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Italian Escapade

Italian Escapade Tour

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 refreshments and photo opportunities.

Trip Dates:

February 28, 2010

Length:

14 days

Accommodations:

  • Rome: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills
  • Florence: Palazzo Ognissanti or Londra
  • Italian Lakes: Simplon
  • Venice: Continental
  • Assisi: Grand Hotel or Subasio
  • Sorrento: Corallo or Parco del Sole
  • Rome: Sheraton or Tiberio

Meals:

  • Highlight Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome
  • 12 Buffet Breakfasts
  • 6 three-course table d'hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee

Locations:

Italy

Transportation:

Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet

Package Inclusions

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Hotel Accommodation
  • Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Meals as specified
  • Sightseeing: Excursions and entrance fees to places of interest as detailed
  • Baggage Allowance & Porterage for one suitcase per person.
  • Tips & Taxes: All tips are included for services on tour provided by dining-room waiters, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and stations

 

    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
    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 group tutorial on the wines that compliment your evening meal in Rome
    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

 

Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations logo

Insight Vacations is the world leader of premium escorted tours to Britain, Ireland, Europe, Scandinavia, the Eastern Mediterranean and North America. From the moment you begin your journey, you will notice the Insight difference. Insight's vast selection of itineraries are planned embracing their unique 'small group' philosophy and are perfectly paced for your complete satisfaction.

  • Day 1: Board your overnight flight.
  • Day 2: Rome: Welcome to Rome! 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 & 18:45. Relax or spend the rest of the day exploring this wonderful city. As evening falls, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink.
  • Day 3: Rome: With a local guide, visit the Vatican Museums, the treasure house of the Catholic faith with vast collections of ancient and 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 ancient classical Rome and visit the world's largest Roman arena, the Colosseum, the scene of many gladiatorial contests, and overlook the Forum, the centre of ancient public life. The afternoon sees time set aside for sightseeing at your own pace. As night falls, why not enjoy a night out with splendid Italian food and wine.
  • Day 4: Rome/Florence: Travel north to the picturesque medieval town of Siena and stroll through its cobbled 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 black and white striped cathedral. After some free time, continue through the cypress clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence, jewel of the Renaissance.
  • Day 5: Florence: 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 and the 'Gates of Paradise' adorning the Baptistery. Visit the political stage of Florence, Signoria Square, filled with works of art, and finally see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo in Santa Croce Basilica. After watching a leatherwork demonstration, you have spare time to shop or continue sightseeing.
  • Day 6: Florence/Italian Lakes: Travel to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower, the white marble cathedral and Baptistery before heading north to Milan to admire the Gothic Cathedral and famous La Scala Opera House. After some time here, head to the beautiful Italian Lake District for a two-night stay at a lakeside holiday resort on Lake Maggiore.
  • Day 7: Italian Lakes: The day is set aside to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights this beautiful lakeland area has to offer. Perhaps take a cruise over to Isola Bella, one of the picturesque Borromean Islands? 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 and be seen'.
  • Day 8: Italian Lakes/Venice: Briefly enter Switzerland to visit the mountain ringed resort of Lugano. Take time to stroll by the lake's shores and shop for watches or fine chocolate. Continue to Verona to see Juliet's balcony and the ancient Roman Arena. Then it's off to romantic Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic'.
  • Day 9: Venice: What better way to see Venice than from our private launch, cruising past palazzos and churches to St Mark's Square? See the Basilica, the Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Watch a demonstration of glass-blowing before enjoying a highlight ride by traditional gondola along the picturesque canals. Spend time at leisure exploring at your own pace. As night falls, why not enjoy a traditional Venetian dinner with music?
  • Day 10: Venice/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 Apennines to Assisi to see the Church of St Mary of the Angels and enjoy a guided visit inside the Basilica of St Francis.
  • Day 11: Assisi/Sorrento: Drive past the vineyards of Frascati and Castelli Romani to the Commonwealth Cemetery in the shadow of the brooding hilltop monastery of Cassino. Continue along the clifftops to the picturesque holiday resort of Sorrento, which bustles with life until late each night.
  • Day 12: Sorrento/Isle of Capri: Visit Sorrento's Piazza Tasso and watch the art of 'intarsio' wood inlaying. Cruise to the island of Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway. There is time to explore before returning to Sorrento.
  • Day 13: 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 and temples. Return to Rome where you enjoy a last night celebration Highlight Dinner including pasta, wine and music. Enjoy a short group tutorial on the wines that compliment your evening meal.
  • Day 14: Arrivederci Roma! Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30

 

For reservations or additional information, call 1-866-286-9323 to speak with an experienced travel consultant.

 


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