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ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Best of Italy
Tour Pace
This tour has a well balanced pace with two night stays in three of the five centres – Rome, Tuscany and Sorrento – with overnight stays in Assisi and Venice. The driving days are of a comfortable length with several stops en route, both for refreshment and photography.
DAY 1 – ROME AT LEISURE
On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. After checking in, there's time at leisure to explore or relax. Perhaps spend some time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso or the elegant designer stores in the neighbourhood of the Spanish Steps? Tonight, we get together with our Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peters.
DAY 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
This morning we enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour with a local guide which takes us inside the Vatican Museums to gaze upon the treasures of the Popes. We also see Michelangelo's famous ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel. Next we tour St Peter's Basilica to wonder at another of his works, the emotive 'Pieta'. Now we cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial contests and we also overlook the Roman Forum. The rest of the day is at leisure to continue sightseeing or shop? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – ROME – ASSISI
We leave Rome this morning, following the valley of the River Tiber until we reach the hills of Umbria, which form part of the Apennines. Our destination today is the peaceful hilltop town of Assisi, the home of St Francis. First, we visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built on the site of the original Porziuncule Chapel foundations. Then we continue up Mount Subasio to the town, where we visit the Basilica of St Francis with its magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto. Hotel: Subasio. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – ASSISI – VENICE
A pleasant drive brings us to the romantic city of Venice. What better way to see Venice than from our own private launch? We cruise past Palladian churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark's square where we disembark to see the Doges' Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! Around the corner we admire the mosaics of the Basilica and then watch one of the few remaining Masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory. Now relax and enjoy the atmosphere as we cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. Hotel: Continental/Gabrielli Sandwirth. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – VENICE – TUSCANY
Leaving magical Venice this morning, we drive along the scenic Brenta Canal with its magnificent Palladian villas, once the summer residences of Venetian nobility. We then cross the plain of the Po River and traverse the Apennines, the hilly backbone of Italy, to reach the Arno valley. We now follow the river westwards to the coastal town of Pisa. Here we see the famous Leaning Tower, where elaborate steps have been taken to prevent this landmark from falling over! There is also time to admire the white marble cathedral and Baptistery, before we continue to the Tuscan spa resort of Montecatini for our two night stay. Hotel: Francia & Quirinale. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
This morning we drive to the Tuscan capital, Florence, where we are joined by a local guide. Our walking tour begins with a highlight visit inside the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's monumental figure of David. Now we continue to the multi-coloured marble Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore, where we see Giotto's belltower, and 'Gates of Paradise'. We also visit the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. The area around nearby Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the high quality of its luxury goods, and so we are treated to a demonstration of leatherwork, where this craft first established itself. Then, there's free time to shop for Florence's finest or continue sightseeing! (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – TUSCANY – SORRENTO
Today the smooth motorway takes us south through the rich volcanic hills of Frascati to Cassino. Here we visit the Commonwealth Cemetery, overlooked by the austere monastery of Montecassino - headquarters of the Benedictine order. Now we take the clifftop road to our hotel in the picturesque resort of Sorrento. Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
This morning we are shown the art of 'intarsio' or marquetry wood inlaying, and then we cruise to the sun drenched island of Dreams, Capri - a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean. We take the funicular train up to the main village (Capri Town), then time to explore the narrow alleyways, browse in the exclusive boutiques, and enjoy fabulous views over the Mediterranean Sea. Perhaps join an optional tour to Anacapri, where you can visit Villa San Michele before returning to our hotel for some time to relax. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
Day 9 - SORRENTO - POMPEII - ROME
Only a short drive from the hotel lies Pompeii, the opulent Roman town which was preserved by layers of ash from the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. A walking tour with a local guide through the cobbled streets and extensive excavations reveals the daily life of ancient Roman civilisation. Afterwards, the smooth motorway leads back to the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a last night celebration Highlight Dinner of local cuisine, complete with wine and entertainment.
Hotel: Sheraton Roma (BB,HD)
DAY 10 – ROME
Arrivederci Roma! Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (BB)
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