Experience Italy at its most elegant with Belmond
Venice, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast are hardly short of reasons to visit. What makes this seven-night itinerary interesting is the way it approaches them: from a garden-fringed island in the Venetian lagoon, a former monastery in the Fiesole hills, and an 11th-century palace above Ravello.
The pace is deliberately simple. Two nights in Venice, two above Florence, and three in Ravello, with rail travel linking the route. In between, there is room for the Italy that often gets lost on faster itineraries: the smaller islands of the lagoon, Florence’s working ateliers, a long lunch above the coast, or a morning on the water. Belmond provides a consistent thread throughout, with stays at Hotel Cipriani, Villa San Michele, and Caruso. It’s a much more considered way to see three very different sides of Italy without making the journey feel like a checklist.
Experience this...
Venice from the water
Hotel Cipriani gives you something rare in Venice: quick access to the centre, with space to retreat from it. The hotel sits on Giudecca, with a complimentary five-minute launch to St Mark’s Square, so an early visit to the Doge’s Palace or a walk through Dorsoduro is straightforward. Back at the hotel, there’s Venice’s largest swimming pool, the Dior Spa, and Michelin-starred Oro. You should also make time for the lagoon itself. Belmond can arrange a private boat itinerary through Murano, Burano, and Torcello, which offers a different view of Venetian life beyond the main sights. If you want more space, the Signature Suites are worth discussing with your Travel Counsellor, but the real advantage here is being able to leave Venice behind between outings.
Florence from the Fiesole hills
Next up is Villa San Michele in Fiesole, above Florence, which reopened in April 2026 after an extensive 18-month renovation. The former monastery now has 39 reimagined rooms and suites, a Guerlain Spa, restored gardens, and Antesi, its fine-dining restaurant. The setting makes it easy to divide your time between Florence and the hills rather than staying in the centre throughout. A typical day might include the Uffizi or the Duomo in the morning, followed by a visit to a Florentine workshop or an art-restoration studio arranged through the hotel. Later, return to Fiesole for the panoramic pool or dinner overlooking the city.
Ravello, above the Amalfi Coast
The picturesque town of Ravello changes the pace again. Caruso occupies an 11th-century palace around 350 metres above the sea, within easy reach of the gardens at Villa Rufolo and well placed for exploring the wider Amalfi Coast. The hotel’s infinity pool remains one of its defining features, while the 2026 season has brought a new restaurant, Il Pantaleone, led by Executive Chef Armando Aristarco, and the new Adagio bar. Three nights here give you time to do more than simply admire the coast. Your Travel Counsellor can arrange a private boat trip, you could walk part of the Path of the Gods, or visit Pompeii with a private guide, then return to Ravello when the day-trippers have begun to leave. For added privacy, Villa Margherita is hidden away amongst the gardens at Caruso and comes with a private chef and butler.
Suggested itinerary
This seven-night journey moves from Venice to Florence and Ravello, combining city culture, coastal scenery, and three distinctive Belmond stays, with rail travel connecting each stage.
Days 1–3: Hotel Cipriani, Venice - Explore St Mark’s, Dorsoduro, and the islands of the Venetian lagoon, with time to return to Giudecca for the pool, Dior Spa, and Michelin-starred dining at Oro.
Days 3–5: Villa San Michele, Florence - Travel by rail to Florence and stay above the city in Fiesole. Visit the Uffizi, Accademia, or local artisan workshops before returning to the hotel’s gardens and panoramic pool.
Days 5–8: Caruso, Ravello - Continue south to Naples, then on to Ravello. Spend time exploring Villa Rufolo, the Amalfi Coast by boat, or walking part of the Path of the Gods, balanced with quieter afternoons at Caruso.
Late spring and September are particularly good times to travel, with warm weather and generally more comfortable conditions than peak summer.
Your handcrafted journey starts here
Your Travel Counsellor can shape the details around that framework, from Business Class flights and a private water taxi on arrival in Venice to tailored guiding, restaurant reservations, and a chauffeured transfer from Naples. If you have flexibility, opt for a visit in late spring or September, when temperatures are generally more comfortable than at the height of summer. For a longer trip, you could also add a few nights in Tuscany or continue further along the coast, without disturbing the natural rhythm of the original itinerary.
Contact your Travel Counsellor today to get things started.
