Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (DW) Stay: Room 007 Select, Rome.
Today 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 the Popes are elected, to admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Continue to St. Peter's Basilica, to wonder at another of his works, the emotive ‘Pietà,' and stand beneath the dome completed after his death. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy views of ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus and the legendary Colosseum.
There's free time to do as the Romans do, or perhaps join a walking tour and toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon, the best preserved monument from the Roman period, and enjoy free time in Piazza Navona. (B)
Venture to Castel Gandolfo to explore the artistic treasure of the Villa Barberini Gardens. Ride an electric train along the pathways to marvel at the intricately designed mosaic flower beds and fountains. After our visit to the former papal gardens our journey continues south, drinking in the views of the Bay of Naples, to the resort town of Sorrento. (B) Stay: Majestic Palace Hotel, Sorrento.
Meet your Local Expert and cross the Bay of Naples to reach the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean. For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields. Arrive at the Marina Grande by boat and ascend to Capri town. Explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento. Travel along Italy's finest coastline, the Amalfi Coast. Stop for a bird's-eye view of the terraced houses of Positano. (B)
Journey to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii to explore this extraordinary site with your Local Expert. Travel into the heart of Italy to enjoy free time in Todi, located on a hilltop pedestal overlooking a vineyard-covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation and admire the Piazza del Popolo where locals take their evening 'passeggiata'. Cap off the day dining at a local restaurant with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine - a magical culinary experience. (B/DW) Stay: Hotel Fonte Cesia
Journey through the undulating splendour of the Umbrian hills where the glossy green vine leaves reflect the warm sunshine of the region. Nestled in this glorious scenery is a family-owned business run by the females of the family. Taste the flavours of the region including Umbrian wine and olive oil. Learn how they have developed their business and produced award-winning wines before tasting the results of their work. (B)
Cross the River Tiber to see the church of St. Mary of the Angels. Under the dome is a small medieval chapel and the spot where St. Francis died. In Assisi see St. Clare's Church and the cathedral. Continue to walk down the Via San Francesco and visit the huge Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert. Journey to beautiful Perugia - the jewel of Umbria. Your guided walking exploration begins in the main street of Perugia's Old Town. See the Collegio del Cambio, the splendid Priors' Palace, the Cathedral and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the magnificent main square.
In the evening there is the option to discover the edible treasures of a traditional Umbrian kitchen, accompanied with wines of the region. (B) Stay: Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.
In Perugia, explore more of this gem of a town. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit a women-run artisanal workshop and meet Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Learn how Marta and her weavers are preserving the ancient craft of loom-weaving. With the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps visit Cortona, one of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany. On this Optional Experience, journey to a recently unearthed Etruscan Temple before a guided exploration through the town's historic centre with views of Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana. (B)
This morning, soak up the waters of a natural thermal spa, renowned through the centuries for the beneficial effects on the body, delighting the Etruscans, Romans and modern-day visitors. Explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Cathedral or alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert.
Continue to the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Enjoy a tasting with award-winning master gelato maker, Sergio Dondoli, whose great inventions include innovative and mouth-watering flavour combinations. Journey through the rolling, cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany and enjoy a delicious exploration of Tuscany's red wines, discovering their robust flavours and absorbing history before arriving at your elegant hotel. (B/DW)
Embark on your journey to renaissance Florence. Join a Local Expert to see the marble-clad cathedral, bell tower and Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at the fountains and sculptures along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Wander the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods of gold and leather. Cap off your day with a tasty cocktail class, learning the art of cocktail-making from a local mixologist. (B)
Travel to Lucca to view the churches, squares and palaces, perfectly preserved within encircling medieval ramparts. Pause a while and taste the lavish loaves of buccellato, Lucca's sweet raisin anise bread, said to be a favourite of the ancient Roman army.
Later, you could take the opportunity to explore Pisa. (B/DW) Stay: Hotel Villa La Principessa, Lucca.
Get ready to explore the Cinque Terre, or five villages, which for years were only accessible by foot. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. Join a Local Expert in one of the picturesque fishing villages, before cruising along the rugged coastline (weather permitting). There is plenty of time to explore the old medieval quarter and popular sandy beach before returning to your hotel in Lucca. (B)
Journey to the beautiful university town of Parma, world-famous for its local ham and cheese. Meet one of the locals, Paolo. Learn about the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano as Signor Paolo shares with you his passions for Italian food, especially excellent quality Parmesan cheese. Taste samples of the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano, accompanied by a glass of wine. (B) Stay: Starhotels Du Parc, Parma.
Visit one of Modena's top producers of authentic, traditional, artisan balsamic vinegar and take a master class to understand what makes this vinegar as expensive as top-rated wines. Continue through the Soave vineyards past Padua to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. To the tune of accompanying musicians, you will be serenaded through the atmospheric canals as you glide by gondola past water-lapped doorways and rococo palaces. (B) Stay: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice
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. Visit St. Mark's Square where the city's former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark's Basilica and admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Cruise the islands of the Venetian Lagoon to arrive at Burano, famous for its candy coloured houses.
Over another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet artist and environmentalist Allison Zurfluh for a boat ride and art show over a glass of Prosecco. Conclude your women-only tour over a sumptuous celebration dinner with wine, sampling the local specialties. (B/DW)
Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Rome: Discover ancient treasures of Rome with a passionate local. See Circus Maximus and the Ancient Forum, and stand beside the Colosseum, which bears witness to the limitless courage of the gladiators.
- Castel Gandolfo: Explore the artistic treasure of the Villa Barberini Gardens and marvel at the intricately designed mosaic flower beds and fountains.
- Sorrento: Perched upon the cliffs, lookout to see the mighty Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.
- Sorrento: Experience the social ritual of la passeggiata.
- Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters to meet your Local Expert.
- Capri: Explore Capri town with your Local Expert and see the whitewashed houses, winding alleyways, small cafes, fashionable boutiques and artisans studios.
- Positano: Drive along the Amalfi Coast to visit this seaside town. See the pastel rainbow of colourful houses precariously stacked upon one another as if cascading from the hilltop to the water.
- San Gimignano: Visit the medieval Manhattan of Italy!
- Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
- Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods and witness 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 one of the five charming fishing villages for some memorable pictures.
- Venice: Delight in the magic of this charming city as you are serenaded, travelling through the atmospheric canals by gondola.
- Venice: With your Travel Director cruise to St. Mark's Square and see the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Basilica.
- Lucca: Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist will show you the churches, squares and palaces within the medieval ramparts.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
- Assisi: See St. Mary of the Angels Church and join your Local Expert to walk through the cobbled streets to St. Clare's Church and see the cathedral.
- Assisi: Discover why the Basilica of Saint Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of medieval Europe.
- Perugia: Led by your Local Expert, your orientation will explore the Old Town and show you Priors' Palace, Collegio del Cambio, the cathedral, the Great Fountain and main square.
- Vatican: Gain fast-track access into the Vatican Museums, witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and view the splendid dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
- Rapolano Terme: Attracting health-seekers since the Etruscans, these hot springs offer healing and relaxation to countless guests. You'll savour every moment of this opportunity to experience the therapeutic waters of the natural thermal spa reputed to restore both harmony and vitality to the body.
- Florence: In Florence, discover the art of creating your own cocktail, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with a master mixologist. Learn the tools of the trade and shake or stir your way to successful cocktail-making. Your creation is a rewarding and delicious end to this experience.
- Torgiano: Visit an Umbrian winery where two sisters create outstanding wines. Founded by Giorgio Lungarotti, pioneer of modern Italian oenology, this winery supports quality production and sustainability. Today, the family legacy is carried on through the passion and skill of sisters Chiara and Teresa, their mother Maria Grazia and Teresa's sons.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Siena: Visit Siena's medieval black and white striped cathedral with your Local Expert.
- Siena: Enjoy a tasting of Panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert containing fruits and nuts.
- Perugia: Meet Marta, founder of weaving association that is owned and run by women. Learn how Marta offers employment opportunities for local women and, alongside her weavers, preserves the ancient craft of loom-weaving in an artisan workshop. In addition to safeguarding the unique patterns, the workshop contributes to the protection of Umbria's cultural heritage. Most notably, the workshop actively empowers women and girls through its education and training programs, advancing Global Goal 5: Gender Equality and 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
- 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. The workshop advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Burano: Full of curiosities, the shimmering waters of the island of Burano and the Venice Lagoon will inspire the mind of any curious traveller. Embrace the scenery and feel part of the local community when you visit Burano with local artist and environmentalist Allison Zurfluh. Allison uses her passion for the environment to support the maintenance of the Venice lagoon and its endangered species. She'll introduce you to the local fishermen before a short boat ride to discover the life of the lagoon and understand why this area is such an inspiration both for her work to protect the indigenous wildlife and also as an artist. Upon returning to land, sip a glass of prosecco and see Allison's artwork. This experience addresses Global Goal 5: Gender Equality, 14: Life Below Water, and 13: Climate Action.
- Rome: Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers at a uniquely Roman local restaurant.
- Siena: Enjoy a tasting of Panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert containing fruits and nuts.
- 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.
- Parma: At Ciaolatte Parmesan you will meet, Signor Paolo, a local passionate about Italian food and quality cheese. Witness the cheese-making and ageing process of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Modena: Visit a producer of authentic balsamic vinegar to learn about its production, history and distinctive taste.
- Burano: Cruise to the charming fisherman's island of Burano to enjoy a delicious Celebration Dinner with wine and new-found friends.
- Lucca: Visit a traditional steam bakery and sample Buccellato, the sweet raisin bread typical of the region.
- Dining Summary: 5 Dinners with Wine (DW), 15 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
Brochure
Insight Vacations Worldwide (2024-25)
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