INCLUDED QUALITY DINING
A Welcome Reception with light meal (WR)Enjoy a two-course Highlight Tuscan lunch in Siena, including a glass of wine. (HL)Choose from a selection of restaurants in the Italian Lakes on your Dine Around evening (DA)Stop in Verona for an authentic two-course Highlight lunch including a glass of wine. (HL)Celebration Dinner with wine and entertainment in Rome (CD)12 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES
Escorted by a professional Tour DirectorHeadsets for all guided visits and walking toursEnjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroomInsight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterageInsight Traveller Welcome packAirport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 14 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)

Day 1: DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2: ROME AT LEISURE
Welcome to Rome, once the hub of a vast empire that spread from Britain to the Persian gulf and from Africa to Germany. On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, airport transfers leave for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Relax and settle in. As evening falls, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and light meal.(Welcome Reception)

Day 3: ROME SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, visit the Vatican Museums, filled with a vast collection 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 visit the world’s largest Roman arena, the Colosseum and gaze out over the Forum, the centre of ancient public life. The afternoon is all yours to do as you please.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4: ROME - SIENA - FLORENCE
Travel north to medieval Siena and stroll through the winding stone paved 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 hilltop cathedral, striped with black and white marble. A superb two-course Tuscan lunch sampling the local specialities and wine is included. Continue through the cypress clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence, jewel of the Renaissance. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the Chianti wines that make this region so famous.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch / Dinner)

Day 5: FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
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 pause in Santa Croce square, overlooked by its basilica, the final resting place of Galileo and Michelangelo. After a demonstration of leather-work, you have spare time to shop or continue sightseeing.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6: FLORENCE - PISA - MILAN - ITALIAN LAKES
Travel west towards the coast. At Pisa see the famous leaning tower in the ‘Field of Miracles’ and the 11C Cathedral and Baptistry. Continue north to Milan to admire La Scala Opera House and the Gothic Cathedral, its marble facade bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues! After some time here, head for your lake-side holiday resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore. As night time draws in, why not work up an appetite before dinner with a traditional evening stroll (passeggiata).(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 7: ITALIAN LAKES AT LEISURE
The day is set aside to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights this beautiful lake land area has to offer. Perhaps take a cruise over to Isola Bella, one of the picturesque Borromean Islands? As the evening descends, choose from a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Day 8: ITALIAN LAKES - VERONA - VENICE
This morning follow the southern fringes of the European Alps to Verona, setting for one of history’s saddest love stories. Walk with your Tour Director to Juliet’s balcony in the inner courtyard of the Capulet home and see the well preserved Roman Arena (still used for open-air opera performances). While here, an authentic two course highlight lunch, typical of the region, has been arranged on your behalf, including a glass of wine. Afterwards continue to your hotel in Venice, a city of 118 islands, with no motorcar traffic to mar its beauty.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)

Day 9: VENICE SIGHTSEEING
What better way to see Venice than from a private launch, cruising past palazzos and churches to St Mark’s Square. See the gilded Basilica, the Doges’ Palace and Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs. This is followed by a demonstration of glass-blowing. No visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola serenade through the ‘watery streets’. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere, music and songs as you drift along the romantic canals. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark’s square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafés.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 10: VENICE - RAVENNA - 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 wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone built hill-town of Assisi, home of St Francis. See the Church of St Mary of the Angels before continuing up Mount Subasio to enjoy a guided visit inside the Basilica of St Francis.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 11: ASSISI - SORRENTO
Drive southwards, joining the Highway of the Sun, past the vineyards of Frascati and Castelli Romani. Stop briefly at the Commonwealth Cemetery in the shadow of the hilltop monastery of Cassino. Continue along the cliff top road to the picturesque holiday resort of Sorrento, which bustles with life until late each night.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 12: ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
Investigate the art of ‘intarsio’ or marquetry wood inlaying before cruising to Capri - the isle of dreams. Under the Mediterranean sun, take an open top taxi up to Capri Town, where you can explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and enjoy the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Perhaps join an optional tour to visit Axel Munthe’s Villa San Michele? Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 13: SORRENTO - POMPEII - 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 Dinner including pasta, wine and music.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 14: RETURN TO USA
Arrivederci Roma! Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30.(Buffet Breakfast)

Don't miss our current specials: SAVE Up To $600 Per Couple On Select 2012 Insight USA Tours 2012 USA SALE - SAVINGS OF UP TO $600   Save up to $300 per person on select 2012 Insight Vacations USA itineraries   Tour Name Tour Duration Departing Was Now Saving Promo Code American Parks Trail 10 May 13, 27 $2525 $2325 $200 12USSALE1 Best of California 9 Jul 20 $2595 $2395 $200 12USSALE2 Best of Eastern Canada & USA 16 May 27 $4175 $3875 $300 12USSALE3 Capitals of Eastern Canada 7 Jul 8 $1799 $1599 $200 12USSALE4 Coastal New England and Canada’s Maritimes 13 Jun 29, Jul 13 $3525 $3225 $300 12USSALE5 Enchanting Canyonlands 7 May 19, Jun 16 & 30, Jul 21 & 28 $1975 $1775 $200 12USSALE6 Grand Canadian Rockies 13 May 28 $6275 $5975 $300 12USSALE7 Great Western American Adventure 15 Jul 20 $4350 $4050 $300 12USSALE8 Hawaiian Dreams 10 Jun 16 $3750 $3450 $300 12USSALE9 Hawaiian Dreams with Kauai 12 Jun 16 $4595 $4295 $300 12USSALE10 Maritimes Landscapes 8 Jul 2, 16 $2375 $2175 $200 12USSALE11 Southwest Discovery 11 May 11, Jun 15 $2535 $2335 $200 12USSALE12       Terms and Conditions: Price is in American dollars and is per person, land only, based on double occupancy. For new bookings only made after March 31, 2012 on departures listed above for 2012 travel. Subject to availability. Excludes Early Payment Discount and any other promotional offer. Please note if the booking is made within 45 days from the departure date full Payment will be due at the time of booking. No bookings may be made after June 26th, 2012. Other conditions apply. SAVE Up To $700 On 2012 Insight Europe Tours SAVE UP TO $700 ON 2012 INSIGHT EUROPE TOURS   AIR-INCLUSIVE DEPARTURE: Save up to $700 per couple on Insight Gold, and $500 per couple on Premium Europe tours. LAND-ONLY DEPARTURE: Save up to $500 per couple on Insight Gold, and $300 per couple on Premium Europe tours. BOOKING WINDOW: March 31st - June 28th, 2012 TRAVEL WINDOW: April 15th - October 25th, 2012       Terms and Conditions: Booking and full payment for entire vacation package must be made by June 28, 2012. Offer is valid for new bookings made from March 31, 2012 through June 28, 2012. Travel must begin between April 15, 2012 and October 25, 2012. Offers valid on any airline. Offers not valid to Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Israel, Select Choices, or any tours with train and tours with cruise. Save $700 ($350pp) offer valid only on air-inclusive Insight Gold Europe tours; Save $500 ($250pp) air offer valid only on air-inclusive Premium Europe tours. Normal name change policy applies. Fuel surcharges, taxes and fees are included in quoted rate. Once payment is received, air tickets are non-refundable. Save $500 ($250pp) land offer valid on land-only Insight Gold departures; Save $300 ($150pp) land offer valid on land-only Premium Europe departures only. Offers are combinable with brochure discounts found in our 2012 Premium Europe & Britain brochures except Early Payment Discounts. Offers are not combinable with Hot Deals or each other. Offers may be withdrawn at any time and are subject to availability. Valid for new Scheduled Group bookings subject to promo payment conditions are met. Please call for details. CST No. 20687545-20 SAVE $300 Per Couple On Insight Winter Tours Save $300 on autumn, winter and spring vacations!   BOOKING WINDOW: April 16, 2012 - July 12, 2012 TRAVEL WINDOW: November 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013           Terms and Conditions: $300 per couple savings ($150 per person) valid when booking and deposit (plus applicable insurance) for vacation package is made by July 12, 2012. Offer valid for new bookings made on Winter Europe brochure vacations from April 16, 2012 through July 12, 2012. Travel must begin between November 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. Offer not valid to Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, Select Choices, and tours with cruise inclusions. Promotion is combinable with brochure discounts found in Insight Vacations’ 2012/13 Winter Europe brochure except Early Payment Discounts. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and subject to availability. Valid for new Scheduled Group bookings subject to promo payment conditions being met. Offer ends July 12, 2012. Please call for details. CST No. 20687545-20
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/28/2012 - 6/10/2012	$4,299
6/2/2012 - 6/15/2012	$4,299
6/4/2012 - 6/17/2012	$4,299
6/9/2012 - 6/22/2012	$4,299
6/16/2012 - 6/29/2012	$4,299
6/18/2012 - 7/1/2012	$4,299
6/23/2012 - 7/6/2012	$4,250
6/25/2012 - 7/8/2012	$4,165
6/30/2012 - 7/13/2012	$4,165
7/2/2012 - 7/15/2012	$4,165
7/9/2012 - 7/22/2012	$4,125
7/16/2012 - 7/29/2012	$4,125
7/23/2012 - 8/5/2012	$4,065
7/30/2012 - 8/12/2012	$4,065
8/6/2012 - 8/19/2012	$4,065
8/25/2012 - 9/7/2012	$4,199
8/27/2012 - 9/9/2012	$4,199
9/1/2012 - 9/14/2012	$4,350
9/3/2012 - 9/16/2012	$4,350
9/8/2012 - 9/21/2012	$4,350
9/10/2012 - 9/23/2012	$4,350
9/15/2012 - 9/28/2012	$4,350
9/17/2012 - 9/30/2012	$4,350
9/22/2012 - 10/5/2012	$4,350
9/24/2012 - 10/7/2012	$4,350
9/29/2012 - 10/12/2012	$4,299
10/1/2012 - 10/14/2012	$4,299
10/6/2012 - 10/19/2012	$4,299
10/8/2012 - 10/21/2012	$4,299
10/13/2012 - 10/26/2012	$4,299
10/15/2012 - 10/28/2012	$4,299
10/20/2012 - 11/2/2012	$4,299
10/22/2012 - 11/4/2012	$4,265
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
Rome: Tour the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. Visit the Colosseum and see the Forum.Siena: See the striped cathedral and vast Campo Square.Tuscany: Enjoy a short tutorial about Chianti wines.Florence: Visit the Academy Gallery to see the Statue of David. See the ‘Gates of Paradise’, Basilica of Santa Croce and visit Signoria Square. Traditional leather-work demonstrationPisa: See the Cathedral, Baptistery and ‘Leaning Tower.Milan: See La Scala Opera House and Gothic cathedral.Italian Lakes: Join us in the social ritual of ‘La Passeggiata’.Verona: See the Roman Arena and Juliet’s balcony.Venice: Drift through the canals with a traditional gondola serenade. Cruise to St Mark’s Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, Doges’ Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. Venetian glass-blowing demonstrationRavenna: See some of Europe’s finest mosaics.Assisi: Visit the Basilica of St Francis with a guide.Cassino: Visit the peaceful Commonwealth War Cemetery.Sorrento: Cruise to the isle of Capri. Ride into Capri town by open top taxi (weather permitting) and return by funicular railway. ‘Intarsio’ demonstrationPompeii: Enjoy a guided tour of the excavations.Scenic Drives: Apennine Hills, Italian Lake District, cliff top drive to Sorrento.

SAVE Up To $600 Per Couple On Select 2012 Insight USA Tours

SAVE Up To $700 On 2012 Insight Europe Tours

SAVE $300 Per Couple On Insight Winter Tours

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour's average rating:

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(4 out of 5, Based on 4 ratings) Write a review.

 

The most recent reviews for this tour:

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EmilyG rated this tour a 4 on 9/3/2011 2:46:01 PM and says:

"We just completed our Italian Escapades Tour and I have to say...it was beyond our greatest expectations. Firstly, our tour director, Kathi Chinini ( Kathi, sorry if spelling is wrong ) was a gem. Personable, helpful, friendly, caring, knowledgeable ...the list goes on and on. Kathi, you made the tour. This was our first escorted tour and we are so happy that we chose "Insight". Everything was exactly as presented and better. The buses were roomy and comfortable. The driver exceptional, thank you Marco! To say the tour was a comprehensive viewing of Italy is an understatement. We took most of the optionals ...except the walking tour of Venice, the Murano Glass Factory, and the Isle of Capri. (We needed some down time but others who went say they were great) Each and every optional we purchased was well worth the additional expense. Do not under miss Sans Gimignano, the Mountain experience with fondue lunch, dinner in the Tuscan Hills, Burano excursion and lunch, Sorrento evening, Positano visit......they were memories for a lifetime. The hotels as provided were exceptional and diverse. The included excursions were fantastic Lake Maggoire was breathtaking.......As you can see, we are so pleased with our holiday.Would we take another bus tour...can't say. The days are very very busy. The morning calls come early, usually before 6am and living out of a suitcase...challenging. I would need to find a tour that has longer stays in each place if that exists. Best advice.....take twice as much money and half as many clothes as originally planned. We never touched our main piece of luggage, Insight staff looked after it from start to finish, so invest in a 31" piece of luggage. I was not aware I could bring a regulation carry-one as well. We just had to deal with putting it underneath the coach and getting it back and forth to our room each day. All and all it was one fantastic vacation and worth every penny spent. Insight....thank you for a wonderful holiday."

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Jack rated this tour a 4 on 8/25/2011 2:14:12 PM and says:

"Long tour, but great trip. Weather was great in the 80's (August trip.) We had great local guides and really liked not having to wait at the big attractions like the Vatican, Colosseum,and Academy Gallery. Tours were like a master class in history, excellent local guides."

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Roberto rated this tour a 4 on 8/25/2011 2:08:52 PM and says:

"We just completed our Italian Escapades Tour and I have to say...it was beyond our greatest expectations. The tour director was a gem. This was our first escorted tour and we were so happy that our travel agent recommended Insight tours. The buses were roomy and the driver was excellent. We did budget to take most of the optional tours. It was expensive but worth it I mean you never know when or if you are going to be able to see these areas again so we wanted to cover as much as possible. That being said, the included sightseeing tours were also wonderful. Do not under miss Sans Gimignano, the Mountain experience with fondue lunch, dinner in the Tuscan Hills, Burano excursion and lunch, Sorrento evening, Positano visit......they were memories for a lifetime. Now will my wife and I ever take another escorted tour. The days are very busy and some are quite long. If we did do it again, our agent advised that some leisure tours are slower paced and dont start until 9 am daily. That would be a better fit for us."

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DMDuff rated this tour a 4 on 10/2/2009 12:25:15 PM and says:

"We had a wonderful time on our Italy Tour (Italian Escapade|September 10-23rd,2009). Insight did a pretty good job moving us around in a Mercedes Coach that was very comfortable. The hotels for the most part were good, but Hotel Dino in the Italian Lakes area and the Grand Hotel Assis were exceptional. The basis tours in package were Ok, but we spent about $1,000.00 on the optional excursions (for 2). They proved to be well worth it. A couple of them included meals with wine. The only disturbing note was our stay in Venice. The hotel was ok we just got stuck with some very bad rooms. Other tour members were placed in another section that was recently remodeled. I think the Tour director could have been more helpful, but all she could do was have us write a letter to Switzerland. I really think we are due a credit for the one night and I plan to pursue it with Insight. Atlas was great and we will be talking to you again soon."

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