Celebrate Italy on a journey that will have you floating through history in Venice, admiring great art in Florence, tasting wines and olive oils at an agriturismo in Tuscany, and exploring Rome's magnificent sites with a private guide.
Culture and Cuisine of Italy: A Tailor-Made Journey
From Venice to Rome
13 days from $10,995
Celebrate Italy on a journey that will have you floating through history in Venice, admiring great art in Florence, tasting wines and olive oils at an agriturismo in Tuscany, and exploring Rome's magnificent sites with a private guide.
To view a section, please click on an option below.
* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.
Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli
Venice, Italy
The Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli is a beautifully converted merchant’s palazzo in the heart of Venice that overlooks the Grand Canal. The building itself retains many of the palazzo’s original features, giving it plenty of authentic Venetian character. Arriving by water taxi, you’ll enter by the traditional private water entrance which has steps leading up from the Grand Canal. Many of the rooms contain exposed timber ceilings and, on some, the remnants of the palazzo's original frescoes can still be seen. The second floor sitting rooms, where the merchant family had their suite, contain Murano glass chandeliers along with the original imposing oak doors.
Hotel Bernini Palace
Florence, Italy
A luxury hotel in the center of Florence, the Hotel Bernini Palace is situated in a 15th-century palace with a storied history. Rooms and public spaces are appointed with period décor and antiques and equipped with modern amenities. The hotel features a fine-dining restaurant and a handsome bar and lounge, and breakfast is served under a fresco-covered ceiling in the former Parliament Hall. The Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery are just steps away.
Badia a Coltibuono
Chianti, Italy
On a hilltop in Chianti, the Badia a Coltibuono is an enchanting 11th-century monastery that has been transformed into a family-owned agriturismo. Guestrooms are beautifully refurbished monk’s cells—or private apartments—and the restaurant is housed within the former stables. The property includes extensive gardens, a pool, and intimate courtyards, as well as a working farm and vineyards. Wines and olive oils are produced here, and the wine cellar is well worth a visit.
Crossing Condotti
Rome, Italy
While the Crossing Condotti does not have either a breakfast room or restaurant, and even the reception is very small, what available space they have has been allocated to the rooms. This has created a hotel offering a high standard of accommodation in an excellent location that is very good value for money. There is a small kitchen with tea, coffee, juice and snacks, and due to the location there are a number of excellent options for breakfast within a short distance. The rooms are well-designed, all with queen or twin sized beds, en suite bathrooms with rain showers, and a large TV with English language channels.
When you travel on a tailor-made journey, you will receive a Friends of the Smithsonian Archivist Circle membership. Benefits include:
- Recognition in the Friends of the Smithsonian Honor Roll displayed electronically on the National Mall in the Membership Reception Center
- Invitation to a special welcome tour for new members at a Smithsonian venue
- A Smithsonian Institution annual engagement calendar with full color images of exceptional art and artifacts
- A complimentary Smithsonian museum guidebook
- Subscription to the award-winning magazine Smithsonian
- 20% discount at Smithsonian Museum Stores, 10% discount at selected dining facilities, at SmithsonianStore.com, and Folkways Recordings
- Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian's IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium
- Admission to Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City
- Weekday access to the Friends of the Smithsonian Reception Center
Highly Recommended
Also Recommended
For the convenience of our travelers, Travel Guard provides an on-tour Insurance Plan. On-tour emergency evacuation insurance (up to $100,000), medical expense coverage (up to $25,000), dental expense coverage (up to $500), travel medical assistance and worldwide travel assistance (U.S. Residents only). It also includes up to $25,000 medical and up to $500 dental expense coverage, and 24-hour worldwide travel and medical assistance. Please click here to view complete coverage details.
Please visit www.TravelGuard.com/SmithsonianJourneys or call Travel Guard at 1-800-208-6142 to learn about additional (optional) coverage.