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Insight Vacations - Italian Elegance Included Premium Highlights
* View the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums and ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
* Explore the wonders of ancient Rome as you over look the Forum and visit the Colosseum
* Travel through classic Tuscan countryside to enjoy a Chianti wine tasting
* Visit Florence's Academy Gallery to admire Michelangelo's original statue of David
* Visit the hidden gem of the Cinque Terre, UNESCO World Heritage Site
* Cruise the Ligurian coast to the fishing village of Portofino, reputedly Italy's most beautiful port
* Drift through the romantic canals of Venice on a traditional gondola
Included Personal Insights
* As night falls, join in the Italian social ritual of 'La Passeggiata' where the locals dress for the evening and enjoy 'the art of strolling the streets'.
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
* Tour St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
* See Siena's striped cathedral, Fountain of Joy and vast Campo Square
* See Florence's Duomo, 'Gates of Paradise' and Signoria Square
* Visit the Swiss lakeside resort of Lugano
* Stop in Romeo and Juliet's Verona to see the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony
* Venice cruise to St Mark's Square to see the Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and Doges' Palace
* Demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing
* Demonstration of traditional leatherwork in Florence
* Scenic drives - Tuscan Hills, Apennines, Dolomites, Italian Lake District
Included First Class Services
* Escorted by a professional Tour Director
* Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
* Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
* Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
* Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 12
Included Quality Dining
* Dine Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in the Italian Lakes (DA)
* 11 full breakfasts (BB) and 5 three-course table d'hote Dinners or buffets plus tea or coffee (D)
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Insight Vacations - Italian Elegance
Day 1 - ROME
Welcome to Rome! Situated on the river Tiber, the Italian capital is one of the world's great cities, where ancient monuments happily coexist with some 300 churches, fine palaces, bustling piazzas, green parks and a vast urban sprawl. On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. The rest of the day is at leisure. Later join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Rome-St Peter's
Day 2 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
Get to know Rome with a tour of the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums, followed by a visit to the celebrated Sistine Chapel. Using your audio headset, a local guide explains the significance of Michelangelo's famous painted ceiling. Then visit St Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the Tiber to enter the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. The afternoon is free for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing. (BB)
Day 3 - ROME - SIENA - TUSCANY
Take the autostrada north to medieval Siena, where you can explore narrow cobbled streets lined with palaces and patrician mansions. Twice a year, in the famous Campo Square, the Palio horse race takes place to the accompaniment of great festivities. After some time to explore, get your cameras ready for a drive through the beautiful rolling countryside of Tuscany, past olive groves, old farmhouses, medieval towns and, of course, the famous Chianti vineyards. Stop for a taste of some of the most famous products of Tuscany at a local winery with a short group tutorial on Italian wines. Continue to your elegant Tuscan villa near the walled town of Monteriggione. Having spent two days in the bustling metropolis of Rome, your villa is a welcome retreat. The meticulously manicured grounds, friendly staff and terrific food are out of this world. Relax by the pool, take in the tranquil surroundings, this is Tuscany at its best.
Hotel: Borgo San Luigi (BB,D)
Day 4 - FLORENCE EXCURSION
After breakfast make the short journey to Florence, jewel of the Renaissance. Accompany your local guide, inside the Academy Gallery to admire Michelangelo's original statue of David. Once outside, continue to the lofty Cathedral - its adjoining Baptistery is adorned with the 'Gates of Paradise', while Giotto's 14th century Campanile is said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world. Walk on to Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture. Afterwards, there is the chance to shop for Florentine leather, or discover more art treasures housed in the many museums and galleries. As night falls, why not consider joining a Tuscan dinner party? (BB)
Day 5 - TUSCANY - CINQUE TERRE - SANTA MARGHERITA
Head down towards the coast and the famous Italian Riviera. Get ready for a highlight of your tour, the Cinque Terre, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy's best kept secrets! This wild but hospitable coastline, with its vineyards and fishing villages at one time could only be reached by boat or train! Visit two of these picturesque villages before continuing along the 'coast of the rising sun' to the resort of Santa Margherita Ligure.
Hotel: Best Western Regina Elena (BB,D)
Day 6 - SANTA MARGHERITA - PORTOFINO - ITALIAN LAKES
This morning, enjoy a short cruise (weather permitting) along the Ligurian coast to the exclusive and elegant fishing village of Portofino, epitome of La Dolce Vita. Admire the gaily-coloured houses, browse the fashionable boutiques, stay a while in the cafe bars on the piazzetta and watch the yachts moored in the harbour. Later, head north to beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lake District. This evening perhaps join in the traditional ritual of la passeggiata, a pre-dinner promenade, to 'see and be seen'.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Dino (BB,D)
Day 7 - ITALIAN LAKES SIGHTSEEING
Relax this morning, or perhaps take an optional cruise to the beautiful Borromean Islands? Later, a delightful drive takes you along the shores of the lake, past splendid villas set in sub-tropical gardens, with the Swiss Alps providing the backdrop. Cross into Switzerland to visit fashionable Lugano, nestled on the shores of its lake, amid spectacular mountains. Stroll in the gardens and browse through the exclusive shops before returning to your hotel. Tonight, your Tour Director offers you a selection of restaurants to choose from for your dining pleasure. (BB,DA)
Day 8 - ITALIAN LAKES - VERONA - CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
Drive to the town of Verona, legendary home of Romeo and Juliet, with free time to admire the well preserved Roman Arena and Juliet's Balcony. Continue through the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites, some of the most beautiful scenery that Europe has to offer, to your overnight stay in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Hotel: Ancora (BB D)
Day 9 - DOLOMITES AT LEISURE
Your hotel is located right across from the church tower in the pedestrian mall which incorporates most of downtown Cortina. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and blue skies as you relax in this fashionable capital of the Dolomites. Why not ascend to the summit of one of the nearby peaks by cable car for magnificent Dolomite panoramas? (BB)
Day 10 - CORTINA D'AMPEZZO - VENICE
A morning drive through the mountains brings you to the unique and romantic city of Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic'. Arrive at your traditional hotel overlooking the Grand Canal. This afternoon a private launch ferries you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St. Mark's Square. See the Basilica, the Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Watch a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before enjoying a highlight ride by traditional gondola along the picturesque canals.
Hotel: Continental. (BB,D)
Day 11 - VENICE AT LEISURE
Today is entirely free is to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this incredible city at your own pace. Perhaps meet the locals at the open air markets near the Rialto Bridge, explore the back lanes and squares or cruise across the lagoon to the colourful island of Burano. Stroll back to your hotel tonight, past the al-fresco cafes... unforgettable! (BB)
Day 12 - DEPART VENICE
Sadly you must bid farewell to Bella Italia and your new found friends. Departure transfers arrive at Venice Airport at 08:00. (BB)
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