Grand Tour of Italy 15 Day tour from $3158

an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

The hotels on this tour range from the modern Sheratons in both Rome & Florence, to the far more traditional Subasio hotel in charming Assisi & the Principe hotel on the Grand Canal in Venice, which is a restored 15th century palazzo.

Fellow Passengers

This tour appeals particularly to the traveller who has perhaps visited Italy  briefly on a European panoramic tour and now wishes to look at the country in more depth, it equally would suit the art history specialist who wishes to visit the  country for the first time.

Highlights

The extraordinary beauty & historic heritage of the island of Sicily, followed by yet another stunning island, Capri. The contrasts between the gentle town of Assisi & the waterscape of Venice; the masterpieces of Michelangelo –  the David in Florence & the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Excursions & Sights

• Tour of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
• Visit the mighty Colosseum and see the Roman Forum in Rome
• Visit the peaceful Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino
• Guided tour of the excavations in the Roman town of Pompeii
• Visit the Cathedral and Palatine Chapel in Palermo
• Visit Monreale with its highly decorated Cathedral
• Guided tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento to see the Temple of Concord
• Guided visit to the Roman Villa of Casale, noted for its famous mosaics
• Guided visit to the Greek Theatre & views of Mt Etna in Taormina
• Excursion to the Isle  of Capri and funicular train ride to Capri Town
• Visit the Basilica St Mary of the Angels in Assisi
• Visit the huge Basilica of St Francis to see Giotto's world famous frescos
• Cruise by private launch to St Mark's Square in Venice
• See the Doges' Palace, Bridge of Sighs & St Marks Basilica in Venice
• Visit the Church of Santa Croce  in Florence to see the tomb of Michelangelo
• See the Duomo, 'Gates of Paradise' & Signoria Square in Florence
• See the 'Fountain of Joy' in Siena's Campo Square and the striped Cathedral
• Demonstration of traditional Venetian glass-blowing
• Demonstration of 'Intarsio' inlay woodwork in Sorrento
• Demonstration of traditional Florentine leatherwork

Scenic drives through the Apennines, Cyclops Riviera & Sorrento cliff top drive

Guided City Tour

In depth sightseeing tours in Rome, Pompeii, Palermo, Agrigento, Assisi & Florence

Orientation tours in Naples, Taormina, Sorrento, Venice &  Siena

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 15

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome

14 buffet breakfasts and 8 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee.

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

An evenly paced tour with two night stays in five of the seven cities, with overnights in Assisi and Agrigento. The majority of the driving days are of reasonable length  and with frequent stops, often with great photo opportunities.

DAY 1 SAT - ROME AT LEISURE

Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Then the 'Eternal City' is yours  to discover! Relax on the Via Veneto or stroll the Piazza Navona? Later, join your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Cicerone.

DAY 2 SUN - ROME SIGHTSEEING

We meet our local guide and begin our sightseeing tour with the priceless  art in the Vatican Museums before admiring Michelangelo's amazing ceiling in the  Sistine Chapel. Next, we tour St Peter's Basilica, seeing the Popes' Altar by Bernini and we visit the Colosseum, scene of great entertainment in imperial times. We also overlook the Roman Forum before time at leisure. (BB)

DAY 3 MON - ROME - OVERNIGHT FERRY

We drive through vine-covered hills to visit the peaceful Commonwealth War Cemetery  at Cassino. Next stop is Pompeii, where a local expert will guide us around the  excavations of the city, buried by an eruption in 79AD. Later, we tour the city of Naples, before boarding our overnight ferry to the island of Sicily. (BB)

DAY 4 TUE - PALERMO - AGRIGENTO

We arrive in the early morning in Palermo, where our guided tour shows us the  cathedral, the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel and magnificent Monreale. Then it's off  to the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, considered the finest Greek sanctuary  in Sicily. We see the impressive Temple of Concord and Temple of Juno, overlooking  the sea. Hotel: Kaos. (BB,D)

DAY 5 WED - AGRIGENTO - GIARDINI NAXOS

We travel into the heart of Sicily to visit the Roman Villa of Casale, noted for its famous mosaics which cover almost the entire floor. Now we descend to the east coast where we follow the coastline of the Cyclops Riviera to Giardini Naxos. Hotel: Sant Alphio Garden. (BB,D)

DAY 6 THU - TAORMINA EXCURSION

Today we tour the hillside town of Taormina, including a visit to the Greek Theatre  where we can admire views of Mt Etna from the upper tiers. Then there is free time to explore the town and gardens before returning to Giardini Naxos where the rest  of the day is at leisure. (BB,D)

DAY 7 FRI - GIARDINI NAXOS - SORRENTO

We drive to Messina to board our ferry back to the Italian mainland. Continuing north past Salerno, we take the clifftop road to Sorrento for our two night stay. Hotel: Grand Hotel la Pace. (BB)

DAY 8 SAT - ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

This morning we are shown the art of 'intarsio', or marquetry wood inlaying, and then we cruise to the island of Capri. A funicular train takes us up to Capri town where we have time to browse through the shops and admire views of the Mediterranean. Maybe visit Anacapri before returning to our Sorrento hotel? (BB,D)

DAY 9 SUN - SORRENTO - ASSISI

After breakfast we drive north into Umbria to stay in the walled town of Assisi, spread across the slopes of Monte Subasio. On arrival, there is time to stroll the narrow streets and visit the Basilica of St Francis with its famous frescoes by  Giotto. Then there is time at leisure. The energetic can climb up to the castle for fine views over the valley! Hotel: Subasio. (BB,D)

DAY 10 MON - ASSISI - VENICE

First we visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built to commemorate the site where St Francis died. Then a beautiful drive brings us through the wild Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic coastal plain. Our destination is romantic Venice and our historic hotel is situated right on the Grand Canal. Tonight, we are introduced to the magic of this unique city with a gondola ride along the peaceful canals, followed by a dinner in our hotel. Hotel: Principe/Amadeus. (BB,D)

DAY 11 TUE - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Relax and enjoy the scenery as we travel by private launch to St Mark's Square.  We see the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Doges' Palace to the prisons. Around the corner we see the ornate St Mark's Basilica, followed by a demonstration  of Venetian glass blowing. This afternoon we are at leisure to shop or explore.  Why not cruise to the island of Burano for a delicious seafood lunch? (BB)

DAY 12 WED - VENICE - FLORENCE

We cross the fertile valley of the river Po before heading into the Apennines  to the Tuscan capital of Florence. Our guided tour shows us the original 'Statue  of David' inside the Academy Gallery. Then we walk to the Cathedral to see Giotto's Belltower and the 'Gates of Paradise'. We continue to Signoria Square, adorned with  statues and fountains, before visiting the basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo  lies buried. Finally, we watch a leatherwork demonstration before enjoying some time at leisure. Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,D)

DAY 13 THU - FLORENCE AT LEISURE

A whole day to explore this glorious city, treasure house of the Italian Renaissance.  Maybe take an excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Don't miss the chance to try the delicious local cuisine and rich Chianti wine! (BB)

DAY 14 FRI - FLORENCE - ROME

We travel through Chianti vineyards and olive groves this morning to reach Siena.  Here, we walk through the narrow cobbled streets to the Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place. We see the Town Hall and 'Fountain of Joy' and climb up to the hilltop Cathedral, before returning to Rome. Tonight, we stop by the Trevi Fountain, before enjoying a highlight farewell dinner with pasta and music. Hotel:  Sheraton Roma. (BB,HD)

DAY 15 SAT - ROME

Our tour ends today with a transfer to Rome Airport. (BB)