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.
The 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 and see St. Peter's Square.
Cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus and the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine, and imagine the bustling ancient pavement of ancient Rome. Discover the history and legends of the iconic Colosseum as you view the exterior of this amazing structure.
Later, perhaps continue your exploration of Rome to see the Pantheon, see the Trevi Fountain and enjoy free time around Piazza Navona. Occasionally, access to the Vatican Museums is limited. If tickets are unavailable, you'll instead explore the Capitoline Museums, home to iconic Roman art and archaeology.
Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii in the company of your Local Expert, who reveals what life looked like before Mount Vesuvius reshaped history. As you navigate timeworn streets and gaze at mosaics still rich with colour, discover the daily rituals and ingenious design of this first-century Roman town, from public bathhouses to private gardens. Pause to savour a chilled lemon granita made from the famed citrus of nearby Sorrento.
Later, travel towards the glittering coastline, arriving at your hotel in Capri or Sorrento (date dependent).
On the island of Capri, enjoy sweeping views of limestone cliffs and azure waters, once a favoured retreat of Roman emperors. In the company of your Local Expert, visit the Gardens of Augustus, planted in the 1930s by a German industrialist and offering exceptional vistas over the iconic Faraglioni rocks. Stroll through Capri town, where whitewashed villas, artisan boutiques and family-run cafes line the narrow lanes.
This afternoon perhaps join an Optional Experience to cruise across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Positano with your Local Expert before time ashore to explore.
Descend to the port and take the jetfoil across the bay to Naples. Follow the Autostrada del Sole north passing Rome and continuing through the region of Umbria. Journey through idyllic Tuscan landscapes to Florence, centre of art and culture, and the heart of the Italian Renaissance.
Explore Florence with Insight Choice: visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's David, alternatively, stroll with your Travel Director to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe.
Continue on a guided walk with a Local Expert through the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria to admire the cathedral, Giotto's bell tower, baptistery and Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise, as well as the statues of Neptune, Hercules and Cacus. Afterwards, witness a demonstration of Florence's renowned leatherwork and gold craftsmanship. In your free time, perhaps explore more of the city or join an Optional Experience to San Gimignano, famed for its medieval towers.
The famous Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre are highlights of your journey, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and celebrated as one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat. Spend some time exploring the old medieval quarter or the popular sandy beach.
Your journey continues to the elegant seaside village of Portofino, epitome of la dolce vita. Admire the colourful houses, browse the boutiques or stay a while in the cafe bars on the piazzetta, watching the yachts moored in the harbour.
In the morning, journey north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where alpine scenery combines with lush subtropical vegetation. Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake or perhaps take a cruise out to the lovely Borromean Islands? For your dining pleasure, you are invited to choose from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Follow the southern fringes of the Alps to the Franciacorta wine region near Lake Iseo. Over 100 vineyards produce the famous sparkling wine of the region and winemaking traditions run deep. Taste the delicious vintages produced with a master vintner at a family-owned estate. Continue to the unique city of Venice and step back in time to centuries past.
Visit St. Mark's Square where the city's former wealth and power is evident in the riches of St. Mark's Basilica. Pause to admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Take your seat on a gondola and be serenaded through a myriad of beautiful canals, passing water-lapped doorways and Rococo palaces.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to discover Venice at leisure. Join a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop, where you'll see how beautiful, handcrafted glass is made by expert artisans, preserving centuries-old skills.
Later, you'll cruise the Venetian lagoon to Burano and sit down to a sumptuous dinner with wine, sampling the local specialities.
Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo airport.
Trip Inclusions
- Rome: Explore Rome's storied past as you see the sweeping Circus Maximus, once the largest stadium in ancient Rome and host to thrilling chariot races. Admire the Arch of Constantine, a triumphal monument built to celebrate Emperor Constantine's victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge and gaze up at the Palatine Hill, the most central of Rome's seven hills and the site where, according to legend, Romulus founded the city.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the first century.
- Capri: Explore Capri town with your Local Expert and see the whitewashed houses, winding alleyways, small cafes, fashionable boutiques and artisans studios.
- Capri: Discover the luxuriant Gardens of Augustus with a Local Expert and admire views of the Faraglioni rocks.
- Florence: Enjoy a stroll through Renaissance Florence and admire the medieval buildings that gave birth to this new style of architecture.
- Florence: See the historic neighbourhood of the Santa Croce Basilica and witness local craftspersons at work during a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
- Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Expert, visit this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, tucked away on the mountainous Italian Riviera coastline. Explore two of the five charming fishing villages for some memorable pictures.
- Portofino: Visit this elegant fishing village and admire the coloured houses and yachts moored in the harbour.
- 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.
- Venice: Travel by boat along the Giudecca Canal as your Travel Director gives an orientation to Venice. Pass 13th to 18th-century palazzi, the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Square, an iconic introduction to the city from the water.
- 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.
- Vatican City: Visit the Vatican Museums and witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
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.
- Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- 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 a local specialty representing the destination.
- Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available
- Italian Lakes: For your Dine-Around Evening, you are offered a selection of hand-picked local restaurants to choose from, each with its own distinctive ambience and cuisine.
- Lake Iseo: Learn about this historic winery, passed down through the generations, and taste its latest vintages.
- Burano: Cruise to the charming fisherman's island of Burano to enjoy a delicious dinner with wine and new-found friends.
- Dining Summary: 5 Dinners (D), 10 Breakfasts (B)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Reviews (5)
This was my first coach tour but certainly won’t be my last - and definitely with Insight! I loved that the accommodation was all in ideal locations and a few were positively lux! The group all got along extremely well. I feel 10 days is a good amount of time. We were all ready to move on. I also appreciated the way Hannah at Global Journeys made the booking process seamless - as we needed to change plans for which trip I was going on. Thank you Hannah, Global Journeys and Insight! Till next time!
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Insight Vacations Europe, Britain & the World (2026-27)
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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 Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
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.
