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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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