Hotels
The hotels on this tour range from the modern Sheraton in Florence, to the far more traditional Continental overlooking Venice’s Grand Canal. Enjoy stunning views from the hilltop Windsor Savoia in Assisi, and gentle seaside breezes from the Sant Alphio Garden, Giardini Naxos.

Fellow Passengers
This tour appeals particularly to the traveler who has perhaps visited Italy briefly on a European panoramic tour and now wishes to look at the country in more depth. It also suits the art history specialist who wishes to visit the country for the first time.

Highlights
Top of the list is the extraordinary beauty and heritage of Sicily, followed by another beautiful island, Capri. Meanwhile, the contrasts between the gentle town of Assisi and the waterscape of Venice are stark, while the masterpieces of Michelangelo are stunning.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

• Tour St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City seeing the Popes’ Altar by Bernini
• Visit the peaceful Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino
• 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
• Visit the Basilica St Mary of the Angels & the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi
• Scenic Brenta Canal drive past the summer mansions of the Venetian nobility
• 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
• Visit Rome’s Piazza di Spagna dominated by the majestic Spanish Steps
• Demonstrations of traditional Venetian glass-blowing, ‘Intarsio’ inlay woodwork in Sorrento and traditional Florentine leatherwork
• Scenic drives through the Apennines, Cyclops Riviera & Sorrento cliff top drive

Guided City Tour

• In-depth sightseeing tours with audio headsets where appropriate in Rome, Pompeii, Palermo, Agrigento, Assisi & Florence
• Orientation tours in Taormina, Sorrento, Venice & Siena

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 16

Quality Dining
Highlight Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome (HD)
14 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 7 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

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 – FRI – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Rome.

DAY 2 – SAT – ROME AT LEISURE
On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Relax on the Via Veneto or stroll the Piazza Navona before joining your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Cicerone.

DAY 3 – SUN – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Tour St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, seeing the Popes’ Altar by Bernini and Michelangelo’s Pieta. Now visit the Colosseum, scene of great entertainment in Imperial times and overlook the Roman Forum. Time at leisure this afternoon. (BB)

DAY 4 – MON – ROME – OVERNIGHT FERRY
Meet your local guide for a sightseeing tour of the priceless art in the Vatican Museums before admiring Michelangelo’s amazing ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Drive through vine-covered hills to visit the peaceful Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino. Stop at Pompeii, where a local expert will guide you around the excavations of the city, buried by an eruption in 79AD. Drive through the city of Naples before boarding an overnight ferry to Sicily. (BB)

DAY 5 – TUE – PALERMO – AGRIGENTO
Arrive in the early morning in Palermo where a guided tour will show you the cathedral, the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel and the magnificent Monreale. Then it’s off to the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily. See the impressive Temple of Concord and Temple of Juno, overlooking the sea.
Hotel: Jolly della Valle. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – WED – AGRIGENTO – GIARDINI NAXOS
Travel into the heart of Sicily to visit the Roman Villa of Casale, noted for the mosaics which cover almost the entire floor. Descend to the east coast and follow the coastline of the Cyclops Riviera to Giardini Naxos.
Hotel: Sant Alphio. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – THU – TAORMINA EXCURSION
Tour the hillside town of Taormina. Founded in 400 BC, Taormina is beautifully located, facing the snowy peak of Mount Etna. Visit the Greek Theatre before free time to explore the sub-tropical terraced gardens, or stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for panoramic views across the bay. Return to Giardini Naxos where the rest of the day is at leisure. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – FRI – GIARDINI NAXOS – SORRENTO
Drive to Messina to board the ferry back to the Italian mainland. Continuing north past Salerno, take the cliff-top road to Sorrento.
Hotel: Parco del Sole. (BB)

DAY 9 – SAT – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
See the art of ‘intarsio’, or marquetry wood inlaying, before cruising to the island of Capri. A funicular train takes you up to Capri town to spend time browsing the shops and admiring the Mediterranean views. Perhaps visit Anacapri before returning to Sorrento. (BB,D)

DAY 10 – SUN – SORRENTO – ASSISI
Drive north into Umbria and continue to the walled town of Assisi, spread across the slopes of Monte Subasio. Stroll through the narrow streets and visit the Basilica of St Francis with its famous frescoes by Giotto before spending the afternoon at leisure. The energetic can climb up to the castle for fine views over the valley. Hotel: Windsor Savoia. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – MON – ASSISI – VENICE
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. Drive along the scenic Brenta Canal with its magnificent Palladian villas, once the summer residences of Venetian nobility, to the romantic city of Venice, where your hotel overlooks the Grand Canal.
Hotel: Continental. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – TUE – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Relax and enjoy the scenery as you travel by private launch to St Mark’s Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Doges’ Palace to the prisons. See the ornate St Mark’s Basilica, followed by a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing. To truly appreciate this unique city, step aboard your gondola to glide along the peaceful canals. Now you are at leisure. Why not cruise to Burano Island for a delicious seafood meal? (BB)

DAY 13 – WED – VENICE – FLORENCE
Cross the fertile valley of the river Po before heading into the Apennines to the Tuscan capital, Florence. A guided tour takes you to the original ‘Statue of David’ inside the Academy Gallery. Walk to the Cathedral to see Giotto’s Belltower and the ‘Gates of Paradise’ before continuing to Signoria Square, adorned with statues and fountains, before visiting the basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo lies buried. Finally, watch a leatherwork demonstration before enjoying some time at leisure. Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,D)

DAY 14 – THU – FLORENCE AT LEISURE
A whole day is set aside to explore this glorious city, the treasure house of the Italian Renaissance. Take an excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa or indulge in a delicious local meal with rich Chianti wine. (BB)

DAY 15 – FRI – FLORENCE – ROME
Travel through the Chianti vineyards and olive groves to Siena, Renaissance rival of Florence. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets to the vast Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place. See the Town Hall, Della Quercia's ‘Fountain of Joy’, and climb up to the hilltop Cathedral before returning to Rome for a last night celebration Highlight Dinner with pasta and music.
Hotel: Marriott Park. (BB,HD)

DAY 16 – SAT – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to Rome Airport. (BB)

• Taxes not included.

• The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

Single room supplement $870
Share a Triple Room SAVE $140
Young traveler 5-17 discount 5%

Book and Pay        4 - 6 months in advance         SAVE 2.5%
Book and Pay        7 - 9 months in advance         SAVE 5%
Book and Pay     10- 12 months in advance         SAVE 7.5%
Book and Pay     Over 12 month in advance         SAVE 10%

Tours must be booked and paid for in full for this discount to apply.  Discounts apply to the land only portion of your tour.  Restrictions apply as follows: Does not apply to Nile or Mediterranean cruises; does not apply to additional accommodations; does not apply to Independent vacations; does not apply to Turkey or Israel tours; does not apply to other  select tour, please call for details.

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