Italian Escapade

4.2/5 Based on 9 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Italian Escapade
Italian Escapade
Italian Escapade

Overview

Read 9 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Insight Vacations 13 Day Italian Escapade. Travel from Rome to Venice during this 13-day guided tour of Italy. Experience ancient Rome: see the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought, and Circus Maximus, where chariots raced for sport. Cruise around Venice in a private boat, then step onto St. Mark’s Square and stand in awe of its gothic-style Doge’s Palace. Sail to Murano Island, where a glassblower will manipulate molten glass into a work of art in front of your eyes. View the southern cliffs of Sorrento and see majestic Mount Vesuvius in the read more distance. Discover the island of Capri with a Local Expert. Explore its charming alleyways and duck into a shop to purchase a memento. Celebrate a spectacular vacation with a delicious dinner featuring Roman flavours in the Eternal City.
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Trip Length
Trip Length

13 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Rome

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Rome

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Trip Reviews
9 Trip Reviews
Avg. Rating: 4.2/5
Trip Style
Trip Style

Regional Journey

Accommodation
Accommodation

4 - 4.5 Star

Budget
Budget

Premium

Age Range
Age Range

5-99 Years

Max. Group Size
Max. Group Size

40

Guide Style
Guiding Style

Fully Guided

Tour Code
Tour Code

E937

Itinerary

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director as you indulge in dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (D) Stay: Villa Pamphili, Rome

Your day is devoted to the Eternal City. Join a Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Vatican Museums, full of priceless art treasures collected by the Popes. Visit the Sistine Chapel, where Popes are elected, to admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Cross the Tiber River to enjoy ancient Rome and see the incredible Circus Maximus. Admire the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine, walking on the ancient pavement. Discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum as you stroll around the exterior of this amazing structure.

Later, perhaps continue your exploration of Rome to see the Pantheon, the stunning piazzas and fountains of Rome. (B)

Travel north to medieval Siena and stroll through the winding stone-paved streets to the vast Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race takes place amid great festivities. See the Fountain of Joy and then walk up to the hilltop cathedral, striped with marble. Continue through the cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence.

Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo's David. After, admire the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe. (B/D) Stay: Michelangelo, Florence

Enjoy free time to wander Florence's historic streets or choose an Optional Experience to visit San Gimignano, known as Tuscany's ‘medieval Manhattan'. Admire its iconic towers, learn about the rival families who built them and take in centuries-old architecture. Your visit also includes a specially selected local delicacy. (B)

Stop in Pisa to see the incredible Leaning Tower from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity, as well as the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Your journey continues, past the marble quarries at Carrara, used since the time of Ancient Rome, through the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po.

Continue to your lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore. As night time draws in, why not work up an appetite before dinner with a traditional evening stroll, or passeggiata as they say in Italy? (B) Stay: Grand Hotel Dino, Baveno

Today is set aside for you to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights of this beautiful lakeland area. For your Dine-Around evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants for your dining pleasure. (B/D)

Follow the southern fringes of the European Alps to the vineyards of the Franciacorta wine region near the shores of Lake Iseo. Here, winemaking traditions run deep. Taste the delicious vintages produced by a master vintner at a family-owned estate. Continue to the unique city of Venice. (B/D) Stay: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice

A private boat ferries you to St. Mark's Square. See the basilica, Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional workshop, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding creative skills. Enjoy being serenaded on a gondola ride, gliding through the city's canals in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark's square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes? (B)

Skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy's most important rivers, the Adige and Po. The scenery will then change dramatically as you drive through the wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone-built, hilltop town of Assisi, home of St. Francis. See the Church of St. Mary of the Angels before continuing up Mount Subasio. Then, with our Local Expert, visit the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis. (B/D) Stay: Giotto, Assisi

Journey along the clifftop road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking out to Mount Vesuvius. With the evening at leisure, why not try some of the local specialities during a regional dining experience? (B) Stay: Isabella, Sorrento

In the morning, cruise to Capri, known as the Isle of Dreams. With your Local Expert, explore the narrow alleyways of Capri town, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Positano and the Amalfi Coast? (B/D)

Journey north to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Your Local Expert walks you through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. Witness the colourful frescoes that were hidden for centuries.

Continue beneath the striking hilltop Abbey of Montecassino and back to Rome where your journey reaches its zenith in the evening. Take in the vibrant atmosphere of this charming neighbourhood as you indulge in fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta for your dinner. (B/D) Stay: Bettoja Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome

Bid farewell to the glories of Italy, savouring the memories of its enchanting cities, historic landmarks and stunning landscapes. Italy's unique allure will linger in your heart long after you leave. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Rome: Discover ancient treasures of Rome. See Circus Maximus and the Ancient Forum, where Ancient Roman political life and law courts mingled with open-air markets and shops.
  • Siena: See the Fountain of Joy, striped cathedral and vast Piazza del Campo.
  • Florence: Enjoy a stroll through Renaissance Florence and admire the medieval buildings that gave birth to this new style of architecture.
  • Pisa: During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery bristling with marble spines, and the colonnaded bell tower lurching behind the 11th-century cathedral - the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
  • Lake Maggiore: Experience the charming traditional social ritual of la passeggiata in the Italian Lake District. All across Italy, in cities, towns and villages people leave their houses to gently walk streets, from babies in strollers to the most senior citizens. Savour a gelato or glass of wine along the way and observe, as new romances, new babies and new shoes are all put on display. Note the ever-stylish Italians love to dress up for the occasion so feel free add a touch of flair to your outfit!
  • Venice: Join your Travel Director for an introduction to Venice, exploring its canals, lively squares, and historic landmarks. Discover the city's unique charm as you navigate its maze of streets and take in iconic sights like St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge.
  • Venice: Glide through Venice's canals on an iconic gondola ride, passing beneath historic bridges and past elegant palaces. Soak up the city's romantic atmosphere as your gondolier navigates the tranquil waterways, offering a unique perspective of this timeless floating city.
  • Assisi: See St. Mary of the Angels Church and join your Local Expert to walk through the cobbled streets and beautifully preserved medieval laneways of this quaint town.
  • Assisi: With a Local Expert, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of Europe.
  • Sorrento: Perched upon the cliffs, lookout to see the mighty Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.
  • Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters.
  • Capri: Explore Capri town with your Local Expert and see the whitewashed houses, winding alleyways, small cafes, fashionable boutiques and artisans studios.
  • Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the first century.
  • Vatican City: Visit the Vatican Museums, witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and see St. Peter's Basilica.

Choose between two carefully selected activities

  • Florence: Join your Travel Director on a short walk to a local spot loved by residents. Sample a classic Italian treat and hear how it became a staple of the area. It's a chance to experience the flavours locals grow up with and return to time and again.
  • Florence: Stand beside Michelangelo's monumental statue, 'David', in the Accademia Gallery, and admire the exquisite technique and absorbing history behind the world's most famous sculpture.

  • Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's artisans teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft.  This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

  • Florence: Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed.
  • Lake Maggiore: For your Dine-Around evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants featuring regional delicacies.
  • Lake Iseo: Learn about this historic winery, passed down through the generations, and taste its latest vintages.
  • Rome: Enjoy a dinner of delicious Italian cuisine and wine, accompanied by the rich tremolo of some of Italy's best-loved songs.
  • Dining Summary: 7 Dinners (D), 12 Breakfasts (B)

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Operator

Insight Vacations
At Insight Vacations we have been creating magical travel experiences for over 40 years, showcasing the most outstanding destinations and curated experiences in Europe and North America.

Why are we different to any other operator? It’s our unique Insight experiences. It’s our authentic and varied dining options, it’s t moreravelling in smaller groups on customised coaches with twice the legroom, it’s staying in the right hotels in the right location, all brought together seamlessly by our exceptional travel directors. In essence: All the sights, and the insights….up close and personal…in comfort and style.

Travel is such a joy and a personal passion for myself and every member of our team. We’re so proud of the quality, service and value we provide and invite you to try it for yourself. Talk to Global Journeys to find out more about travelling in style and booking your next holiday with Insight Vacations.

Trip Reviews (9)

Insight Vacations Reviews
Reviews 9 Reviews
Average Rating 4.2 out of 5
5 Star
33%
4 Star
56%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
1 Star
Italian Escapade 1 , MA, United States, Jul 2023
This was truly an escapade! You see a LOT of Italy in a very short span of time. It is true that there is a good amount of time spent riding on the coach, but the views and scenery are worth while. Our tour guide was excellent and our driver was simply fantastic, even on the narrow roads. We did visit in the summer, which is not the optimum time read more to visit Rome due to the very high temperatures. The day we toured Rome it was 97 (36) degrees!

The local experts were very good and helped to make each place come alive. A few seemed to be less about the history and culture and more about making sales, but I guess that is to be expected. The hotel accommodations were small but functional and it is true that the Italians don't really care for air conditioning, so if you are accustomed to an icy cool room, you need to rethink! The breakfasts were ok but nothing to write home about and stopping at the truck stops for lunch was less than exciting in terms of Italian cuisine! Global Journeys was easy to work with and I had excellent correspondence with Rachael, who patiently answered each of my questions and concerns.
Italian Escapade 3 , WA, Australia, Aug 2019
Wonderful trip. Insight add a little touch of luxury. Our tour director was very kind, thoughtful and full of information. Highlights were Tuscany and the Italian Lakes, Venice, Assissi. Would have liked to see more of the old part of Rome. A lot of walking- could offer hop on hop off tours for those who have trouble walking.
A great, hassle free way to see Italy. 2 , QLD, Australia, Jun 2019
This was our first Coach Tour we have done, it was a great, hassle free way to see the country. Just sit back and relax. The Insight Vacations' coach was superb, free wifi, extra legroom and the driver was excellent. We did seat rotation each day, and stopped every few hours for breaks.

Our tour guide was excellent, funny and helpful. The weather read more was very hot, 30+ each day and each place we visited was quite crowded, although our tour guide told us it was quiet, peak season being July/August. There were long queues for attractions especially the Vatican, but with the pre booked groups you get to skip the line, no waiting at all for any of them during the trip.

The food was good, best to stick to where the locals eat, the dinners included with the trip were OK, the breakfasts were usually quite chaotic as all the other coach tours use the same hotels, maybe up to 2-3 each morning.

Overall it is an easy way to visit Italy, although there is not much time to relax, we saw so much of the country we would not have seen if we did it by ourselves. Also there were a lot of optional excursions which could have been included in the itinerary, and due to time commitments, we had quite a few lunch stops at motorway service stops.

I would recommend doing this coach tour, but would suggest to go early/late in the season to avoid the crowds and the heat. This was our third trip we have booked through Global Journeys, we booked last minute and within 48 hours we had all our documents ready to go. They always have the best prices, with easy direct contact with your personal agent.
Fabulous Holiday 1 , NSW, Australia, May 2019
A wonderful tour that covered a lot of area in a brief time frame. Our tour guide Vince was amazing, and went out of his way to make our holiday such an enjoyable experience. The bus driver was also highly skilled, and we always felt very safe whilst travelling on the bus. All accommodation was of a high standard, and located in the main cities, not read more on the outskirts. I would highly recommend booking through Global Journeys . Their service from the first phone call I made to request a quote was extremely professional, friendly and punctual. Thank you Global Journeys for an amazing holiday.
Thoroughly enjoyed our trip 2 , NSW, Australia, Jul 2015
We had never done a coach tour prior to the Italian Escapade but certainly will repeat the experience with the same company. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and would not hesitate to recommend the company. We were spoilt and pampered beyond belief! Everything worked like clockwork but we expect that there was a lot of work done behind the scenes that read more we were blissfully unaware of. We found the Tour Director always pleasant, happy and obliging and went out of her way to make sure that we, in turn were completely catered for. So many good memories to take home.
Enjoyed the tour and would consider going on another 2 , Australia, Jun 2014
The coach was very comfortable and roomy. The driver's maneuvering skills was excellent. The guide was always helpful and informative with enjoyable stories to accompany the info. The accommodation was well positioned and the food excellent. The final hotel was not up to standard with my rooms air-conditioning not working and when I complained and they read more moved me to another room its air-conditioning also didn't work but by that time I was too tired to complain and move again. In general I enjoyed the tour and would consider going on another Insight tour.
Tour director was knowledgeable, organised and adaptable 1 , Australia, Oct 2013
We thoroughly enjoyed our Italian Escapade. The tour director Sharon was fantastic - knowledgeable, organised and adaptable. It was our first visit to Italy and we feel we have a really comprehensive snapshot of mainland Italy. The tour was exactly as described in the brochures and on the website. It was a pity that some participants weren't aware of read more some of the physical demands as this did lead to some delays. Sharon managed these issues with diplomacy. Yvonne from Global Journeys was very helpful and professional when we were booking our tour. I would definitely consider both Global Journeys and Insight when travelling in the future.
Had an absolutely fabulous time 2 , Australia, May 2012
Had an absolutely fabulous time. Yvonne did an excellent job of booking the tour for us and answered all our questions. Thanks!
Very energetic tour, fell in love with Italy 1 , Australia, Sep 2011
The Insight tour was great, very energetic. We really enjoyed the tour and fell in love with Italy. The accommodation was great, the hotels which were chosen couldn't be better. The food unfortunately was very ordinary compared to the Uniworld cruise we went on. The Tour director was wonderful and the tour guides were good. All in all very good time was had by all.
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Tuesday 14 Apr 2026 14 Apr 26 Rome
Sunday 26 Apr 2026 26 Apr 26 Rome
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Tuesday 21 Apr 2026 21 Apr 26 Rome
Sunday 03 May 2026 03 May 26 Rome
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Sunday 10 May 2026 10 May 26 Rome
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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