Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious dinner with wine. (D) Stay: Bettoja Mediterraneo, Rome
Enjoy the very best of the city's highlights including entering the Vatican City and fast-tracked entry into the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert. Admire the Papal art collection before entering the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece. Afterwards, visit St. Peter's Basilica.
Later, cross the Tiber River to enjoy ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus famous for its chariot races, and the iconic Colosseum. (B)
Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo's David. After, continue on foot to admire the multicoloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory.
Continue into the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune and Hercules and Cacus along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe. (B/D) Stay: Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano
Spend time exploring the maze of alleyways and admire scenic views across the valley. Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli, for a taste of his finest frozen treats. (B)
Drive through the patchwork of vines, olives and cypresses that typify the Chianti hills before continuing to Pisa and see the incredible Leaning Tower, from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. See the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble.
Next, journey to the sea and cruise along the rugged Ligurian coast to the elegant seaside village of Portofino, the epitome of la dolce vita (should weather permit). Finish your journey in the charming seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure, a true gem on the coast. (B/D) Stay: Best Western Regina Elena, Santa Margherita Ligure
Head to Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Italy's most stunning landscapes. Cruise along the Cinque Terre coastline (weather permitting) with your Local Expert, passing rugged cliffs and pastel-hued villages perched above the Ligurian Sea. Arrive by boat at one of the region's historic fishing communities and enjoy a Sea-to-Table lunch, prepared with the day's local catch.
Afterwards, explore at your own pace—wander cobbled lanes, browse artisan boutiques or unwind at a cafe overlooking the village square. (B/L)
Head north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where Alpine scenery combines with lush vegetation. Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake. (B) Stay: Grand Hotel Dino, Baveno
Travel through the stunning northern Italian countryside to one of the world's most breath-taking wine regions. The vineyards around Conegliano Veneto produce Italy's most prized sparkling wine. Be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavour of prosecco. Continue through the Dolomites, to the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo. (B/D) Stay: Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo
The whole day is free for you to explore the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites, one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Alps. During summer, once the snow and ice have melted away, a breathtaking landscape is revealed. There are a number of walking tracks through pristine Alpine wilderness for the adventurous to explore, or for a more relaxed pace, perhaps take a thrilling optional experience to the summit of one of the peaks for breathtaking panoramic views? (B)
Descend through the mountains to the romantic city of Venice. A private boat glides you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St. Mark's Square. See the basilica, the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, before checking into your luxurious hotel. With the afternoon at leisure, why not cruise the Venetian Lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialities and wine? (B) Stay: Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Then there is free time to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this incredible city at your own pace. Mingle with the locals at the open air markets near the Rialto Bridge and explore the back lanes and squares where Venetians go about their day.
Later, on your romantic gondola serenade, glide along the atmospheric canals exploring the intimate and hidden parts of this unique city while musicians set the mood with traditional songs.
This evening, indulge in traditional Venetian dishes that are enriched with inspiration from seasonal produce during a magical dinner. (B/D)
Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo airport. (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.
- Florence: Enjoy a stroll through Renaissance Florence and admire the medieval buildings that gave birth to this new style of architecture.
- San Gimignano: Visit the Tuscan town of San Gimignano, often called the 'Medieval Manhattan' of Italy.
- 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.
- Portofino: Cruise from Santa Margherita and get a taste of the sweet life in this elegant resort.
- 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.
- Baveno: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the cobbled streets and 16th century square.
- Cortina d'Ampezzo: Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Cortina, a small town framed by magnificent alps as your Travel Director conducts an orientation.
- 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, witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and see St. Peter's Basilica.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 master craftsmen 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.
- San Gimignano: Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli for a taste of his finest frozen treats.
- Monterosso al Mare: Savour a freshly prepared Sea-to-Table lunch of locally sourced produce.
- Conegliano: Visit a local winery and delight in a tasting of their magnificent prosecco. Meet the vignerons and learn how this local drink has come to rival its well-known counterpart in France.
- Venice: Enjoy a true Venetian dining experience.
- Dining Summary: 5 Dinners (D), 11 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L)
- 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
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Insight Vacations Europe, Britain & the World (2025-26)
Dates & Pricing
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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.
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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