There’s so much to see in beautiful Italy and choosing where to travel within the country’s borders can be a tough decision. On the Scenic Italy Tour, we’ve chosen 6 of Italy’s most wonderful destinations for you to enjoy, ranging from vibrant cities to the bucolic countryside to a seaside town that’ll knock your socks off. Take a close look at this eclectic itinerary and choose your vacation dates. Scenic Italy is waiting for you!

Begin by exploring Bologna, the largest city in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. A well-preserved medieval city with lots of modern touches as well, Bologna is home to the oldest existing university in the world and, as such, has always been an important educational center. Known for its exquisite cuisine, it’s also a wonderful place to enjoy theater and music and is an ideal destination for lovers of the arts. During your leisure time in Bologna, you might also want to visit the beautiful Santo Stefano church, the Museum of the History of Bologna, National Portrait Gallery, the hilltop Santuario di Madonna di San Luca, or one of many other basilicas in town. Be sure to celebrate your time in Bologna with some pasta and – what else? – Bolognese sauce.

Next, head to Cortona, your base location for your visit to Tuscany. On your first full day in this picturesque area, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Montepulciano and Pienza. For the first portion of the day, you’ll enjoy learning more about Montepulciano’s wonderful wines, known as Nobile, a tasty blend of Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo grapes. You’ll visit Boscarelli (or similar) Vineyards for a tour and tasting. For the remainder of the day, you’ll tour the Contucci wine cellars and explore the remainder of this beautiful Tuscan town. Complete the day with a stop in Pienza, known for its sheep’s milk cheese and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Visit the town’s palazzi and stop for a look at the works of art inside the town’s Duomo.

Depart from Cortona and head to Ravello where you’ll enjoy a day-long cooking class, learning the specifics of pasta making and other Italian specialties. The next day, explore at leisure, enjoying the magnificent views of the Amalfi Coast below this tiny town of about 2,500 inhabitants. See the 9^th century Church of San Giovanni del Toro, visit the Duomo, stroll the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, or just relax at your hotel and prepare for the next leg of your trip, stunning Positano.

Known as the Jewel of the Amalfi Coast, Positano is perched on a seemingly-vertical rock formation, boasting charming pastel-colored houses, beautiful citrus groves, lovely churches, and beautiful beaches. During your 3-night stay in a room with a balcony and sea view, you can traverse the town on foot, rent a boat and explore the coastline, swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean, or simply catch some rays by the pool of your first-class hotel. But first, enjoy a private chauffeured road trip that includes a drive along the coast with stops of your choice. Before you head home, don’t miss a chance to shop along the Via dei Mulini, where you’ll find wonderful boutiques peddling locally-made apparel and beautiful handmade sandals.

Next, head to Sorrento via car transfer and take a hydrofoil to the Isle of Capri, where you’ll remain for a 2-night stay. Enjoy leisure time to explore the island on your own, including the famed Blue Grotto, Punta Carena Lighthouse, the Arco Naturale, and several beautiful villas.

After your stay in Capri, head to Naples where you’ll transfer by train for a 2-night stay in Rome, the Eternal City. Receive a pass for entrance to the Colosseum and Roman Forum and see other notable sights on your guided tour, which may include the Arch of Constantine, the Trevi Fountain, Circus Maximus, the Spanish Steps, and the Villa Borghese. Sample gelato, enjoy espresso at an outdoor café, and be sure to sample Rome’s exciting nightlife before you depart for home.

Tour Overview

Day 1                          Arrive Bologna

Day 2                          Day at leisure in Bologna

Day 3                          Depart for Cortona, afternoon at leisure

Day 4                          Guided tour of Montepulciano and Pienza

Day 5                          Depart for Ravello, afternoon at leisure

Day 6                          Full-day cooking class in Ravello

Day 7                          Day at leisure in Ravello

Day 8                          Depart for Positano, optional Path of the Gods hike

Day 9                          Private chauffeured road trip of Amalfi Coast

Day 10                         Day at leisure in Positano

Day 11                          Depart for Capri, afternoon at leisure

Day 12                          Day at leisure in Capri

Day 13                           Depart for Rome, afternoon at leisure

Day 14                            Tour of Rome including passes for Colosseum and Roman Forum

Day 15                             Depart for home