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Insight Vacations - Italian Escapade 2010

13 Days - Italy

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 for refreshments and photo opportunities.

Insight Vacations Italian Escapade
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Insight Vacations - Italian Escapade Premium Highlights

Included Premium Highlights

  * Visit the superb Vatican Museums and admire Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
  * Explore the wonders of ancient Rome as you visit the Colosseum and overlook the Forum
  * Visit Florence's Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's original 'Statue of David'
  * Drift through the romantic canals of Venice by traditional gondola
  * See some of Europe's finest mosaics in Ravenna, former capital of the Roman Empire
  * Cruise to the island of Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway
  * Glimpse a moment of every day Roman life, as you tour the excavations of Pompeii

Included Personal Insights

  * As night falls, locals dress for the evening and enjoy 'the art of strolling the streets'
  * Join us in the Italian social ritual of 'La Passeggiata'
  * Enjoy a short tutorial about the world famous Chianti wines of Tuscany

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 tomb of Michelangelo in the Church of Santa Croce, Florence
  * See the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the equally impressive cathedral and baptistery
  * See La Scala Opera House and Gothic cathedral in Milan
  * Visit the Swiss lakeside resort of Lugano
  * See Juliet's Balcony and the ancient Roman Arena in Verona
  * Venice cruise to St Mark's Square to see the Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and Doges' Palace
  * Guided visit to Assisi's Basilica of St Francis and see the Church of St Mary of the Angels
  * Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino
  * Demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing
  * Demonstration of traditional leatherwork in Florence
  * Demonstration of 'Intarsio' inlay woodwork in Sorrento
  * Scenic drives - Apennine Hills, Italian Lake District, cliff top drive to Sorrento

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 13

Included Quality Dining

  * Highlight Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome (HD)
  * 12 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 6 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

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 – ROME AT LEISURE

Welcome to Rome - one of the greatest centres of Western Civilisation, thickly studded with ancient monuments. On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Then relax or spend the rest of the day exploring this wonderful city. This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace.

DAY 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING

Today, with our local guide, we visit the Vatican Museums, treasure house of the Catholic faith with vast collections of ancient and Renaissance art. We continue to the Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece of Michelangelo's fresco skills. Now we enter St Peter's Basilica, to see Bernini's 'Popes' Altar' sited above the spot where St Peter is reputed to have been crucified. Then we cross the River Tiber to ancient classical Rome. We visit the world's largest Roman arena, the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial contests and overlook the Forum, the centre of ancient public life. Now there is time for sightseeing or your own choice! Tonight, why not enjoy a night out with splendid Italian food and wine? (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 3 – ROME – FLORENCE

We travel north to the picturesque medieval town of Siena. We take a stroll through the cobbled streets to the vast Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place to the accompaniment of great festivities. We see the 'Fountain of Joy' and then walk up to the black and white striped cathedral. After some free time we continue through the cypress clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence. Hotel: Sheraton/Athenaeum. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 4 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

This morning, our guided tour takes us inside the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's original statue of David. Then we continue to the Cathedral to see Giotto's belltower and the 'Gates of Paradise' adorning the Baptistery. We visit the political stage of Florence, Signoria Square, filled with works of art. Finally, we see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo in Santa Croce Basilica. After watching a leatherwork demonstration, we are free to shop or continue sightseeing! (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 5 – FLORENCE – ITALIAN LAKES

This morning we travel to Pisa where we see the famous Leaning Tower, the white marble cathedral and Baptistery. Then we head north to Milan to admire the Gothic Cathedral and famous La Scala Opera House. After some time here we head out into the scenic beauty of the Italian Lake District. Our two night stay is at a lakeside holiday resort on Lake Maggiore. Hotel: Simplon. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 6 – ITALIAN LAKES AT LEISURE

Today is free to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights this beautiful lakeland area has to offer. Why not take a cruise over to Isola Bella, one of the picturesque Borromean Islands? (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 7 – ITALIAN LAKES – VENICE

Today we briefly enter Switzerland to visit mountain ringed Lugano, with time to stroll the lake shores and shop for watches and fine chocolate. Then we continue to Verona, where we see Juliet's balcony and ancient Roman Arena. It's not far now to romantic Venice, where tonight we are treated to a highlight gondola ride along the canals! Hotel: Hotel Continental. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 8 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING


What better way to see Venice than from our private launch, cruising past palazzos and churches to St Mark's Square. We see the Basilica, Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs before watching a demonstration of glass-blowing. Now there's time at leisure. This evening, why not enjoy a traditional Venetian dinner with music? (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 9 – VENICE – ASSISI

We skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy's most important rivers, the Adige and Po, before approaching the city of Ravenna. Here we stop to visit the Church of St Apollinaris in Classe with its dazzling mosaics. Now the scenery changes dramatically as we drive through the Apennines to Assisi, where we see the Church of St Mary of the Angels and enjoy a guided visit inside the Basilica of St Francis. Hotel: Grand/Subasio. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 10 – ASSISI – SORRENTO

Today's route takes us past the vineyards of Frascati and Castelli Romani to the Commonwealth Cemetery in the shadow of the brooding hilltop monastery of Cassino. We continue along the clifftops to the picturesque holiday town of Sorrento, bustling with life until late at night. Hotel: Corallo. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 11 – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

This morning we visit Sorrento's Piazza Tasso and then watch the art of 'intarsio' wood inlaying. Afterwards we cruise to the island of Capri where we ascend to Capri town by funicular railway. There is time to explore before returning to Sorrento. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 12 – SORRENTO – ROME


We drive today to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. We walk with our local guide through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. We return to Rome, where tonight we can drop a coin into the Trevi Fountain, before enjoying a highlight farewell dinner including pasta, wine and music! Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peters/Ateneo Garden Palace. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)

DAY 13 – ROME

Our memorable tour ends this morning after breakfast, with a complimentary transfer to Rome Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
 

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2010 EARLYBIRD Special - Tour Dates & Prices

 

Departs on

Returns on

Brochure Price

Costless Discount Price

Insight Vacations Premium Escorted Europe and Britain 2009

2010

All prices are in Australian Dollars and based on twin share

 

Mon 01 Mar

Sat 13 Mar

A$3799

A$

Insight Vacations Premium Escorted Europe and Britain 2010

2010

All prices are in Australian Dollars and based on twin share

 

Sun 07 Mar

Fri 19 Mar

A$3525

A$

 

Sun 21 Mar

Fri 02 Apr

A$3550

A$

 

Sun 28 Mar

Fri 09 Apr

A$3599

A$

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Sun 04 Apr

Fri 16 Apr

A$3850

A$

 

Sun 11 Apr

Fri 23 Apr

A$4025

A$

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Sun 18 Apr

Fri 30 Apr

A$4025

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Sun 25 Apr

Fri 07 May

A$4025

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Sun 02 May

Fri 14 May

A$4025

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Tue 04 May

Sun 16 May

A$4025

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Sun 09 May

Fri 21 May

A$4025

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Tue 11 May

Sun 23 May

A$4025

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Sun 16 May

Fri 28 May

A$4025

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Tue 18 May

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A$4025

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Sun 23 May

Fri 04 Jun

A$4025

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Tue 25 May

Sun 06 Jun

A$4025

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Sun 30 May

Fri 11 Jun

A$4025

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Tue 01 Jun

Sun 13 Jun

A$4025

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Sun 06 Jun

Fri 18 Jun

A$4025

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Tue 08 Jun

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A$4025

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Sun 13 Jun

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A$4025

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Tue 15 Jun

Sun 27 Jun

A$3999

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Sun 20 Jun

Fri 02 Jul

A$3999

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Tue 22 Jun

Sun 04 Jul

A$3999

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Sun 27 Jun

Fri 09 Jul

A$3999

A$

DEF

Tue 29 Jun

Sun 11 Jul

A$3925

A$

 

Tue 06 Jul

Sun 18 Jul

A$3925

A$

 

Tue 13 Jul

Sun 25 Jul

A$3825

A$

 

Tue 20 Jul

Sun 01 Aug

A$3799

A$

 

Tue 27 Jul

Sun 08 Aug

A$3799

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Tue 03 Aug

Sun 15 Aug

A$3799

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Tue 10 Aug

Sun 22 Aug

A$3799

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Tue 17 Aug

Sun 29 Aug

A$3799

A$

 

Tue 24 Aug

Sun 05 Sep

A$3799

A$

 

Tue 31 Aug

Sun 12 Sep

A$4025

A$

DEF

Sun 05 Sep

Fri 17 Sep

A$4025

A$

 

Tue 07 Sep

Sun 19 Sep

A$4025

A$

 

Sun 12 Sep

Fri 24 Sep

A$4025

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Tue 14 Sep

Sun 26 Sep

A$4025

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Sun 19 Sep

Fri 01 Oct

A$4025

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A$4025

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Sun 26 Sep

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A$4025

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Tue 28 Sep

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A$4025

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Sun 03 Oct

Fri 15 Oct

A$4025

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Tue 05 Oct

Sun 17 Oct

A$4025

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Sun 10 Oct

Fri 22 Oct

A$4025

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Tue 12 Oct

Sun 24 Oct

A$4025

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Sun 17 Oct

Fri 29 Oct

A$4025

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Tue 19 Oct

Sun 31 Oct

A$4025

A$

 

Sun 24 Oct

Fri 05 Nov

A$3850

A$

 

Tue 26 Oct

Sun 07 Nov

A$3825

A$

DEF = Definite Departure

Costless Prices are subject to early payment conditions / based on limited availability / and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Are prices are in Australian Dollars and are based on twin share, single room supplements apply.

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$4841

Sale Ends 31 MAR 2010

From: Sydney

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  • For reservations:
  • Brisbane 07 3018 2898 
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  • Melbourne 03 8807 2198
  • Perth 08 9282 1098
  • Gold Coast 07 5630 2571

 

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