Here We Come Italy – September 2026

What is needed to plan your trip?

Please complete this form after your initial no-cost consultation if you wish to proceed with planning your unforgettable trip.

Cerchio Travel provides personalized concierge services for both domestic and international journeys. Your first 30-minute consultation is complimentary—an opportunity to explore your travel goals and see how we can help.

Why work with a travel advisor? [Click here to discover the benefits.]

Behind every itinerary is thoughtful research, expert guidance, and a commitment to making your planning process seamless and stress-free. Once you’re ready to move forward, a modest Plan to Go fee applies to begin crafting your custom trip.

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As an independent advisor, I work directly with Viator, GetYourGuide, and a curated network of trusted travel and tour providers.
When you book your activities through me, there’s no additional fee for planning, booking, or managing your experiences—just personalized support every step of the way.

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You can also book Travel Guard here.

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Italy Itinerary – Days 1 to 15

Baltimore → Venice → Florence → Amalfi Coast → Rome 
Curated by Cerchio Travel

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Things to Do

• Pompeii
  • The archeological site can easily be visited from Sorrento, or a day trip from Rome.
  • For a group staying in Amalfi, I can also arrange a private driver for a custom day along the coast, with stops at Grotto Esmeralda

Venice

Lagoon city, canals, Murano glass, and soft landings in Italy.

Click here for a comparison of the neighborhoods of Venice.

If you’re looking for a comfortable, well‑situated base in Venice, Hotel Continental Venice is a fantastic fit. This 4‑star property sits right on the Grand Canal in a beautifully restored palazzo, just a short walk from Santa Lucia Station—perfect for smooth arrivals and departures. You can savor classic Venetian dishes at the Cocai Restaurant, enjoy a relaxed bite in the bistro, or unwind with a drink at the bar. Its combination of location, service, and authentic local flavor provides comfort and easy access to Venice’s highlights.

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Arrival and Departure

The hotel is 100 meters from the airport shuttle!
To get to the hotel from the Venice and Treviso airports quickly, easily and economically, take the Airport – Piazzale Roma ATVO shuttle bus that stops just 100 meters from the front door! GPS Lat. 45,436602 Long. 12,318056

By train

From Santa Lucia train station, crossing Ponte Della Costituzione bridge, designed by Calatrava, you will reach Piazzale Roma in just 5 minutes. If you have luggage, take vaporetto line 1 and get off at the Piazzale Roma stop. The hotel is visible from the square.

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Hotel Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo is a historic 4‑star hotel in the heart of Venice, located just 50 meters from St. Mark’s Square and overlooking the iconic Orseolo Basin. This central Venice hotel offers 107 Venetian‑style rooms, many with romantic gondola‑filled basin views, making it an ideal choice if you are seeking convenience and authentic charm. It is in an unbeatable location behind Piazza San Marco, with easy access to Venice’s top attractions.

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Enjoy an Executive room, 291 sq. ft, king size Serenity bed, 40-inch HDTV, marble bathroom, and Murano-glass chandelier. Enjoy your exclusive access to the Executive Lounge, with complimentary drinks and snacks.

Your stylish room is in a fully restored flour mill on the shores of picturesque Giudecca Island. The hotel is accessible in just a few minutes by a private shuttle boat from Piazza San Marco. Enjoy breathtaking views of the town’s historic center from the highest rooftop bar in the city, take a dip in our summer rooftop swimming pool, relax in the spa and discover local and international flavors in our restaurants.

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Day 1 – Depart Baltimore ✈

Date: Sat. 9/12/26
G1 Depart Baltimore
G2 Depart Baltimore (Doctor X)

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Day 2 – Arrive in Venice ✈

Date: Sun. 9/13/26
HOTEL: TBD
G1 Arrive Venice
G2 Arrive Venice

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Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

Friday May 3, 2024, at 9:00 AM

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Day 3 – Venice

Date: Mon. 9/14/26
Murano Glass experience and time to explore Venice at your own pace.

Day 4 – Venice

Date: Tue. 9/15/26
Free day in Venice for canals, museums, and hidden neighborhoods (custom touring as arranged).

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Florence

Taxi to Your Florence Hotel

The main taxi stand for Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station in Florence is located outside the main entrance, near the Piazza Adua side. As you exit the main entrance of the train station, you’ll find the official taxi stand right outside in Piazza della Stazione. Look for the line of white taxis with official markings. Avoid accepting rides from individuals inside the station offering taxi services, as they may not be licensed.

How to Get a Taxi

• Walk to the taxi stand—taxis operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Hop into the next available taxi—no need to negotiate fares, as taxis in Florence use meters.
• Provide your destination—if needed, show the driver the address in Italian for clarity.
• Confirm payment options—most taxis accept cash and credit cards, but it’s good to check before starting your ride.
• Long taxi queue? You can call a taxi service like Taxi Merci Firenze (website) or 4390 Taxi Firenze (website). Alternatively, apps like Uber, ItTaxi or FreeNow allow you to book a taxi in advance. Florence Taxis Stands (map and list).
  • A short ride within Florence’s historic center typically costs €10–€20.
  • There may be extra charges for luggage, late-night rides, or trips outside the city.
  • Tipping isn’t required, but rounding up the fare is appreciated.

Renaissance art, Chianti day trips, and easy rail connections.

Day 5 – Venice to Florence 🚄

Date: Wed. 9/16/26
Hotel: TBD
High‑speed train from Venice to Florence. Check‑in and evening at leisure in the Renaissance city.

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Day 6 – Florence

Date: Thu. 9/17/26
Day trip to Tuscany countryside (Chianti, San Gimignano, or custom routing as arranged).

The Duomo Complex

Brunelleschi Pass includes access to all monuments of Piazza del Duomo allowing visitors a complete experience with a single ticket: the Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the crypt of Santa Reparata with one access per monument.

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Day 7 – Florence

Date: Fri. 9/18/26
Free day in Florence for museums, markets, and independent exploration.

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Amalfi Coast

Cliffside villages, sea views, and time to unwind.

Day 8 – Florence to Amalfi Coast 🚄

Date: Sat. 9/19/26
Travel from Florence to the Amalfi Coast via train to Naples and onward coastal transfer.

Day 9 – Amalfi Coast

Date: Sun. 9/20/26
Free day along the Amalfi Coast for local exploring, beaches, or optional boat excursions.

OPTION- Contact me to Book

Arriving from Amalfi

• ​​​On foot: Take a nice walk of about 20 minutes in the direction of Positano and up the stairs from the road. Gardens entrance is on the right, in front of G.A.S. Bar.
• By bus: Take a bus in the direction of Sorrento, Agerola or Pogerola and ask the driver to be dropped off at G.A.S. Bar. The journey takes just 3 minutes. We are just up the stairs in front of G.A.S. Bar. Tickets CANNOT be bought on board; you need to buy them before to get on the bus. Bus schedules can be checked on sitasudtrasporti.it/orari (select Campania).

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Master the art of Italian pizza-making with this hands-on experience, starting with a visit to traditional terraced gardens to explore fresh local ingredients. Under the guidance of an expert pizzaiolo, learn the secrets of perfect dough, how to stretch it by hand, and craft traditional Neapolitan-style pizza. Bake it to perfection in a wood-fired oven, then sit down to enjoy your homemade pizza with a stunning sea view.

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Day 10 – Amalfi Coast

Date: Mon. 9/21/26
Additional full day on the coast; custom activities as arranged (Capri, Ravello, coastal touring).

Day 11 – Amalfi Coast to Rome 🚄

Date: Tue. 9/22/26
Travel from the Amalfi Coast via Naples to Rome by train.
G2 Doctor X: time‑sensitive appointments as noted in your private documents.

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Rome

The Eternal City, history, neighborhoods, and departure hub.

Day 12 – Rome + Return Flights 🚄 ✈

Date: Wed. 9/23/26
G1: Return journey begins from Rome.
G2 Doctor X: return home flight from FCO to BWI.

Day 13 – Rome

Date: Thu. 9/24/26
Additional full day in Rome for sightseeing, neighborhoods, and final Italian experiences.

Day 14 – Rome ✈

Date: Fri. 9/25/26
G1 Return flight from Rome (FCO). Timing and flight details as per your ticketed itinerary.

Day 15 – Buffer / Travel Day

Optional buffer day depending on flight schedules, connections, or additional touring.

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THINGS TO DO

From Sorrento

Avoid the hassle of navigating the local train by yourself and zip past the crowds at Pompeii’s entrance with this fast-track tour. Meet your assistant at the Sorrento train station to board and get off just outside Pompeii, where you’ll skip the long line and head directly inside the ruins with your guide. Take in the top villas, temples, and more in just two hours before the return train to Sorrento.

• An assistant will provide train tickets and help you board in Sorrento
• You have priority admission to Pompeii accompanied by your guide
• Your express tour will focuse on the most important ruins inside the vast site
• Headsets are provided to follow the guide’s explanations and insights during the visit

Read more about – Pompeii Express Tour by Train from Sorrento

Pompeii from Rome: A Perfect Full‑Day Trip

A day trip from Rome to Pompeii is absolutely worth it — and far easier than most travelers expect. With high‑speed trains and excellent guided options, you can explore one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological sites and still be back in Rome by evening.

🚄 How to Get from Rome to Pompeii

1. High‑Speed Train + Local Train (DIY)

• Rome → Naples on Frecciarossa high‑speed trains (≈1 hr 10 min)
• Naples → Pompei Scavi on the Circumvesuviana (≈35 min)
• Total travel time: ~2 hours each way
• Best for confident travelers who want flexibility
• Costs: ~€50–€90 round‑trip depending on advance purchase

2. Direct Rome → Pompeii Train (Sundays Only)

• A newer direct service runs only on Sundays
• Cuts out the Naples transfer
• Ideal for weekend travelers

3. Guided Day Tours (Most Popular)

• Easiest and most time‑efficient option
• Includes round‑trip transport, skip‑the‑line entry, and a licensed guide
• Many tours add Vesuvius or Amalfi Coast for a fuller day
• Prices typically start around €129 per person
• Viator Pompeii, Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Rome

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Amalfi Coast

💎 Emerald Grotto vs. Blue Grotto

Feature	Emerald Grotto (Conca dei Marini)	Blue Grotto (Capri)
Location	Conca dei Marini, between Amalfi & Praiano	Island of Capri, near Anacapri
Signature Color	Deep emerald‑green glow from underwater sunlight	Electric blue glow from refracted sunlight
Experience Type	Short rowboat tour inside a coastal cave	Rowboat entry through a tiny sea‑level opening
Visit Duration	~30 minutes	~30 minutes (plus long waits in peak season)
Access	By boat or by land (stairs/elevator from SS163)	By boat only; sea conditions must be perfect
Crowds	Generally lighter; quick turnover	Very crowded in high season; long queues
Cost	~€6 entry	~€18 rowboat fee + transport to Capri
Best For	Travelers staying on the Amalfi Coast; easy mid‑day stop	Travelers already visiting Capri; bucket‑list seekers
Sea Condition	Closes during rough seas, but more accessible overall	Frequently closed due to waves; unpredictable
Vibe	Calm, intimate, atmospheric	Iconic, dramatic, but often rushed

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✨ Which One Should You Choose?

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🧭 Cerchio Travel Tip

For most Amalfi Coast itineraries, the Emerald Grotto is the more reliable and accessible choice. For Capri days, the Blue Grotto is a spectacular add‑on — but only if the seas cooperate.

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