Grand Tour of Italy and Sicily - 16 Days

A comprehensive exploration from north to south. Contrast Sicily’s Greek heritage with the beauty of Capri and Venice’s very own captivating character.

INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director

• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours

• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom

• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

• Insight Traveller Welcome pack

• Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 16 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

• Rome: Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Tour St Peter’s Basilica. Visit the Colosseum and overlook the Forum.

• Tuscany: Enjoy a tasting and talk about Chianti wine.

• Pisa: See the Cathedral, Baptistery and ‘Leaning Tower.

• Portofino: Cruise the Ligurian coast to this beautiful port (weather permitting).

• 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 on 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 demonstration

• 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 demonstration

• 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’ demonstration

• Taormina: Visit the Greek Theatre with views of Mt. Etna. Visit the courtyard of Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament, and stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile.

• Enna: Visit the hill top fortress town.

• Agrigento: Enjoy a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples.

• Palermo: See Quattro Canti Square, visit Palermo Cathedral and admire the dazzling mosaics in the Palatine Chapel

• Pompeii: Tour the excavations with a local guide.

INCLUDED QUALITY DINING

• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)

• Stop in Verona for a Highlight Lunch (HL)

• Choose from a selection of restaurants in Sorrento (DA)

• End-of-tour Celebration Dinner of local cuisine with wine and entertainment in Rome (CD)

• 15 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 5 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, plus tea or coffee (D)`
 

Day 1 - ROME AT LEISURE

Welcome to Rome - not only the fascinating modern capital of Italy but also a spectacular encyclopedia of living history! On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport transfer leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Perhaps take a stroll in the Piazza Navona before joining your Tour Director in the early evening for a Welcome reception including a drink and light meal.

Hotel: Mediterraneo

Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - ROME SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy a tour of the priceless art of the Vatican Museums, followed by a visit to the Sistine Chapel. Using your audio headset, a local guide explains the significance of Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling. Then visit St Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the Tiber to enter the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. You are at leisure this afternoon.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 - ROME – PISA – SANTA MARGHERITA

Drive northwards today through the Tuscan hills. En route, there is a wine tasting and informative talk about the Chianti wines that make this region so famous. Then cross the Arno river to Pisa. Celebrated for its incredible leaning tower, Pisa also boasts a beautiful cathedral and baptistry. Continue along the coast, through tunnels and mountains that plunge dramatically into the sparkling sea. Your destination is the charming seaside resort of Santa Margherita.

Hotel: Best Western Hotel Regina Elena

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 4 - SANTA MARGHERITA - PORTOFINO - ITALIAN LAKES

Enjoy a short cruise (weather permitting) along the Ligurian coast to the exclusive and elegant village of Portofino, epitome of La Dolce Vita. Admire the gaily-coloured houses, browse the boutiques, stay a while in the café bars on the piazzetta and watch the yachts moored in the harbour. Later, head north to beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lake District. Why not join in the traditional ritual of la passeggiata tonight.

Hotel: Simplon

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 5 - ITALIAN LAKES - VERONA - VENICE

Follow the southern fringes of the Alps to romantic Verona, setting for one of history’s saddest love stories. See Juliet’s balcony and the Roman Arena before enjoying an authentic two course highlight lunch, typical of the region, including a glass of the region’s finest. Then it’s off to romantic Venice, ‘Queen of the Adriatic’.

Hotel: Molino Stucky Hilton

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch

Day 6 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Cruise by private launch along canals lined with ornate palaces. Alight at St Mark’s Square where St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs await. After a Venetian glass blowing demonstration step aboard your gondola serenade. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere, music and songs as you drift along the romantic canals. The afternoon is entirely at leisure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 7 - VENICE - FLORENCE

Head for the Apennines and the Tuscan capital of Florence. Join your local guide to visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery. Walk to the Cathedral to see Giotto’s bell tower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before continuing to Signoria Square. Your walking tour finishes at the Basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo lies buried. Finally, watch a leather work demonstration before enjoying time at leisure.

Hotel: NH Firenze

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 8 - FLORENCE AT LEISURE

A whole day is set aside to explore this glorious city, the treasure house of the Italian Renaissance. Check out the art galleries or take an optional drive into the beautiful Tuscan countryside?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 9 - FLORENCE - SORRENTO

Take the smooth motorway southwards through the province of Umbria . Continue through the rich volcanic hills of Frascati to Cassino where you visit the Commonwealth Cemetery, overlooked by the austere monastery of Montecassino. Now follow the cliff top road to the resort of Sorrento.

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 10 - ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

See the local art of ‘intarsio’, before cruising to the beautiful Isle of Capri. An open top taxi takes you up to Capri town to spend time among the shops and admiring the sea views. Descend to the port by funicular and return to Sorrento. For your dining pleasure tonight, choose from a selection of local restaurants.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around

Day 11 - SORRENTO - GIARDINI NAXOS

Head south this morning, following the smooth Autostrada along the very edge of the mountainous Calabria region, so often compared to Switzerland. Continuing down to the very toe of Italy to Reggio Calabria, make the short ferry crossing to Sicily and continue to your seaside resort.

Hotel: Sant Alphio Garden

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 12 - TAORMINA SIGHTSEEING

Drive up to Taormina, clinging to the side of Mount Tauro. Walk with your guide to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja. Visit the Greek Theatre, graced with the most spectacular of backdrops. Now stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile for more panoramic views. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 13 - GIARDINI NAXOS - AGRIGENTO

Travel to the hilltop town of Enna, the Belvedere of Sicily. Explore the quaint streets, see the cathedral or enjoy the views from the medieval castle. Move on to Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily where the Valley of the Temples once formed part of the Greek colony of Akragas. Walk with your guide along the fortified ridge to witness the main temples.

Hotel: Della Valle

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 14 - AGRIGENTO - PALERMO - OVERNIGHT BOAT

Cross the island to Palermo where a local guide shows you the highlights of the capital. Pass the huge Teatro Massimo to the baroque Quattro Canti Square and glimpse the ‘fountain of shame’. Visit Palermo Cathedral and admire the golden mosaics in the Palatine Chapel of the Palace of the Normans. Enjoy free time to explore until it’s time to board your overnight ferry.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 15 - NAPLES - POMPEII - ROME

Arrive in Naples in time for breakfast and an orientation tour of the city. Afterwards, continue to Pompeii, buried in 79 AD by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk through the cobbled streets with your guide and inspect some of the villas before returning to Rome. Tonight, join us for a farewell Celebration Dinner complete with pasta and music.

Hotel: Sheraton Rome

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner with wine

Day 16 - ROME

Arrivederci Roma! Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast
 

Most Insight tours already include a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. There may also be 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.

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)
Adult Price: EURO 57
Code: FLO03A

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.
Adult Price: EURO 31
Code: FLO09

PISA AND LUCCA

First to Pisa, where we view the Square of Miracles and see the world famous Leaning Tower, with our local guide. Next to Lucca, a delightful town which is completely surrounded by its medieval walls which are perfectly intact. Our orientation tour shows us the squares and piazzas of this stunning city.
Adult Price: EURO 41
Code: FLO11

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 Fountains and the Dragon Fountain of the Organ.
Adult Price: EURO 40
Code: ROM06

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.
Adult Price: EURO 32
Code: ROM16

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.
Adult Price: EURO 46
Code: ROM18

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!
Adult Price: EURO 57
Code: SRR03

AMALFI COAST DRIVE POSITANO VISIT

First we drive along the famous Amalfi Coast with its clear blue waters and picturesque resorts. We stop to transfer to minibuses in order to visit the exclusive artist's paradise of Positano, magnificently positioned on the Mediterranean coast.
Adult Price: EURO 38
Code: SRR08

ISLAND TOUR ISLE OF CAPRI

Spectacular cliffs and the famous turquoise coloured waters are best experienced with a relaxing cruise around the island to view the beautiful white grotto and unique coastline. Our cruise ends in Capri town at the Augustus Gardens with picture postcard views. Enjoy a lemon granita, a speciality of the island. This optional is weather dependent and will be replaced by a mini bus tour of the Island to Anacapri, the highest village and will include a visit toVilla San Michele.
Adult Price: EURO 37
Code: SRR14

DINNER IN SICILY

On an island renowned for its delicious cuisine enjoy a fantastic “Sicilian” evening with a dinner of Southern Italian specialities!
Adult Price: EURO 52
Code: TAO02

MT ETNA SAVOCA AND THE GODFATHER

Enter the rustic village life of Sicily with our local guide as we visit Savoca, the town also chosen by Frances F Coppola for his movie “The Godfather”. Enjoy the stunning views and visit Vitelli’s bar, used in one of the scenes of the film, famous for its tasty, ice cold, “granite di limone”. Then up Mt. Etna, the famous active volcano - the highest in Europe. You will have time to photograph the spectacular scenery before our return to Taormina.
Adult Price: EURO 55
Code: TAO06

BURANO EXCURSION LUNCH

Explore the Venetian lagoon on our cruise around the islands including the colourful island of Burano - a photographer's paradise and famous for its lace. Then enjoy a superb lunch sampling the local specialities. An excursion not to be missed! Lunch may be replaced with a dinner.
Adult Price: EURO 65
Code: VCE02

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 café where we sit under the stars listening to the orchestra play some of Italy’s best loved music (One drink is included).
Adult Price: EURO 45
Code: VCE06

HIDDEN VENICE

An historical walk, with a local guide, through some of the lesser known quarters of Venice. Discover some of the secrets of other quarters of the Venetian labyrinth. Your experience will be enhanced by the use of individual headsets.
Adult Price: EURO 26
Code: VCE09

Complete Tour of Italy & Sicily

THIS TOUR IS NOT OPERATED BY INSIGHT VACATIONS

Day 1: Rome.
Transfer from Rome airport to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure. (D)

Day 2: Rome.
Guided panoramic tour of Rome.
Before dinner enjoy a walking tour through the masterpieces of Bernini & Borromini. (B,D)

Day 3: Rome – Siena – Florence.
Arrive in Siena for a walking tour of the city, famous for the Palio race. Continue to Florence with
a stop at Michelangelo’s Square for a photo opportunity. (B,D)

Day 4: Florence – Pisa – Florence.
Morning tour of Florence including the Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Church of Santa Croce.
Proceed to Pisa to see The Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Free time before returning to Florence. (B,L)

Day 5: Florence – Venice.
Morning at leisure before departing for Venice with the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 6: Venice – San Marino.
Tour of St. Mark’s Square and the surrounding sites. Rest of the day is at leisure to discover this unique city.
Afternoon departure for San Marino. (B,D)

Day 7: San Marino – Assisi – Rome.
Morning at leisure in San Marino before departing for the medieval town of Assisi.
Visit the Basilica. Late afternoon arrival into Rome with overnight near the airport. (B,D)

Day 8: Rome – Naples – Sorrento.
Depart for Naples with a photo stop and a panoramic tour.
Continue to Sorrento for overnight. (B,D)

Day 9: Sorrento – Capri – Sorrento.
Depart by hydrofoil to the island of Capri. Time at leisure on the island before returning to Sorrento where you
have free time. (B,D)

Day 10: Sorrento – Rome.
Morning at leisure before departing for Rome downtown. (B)

Day 11: Rome.
Transfer to Rome airport.
End of services. (B)

Day 12: Taormina – Mt. Etna – Syracuse –
Taormina. Depart for the volcano of Mt. Etna. Continue to Syracuse, for a guided visit of the
Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysus. (B,D)

Day 13: Taormina – Piazza Armerina –
Agrigento. Guided visit to the Roman Villas of Piazza Armerina with their beautiful mosaics,
a UNESCO World Heritage site. Depart for Agrigento to admire the Valley of Temples. (B,D)

Day 14: Agrigento – Monreale – Palermo –
Rome. Depart for Monreale for a guided visit of the moorish-norman style Duomo. Continue
to Palermo for a panoramic visit. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rome (flight included).
Transfer to your hotel near airport. (B,L)

Day 15: Rome.
Transfer to Rome airport.
End of services. (B)

Includes:

Transportation by air-cond. vehicle
14 nights accommodation in 4Star hotels
Flight Palermo – Rome (Economy)
Tours as per itinerary with English speaking guide
Meals as per itinerary
Entrance fees

BOOK BY 15 FEB 2012

AUD$3,163 p.p. twin share

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES

13, 20, 27 May 2012

3, 10, 17, 24 June 2012

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 July 2012

5, 12, 19, 26 August 2012

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 September 2012

7 October 2012