Italian Intermezzo 8 Day tour from $1700   an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

Both the Roman hotels are modern with all comforts & the Crown Plaza St. Peters has a beautiful garden setting. Montecatini's Francia & Quirinale is in traditional Tuscan spa-town style and the Boulevard hotel on Venice Lido echoes traditional Venetian architecture which originated in the 15C.

 Fellow Passengers

This tour attracts the first time visitor to Italy but is also suitable for the  returning traveller who wants to revisit three of the major Italian cities. It also  appeals to passengers with limited vacation time and those with a passion for art and architecture.

 Highlights

The Renaissance treasures of Florence, particularly Michelangelo's original statue of David; the unique waterscape of the Venetian Lagoon; the awe-inspiring beauty  of St. Peter's Basilica & the extraordinary ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Excursions & Sights

• Visit Piazza 4 Novembre in Perugia to see the Great Fountain,  Cathedral & Priors' Palace
• See the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo inside Santa Croce Church in Florence
• See the 'Gates of Paradise' on the Baptistery and Cathedral in Florence
• Scenic drive along the Brenta Riviera to see the Venetian summer palaces
• Cruise to St Mark's Square by private launch past San Giorgio Maggiore
• See St Mark's Basilica, the Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs in Venice
• 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 - Tuscany, Apennines

Guided City Tours

In depth Sightseeing tours in Rome & Florence

Orientation  tours in Perugia & 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 8

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome

7 buffet breakfasts and 3 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee.

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

Evenly paced tour with two night stays in all three centres - Rome, Montecatini  & Venice - allowing plenty of time for sightseeing & people watching, from the comfort of a sidewalk cafe! The driving days are all of a reasonable  length with frequent stops.

DAY 1 SAT - ROME AT  LEISURE

On arrival at Rome Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Now this beautiful and historic city is yours to discover. Maybe stroll down to the Spanish Steps, or sip a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe in the Piazza Navona (the 'Living Room of Rome') and watch life go by? This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sheraton Roma.

DAY 2 SUN - ROME - TUSCANY

We drive northwards, following the valley of the Tiber, to Perugia, in medieval times one of the great Italian schools of painting. We visit the Piazza 4 Novembre, one of the grandest squares in Italy, to see the Great Fountain, Gothic Cathedral and splendid Priors' Palace. We also see the nearby Collegio del Cambio. Now a delightful drive through the Tuscan olive groves brings us to Florence where we explore the riches of the Renaissance. With our local guide, we visit the Academy Museum to see Michelangelo's original 'Statue of David'. Then we see the marble clad Cathedral and Baptistery too, where Ghiberti's 'Gates of Paradise' have been recreated in all their glory. Next stop is Signoria Square, political heart of the city and still an open air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Finally, we visit the church of Santa Croce to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. We then make our way to our hotel in Montecatini. Hotel: Francia & Quirinale. (BB,D)

DAY 3 MON - FLORENCE EXCURSION

We drive back to Florence this morning and enjoy a demonstration of traditional  Florentine leatherwork. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop, explore or continue  sightseeing? Perhaps take an optional excursion to the leaning tower of Pisa? Don't forget to sample the fine Florentine cuisine and Chianti wine too! (BB)

DAY 4 TUE - TUSCANY - VENICE

Then we cross the Apennine Mountains, passing Bologna and the flood plains of  the River Po for a scenic drive along the famous Brenta Riviera. Here we see the  magnificent classical villas that were once the summer residences of the Venetian nobility. Our route takes us along the canal through Stra , Dolo and Mira to magical Venice, where the city seems to float on the lagoon. Tonight we stay on the Lido, one of the most fashionable resorts on the Adriatic! Hotel: Le Boulevard.  (BB,D)

DAY 5 WED - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Venice - a living treasure! Appreciate her splendour as we cruise by the Church of the Redentore and Palladio's San Giorgio Maggiore, to St Mark's Square. Our Tour Director explains the glorious history of 'La Serenissima', once one of the greatest trading centres of the world, importing goods especially from the Orient.  The city's wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St Mark's Basilica, and we also see the Doges' Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. We then visit one of the glass showrooms for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged  for centuries. Now relax and enjoy the atmosphere as we cruise along the Venetian  canals by gondola. There is time to explore or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge this afternoon. Don't miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon! (BB)

DAY 6 THU - VENICE - ROME

Sadly we bid farewell to Venice this morning and take the spectacular highway  over the wild Apennines. Continuing southwards, we reach the valley of the River Tiber and follow its course back to Rome. Tonight, why not dine to your favourite  Italian songs from some of the best voices in Italy?- Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters. (BB)

DAY 7 FRI - ROME SIGHTSEEING

Our local guide introduces us to the grandeur of the city today! We drive first  to the independent Vatican State, the richest community in the world! Here we visit  the superb Vatican Museums, treasure house of the Catholic faith with vast collections  of ancient and Renaissance art, gathered by Popes over the ages. We continue into the Sistine Chapel, glorious masterpiece of Michelangelo's fresco skills! Next we  tour St Peter's Basilica to see another of Michelangelo's early works, the Pieta, as well as the splendid dome completed after his death. We now hear tales of the  glory of ancient Rome as we cross the River Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see  the Forum. This afternoon is free time to enjoy Rome at our own pace. Tonight,  we throw a coin or three into the illuminated Trevi Fountain, to ensure our return  to Rome, before enjoying a highlight dinner including pasta, wine and music. (BB,HD)

DAY 8 SAT - ROME

We bid farewell to the glories of Italy as we are transferred to the airport for our homeward flight. (BB)