About your itinerary
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Don't forget that if something isn't quite right we can make changes to the itinerary.
It was lovely to catch up with you both yesterday, as promised I have been hard at work looking into alternative dates for you.
I know that you were looking for a property that was a little more traditional in Venice, I have been looking into this for you but I really do think that if you are looking for something within Piazza San Marco then the Hotel Splendid is certainly your best bet. Saying this Venice is extremely walkable and you can be to the other side of Venice in around half an hour. As you can imagine the walk is very scenic too! If we were to change the Venice property to The Hotel Papadopoli Venezia the itinerary would be reduced by $378.00.
I have included the details of the tours as optional for you so you can see what the approximate additional cost would be to those on and we can of course arrange those for you.
I hope that this gives you an idea of what to expect with departing in May. I will of course be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Enjoy and speak soon.
Samantha McCormack 
Your Itinerary In Detail
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This itinerary has been tailor-made for you. No two itineraries are the same and we are always able to make changes if something isn't quite right.
Thursday 2nd May 2024
Welcome to Venice
Welcome to Venice
There’s a reason Venice is the place for first romantic couple holidays, world-renowned arts events and very famous films (hello, ‘Casino Royale’). The city on water is like no other, with winding streets, cobblestones and beautiful Gothic architecture, and the occasional stripy-shirt-and-hat-clad gondolier floating by. Oh, and the food. Don’t forget the food.
So when in Venice, though you may want to spend your time simply sipping Aperol Spritz and getting lost in the city’s maze, there are some things you absolutely cannot miss. Venice is rich in culture, home to some of the best galleries, art collections and museums around, as well as plenty of spots to refuel with a cicheti and spritzer and people watch for a while.
Private Water Taxi from VCE to Splendid
Private Water Taxi from VCE to Splendid
Upon arrival at Venice Airport, you will be met by an Out Of Office representative and transferred to the Hotel Splendid by private water taxi. Be sure to bring a camera, the journey offers spectacular views of Venice and the Grand Canal.
Hotel Splendid Venice for 3 nights
Hotel Splendid Venice for 3 nights
Just a few steps from some of the world’s greatest sights, the Splendid Venice is a charming luxury hotel, as elegant as Venice herself. It was first mentioned in the sixteenth century, the heyday of the Republic, when it was known as the Black Hat Inn.
Since then, its various owners have expanded it and turned it into what you see today, two extravagant townhouses remodelled into a harmonious ensemble. A place where passion, beauty and memory come together to create an unforgettable experience.
The spirit of the old inn lives on. You can sense it in the warm, personal welcome and the cosy, intimate public areas – like the lobby, which eschews the classic open design for a succession of small Levantine parlours.
The Splendid Venice exudes an instantly seductive charm, a timeless, nonchalant model of perfection, made of subtle moods and exquisitely thoughtful attention to detail.
The hotel enjoys a central yet quiet location just a short stroll – or gondola ride – from some of the city's iconic landmarks.
All rooms have luxurious, refined furnishings and exquisite details, where silver, brown and lilac set the tone for the wallpaper and damask designs that evoke the Serenissima’s textile tradition.
Be sure to experience the breathtaking views from the hotel’s altana overlooking the beautiful rooftops and bell towers of this floating city. Drink it all in with a classic Spritz, a Bellini or an exclusive Laguna cocktail.
Staying at the Splendid Venice means plunging into the Serenissima’s soul at its most authentic. The restaurant promises a gourmet dining experience with an array of authentic Venetian recipes to savour.
Your room: Double Superior
These luxurious Superior Rooms are designed to create a relaxing backdrop to your stay in Venice, with sumptuous double beds, Italian marble bathrooms and a comfortable seating area.
Oak flooring and silky furnishings add a luxurious touch to these warmly modern, welcoming rooms.
Saturday 4th May 2024
Small Group Walking Tour of Venice - ($370)
Small Group Walking Tour of Venice - ($370)
Today's tour takes you through this enchanting city’s main highlights and through the magnificent Basilica of St. Mark. Your semi-private group of six people maximum is guaranteed to be small, allowing for your introduction to Venice to be intimate and personal. This walking tour winds through Venice’s serene canals and charming bridges, stopping along the way to discover the major sites that seem to be hidden throughout. Capture the essence of this floating city by seeing and experiencing some of the 118 islands that Venice is built around.
You will experience the city’s most ancient church in Campo San Giacometto, to the neighborhood where Marco Polo grew up, and all the seemingly secret corners in between. Find yourself in awe, both inside and outside, of the ornately decorated and domed St. Mark’s Basilica. The Venice small group walking tour offers you a glimpse into Venice’s remarkable past and the opportunity to also experience its vibrant present. Your tour begins just as the morning sun starts to bring the city to life and locals gather fresh produce and seafood at the Rialto markets.
Sunday 5th May 2024
First Class Train from Venice to Florence
First Class Train from Venice to Florence
This morning you will make your way to Venice Train Station, in time to catch your high-speed train directly down to Florence. I have quoted you first-class seats for extra space and comfort.
Train departure: 11:17 am
Train arrival: 1:20 pm
On the other side, you will catch a local taxi / Uber to your hotel, ready for a few nights in the heart of Florence.
Welcome to Florence
Welcome to Florence
Cradle of the Renaissance, romantic, enchanting and utterly irresistible, Florence (Firenze) is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine.
Few cities are so compact in size or so packed with extraordinary art and architecture masterpieces at every turn. The urban fabric of this small city, on the banks of the Arno river in northeastern Tuscany, has hardly changed since the Renaissance and its narrow cobbled streets are a cinematic feast of elegant 15th- and 16th-century palazzi (palaces), medieval candle-lit chapels, fresco-decorated churches, marble basilicas and world-class art museums brimming with paintings and sculptures by Botticcelli, Michelangelo et al. Unsurprisingly, the entire city centre is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Italy's fashion industry was born and bred here. Homegrown designers Guccio Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo opened haute-couture boutiques in Florence in the 1920s and shopping in the Tuscan capital has been stylish ever since. A-lister fashion houses lace Via de' Tornabuoni and a Pandora's box of specialist boutiques selling all manner of beautiful objects parade alongside family-run botteghe (workshops) in a glorious tangle of medieval backstreets. Watch fourth-generation Florentine goldsmiths and shoemakers at work, buy artisan scents evocative of the Florentine countryside and Tuscan sea breeze, and know the tag 'Fiorentina' is one of the finest international labels going.
Quality produce sourced locally, seasonally and sustainably is the holy trinity and Florentines share an enormous pride in their culinary tradition. Their city, surrounded by wine-rich hills, is a gourmet paradise where eating and drinking exceedingly well is mandatory. Be it a traditional bowl of earthy ribollita (bean, bread and veg soup), a tripe panino at a family-run food truck or a blue T-bone steak served in a market trattoria unchanged since 1915, dining in Florence is timeless and memorable. Raw cuisine, fish bistros, craft cocktails and the dazzling creativity of modern young Tuscan chefs add contemporary edge.
Stand on a bridge over the Arno several times in a day and the light and mood changes every time. At sunset hike to Piazzale Michelangelo to be dazzled by a palette embracing every known shade of soft pink, orange and fiery amber. Surprisingly small as it is, Florence looms large on the world's 'must-sees' list – and not just for its unmatched treasure chest of art. Rich in culture, backdropped by history and anchored by family, faith and food, the Florentine lifestyle is enviably sweet. Enjoy a go-slow afternoon passeggiata, indulge in an aperitivo at dusk, savour la dolce vita…
Grand Hotel Minerva for 3 nights
Grand Hotel Minerva for 3 nights
Welcome to the newly refurbished Grand Hotel Minerva, first class, 4-star hotel located in Florence's historic city center. We have refurbished our 97-room boutique hotel with the ambition of being the best Boutique Hotel in Florence.
The best because many of our rooms — all warm, inviting, and furnished in contemporary style — afford peerless views like that of the church and square of Santa Maria Novella and Florence's major historic buildings and monuments. Best, because you will be pampered by excellent, attentive service, provided with dedication and passion by our well-trained, helpful staff who will always greet you with a sincere smile.
We are right in the historic center of Florence in the completely renovated and pedestrianized Piazza Santa Maria Novella, brimming with vibrant restaurants and cafés and featuring a lovely new rose garden. Our perfect location is a short walk from all of Florence's main tourist attractions including Piazza del Duomo and its glorious cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Repubblica, the iconic David of Michelangelo, the Uffizi museum, Ponte Vecchio and Florence’s most eminent luxury shopping street, Via Tornabuoni. Other locations in walking distance include Palazzo degli Affari, the Firenze Fiera Centro Congressi, and the Fortezza Da Basso.
Staying with us means finding an oasis in the hustle and bustle of the city. You will be able to spend an entire day here, either doing something somewhere, or simply nothing everywhere. On the sixth floor is our scenic terrace with a sweeping view of Florence, a roof swimming pool (heated – 28°C / 83°F) and a pool bar where — from April to October — you can lounge, refresh, revive, and enjoy drinks and snacks. Plus, we have a fitness center with a large whirlpool and two restaurants, one of which is outdoors in the square, with a view of the façade of the church of Santa Maria Novella.
Your room: Premium Room
With contemporary style & state-of-the-art technology, your Premium Room is a simple yet elegant comfort in the heart of Florence. From 22 sq. mt. / 220 sq. ft. Very quiet, overlooking either the Santa Maria Novella Cloisters, the hotel garden, or the inner courtyard.
Wednesday 8th May 2024
First Class Train from Florence to Rome
First Class Train from Florence to Rome
This morning you will make your way to Florence Train Station, in time to catch your high-speed train directly down to Rome. I have quoted you First Class seats for extra space and comfort.
Train departure: 11:14 am
Train arrival: 12:49 pm
On the other side, you will catch a local taxi / Uber to your hotel, ready for a few nights in the heart of beautiful Rome.
Welcome to Rome
Welcome to Rome
A heady mix of haunting ruins, awe-inspiring art and vibrant street life, Italy’s hot-blooded capital is one of the world’s most romantic and charismatic cities.
Rome is the biggest and arguably the most fascinating city in Italy. You could spend a month here and still only scratch the surface. It’s an ancient place, packed with the relics of over two thousand years of inhabitation, yet it’s so much more than an open-air museum. Rome’s culture, food, and people make up a modern, vibrant city that is deserving of all the visitors that travel there every year. As a historic centre, it is special enough; as a contemporary European capital, it is utterly unique.
Leon's Place for 3 nights
Leon's Place for 3 nights
This stylish hotel has a real boutique feel as well as a blend of traditional charm and modern luxury. It also has an enviable setting close to the Piazza della Repubblica, Via Veneto, Villa Borghese Gardens and the Via Condotti shopping area. The cool interior features of this chic property have contrasting tones and details that blend perfectly with the building’s historic charms – this is contemporary Italian design at its finest.
The hotel is home to the glamorous ‘Visionnaire Cafè which prides itself on creative cocktails and mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres. The bar and its shaded courtyard are the perfect places to sip a refreshing glass of prosecco after a busy day spent discovering famed Roman attractions such as the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. You can also make use of the hotel’s leisure facilities which include a steamroom, Jacuzzi and massage services.
The modern feel of the rooms is reflective of the hotel as a whole. The grey and white tones and space-maximising mirror details are complemented by chic and comfortable furnishings. The Classic Rooms offer a great value choice while the Deluxe Rooms are more spacious.
Your room: Classic Room
The luminous bedrooms of Leon's Place are spacious and elegantly furnished, with a study in precious materials combined with the modernity of the spaces. Each classic room is curated in detail, with a unique design, high decorated ceilings and beautiful marble bathrooms.
Thursday 9th May 2024
Semi-Private Rome Tour by Golf Cart ($300)
Semi-Private Rome Tour by Golf Cart ($300)
Today you'll experience the highlights of Romeby gold cart, led by one of our local, expert guides.
Your golf cart tour of Rome starts at a convenient location in Rome’s city center, where your guide driver will be waiting for you. After a quick introduction to the city and each other, you will jump in your golf cart, buckle up and set off on your landmark-packed tour. In the company of your expert guide, you will see six neighborhoods of Rome. No need to consult Google Maps, just sit back and enjoy the entertaining stories and anecdotes of your guide as you see the sites of Rome. Your guide will stop at key sites along the way giving you the chance to snap a few photos.
This comprehensive overview is a great way to see most of Rome sites, allowing you to come back on your own to those which you would like to explore more in-depth. You will learn about the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica and you will have a chance to see a church designed by Michelangelo on a side street nearby, a hidden gem that few travelers get to explore. Not too far away, near Via Cavour, and you will soon see a wonderful surprise – the amazing historic Imperial Forum. The views, with the Colosseum in the background, will amaze you. Listen to stories about the nearby Palatine Hill once famous as a residential neighborhood for its political inhabitants of the Roman Empire. Your next stop is where the infamous Emperor Nero once held his famed chariot races, the Colosseum.
Continue on to see an ancient Egyptian style pyramid right in the middle of a residential neighborhood of Rome before arriving at the Mouth of Truth and learn the story behind this Roman legend!
Now it is on to the historic center of Rome where you and your semi-private group will walk the cobblestone streets to some of the most popular areas in town like Piazza Navona and other gems of the city. You will see the majestic Pantheon which is located in the heart of the historic center of Rome, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and more. This is the perfect comprehensive tour of Rome, perfect for visitors to find their ‘sea legs’ and also for returning visitors who want to maximize their time in Rome.
Saturday 11th May 2024
First Class Train from Rome to Naples
First Class Train from Rome to Naples
This morning you will make your way back to Rome Termini, in time to catch your high-speed train directly down to Naples. I have quoted you First Class seats for extra space and comfort.
Train departure: 10 am
Train arrival: 11:13 pm
On the other side, you will me bet by a fabulous Out Of Office representative, ready to be privately transferred down to the coastal town of Sorrento.
Private Transfer from Naples to Sorrento, via Pompeii
Private Transfer from Naples to Sorrento, via Pompeii
Upon arrival at Naples Train Station, you will be met by an Out Of Office representative and privately transferred to the spectacular town of Sorrento, ready for 4 nights of ultimate luxe and relaxation.
On the way, you will stop for a couple of hours at the ancient city of Pompeii. You will then continue down to Sorrento ready for an afternoon of leisure.
Stop in Pompeii
Stop in Pompeii
In 79 AD, waves of volcanic runoff and ash buried Pompeii, one of the Rome’s most active and splendid cities. The speed and magnitude of the event left the city frozen in time, preserved as it was. Today, excavations of the ancient metropolis have revealed some of the most significant insights into Roman art, customs, trades, and the brick-a-brack of everyday life. Walking the 2000-year-old streets reveals a wealth of architectural styles.
Pompeii didn’t segregate its neighborhoods based on income, so you'll find affordable apartments are next to lavish villas. The city’s best-preserved home is the House of the Vetti, where you can admire richly frescoed entertainment rooms, and a central courtyard where a pool is surrounded by a formal garden. The city enjoyed an abundance of water, and used an aqueduct-fed reservoir to supply everything from public fountains to a street-cleaning system.
Welcome to Sorrento
Welcome to Sorrento
A small resort with a big reputation, Sorrento is a town of lemons, high-pedigree hotels and plunging cliffs that cut through the heart of the historical core.
The town’s longstanding popularity stems from its location at the western gateway to the Amalfi. It’s also on the train line to Pompeii and has regular fast-ferry connections to Naples and Capri.
Tourism has a long history here. It was a compulsory stop on the 19th-century 'Grand Tour' and interest in the town was first sparked by the poet Byron, who inspired a long line of holidaying literary geniuses – including Goethe, Dickens and Tolstoy – to sample the Sorrentine air. The romance persists. Wander through Piazza Tasso on any given Sunday and you’ll be exposed to one of Italy’s finer passeggiatas (strolls), snaking past palatial hotels, magnificent marquetry shops and simple Campanian restaurants serving gnocchi alla sorrentina finished off with a shot of ice-cold limoncello.
Grand Hotel Ambasciatori Sorrento for 3 nights
Grand Hotel Ambasciatori Sorrento for 3 nights
Formerly the summer residence of a Piemonte nobleman, this splendid 19th-Century villa is now an elegant hotel boasting a dramatic setting. Perched on a clifftop, the views over the coastline and Bay of Naples are simply breathtaking. Sorrento is just a ten minute walk away, making this gem of a hotel a great base for exploring the local area. Soothe aching muscles in the outdoor pool with hydro-massage or relax under the shade of palm trees on the sun terrace. For a change of scenery, take the internal lift down to the private beach.
Restaurant Le Muse, which also houses the Vesuvio Terrace, has delightful views over the Bay of Naples, which are best enjoyed at sunset. When it's time to indulge in a refreshing cocktail or two you have a choice of three bars with different settings – overlooking the gardens, at the bottom of the cliff facing the sea or on the poolside terrace overlooking the sea.
All of the rooms are classically furnished. Double Balcony Garden View Rooms overlook the gardens, but if you long for a glimpse of the sparkling sea then it's worth upgrading to a Double Balcony Partial Sea View Room or a spacious Suite Balcony Sea View.
Your room: Deluxe Junior Suite Ocean View
Mediterranean colours and local ceramics highlighting the natural light of the room. These type of rooms carved in a rocky cliff overlooking the sea have the ability to feel both spacious and intimate. Every area is formed with space to rest and to relax starting from the balcony with a breathtaking view on the bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.
Not to mention the spectacular scenery of the Ischia and Procida Islands nearby as well as the whole outlined coastline. A Rock-cut elevator leads down from rooms' floor directly to the sea level at the private rocky beach with jetty and sundeck.
The Bathrooms with the dazzling design are very large and are featuring a double sink, bathtub, walk-in shower with a rainfall showerhead, separate toilet as well accessories like attentive complimentary toiletries, magnifying mirror, bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer, direct dial telephone just to mention a few.
Sunday 12th May 2024
Semi-Private Capri Tour from Sorrento ($900)
Semi-Private Capri Tour from Sorrento ($900)
Today you will enjoy a semi-private daytrip to the spectacular island of Capri.
Today's Capri Tour starts in Sorrento where you will hop on a ferry to Capri with your guide and other travelers on your semi-private tour. Famous for being the most exclusive and upmarket island in the Mediterranean, this is a day to rub elbows with the rich and possibly famous. Your local guide will have tickets ready, ensuring that you will board the morning ferry to the beautiful Island of Capri. Upon arrival, you will set off in a motor boat to go straight to the beautiful and famous Blue Grottoes. Weather permitting, you will stop at the blue grottoes and visit the interior.
Once back in the Capri port, your guide will organize an open-topped taxi to take you and your group up to the clifftop town of Anacapri. Anacapri might look like it is the top of the island, but to reach the peak you will need to take a short ski-lift ride. The view from the top of the island is just stunning and you will be able to capture unique photos of the stunning island, its crystal clear waters, and also the farther island of Ischia and the Gulf of Naples with Mt Vesuvius in the background.
Back down the hill by taxi to Capri with your local expert guide where you will enjoy a short walking tour of the town and the amazing gardens of Augustus. Your guide will leave you with suggestions for lunch (not included in the price of the tour) and some free time activities. This is sure to be the perfect day in Italy!
Tuesday 14th May 2024
Private Transfer from Parco dei Principi to NAP
Private Transfer from Parco dei Principi to NAP
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and privately transferred to Naples Airport, in time for your return flight home.
What's Included
Your itinerary includes
- Private water taxi from Venice Airport to Hotel
- 3 nights at the Hotel Splendid, Venice
- Double Superior, with breakfast
- First Class train from Venice to Florence
- 3 nights at the Grand Hotel Minerva, Florence
- Premium Room, with breakfast
- First Class train from Florence to Rome
- 3 nights at Leon’s Place, Rome
- Upgraded Junior Suite, with breakfast
- First Class train from Rome to Naples
- Private transfer from Naples to Sorrento, via Pompeii
- 3 nights at the Parco dei Principi, Sorrento
- Upgraded Deluxe Sea View, with breakfast
- Private transfer from hotel to Naples Airport
- 24/7 emergency concierge service
Your itinerary excludes
- Transfers to / from train stations
- Tours (can be included in pricing at the time of booking)
- Travel insurance
- Visas (if applicable)
Important Information
Travel Advice
It is important to seek independent and up-to-date advice when travelling to any foreign country. Many of our customers ask us to keep them up-to-date on the existing legal position regarding LGBT rights in the country to which they are travelling. You can find up-to-date details on our website under the country which you are travelling to. They are provided as a guide only and laws can change frequently. You should seek advice from the relevant authorities and embassies before travel (if applicable).
Travel Insurance and Terms and Conditions
It is a condition of booking with Out Of Office that you have adequate insurance cover for your trip at the time of booking. Please also ensure you have referred to our terms and conditions which can be found at www.outofoffice.com/terms-and-conditions. Please note that as each booking is tailor-made for you we only confirm the itinerary once we have received a deposit. There is a small chance that availability on some items quoted may change. If this is the case we will book similar accommodation and let you know.