence, Tuscany & Rome
$1650 June 18 - 21: The Amalfi Coast Post-Tour Option
This tour is priced for a minimum group of 6 people. Per person. Double occupancy. Please inquire about a single-supplement room price.
Please join Tour Director Sandy Gregory for this wonderful adventure through Italy, or contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience in Italy with our Concierge Travel Services.
Italians savor all the pleasures life has to offer - food and wine, art and style, music and language - surrounded by breathtaking surroundings, rich history and a deep culture. They consider vacanze (vacation) key to living a good life. Join us to experience la bella vita. We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion. Contact us for more information. We'll be happy to send you the detailed itinerary for this tour.
June 8. Trans-Atlantic Flight to Venice.
Day 1. Sat, June 9. Arrive in Venice
Arrival into Marco Polo Airport. Bienvenuti a Venezia! Your tour director will be waiting for you as you leave baggage claim.
We’ll will be staying at lovely 4-star hotel right in the heart of Venice, and just a short walk to San Marco Square. Trans-Atlantic flights usually arrive in the morning and check-in is at 2, so we’ll store your bags and take a walking orientation and grab some lunch. After lunch you will be able to check in, get settled and rested.
Tonight, it’s a sunset toast before we head to our included Welcome Dinner.
About Che Bella Included Dinners: The expression “Parla come mangi!” in Italian means “Speak the language of your food.” This expression embraces the essence of Che Bella Tours™. when we gather around the table as a group, it is a celebration: A celebration of good food and wine. A celebration of culture. A celebration of friendship. Hosting this celebration is one of the joys of being a Che Bella Tour Director. We guide you to your favorite dish … or help you choose something you’ve never tried before. We choose the perfect wines and throw in some local delicacies to broaden your palate and surprise you a bit. When we are at a cooking lesson or a wine tasting, be sure to know you’ll go home with new knowledge that will draw you under its spell and increase your hunger for more.
$4950 June 9 - 18: Venice, Florence, Tuscany & Rome
$1650 June 18 - 21: The Amalfi Coast Post-Tour Option
This tour is priced for a minimum group of 6 people. Per person. Double occupancy. Please inquire about a single-supplement room price.
Please join Tour Director Sandy Gregory for this wonderful adventure through Italy, or contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience in Italy with our Concierge Travel Services.
Italians savor all the pleasures life has to offer - food and wine, art and style, music and language - surrounded by breathtaking surroundings, rich history and a deep culture. They consider vacanze (vacation) key to living a good life. Join us to experience la bella vita. We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion. Contact us for more information. We'll be happy to send you the detailed itinerary for this tour.
June 8. Trans-Atlantic Flight to Venice.
Day 1. Sat, June 9. Arrive in Venice
Arrival into Marco Polo Airport. Bienvenuti a Venezia! Your tour director will be waiting for you as you leave baggage claim.
We’ll will be staying at lovely 4-star hotel right in the heart of Venice, and just a short walk to San Marco Square. Trans-Atlantic flights usually arrive in the morning and check-in is at 2, so we’ll store your bags and take a walking orientation and grab some lunch. After lunch you will be able to check in, get settled and rested.
Tonight, it’s a sunset toast before we head to our included Welcome Dinner.
About Che Bella Included Dinners: The expression “Parla come mangi!” in Italian means “Speak the language of your food.” This expression embraces the essence of Che Bella Tours™. when we gather around the table as a group, it is a celebration: A celebration of good food and wine. A celebration of culture. A celebration of friendship. Hosting this celebration is one of the joys of being a Che Bella Tour Director. We guide you to your favorite dish … or help you choose something you’ve never tried before. We choose the perfect wines and throw in some local delicacies to broaden your palate and surprise you a bit. When we are at a cooking lesson or a wine tasting, be sure to know you’ll go home with new knowledge that will draw you under its spell and increase your hunger for more.
Day 2. Sun, June 10. A Day in Venice.
After included breakfast, we’ll start our morning sightseeing in style with our local Guide, who will escort you throughout Venice. We tour by walking today, with in-depth visits to St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the prison, and the Bridge of Sighs.
After lunch, we have made arrangements for a private water taxi to tak you over to the island of Murano for a glass blowing demonstration and viewing in one of Venice’s most prestigious galleries. We’ll be back by 3 and you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
This evening at sunset, we’ll be seranaded on our included private gondola ride.
Dinner tonight is on your own. On every tour, we have included dinners as a group as well as nights on your own. Of course you are always invited to join me as I explore new and interesting restaurant finds. I also have a lot of recommendations and would be happy to make reservations for you.
After included breakfast, we’ll start our morning sightseeing in style with our local Guide, who will escort you throughout Venice. We tour by walking today, with in-depth visits to St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the prison, and the Bridge of Sighs.
After lunch, we have made arrangements for a private water taxi to tak you over to the island of Murano for a glass blowing demonstration and viewing in one of Venice’s most prestigious galleries. We’ll be back by 3 and you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
This evening at sunset, we’ll be seranaded on our included private gondola ride.
Dinner tonight is on your own. On every tour, we have included dinners as a group as well as nights on your own. Of course you are always invited to join me as I explore new and interesting restaurant finds. I also have a lot of recommendations and would be happy to make reservations for you.
Day 3. Mon, June 11. Arrive in Florence.
Bienvenuti a Firenze!
Train from Venice to Florence. Rooms are usually available after 2 pm, so we will be at the hotel as everyone arrives to help store your bags, get you oriented with the city and direct you to some great lunch choices.
The afternoon is yours to explore as everyone gets settled. We’ll then get together for passagiatta, or the evening walk, on our way to our sunset toast looking over the city of Florence and enjoy our Included Welcome Dinner.
Day 4. Tues, June 12. A Day in Florence
Florence is one of the most preserved Renaissance cities in the world. Boasting over 40% of the world’s great masterpieces, the city is considered the art capital of Italy. The city is compact and walking is definitely the best way to see it. Our walking tour will take us to the small, but poignant Galleria dell’Accademia. There, we’ll learn about the Renaissance, highlighting Michelangelo’s life and masterpieces, including his David, “Unfinished” Slaves and Pieta. We’ll then move on to the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Dante's House and Piazza della Signoria, finishing on the Ponte Vecchio.
The afternoon is yours to explore Florence. I’d like to invite you to walk with me and spend all the time you need to browse the city’s couture stores and famous San Lorenzo market, where you’ll be able to pick up a great leather jacket, stock up on colorful scarves and purses, or wander through the Mercado Centrale for typical Tuscan delicacies. And don’t forget those shoes! Or you might want to use this time to dig into the vast art collections of the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Pitti Palace or the Medici Chapel.
You also might want to spend the day at the Boboli Gardens, the Galileo Museum, Palazzo Vecchio or go on a gelato crawl ... then burn off those calories by climbing the Duomo or Giotto’s Campanile.
Dinner tonight is on your own.
Bienvenuti a Firenze!
Train from Venice to Florence. Rooms are usually available after 2 pm, so we will be at the hotel as everyone arrives to help store your bags, get you oriented with the city and direct you to some great lunch choices.
The afternoon is yours to explore as everyone gets settled. We’ll then get together for passagiatta, or the evening walk, on our way to our sunset toast looking over the city of Florence and enjoy our Included Welcome Dinner.
Day 4. Tues, June 12. A Day in Florence
Florence is one of the most preserved Renaissance cities in the world. Boasting over 40% of the world’s great masterpieces, the city is considered the art capital of Italy. The city is compact and walking is definitely the best way to see it. Our walking tour will take us to the small, but poignant Galleria dell’Accademia. There, we’ll learn about the Renaissance, highlighting Michelangelo’s life and masterpieces, including his David, “Unfinished” Slaves and Pieta. We’ll then move on to the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Dante's House and Piazza della Signoria, finishing on the Ponte Vecchio.
The afternoon is yours to explore Florence. I’d like to invite you to walk with me and spend all the time you need to browse the city’s couture stores and famous San Lorenzo market, where you’ll be able to pick up a great leather jacket, stock up on colorful scarves and purses, or wander through the Mercado Centrale for typical Tuscan delicacies. And don’t forget those shoes! Or you might want to use this time to dig into the vast art collections of the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Pitti Palace or the Medici Chapel.
You also might want to spend the day at the Boboli Gardens, the Galileo Museum, Palazzo Vecchio or go on a gelato crawl ... then burn off those calories by climbing the Duomo or Giotto’s Campanile.
Dinner tonight is on your own.
Day 5. Wed, June 13. Florence to the Villa.
This morning we head to our Tuscan villa. When we arrive, you’ll have a plenty of time to settle in to your room and maybe take a swim. As the sun begins to set, we’ll enjoy a wine tasting presented by the cellar master of the villa before enjoying our included Tuscan BBQ.
THE VILLA. Our villa is in the hills of Tuscany near San Gimignano. It’s a beautiful location with swimming pool, sauna and steam, and air-conditioned rooms. Breakfast is included in your price. We have a private area for our Tuscan BBQ and since it is a vineyard ... wine is plentiful!
Day 6. Thurs, June 14. San Gimignano, Wine-tasting Tour and Lunch in a Castle and an Evening Cooking Lesson
Today we visit the Tuscan town of San Gimignano, where time seems to have stood still. As you stroll through the winding streets, you’ll see what Tuscan hill towns looked like in the Middle Ages. We’re then on for an afternoon of wine tasting and included lunch in a castle. You’ll be treated like royalty at this small, family-run winery where you will visit the cellars, historic rooms and finish in their beautiful dining room.
INCLUDED COOKING LESSON: Fatto in casa - made in the house. We're off to the medieval town of Certaldo for a cooking lesson with Mama Guiseppina. During this private, intimate hands-on cooking lesson, we’ll prepare our dinner with fresh seasonal produce and quality local ingredients.
This morning we head to our Tuscan villa. When we arrive, you’ll have a plenty of time to settle in to your room and maybe take a swim. As the sun begins to set, we’ll enjoy a wine tasting presented by the cellar master of the villa before enjoying our included Tuscan BBQ.
THE VILLA. Our villa is in the hills of Tuscany near San Gimignano. It’s a beautiful location with swimming pool, sauna and steam, and air-conditioned rooms. Breakfast is included in your price. We have a private area for our Tuscan BBQ and since it is a vineyard ... wine is plentiful!
Day 6. Thurs, June 14. San Gimignano, Wine-tasting Tour and Lunch in a Castle and an Evening Cooking Lesson
Today we visit the Tuscan town of San Gimignano, where time seems to have stood still. As you stroll through the winding streets, you’ll see what Tuscan hill towns looked like in the Middle Ages. We’re then on for an afternoon of wine tasting and included lunch in a castle. You’ll be treated like royalty at this small, family-run winery where you will visit the cellars, historic rooms and finish in their beautiful dining room.
INCLUDED COOKING LESSON: Fatto in casa - made in the house. We're off to the medieval town of Certaldo for a cooking lesson with Mama Guiseppina. During this private, intimate hands-on cooking lesson, we’ll prepare our dinner with fresh seasonal produce and quality local ingredients.
Day 7. Fri, June 15. Ciao Tuscany! A Day in Orvieto and then on to Rome.
“Tutte e strade portano a Roma” – “All Roads lead to Rome.” Today we'll travel to Rome with a lunch stop in Orvieto. Rome is one of the most beautiful, exciting cities in the world. Today’s Rome is a combination of romance, relics and ruins amidst a modern, sprawling, living city. Medieval churches sit atop ancient basilicas above Roman palaces; gleaming office buildings incorporate fragments of eroded Roman columns; roads and piazzas follow the lines of ancient city walls. Rome’s history began over 2000 years ago, far before the time of Jesus Christ. It was the capital of the Roman Empire and is still the capital of Italy.
Our group will stay at a four-star hotel in the historic centre of Rome and walking distance from all the major sites. Upon arrival we’ll check in our bags and enjoy an orientation walking tour of Rome before we gather for our included dinner.
“Tutte e strade portano a Roma” – “All Roads lead to Rome.” Today we'll travel to Rome with a lunch stop in Orvieto. Rome is one of the most beautiful, exciting cities in the world. Today’s Rome is a combination of romance, relics and ruins amidst a modern, sprawling, living city. Medieval churches sit atop ancient basilicas above Roman palaces; gleaming office buildings incorporate fragments of eroded Roman columns; roads and piazzas follow the lines of ancient city walls. Rome’s history began over 2000 years ago, far before the time of Jesus Christ. It was the capital of the Roman Empire and is still the capital of Italy.
Our group will stay at a four-star hotel in the historic centre of Rome and walking distance from all the major sites. Upon arrival we’ll check in our bags and enjoy an orientation walking tour of Rome before we gather for our included dinner.
Day 8. Sat, June 16. Rome. Vatican City
This morning we enjoy a private tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s square. You'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore this vibrant city.
Dinner on your own tonight.
This morning we enjoy a private tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s square. You'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore this vibrant city.
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 9. Sun, June 17. Ancient Rome
This morning we enjoy a private walking tour of Old Rome, then on to the Capitoline, Roman Forum and Colosseum. You'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore this vibrant city.
This evening we regroup for our Included Farewell Dinner. After dinner, we’ll stroll to the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin to assure our return to Rome.
Day 10. Mon, June 18. Ciao Roma!
OR Optional Post-Tour Excursion to the Amalfi Coast.
La Dolce Vita is calling us!
For those of you continuing on to the Amalfi Coast, our driver will pick us up from our hotel and take us to the Rome train station where we'll hop a short train to Naples. Our driver will then be waiting to take us on one of the most breathtaking drives in the world, The Amalfi Coast Drive. The Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s great drives. It’s a picturesque site of lovely villas fishing villages, churches and shops cut right out of the rocks. It is the place to see and be seen as Sorrento is one of the premier resort towns in the world.
By the time the sun is setting, you’ll be enjoying a glass of wine, a great view and enjoy our included dinner.
This morning we enjoy a private walking tour of Old Rome, then on to the Capitoline, Roman Forum and Colosseum. You'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore this vibrant city.
This evening we regroup for our Included Farewell Dinner. After dinner, we’ll stroll to the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin to assure our return to Rome.
Day 10. Mon, June 18. Ciao Roma!
OR Optional Post-Tour Excursion to the Amalfi Coast.
La Dolce Vita is calling us!
For those of you continuing on to the Amalfi Coast, our driver will pick us up from our hotel and take us to the Rome train station where we'll hop a short train to Naples. Our driver will then be waiting to take us on one of the most breathtaking drives in the world, The Amalfi Coast Drive. The Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s great drives. It’s a picturesque site of lovely villas fishing villages, churches and shops cut right out of the rocks. It is the place to see and be seen as Sorrento is one of the premier resort towns in the world.
By the time the sun is setting, you’ll be enjoying a glass of wine, a great view and enjoy our included dinner.
Day 11: Tues, June 19. Sorrento
Enjoy the beauty of Sorrento today or choose our optional excursion: An optional day in Pompeii: Pompeii is the most famous and visited archaeological site in the world. Includes round trip transfer and private tour.
As the sun is going down, you can enjoy “passaggiata” or the evening walk before you go to dinner.
Dinner tonight is on your own
Day 12. Wed, June 20. Sorrento - A Day in Capri
A day in Capri. We have a certain way we like to tackle the island so you can get it all in, including strolling the luxurious town, taking the chair lift to Ana Capri for a breathtaking view and of course, slipping in to the Blue Grotto. You can spend some time in Capri painting the breathtaking vistas, or return via the afternoon ferry. Includes taxi to the ferry dock, round-trip ferry ticket, private, full-day Capri transportation around the island.
Tonight we’ll have an included Farewell dinner to say arrivederci to Italy.
Day 13. Thurs, June 21. Arrivederci Italia!
Included transfers to the Naples Airport.
Enjoy the beauty of Sorrento today or choose our optional excursion: An optional day in Pompeii: Pompeii is the most famous and visited archaeological site in the world. Includes round trip transfer and private tour.
As the sun is going down, you can enjoy “passaggiata” or the evening walk before you go to dinner.
Dinner tonight is on your own
Day 12. Wed, June 20. Sorrento - A Day in Capri
A day in Capri. We have a certain way we like to tackle the island so you can get it all in, including strolling the luxurious town, taking the chair lift to Ana Capri for a breathtaking view and of course, slipping in to the Blue Grotto. You can spend some time in Capri painting the breathtaking vistas, or return via the afternoon ferry. Includes taxi to the ferry dock, round-trip ferry ticket, private, full-day Capri transportation around the island.
Tonight we’ll have an included Farewell dinner to say arrivederci to Italy.
Day 13. Thurs, June 21. Arrivederci Italia!
Included transfers to the Naples Airport.