12 Days ~ Italy
Tour Pace - This is a perfectly
paced tour with two-night stays in Rome, Sorrento,
Venice and Florence. All travelling days are of a
reasonable length with interesting stops en route
for refreshments, sightseeing or photos.
Fellow Passengers - This popular
itinerary suits those looking for a well-paced,
comprehensive tour of mainland Italy. It focuses on
history, art, and architecture from Roman times
through to the golden age of the 15 & 16C.
DAY 1 – ARRIVE ROME
Welcome to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome - once hub of
the vast Roman Empire. Complimentary transfers to
your Insight tour hotel depart Rome’s Fiumicino
Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30
hours. Later, join your fellow guests and Tour
Director for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace.
DAY 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Meet your guide in the Vatican State, the richest
community in the world, and visit the superb Vatican
Museums. Browse through the vast art collection
before emerging into the Sistine Chapel,
immortalised by Michelangelo's painted ceiling. Your
tour continues inside St Peter’s Basilica, designed
by some of history's greatest architects - Bramante,
Bernini and Michelangelo. Another highlight takes
you inside the massive Colosseum, scene of great
excitement in imperial times. Then look out over the
ruins of the Forum - once the religious, political
and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. (BB)
DAY 3 – ROME – SORRENTO
Travel southwards towards Pompeii, the incredibly
preserved Roman city, destroyed by the eruption of
Vesuvius (still one of Europe's few active volcanos)
in 79 A.D. After a walk with a local guide through
cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas
and temples, continue along the Bay of Naples to the
lively cliff-top resort of Sorrento. Why not dine at
one of Sorrento’s top restaurants tonight?
Hotel: Michelangelo. (BB)
DAY 4 – SORRENTO SIGHTSEEING
Visit Sorrento’s Piazza Tasso and watch the art of
‘intarsio’ wood inlaying. Cruise to the island of
Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway.
There is time to explore before returning to
Sorrento. (BB,D)
DAY 5 – SORRENTO – ASSISI
You pass beneath the hilltop monastery of Monte
Cassino today, before climbing into the foothills of
the Appenine Mountains. Stop first at the massive
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built around
the tiny chapel of the monastery founded by St
Francis himself. Now ascend to the charming
hill-town of Assisi, a perfectly preserved medieval
community of cobbled streets and houses of warm pink
stone. Visit the impressive basilica, housing the
saint's tomb and decorated with frescoes by Giotto.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Assisi. (BB,D)
DAY 6 – ASSISI – VENICE
A delightful mountain drive takes you through the
heart of the Appenines to the Adriatic coast and on
to Ravenna, the 'City of Mosaics' and meeting point
of Roman, Christian and Byzantine cultures. At one
time a Roman naval base and the site of Dante's
tomb, your guide reveals some of Ravenna’s great
artistic treasures and famous buildings. Continue
through the marshes of the Venetian lagoon and
across the causeway to the unique city of Venice.
Your hotel is located directly on the Grand Canal.
Hotel: Continental. (BB,D)
DAY 7 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Venice - a living treasure! What better way to see
it than from a private launch? Cruise past Palladian
churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark’s
Square. See the Doges’ Palace, connected to the
prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here
that Casanova made his daring escape! Now turn the
corner, and the gilded regalia of St Mark’s Basilica
comes into view. Finally, watch one of the few
remaining masters blow molten glass into a unique
creation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory. (BB)
DAY 8 – VENICE – COMO
This morning travel to Verona, setting for one of
history's saddest love stories. Here view the maze
of elegant squares, the Roman Arena, where Opera is
still performed, and glimpse the Capulet House with
its famous balcony. Cross the fertile northern
plains and pass by the outskirts of Milan, the
commercial capital, before heading north to the
Italian Lake District and the stunning beauty of
Lake Como, your destination for tonight.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Di Como. (BB,D)
DAY 9 – COMO – FLORENCE
Head towards the Mediterranean and stop at Pisa to
see the famous Leaning Tower in the 'Field of
Miracles', and also the 11th century Cathedral and
Baptistry. Continue to your hotel in the heart of
Florence, treasure house of the Renaissance.
Hotel: Cosmopolitan. (BB,D)
DAY 10 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide for a walking tour and highlight
visit to the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s
monumental figure of David. Continue to the multi-coloured
marble Cathedral to see Giotto’s belltower and
‘Gates of Paradise’ before visiting the Piazza della
Signoria, still the political heart of Florence.
Finally watch a demonstration of leatherwork in the
area around Santa Croce Basilica. Then, there’s free
time to shop for Florence’s finest or continue
sightseeing. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)
DAY 11 – FLORENCE – ROME
Travel through the Chianti vineyards and olive
groves to Siena, Renaissance rival of Florence. Walk
through the narrow cobbled streets, lined with
palaces and mansions to reach 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. Drive to a local restaurant tonight for a
highlight farewell dinner including pasta, vino and
entertainment.
Hotel: Villa Pamphili. (BB,HD)
DAY 12 – ROME
Sadly, our tour comes to an end after breakfast
today. Transfers from the hotel arrive at Rome’s
Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07.00 & 09.30
hours. (BB)
