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Venice – Florence – Rome – Paris
See three of Italy's most famous cities, then hop over to Paris to conclude the tour in Europe's romantic cultural capital on the River Seine.
The 15th century palazzo, former residence of a wealthy Venetian family, is located in the maze of narrow streets in the heart of Venice near the Rialto Bridge. Today it houses a B&B. Each room is tastefully decorated in an individual design and partly furnished with antiques. The idyllic, green inner courtyard with the ancient well was once open and led to the canal. Here you can enjoy breakfast in the morning or the peace and quiet, reviewing the impressions gained after a strenuous day of sightseeing. All major sites are within easy walking distance.
Attractions:
The art historian Dr. Susanne Kunz-Saponaro has lived in Venice for many years. The individual tour through her adopted home-town is more intense and interesting than a group tour could ever be. With your existing knowledge, questions and special interests, you determine the pace and locations to be visited. Read more→
The two-hour walking tour includes:
- St. Mark's Square
- St. Mark's Basilica
- Doge's Palace
- The Bridge of Sighs
- A a walk through the maze of narrow alleyways into the heart of authentic Venice
- Rialto Market: learn about the merchants who made Venice one of the richest cities in Europe
The hotel is located just a few steps from the Duomo, in a beautifully restored building dating back to the 17th century. In the suites you can admire the original frescoes that have painstakingly been exposed by the owners who are also happy to help with advice of what to do and see. Nearby are some restaurants that offer value for money and are not overrun with tourists. There you can get traditional, rustic Tuscan dishes. At the end of the day relax on the stylish balcony overlooking the courtyard while enjoying a glass of wine. Breakfast is good for Italian standards and is served in the former kitchen with massive beams dating from the 16th century.
Attractions:
Wanderung:
Tour guide Juliane has lived in Florence since she began studying art history there in 1987. In 1990 the native of Germany began offering guided tours of Florence utilizing her profound knowledge of art history. Her two-hour walking tour includes many sites missed by the majority of tourists. Included in the standard tour are:
- the Cathedral (inside and out) and baptistery
- a stroll through the narrow medieval streets of Old Florence to the house where Dante was born
- Palazzo del Bargello
- Piazza della Signoria (town hall square)
- Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo degli Uffizi
- Ponte Vecchio
- Straw Market and Piazza della Repubblica Read more→
Individual routes and sites can be arranged upon request.
This centuries-old building is located in the city centre, between the Spanish steps and the Via Veneto. Marco and Giulia, the enterprising proprietors who have roots in the hotel business, have completely restored the property and now offer modern, comfortable accommodation in a historical building. Marco can suggest the best sites to see – he is an accredited Rome tour guide. The building offers many practical conveniences. An elevator takes guests to the air-conditioned rooms on the three upper stories. The upstairs suites have a view extending over the roofs of the old city to the dome of St Peters. You're guaranteed a good night's rest here (a valuable commodity in Rome), as the guesthouse is next door to a convent! The subway station Barberini is only a few steps away.
Attractions:
Wanderung:
Only a few guides are allowed to show guests to the Vatican. One of them is Agnieszka Berlin, who is privileged to have a license for herself and her team. Each and every single tour must be requested individually. The time is agreed with the Vatican.
You will visit: part of the Vatican Museums – Sixtine Chapel – St. Peter's Basilica. Read more→
Important information: Guests who have claustrophobia or walking problems are not recommended to visit the Vatican Museums. Due to a significant increase in the number of visitors from 30,000 to 40,000 people per day, unhindered progress within the buildings is not possible. Seating is not available. In spite of the advance reservation, long queues can also be expected at the entrance; the total duration of the tour will be extended to approx. 4 hours.
The most important ancient sites in Rome are the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. The Forum is a collection of lavish government buildings mainly built by Caesar from which the Roman Empire was ruled. They thus represented the center of world power. The tour is conducted by a licensed tour guide and art historian. It is much more intensive than a group tour because you can ask questions and set the pace yourself.
Note: There are about 3,000 people in the Colosseum at all times, which is why access to the inside of the amphitheater is repeatedly stopped due to overcrowding. Despite advance reservation, the duration of the tour increases to approx. 4 hours.
You are guided by an English speaking art historian to the most important historical sites of Rome. This is an individual tour, so it is much more intense and interesting than a group tour can be. You decide on both, the places you want to see and the time you want to spend in each location.
The following sites are usually part of the program: Piazza Navona – Pantheon – Trevi Fountain - Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola – Piazza Colonna and the Column of Marcus Aurelius
Flight from Rome to Paris
Flight duration: approx. 2:00 h
The flight is not included in the package price. We recommend to book flights directly with the airline.
You can get a good overview e.g. at www.flights.idealo.com.
This enchanting little hotel is situated in the heart of Paris, in the shadow of the Louvre. It is so close to St. Germain l'Auxerrois that you can hear the hymns from the former "King's Church" and see the Gothic windows from your bedroom. In the cellar there is an old printing press that was used to print illegal leaflets during the French Revolution. It is said that the reception area was once the Café Momus (a debating club of the revolutionaries) and it was here that Puccini allowed parts of his opera "La Boheme" to be played. Breakfast, true to Parisian custom, is served in your suite. The hotel is air conditioned. Sophie Aulnette has managed the hotel for the past 10 years and personally attends to her guests' comfort. Tickets to local museums and other attractions can be purchased at a shop near the hotel.
Attractions:
Jessica Parkin
Melissa Nußbaum
Leslie Jalowiecki