Best of Italy

Roman antiquities, pious Assisi, Venetian canals, Renaissance Florence and Capri sunshine are fused with a touch of 'la dolce vita' for the perfect tour of Italy.

Insight Vacations - Best of Italy Premium Highlights

 Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit the superb Vatican Museums and admire Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
    * Explore the wonders of ancient Rome as you visit the Colosseum and overlook the Forum
    * Drift through the romantic canals of Venice by traditional gondola
    * Visit Florence's Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's original 'Statue of David'
    * Cruise to Capri, the Island of Dreams, and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway
    * Glimpse a moment of every day Roman life, as you tour the excavations of Pompeii

Included Personal Insights

    * As night falls, locals dress for the evening and enjoy 'the art of strolling the streets.
    * Join us in the Italian social ritual of 'La Passeggiata'
    * Enjoy a short tutorial about the world famous Chianti wines of Tuscany

Included Additional Excursions & Sights

    * Tour St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
    * Visit the Basilicas of St Francis and St Mary of the Angels in Assisi
    * Cruise, with commentary, to St Mark's Square in Venice
    * See the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace and St Mark's Basilica
    * Scenic Brenta Canal drive past the summer mansions of the Venetian nobility
    * See the Cathedral, Baptistery and famous 'Leaning Tower of Pisa'
    * See Florence's Cathedral, belltower, 'Gates of Paradise' and visit Signoria Square
    * Visit the Commonwealth Cemetery at Cassino
    * Demonstration of traditional Florentine leather-work,
    * Demonstration of 'Intarsio' marquetry inlay woodworking in Sorrento
    * Demonstration of traditional glass-blowing in Venice
    * Scenic Apennine Mountains drive
    * Cliff-top drive from Sorrento to Naples overlooking the Bay of Naples

Included 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 Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
    * Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 10

Included Quality Dining

    * Highlight Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome (HD)
    * 9 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

ITINERARY Insight Vacations - Best of Italy

Tour Pace

This tour has a well balanced pace with two night stays in three of the five centres – Rome, Tuscany and Sorrento – with overnight stays in Assisi and Venice. The driving days are of a comfortable length with several stops en route, both for refreshment and photography.

DAY 1 – ROME AT LEISURE

On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. After checking in, there's time at leisure to explore or relax. Perhaps spend some time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso or the elegant designer stores in the neighbourhood of the Spanish Steps? Tonight, we get together with our Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peters.

DAY 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING

This morning we enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour with a local guide which takes us inside the Vatican Museums to gaze upon the treasures of the Popes. We also see Michelangelo's famous ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel. Next we tour St Peter's Basilica to wonder at another of his works, the emotive 'Pieta'. Now we cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial contests and we also overlook the Roman Forum. The rest of the day is at leisure to continue sightseeing or shop? (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 3 – ROME – ASSISI

We leave Rome this morning, following the valley of the River Tiber until we reach the hills of Umbria, which form part of the Apennines. Our destination today is the peaceful hilltop town of Assisi, the home of St Francis. First, we visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built on the site of the original Porziuncule Chapel foundations. Then we continue up Mount Subasio to the town, where we visit the Basilica of St Francis with its magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto. Hotel: Subasio. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 4 – ASSISI – VENICE

A pleasant drive brings us to the romantic city of Venice. What better way to see Venice than from our own private launch? We cruise past Palladian churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark's square where we disembark to see the Doges' Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! Around the corner we admire the mosaics of the Basilica and then watch one of the few remaining Masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory. Now relax and enjoy the atmosphere as we cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. Hotel: Continental/Gabrielli Sandwirth. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 5 – VENICE – TUSCANY

Leaving magical Venice this morning, we drive along the scenic Brenta Canal with its magnificent Palladian villas, once the summer residences of Venetian nobility. We then cross the plain of the Po River and traverse the Apennines, the hilly backbone of Italy, to reach the Arno valley. We now follow the river westwards to the coastal town of Pisa. Here we see the famous Leaning Tower, where elaborate steps have been taken to prevent this landmark from falling over! There is also time to admire the white marble cathedral and Baptistery, before we continue to the Tuscan spa resort of Montecatini for our two night stay. Hotel: Francia & Quirinale. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 6 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

This morning we drive to the Tuscan capital, Florence, where we are joined by a local guide. Our walking tour begins with a highlight visit inside the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's monumental figure of David. Now we continue to the multi-coloured marble Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore, where we see Giotto's belltower, and 'Gates of Paradise'. We also visit the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. The area around nearby Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the high quality of its luxury goods, and so we are treated to a demonstration of leatherwork, where this craft first established itself. Then, there's free time to shop for Florence's finest or continue sightseeing! (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 7 – TUSCANY – SORRENTO

Today the smooth motorway takes us south through the rich volcanic hills of Frascati to Cassino. Here we visit the Commonwealth Cemetery, overlooked by the austere monastery of Montecassino - headquarters of the Benedictine order. Now we take the clifftop road to our hotel in the picturesque resort of Sorrento. Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 8 – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

This morning we are shown the art of 'intarsio' or marquetry wood inlaying, and then we cruise to the sun drenched island of Dreams, Capri - a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean. We take the funicular train up to the main village (Capri Town), then time to explore the narrow alleyways, browse in the exclusive boutiques, and enjoy fabulous views over the Mediterranean Sea. Perhaps join an optional tour to Anacapri, where you can visit Villa San Michele before returning to our hotel for some time to relax. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

Day 9 - SORRENTO - POMPEII - ROME

Only a short drive from the hotel lies Pompeii, the opulent Roman town which was preserved by layers of ash from the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. A walking tour with a local guide through the cobbled streets and extensive excavations reveals the daily life of ancient Roman civilisation. Afterwards, the smooth motorway leads back to the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a last night celebration Highlight Dinner of local cuisine, complete with wine and entertainment.
Hotel: Sheraton Roma (BB,HD)

DAY 10 – ROME

Arrivederci Roma! Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (BB)

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

ROM16 - PIAZZA & FOUNTAINS
This walking tour takes you to the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona with its pavement cafes, 17th century fountains and architecture. Perhaps have your portrait painted by one of the street artists! This tour is conducted by a local guide and you will utilise personal headsets. EURO 32

ROM06 - TIVOLI GARDENS
A guided tour of the Villa d'Este with its famous gardens and fountains built by Cardinal d'Este to entice his wealthy friends out from Rome. You will visit its grottos and pavilions, the Avenue of a Hundred Fountainsand the Dragon Fountain of the Organ. EURO 40

ROM18 - ILLUMINATIONS DRIVE & PIZZA DINNER
Tonight we have a pizza dinner in a typical Roman restaurant before enjoying an illuminations drive which shows us Piazza Venezia, the Forum, the Colosseum and the Campidoglio. EURO 46

ROM19 - ROME OF THE ANCIENT CHRISTIANS
We visit the Catacombs, which are early Christian underground cemeteries carved out of soft tufa stone. Then to St. Peter in Chains to view the magnificent 'Moses' sculpture by Michelangelo. EURO 34

PER01 - EXCURSION TO SPELLO
An afternoon excursion to the breathtaking Umbrian town of Spello. Our local guide reveals the treasures of this beautiful region. EURO 23

VCE06 - MAGICAL VENICE
This evening we board our private boats for a cruise down the famous "Grand Canal", past illuminated palazzi and twinkling chandeliers, to the romantic St Mark's Square. We have reservations in a famous cafe where we sit under the stars listening to the orchestra play some of Italy's best loved music (One drink is included). EURO 45

FLO03A - DINNER IN TUSCANY
A fabulous dinner of Tuscan specialties awaits you. We drive into the hills surrounding Florence for a fabulous meal and Chianti wine! A great evening of food, wine and fun! (On certain occasions a visit to the Monastery will be included before the dinner Euro 62). EURO 57

FLO09 - SAN GIMIGNANO EXCURSION
A delightful excursion to Tuscany's most famous hilltop town. San Gimignano is considered the medieval Manhattan of Italy due to its towers which dominate the skyline. There is time to enjoy the atmosphere of this unchanged ancient jewel which has remained intact since the 14th century, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage town. EURO 31

SRR02A - ISLE OF CAPRI, ANACAPRI & LUNCH
The Isle of Capri is best seen on a minibus tour. We drive to Anacapri with its magnificent views over the Mediterranean. We then have a guided tour of the famous Villa San Michele, followed by free time to window shop before continuing to Capri town. Light lunch is included. (On certain days the Villa may be substituted with the chairlift to Mt Solaro. It can also be offered without lunch at Euro 37). EURO 52

SRR08A - AMALFI COAST DRIVE & POSITANO VISIT
A drive along Italy's stunning Amalfi Coast brings us to Positano. This sun-drenched artist's resort is the 'Pearl of Amalfi'. Spend time exploring the elegant shops, watching the artist's at work, or enjoying an 'aperitivo' in a beachside cafe. Now continue into the hills above Sorrento to a typical Sorrentino farm. Here with a local family, surrounded by lemon tree's and olive groves, we enjoy the delights of the 'Bay of Naples', including the famous Mozarella and other local specialties. Don't forget to try the homemade Limoncello.... Buonissimo! EURO 36

SRR03 - SORRENTO EVENING
A chance to enjoy a delicious dinner of local specialities. We arrive at one of the area's top local restaurants for an incredible dining experience featuring some of the famous dishes of this region! EURO 57