Italian Escapade - 13 Days

After testifying to the riches of Rome, Florence, Italian Lakes, Venice, Assisi and Capri, your tour comes full circle amid the ill-fated streets of Pompeii.

Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit the superb Vatican Museums & admire Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
    * Explore the wonders of ancient Rome as you visit the Colosseum & 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 & 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 & 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 Other Excursions & Sights

    * Tour St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
    * See Siena's striped cathedral, Fountain of Joy & vast Campo Square
    * See Florence's Duomo, 'Gates of Paradise' & Signoria Square
    * See the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence
    * See the Leaning Tower of Pisa & the equally impressive cathedral & baptistery
    * See La Scala Opera House & Gothic cathedral in Milan
    * Visit the Swiss lakeside resort of Lugano
    * See Juliet's Balcony & the ancient Roman Arena in Verona
    * Venice cruise to St Mark's Square to see the Basilica, Bridge of Sighs & Doges' Palace
    * Guided visit to Assisi's Basilica of St Francis & see the Church of St Mary of the Angels
    * Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino
    * Demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing
    * Demonstration of traditional leather work 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
    * Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & on-board restroom
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack
    * Airport arrival & departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 & Day 13
    * Should your flights not coincide with these arrival & departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport

Included Quality Dining

    * Choose from a selection of restaurants in the Italian Lakes on your Dine Around evening (DA)
    * Highlight Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome (HD)
    * 12 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 5 three-course table d'hôte 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, once the hub of a vast empire that spread from Britain to the Persian gulf & 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 & settle in. As evening falls, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink

Hotel: Una/Crowne Plaza St Peters

Day 2 - ROME SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide, visit the Vatican Museums, filled with vast a collection of ancient & Renaissance art. Continue to the Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece of Michelangelo's fresco skills. 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 & gaze out over the Forum, the centre of ancient public life. The afternoon is all yours to do as you please. (BB)

Day 3 - ROME – SIENA - FLORENCE

Travel north to medieval Siena & 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' & then walk up to the hilltop cathedral, striped with black & white marble. Continue through the cypress clad hills & vineyards of Tuscany to Florence, jewel of the Renaissance. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the Chianti wines that make this region so famous

Hotel: NH Firenze (BB,D)

Day 4 - FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

A guided tour takes you inside the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's original statue of David, then continue to the Cathedral to see Giotto's belltower & the 'Gates of Paradise' adorning the Baptistery. Visit the political stage of Florence, Signoria Square, filled with works of art, & finally pause in Santa Croce square, overlooked by its basilica, the final resting place of Galileo & Michelangelo. After a demonstration of leather-work, you have spare time to shop or continue sightseeing. (BB)

Day 5 - FLORENCE - PISA - MILAN - ITALIAN LAKES

Travel west towards the coast. At Pisa see the famous leaning tower in the 'Field of Miracles' & the 11C Cathedraland Baptistry. Continue north to Milan to admire the Gothic Cathedraland La Scala Opera House. After some time here, head for your lake-side holiday resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore.

Hotel: Simplon (BB,D)

Day 6 - ITALIAN LAKES AT LEISURE

The DAY is set aside to relax & 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 Island's? As night time draws in, why not work up an appetite before dinner with a traditional evening stroll (passeggiata) - it's a time to 'see & be seen'. Tonight, choose from a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. (BB,DA)

Day 7 - ITALIAN LAKES - LUGANO – VERONA - VENICE

Briefly enter Switzerland to visit the mountain ringed resort of Lugano. Take time to stroll by the lake's shores & shop for watches or fine chocolate. Continue to Verona to see Juliet's balcony & the Roman Arena. Then it's off to romantic Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic'.

Hotel: Carlton on the Grand Canal/Dei Dogi (BB,D)

Day 8 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

What better way to see Venice than from a private launch, cruising past palazzos & churches to St Mark's Square. See the Basilica, the Doges' Palace & Bridge of Sighs. Watch a demonstration of glass-blowing before enjoying a highlight ride by traditional gondola along the picturesque canals. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark's square with its orchestras & al-fresco cafés. (BB)

Day 9 - VENICE - RAVENNA - ASSISI

Skirt the Venetian Lagoon & cross two of Italy's most important rivers, the Adige & 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 & enjoy a guided visit inside the Basilica of St Francis.

Hotel: Roseo (BB,D)

Day 10 - ASSISI - SORRENTO

Drive southwards, joining the Highway of the Sun, past the vineyards of Frascati & Castelli Romani to the Commonwealth Cemetery in the shadow of the hilltop monastery of Cassino. Continue along the cliff tops to the picturesque holiday resort of Sorrento, which bustles with life until late each night.

Hotel: Corallo/Grand Hotel La Pace (BB)

Day 11 - ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

Visit Sorrento's Piazza Tasso & watch the art of 'intarsio' wood inlaying. Now cross the Bay of Naples to the magical island of Capri. Ascend to Capri Town where there is time to browse among the shops & boutiques before returning to Sorrento. (BB,D)

Day 12 - SORRENTO - ROME

Drive to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. Walk with a local guide through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas & temples. Return to Rome where you enjoy a last night celebration Highlight Dinner including pasta, wine & music.

Hotel: Sheraton (BB,HD)

Day 13 - ROME

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

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