Italian Splendour

See history embodied in the streets of Pompeii and the antiquities of Rome. Experience the artistic heritage of Florence, the unique waterscape of Venice and the natural beauty of the Italian Lakes, Assisi and Capri in this 12 day Insight Tour.

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.

Departure Dates & Rates

Tour code W203

PD = Preferred Departure
*   = Multiple Departures

Itinerary

12 Days ~ Italy

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)