Easy Pace Italy 13 Day tour from $2672   an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

The Grand Hotel Dino has been recently restored & overlooks Lake Maggiore, whereas the Sant Elena has an equally magnificent location overlooking the Venetian  Lagoon. The Residence Palazzo Ricasoli echoes the Renaissance past of Florence.

Fellow Passengers

By offering three nights in each destination this tour appeals not only to those who enjoy the benefits of coach touring, but also the more independent traveller.  Great for people who want to take it easy or those who want a more in depth look  at Italy's major cities.

Highlights

Each centre is a highlight! The Italian Lake District - where Alpine scenery combines with luxuriant subtropical vegetation. The romantic canals of Venice, Renaissance Florence and Rome - overflowing with ancient buildings and monuments.

Excursions & Sights

• Visit the lakeside resort of Como on Lake Como
• See Milan's Gothic Cathedral, Sforza Castle and La Scala Opera House
• See Juliet's Balcony and the ancient Roman arena in Verona
• Cruise to St Mark's Square in Venice by private launch
• See St Mark's Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice
• See the Duomo, Gates of Paradise and visit Signoria Square in Florence
• Visit the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi with its amazing frescos by Giotto
• Visit Rome's illuminated Trevi Fountain, Colosseum & see the Roman Forum
• Guided tour of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City seeing Michelangelo's 'Pieta'
• Florence leatherwork & Venetian glass-blowing demonstrations

Scenic drives - Italian Lake District, Tuscany, Apennines

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours in Rome & Florence

Orientation  tours of Milan, Verona & Venice

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 13

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome12 buffet breakfasts and 4 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus  tea or coffee.

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

Being an 'Easy Pace' tour, with three nights in each city, this is as relaxed  as it gets! Use your free time to explore as you wish, go shopping, or ask your  Tour Director for suggestions. A complete list of optional excursions will be offered on commencement of your tour.

DAY 1 FRI - ARRIVE MILAN - ITALIAN LAKES

Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Malpensa airport there are complimentary transfers departing for the Italian Lake District at 09.00 and 12.30. Settle into the tour hotel overlooking Lake Maggiore and relax - the rest of the day is at leisure.  This evening, before dinner, we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our fellow passengers and Tour Director. Hotel: Grand Hotel Dino. (D)

DAY 2 SAT - MILAN EXCURSION

Today we visit Milan, Italy's renowned fashion capital, a city dominated by the  magnificent Cathedral, its marble facade bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues! We see the massive Sforza Castle and world famous La Scala Theatre too, before free time to explore or shop. We return to our beautiful lakeside resort  where the rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 3 SUN - LAKE COMO EXCURSION

Today's highlight is enchanting Lake Como, considered the jewel of the Italian Lakes for its superb mountain setting. We stop in the resort of Como, dominated  by its marble cathedral set in the narrow streets of the old town. After some time  to explore we return to our hotel this afternoon, where we are at a leisure to relax and enjoy this beautiful lakeside setting. Why not take a cruise out to the lovely Isola Bella, where Carlo Borromeo (Cardinal, Pope and later Saint) built his charming  Palace? (BB)

DAY 4 MON - ITALIAN LAKES - VENICE

We head east to the elegant city of Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet. We see the ancient Roman arena, still in use today for the annual Verona Festival, and  visit the courtyard of the Capulet home to see Juliet's balcony - can you recite  Shakespeare's immortal words? Then on to romantic Venice, glorious city of quaint  bridges, ornate palaces, and gondolas. Hotel: Sant Elena. (BB,D)

DAY 5 TUE - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

We cruise to St Mark's Square by private launch to see the ornate Basilica. We also admire the Doges' Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Later we visit  a glass showroom for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for  centuries. Now relax and enjoy the atmosphere as we cruise along the Venetian canals  by gondola. (BB)

DAY 6 WED - VENICE AT LEISURE

A day to drink in the atmosphere of this wonderful city! Maybe explore the treasures of the Academy Museum, browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge or sit a while  at a canal side cafe with a glass of local wine? (BB)

DAY 7 THU - VENICE - FLORENCE

Leaving Venice we follow the smooth highway across the valley of the river Po  and into the wild Apennines. We soon reach the Renaissance city of Florence. Our  sightseeing with local guide shows us the statue of 'David' in the Academy Gallery. We continue to see the Duomo, 'Gates of Paradise' and Signoria Square, political  stage of the Florentines. Now on to our hotel. Hotel: Residence Palazzo Ricasoli.  (BB,D)

DAY 8 FRI - FLORENCE AT LEISURE

A whole day to enjoy this beautiful city! Maybe take an optional excursion to  see the Leaning Tower of Pisa or perhaps a visit to San Gimignano to admire the picturesque Salucci Towers? (BB)

DAY 9 SAT - FLORENCE AT LEISURE

Why not dedicate today to shopping for leather and gold products? Perhaps visit  one of the many museums or simply relax at an outdoor cafe with a glass of vino? (BB)

DAY 10 SUN - FLORENCE - ROME

We travel through the vineyards of the Chianti region en route to Assisi. A chance to visit the tomb of St Francis and the frescoes of Giotto in the great basilica,  before continuing along the Tiber valley towards the 'Eternal City', of Rome. Hotel:  Massimo D'Azeglio. (BB)

DAY 11 MON - ROME SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing with our local guide begins with a visit to the Vatican Museums where  we see Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Next, we visit St. Peter's Basilica, built around the tomb of St Peter, and designed by some of history's greatest  architects - Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo. Crossing the Tiber we also see the Colosseum and Roman Forum. This afternoon we are at leisure to shop, relax or continue sightseeing. (BB)

DAY 12 TUE - ROME AT LEISURE

A day to explore Rome at our own pace. Perhaps spend some time in the designer stores of the Spanish Steps, visit the well preserved Pantheon or sip a cappuccino in the Piazza Navona - the 'Living Room of Rome'. This evening, we toss a coin into  the illuminated Trevi Fountain before enjoying a typically Roman dinner in a local restaurant. (BB,HD)

DAY 13 WED - ROME

Our tour ends today with transfers from the hotel to Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. (BB