Florence: The Birthplace of the Renaissance
The Italian city of Florence is one of those places where art and history are so closely entwined that it is difficult to separate them. Historically known as the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’, Florence is steeped in history and history reflected in structures, beautiful paintings and art, and infrastructural development.
Best experiences in Florence:
- Enjoy the artistic grandeur: In addition to the famous Cathedral of Florence and Brunelleschi’s Dome, visit the architectural wonders of Santa Croce, a Franciscan church containing the tomb of Michelangelo and the Galilei family grave, and the Palazzo Vecchio, the city hall of Florence.
- Unleash your inner art lover: The Uffizi Gallery is a must-visit, but don’t miss the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David, or the Palazzo Pitti, housing a vast collection of art and furniture. For a more intimate experience, explore the lesser-known galleries like the Bargello or the Palazzo Strozzi.
- Embrace the Florentine lifestyle: Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, a charming medieval bridge lined with jewelry shops, and indulge in window shopping. Enjoy an aperitivo at a rooftop bar, soaking in the city’s beauty. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Mercato Centrale, a vibrant food market offering local delicacies.
- Discover hidden gems: Venture beyond the tourist hotspots and explore the charming neighborhoods of San Frediano and Oltrarno. Discover hidden courtyards, artisan boutiques, and authentic trattorias.
- Experience the Tuscan countryside: Take a day trip to the Chianti region for wine tasting, or visit the charming hilltop towns of Fiesole or San Gimignano.
Don’t forget:
- Witness a masterpiece: See Michelangelo’s iconic David at the Accademia Gallery.
- Explore the Oltrarno district: Discover artisan workshops and local cafes in this charming neighborhood.
Florence is a city that invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and immerse yourself in its timeless beauty.

Venice: The Floating City of Dreams
Venice, a mesmerizing city built on water, is a dreamlike destination that has captivated travelers for centuries. This floating masterpiece, with its labyrinth of canals, iconic gondolas, and stunning architecture, offers a truly unique experience.
Best experiences in Venice:
- Indulge in romance: Glide through the enchanting Grand Canal in a gondola, a quintessential Venetian experience, and admire the city’s palazzos from a waterside perspective.
- Embrace the city’s grandeur: Climb the Campanile, the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica, for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Then, step inside the basilica to marvel at its intricate Byzantine mosaics and golden domes.
- Uncover Venetian history: Explore the Doge’s Palace, a former residence of the Doge, and walk the Bridge of Sighs, once connecting the palace to the prison.
- Soak in the culture: Wander through the charming narrow streets and alleyways, discovering hidden squares, quaint shops, and authentic Venetian life.
- Experience island life: Take a day trip to the enchanting islands of Murano and Burano, renowned for their glassmaking and lace-making traditions.
- Capture the magic: Enjoy a romantic sunset at St. Mark’s Square, accompanied by the enchanting melodies of a live orchestra.
Don’t forget:
- Sample Venetian cuisine: Indulge in fresh seafood, cicchetti (small Venetian snacks), and a glass of local wine while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of a bacaro.
- Attend a classical concert: Immerse yourself in the rich musical heritage of Venice by attending a concert at one of the city’s historic venues.
- Experience the Carnevale di Venezia: If visiting during the carnival season, don a mask and join the festivities for a truly unforgettable experience.

Hear it Directly From Our Satisfied Travelers!
EXCELLENT Based on 519 reviews Kelly Baker14 May 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Gina is amazing!!! From the first call, she had everything laid out, organized and planned. We had never been to Italy and didn’t know anything about where to begin planning a trip and she handled it all for us. We loved everything she planned - the hotels, the restaurants, the tours, the cities- everything was very easily laid out for us. Her pre departure call helped us a lot with learning how to navigate the train station along with tips for traveling international. Every vendor she booked was on time and great to work with while we were there. Gina planned our dream trip and it was nothing short of amazing! Highly recommend using Gina for all your travel needs! Leah Zimmer12 May 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We just returned from our honeymoon in Italy, and Aryal at Travel Byrds made it absolutely unforgettable! She planned a perfect mix of history, shopping, sightseeing, adventure, and relaxation—with plenty of amazing food and wine, of course. Aryal really listened to what we wanted, gave smart and thoughtful recommendations, and was ALWAYS available for questions—before and during the trip, day or night. Everything was super organized in the app, making it easy to follow along and feel confident in every step. Even with it being an extra busy time in Italy (thanks to the Pope and the Year of Jubilee), Aryal ensured we could still do everything we hoped for—and more. Her communication was clear, timely, and personal. Couldn’t recommend her and Travel Byrds more highly! Ashton Parchman22 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We loved working with Shannon on our spring break trip! Madison Otte21 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Felicia planned an AMAZING trip for my husband and I to London! She was very attentive to what we wanted, while also providing unforgettable options/excursions. She planned everything from hotels, transportation, reservations, etc; which caused me no anxiety and the ability to truly enjoy the trip. The trip was a huge success! We will definitely use Felicia again. Matthew Whittlesey21 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We used Travel Byrds and Sylvie for the first time to plan our European trip to Italy and France and we could not have been happier! Planning a trip like this – 2 countries, 4 towns, 5 flights (and 2 trains!) was daunting enough from a logistical perspective but Sylvie set us up with everything we needed! She coordinated the travel, the timing, arranged drivers when they were needed, helped us navigate challenges in real time and even provided us with an app that consolidated everything in one place! We all met in advance of the trip several times to work out ideas, talk hotels, plan dinner reservations and of course, discuss the things we wanted to do! All we really had to do was follow the daily schedule and enjoy the experiences! Her personal relationships with many of the providers ensured that we were well taken care of and that our events would be great! From walking the streets of Pompeii with our own private tour guide to lunch on the Amalfi Coast through cocktails in the shadow of the Coliseum, we crossed the pond to come home with memories of a lifetime and cannot thank Sylvie and Travel Byrds enough! JoAnn Buck19 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Note to self - Always ask Monica Bowen to make the arrangements for a vacation in Ireland or anywhere else. She gets six stars (because five are not enough) for finding a lovely cottage in Lahinch, Co. Clare. I am sharing a photo of the view from the deck. The itinerary was cleverly laid out with maps, phone numbers and suggestions of what to see. Monica will do all the work so that you can enjoy and not fret about a single thing. Thank you, Monica, so very much! Stacia C18 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nikki, our travel agent, was assigned to us for an international trip to the Canary Islands and Spain. I began working with Travel Byrds 3 months prior to our trip. The positive aspects were great. The experiences we booked were incredible, most hotels were lovely and the birthday surprises were truly special. The details in one app and the need to know list were extremely helpful and convenient. Most recommendations were thoughtful. However, the negatives were significant. Nikki’s attention to detail was lacking. She delayed follow-ups until the holiday week and conveniently blamed staff shortages due to the time of the year. Small but important, we were missing also missing a tour voucher in the app. There was a major issue with Marriott. Nikki claimed that she resolved this issue. The information for the last hotel would not appear in the Marriott app which was very concerning. I had been booked under a different name for check-in (no clue why), which caused a discrepancy for adding additional points to my Bonvoy account. I personally contacted Marriott to resolve the issue, and the process was quite lengthy. Lastly, we had agreed to a hotel recommendation that was extremely outdated and failed to meet the standards of the other accommodations we had booked. I would definitely use Travel Byrds again, but with a different travel agent. carrie ferguson9 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Krista Friar planned some great outings for me and a friend in Iceland and Germany. After asking us about what we wanted to see, she booked us for sightseeing and lodging. Some highlights included waterfalls and black sand beach on the south coast of Iceland. In Germany, we enjoyed museums and historical sites. I would welcome her again on my next trip planning team. Hailey Osbon16 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Forever thankful for Kaitlyn Skapura and her expertise on all things France! We had the trio of a lifetime!! Janice Chapin5 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Third time using Travel Byrds and yet again they nailed it. Worked with Lauren this time and she was easy to work with and found us a great vacation that we will remember for a lifetime. Thank you again and look forward to planning the next one with you!
Contact Our Italy Specialists to Plan Your Tailor-Made Trip!
Begin your Italian adventure and discover why this captivating country attracts travelers from all over the world