Italian Escapade 13 Day tour from $2552

an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

A diverse mixture of hotels styles, with the modern Sheraton in Florence contrasting with the Venice Continental, built on the Grand Canal in the 15th century, and the tranquil setting of the Simplon or Dino hotels overlooking Lake Maggiore.

Fellow Passengers

This popular itinerary suits both the first time traveller, looking for a well paced, comprehensive tour of mainland Italy, and the seasoned traveller who wishes  to really concentrate on one country. Also suits lovers of history, art and architecture.

 Highlights

Walking through the cobbled streets of Pompeii. The overwhelming ancient & religious history of Rome, the artistic heritage of Florence, the contrasting beauty of the Italian Lakes & the waterscape of Venice, plus the stunning beauty of Assisi & Capri.

Excursions & Sights

• Tour St Peter's Basilica, mother church of the Catholic faith, in the Vatican City
• Visit the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum in Rome, see the Roman Forum
• See Siena's striped cathedral, Fountain of Joy & vast Campo Square
• See Florence's Duomo, 'Gates of Paradise' & 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 & 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 & Doges' Palace
• Visit the mosaics  of St Apollinaris in Classe
• 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
• Cruise to the island of Capri & funicular ride to Capri Town
• Guided visit through the cobbled streets of Pompeii
• 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

Guided City Tours

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

Orientation tours in Siena, Milan, Lugano, Verona, Venice &  Sorrento

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 Rome

12 buffet breakfasts and 7 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee.

Tour Itinerary

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: Atlantico/Crowne Plaza St Peters.

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? (BB)

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. (BB,D)

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! (BB)

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/Dino/Splendid. (BB,D)

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? (BB,D)

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: Continental/Sant Elena. (BB,D)

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? (BB)

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. (BB,D)

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. (BB)

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.  (BB,D)

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/Sheraton Golf. (BB,HD)

DAY 13 - ROME

Our memorable tour ends this morning after breakfast, with a complimentary transfer  to Rome Airport. (BB)