All Day
Florence and Rome Exploration highlights:
- Embark on an experiential journey starting in Florence to discover the art of craftsmanship in the authentic “Made in Italy” tradition and big brands like Ferragamo and Gucci Garden.
- Feel the adrenaline rush as you participate in a dragon boat race on the banks of the Arno river, overlooking the Ponte Vecchio bridge
- Enjoy an authentic wine tasting in the Chianti region
- Journey to Rome, The Eternal City, to conclude the Exploration programme with a two-night stay at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Day 1: Welcome to Florence
We will start the Exploration with an afternoon meet-and-greet reception, admiring the Florentine skyline directly from the panoramic rooftop terrace of the Grand Hotel Baglioni in Florence. After a cocktail, we will head directly to the city centre, passing the Ponte Vecchio bridge for a special activity. EOer’s love a little friendly competition! The first Florentine rowing company will open its doors exclusively to EO for a dragon boat race on the Arno river. Enjoy a cocktail on the banks of the river while sipping an Italian apperitivo before sunset. After the cocktail, we will head to a group dinner to enjoy classic Tuscan cuisine in a historical restaurant.
Photo courtesy of Società Canottieri Firenze
Day 2: Meet the protagonists of “Made in Italy” (in Florence)
Start the day getting to know the beauty of the monuments and hidden corners of the city with an optional walking tour at dawn. After breakfast, you will visit a choice of authentic Florentine workshops – mosaic, textile, marble and paper, where expert artisans create unique and long-lasting products based on generations of traditional practices. In the afternoon, meet some of the big brands of “Made in Italy” – like Ferragamo Museum, Gucci Garden Museum or ancient Florentine Silk Factory. This night, we will split into smaller groups and dine in Oltrarno where the locals dine— to savor authentic Florentine cuisine.
Photo courtesy of Florentine Silk Factory
Day 3: Chianti – Wine tasting and entrepreneurship (in Florence)
On this last day in Florence, a optional morning activities await you with your choice of jogging at dawn with a personal trainer or a yoga practice on the rooftop terrace of the hotel. The morning will be yours to explore Florence as you wish—shopping, visiting a museum or il Duomo, one of the city’s historic churches. We will depart as a group to the Chianti region and enjoy an al fresco lunch and free time exploring Greve. We’ll toast to our time in Florence with a closing dinner at a winery with a rich tradition of winemaking, in the heart of the Chianti Classico area, nestled between Florence and Siena.
Photo courtesy of Castello di Verrazzano, Greve in Chianti
Day 4: All roads lead to Rome
We will check-out of the Grand Hotel Baglioni since our next two days will be spent in Rome. We will depart Florence by high-speed train after breakfast, where we will join the Venice travel group onboard and together arrive in Rome, the Eternal City. The next two nights will be spent at the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Enjoy an outdoor lunch on arrival and take some time to relax and settle into your guestroom. Before dinner, we will gather for a welcome cocktail and go off-property for a rooftop dinner in Rome’s city centre, overlooking the Roman Forum and other picturesque landmarks of the city.
Photo courtesy of Simone Antonazzo, Open Library ENIT, https://openlib.enit.it/
Day 5: Discover the beauty of Rome
On this last day of the Exploration, you will have your choice of group activity and lunch—whether that’s underground ancient Rome, a visit to Pontifical villas and their gardens (the Pope’s summer residence), a visit to the Vatican and more! The Exploration will conclude in the afternoon after lunch. You can then decide to head back to the Waldorf Astoria to enjoy the outdoor pool, or stroll the city centre to visit sites including the Fountain of Trevi, Spanish Steps and others. Optional MyEO dinners will be organized this evening.