ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Italian Escapade

Tour Pace

This is a perfectly paced tour with two night stays in Rome, Florence, the Italian lakes, Venice and Sorrento and one night in Assisi. All travelling days are of a reasonable length with interesting stops en route, for both photography and refreshment.


Day 1 to Day 2 - Papal and Imperial Rome

Welcome to Rome, once the hub of a vast empire that spread from Britain to the Persian gulf and from Africa to Germany. On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, airport transfers leave for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Relax and settle in. As evening falls, join your Tour Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Reception, drinks and light meal. In the morning you are met by a resident historian who guides you through the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums culminating beneath Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Your VIP visit includes fast-track entry and takes you behind the scenes to see the Bramante Staircase, a part of the Vatican closed to the general public. Then enter St Peter’s Basilica to see Bernini’s ‘Popes’ Altar’ above the spot where St Peter is reputed to have been crucified. Afterwards, cross the River Tiber to visit the world’s largest Roman arena, the Colosseum and gaze out over the Forum, the centre of ancient public life. The afternoon is all yours to do as you please. Maybe toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain or swing by the Piazza Navona with its pavement cafes?

Hotel: Kolbe/La Griffe

Meals: Welcome Reception / Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 to Day 4 - Medieval Siena and Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance

Travel north to medieval Siena and stroll through the winding stone paved streets to the vast Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place amid great festivities. See the ‘Fountain of Joy’ and then walk up to the hilltop cathedral, striped with black and white marble. Continue through the cypress clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence, jewel of the Renaissance. After a restful night’s sleep, join a resident expert inside the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s original statue of David, then continue to the Cathedral to see Giotto’s belltower and the ‘Gates of Paradise’ adorning the Baptistery. Visit the political stage of Florence, Signoria Square, filled with works of art, and finally pause in Santa Croce square, overlooked by its basilica, the final resting place of Galileo and Michelangelo. After a demonstration of leather-work, you have spare time to shop or continue sightseeing. By night don’t miss the chance to try the delicious local cuisine and to sample rich Chianti wine.

Hotel: AC Firenze/NH Firenze

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 to Day 6 - Pisa and the Elegant Italian Lake District

Your first stop today is in Pisa, to see the incredible Leaning Tower, from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. See also the splendid Cathedral and Baptistry, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Now onwards, past the marble quarries at Carrara used since the time of Ancient Rome, through the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po. By-pass the bustling commercial city of Milan and continue to your lake-side resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore. As night time draws in, why not work up an appetite before dinner with a traditional evening stroll . The following day is set aside to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights this beautiful lake land area has to offer. Perhaps take a cruise over to Isola Bella, one of the picturesque Borromean Islands? As the evening descends, choose from a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.

Hotel: Grand Hotel Dino

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around

Day 7 to Day 8 - Fair Verona, Venice and the Magic of La Serenissima

This morning follow the southern fringes of the European Alps to the vineyards, close to the shores of Lake Iseo. Wine making traditions run deep here and you get to taste the delicious vintages produced at a family owned estate. Continue to Verona, setting for one of history’s saddest love stories. Walk with your Tour Director to Juliet’s balcony in the inner courtyard of the Capulet home and see the well preserved Roman Arena . Now on to your hotel in Venice, a city of 118 islands, with no motorcar traffic to mar its beauty. Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. What better way to see Venice than from a private launch, cruising past palazzos and churches to St Mark’s Square. See the gilded Basilica, the Doges’ Palace and Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs. No visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola serenade through the ‘watery streets’. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere, music and songs as you drift along the romantic canals. While here, you also visit a traditional arts centre on Giudecca island where you can see how hand-crafted glass, masks and gondolas are made. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark’s square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafés?

Hotel: Carlton on the Grand Canal/Principe/Amadeus

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast

Day 9 - Ravenna, the Byzantium of the West and in search of St. Francis in Assisi

Skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy’s most important rivers, the Adige and Po, before approaching the city of Ravenna. Stop to visit the Church of St Apollinaris in Classe with its dazzling mosaics. Then the scenery changes dramatically as you drive through the wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone built hill-town of Assisi, home of St Francis. See the Church of St Mary of the Angels before continuing up Mount Subasio to enjoy a guided visit inside the Basilica of St Francis.

Hotel: Roseo

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 10 to Day 11 - Sorrento and Capri, the Isle of Dreams

Drive southwards, joining the Highway of the Sun, past the vineyards of Frascati and Castelli Romani. Stop briefly at the Commonwealth Cemetery in the shadow of the hilltop monastery of Cassino. Continue along the cliff top road to the picturesque holiday resort of Sorrento, which bustles with life until late each night. In the morning, investigate the art of ‘intarsio’ or marquetry wood inlaying before cruising to Capri - the isle of dreams. Under the Mediterranean sun, take an open top taxi up to Capri Town, where you can explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and enjoy the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Perhaps join an optional tour to visit Axel Munthe’s Villa San Michele? Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time.

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace/Regina

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast

Day 12 - Pompeii - A Town Frozen in Time

Drive to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. Walk with a local expert through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. Witness colourful frescoes hidden for centuries. Return to Rome where this evening, your tour reaches its zenith with an elegant four-course dinner with unlimited local wine at a favourite Roman restaurant. As you dine, you are serenaded with popular songs and arias from best-loved operas.

Hotel: Sheraton

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Day 13 - Rome

Arrivederci Roma! Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast
 

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

ROM16 - PIAZZA & FOUNTAINS
This walking tour takes you to the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona with its pavement cafes, 17th century fountains and architecture. Perhaps have your portrait painted by one of the street artists! This tour is conducted by a local guide and you will utilise personal headsets. EURO 32

ROM19 - ROME OF THE ANCIENT CHRISTIANS
We visit the Catacombs, which are early Christian underground cemeteries carved out of soft tufa stone. Then to St. Peter in Chains to view the magnificent - Moses' sculpture by Michelangelo. EURO 34

ROM18 - ILLUMINATIONS DRIVE & PIZZA DINNER
Tonight we have a pizza dinner in a typical Roman restaurant before enjoying an illuminations drive which shows us Piazza Venezia, the Forum, the Colosseum and the Campidoglio. EURO 46

FLO03 - DINNER IN THE TUSCAN HILLS
One not to miss - a fabulous Tuscan gastronomic experience awaits you. We drive to a specially chosen restaurant for an evening to remember with beautiful food and wine. Viva Italia! EURO 57

FLO09 - SAN GIMIGNANO EXCURSION
A delightful excursion to Tuscany's most famous hilltop town. San Gimignano is considered the medieval Manhattan of Italy due to its towers which dominate the skyline. There is time to enjoy the atmosphere of this unchanged ancient jewel which has remained intact since the 14th century, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage town. EURO 31

ITL01S - ISOLA BELLA
The premier attraction of Lake Maggiore is the Borromean Islands. Our lake cruise takes us to Isola Bella, the largest and most famous island, renowned for its incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens. A guided tour of this privately owned palace with free time to admire the gardens is a must. EURO 36

ITL03 - MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE WITH FONDUE LUNCH
We embark on an exciting excursion, which takes us by cable car to the summit of Mottarone for breathtaking views of the Swiss peaks and five Alpine lakes. At the top of the mountain we enjoy a fondue lunch and local wines. EURO 49

VCE09 - HIDDEN VENICE
An historical walk, with a local guide, through some of the lesser known quarters of Venice. Discover some of the secrets of other quarters of the Venetian labyrinth. Your experience will be enhanced by the use of individual headsets. EURO 26

VCE02 - BURANO EXCURSION & LUNCH
Explore the Venetian lagoon on our cruise around the islands including the colourful island of Burano - a photographer's paradise and famous for its lace. Then enjoy a superb lunch sampling the local specialities. An excursion not to be missed! Lunch may be replaced with a dinner. EURO 65

SRR03 - SORRENTO EVENING
A chance to enjoy a delicious dinner of local specialities. We arrive at one of the area's top local restaurants for an incredible dining experience featuring some of the famous dishes of this region! EURO 57

SRR02A - ISLE OF CAPRI, ANACAPRI & LUNCH
The Isle of Capri is best seen on a minibus tour. We drive to Anacapri with its magnificent views over the Mediterranean. We then have a guided tour of the famous Villa San Michele, followed by free time to window shop before continuing to Capri town. Light lunch is included. (On certain days the Villa may be substituted with the chairlift to Mt Solaro. It can also be offered without lunch at Euro 37.) EURO 52

SRR08 - AMALFI COAST DRIVE & POSITANO VISIT
First we drive along the famous Amalfi Coast with its clear blue waters and picturesque resorts. We stop to transfer to minibuses in order to visit the exclusive artist's paradise of Positano, magnificently positionedon the Mediterranean coast. EURO 36

SRR12 - DELIGHTS OF THE BAY OF NAPLES
Tucked away amongst the lemon and olive groves of Sorrento is a small family farm where we see how mozzarella is made! Then we enjoy some of these locally produced specialties, pasta, and finish with the famous Limoncello!. EURO 31