BEST OF ITALY (CLASSIC GROUP)
Price
Duration
Min People
Tour Type
Tour Code
INSIGHT-BOI
Overview
Explore the best of Italy on this 11-day guided tour. In Rome, enjoy a VIP Vatican tour. As your travels continue along the Bay of Naples, stop on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius for lunch at a local farm still growing traditional produce unique to the region. In Florence, learn the secrets of leather making from a local leatherworker. Fall in love with Venice as you see churches and palaces from a private boat, and cruise its canals on a romantic gondola ride. Sail to Capri, where craggy mountains cascade into the Tyrrhenian Sea; a Local Expert will help you navigate its narrow alleys. Before you say arrivederci to Italy, enjoy one last experience: a private opera during a four-course meal that features local wine.
Included/Excluded
Day 1: Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome (Dinner with Wine)
- Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches.
- Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a private visit for Insight Vacations guests to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica.
- Gaze in awe at the world’s best-preserved Byzantine mosaics, illuminated for this evening’s experience, and see the first sculpture by Bernini.
- End the day getting to know your fellow travellers over Roman specialties during a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Arrival Transfer: Depart the airport at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30
Welcome Meet your Travel Director at 17:30
Day 2: Vatican City and Rome with a Local (Breakfast)
- 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.
- 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 ancient Rome.
- 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.
Day 3: The Chianti Hills to Florence (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Drive to the Chianti Hills and the city of Florence.
- On arrival, you will be privy to the secrets of traditional Florentine leatherwork and see a gold demonstration.
- This evening, indulge in a delicious meal at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance (Breakfast)
- Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David.
- After, continue on foot to admire the multi-coloured 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 Piazza Santa Croce to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local caffè, where you will be in the perfect spot to admire the basilica, indulge in people-watching the elegant Florentines and pamper yourself shopping for luxury goods like gold and leather.
- In the afternoon, perhaps visit medieval San Gimignano?
Day 5: Pisa to Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Journey to the coastal town of Pisa and see the famous Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles, as well as the baptistery and colonnaded bell tower behind the cathedral.
- Relax and enjoy the scenery as you cross the spectacular Apennine Mountains, through the Emilia-Romagna region – one of Europe’s most intensely farmed and fertile plains.
- Continue through the marshes of the Venetian Lagoon before crossing the causeway into the floating city of Venice.
- As evening falls, day-trippers desert the city to return to the mainland.
- Appreciate the peace and tranquility of Venice from your centrally located hotel.
- This evening, indulge in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Venice and the Magic of La Serenissima (Breakfast)
- Cruise by private boat past historic churches and 13th-century palaces to arrive close to St Mark’s Square.
- Stroll along the waterfront past the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace.
- It was from here Casanova made his daring escape.
- Turn the corner into St Mark’s Square and admire the basilica.
- Afterwards, board a traditional gondola for a serenade along the romantic canals.
- Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to the island of Murano.
- See how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills.
Day 7: Assisi (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Journey to the peaceful town of Assisi, dotted with medieval churches, colourful frescoes and shady courtyards.
- In the valley, see the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, much venerated as the place of St. Francis’ death, then continue up Mount Subasio to the upper town.
- With your Local Expert, step inside the huge Basilica of St. Francis, built in the 13th century.
- The frescoes painted by Giotto here heralded a new era in Italian art.
- Arrive at your hotel, located in the heart of the medieval Old Town.
- Enjoy the tranquility of the historic old town during free time.
Day 8: Sorrento on the coast (Breakfast)
- Travel south passing Cassino, the scene of a fierce battle during World War II.
- Follow the spectacular clifftop road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvius.
- After checking in to your hotel, spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 9: Capri, the Isle of Dreams (Breakfast)
- 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 to Gracie Fields.
- Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, ascend to Capri town.
- A Local Expert joins you for an exploration of the narrow alleyways.
- Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento, where you are at leisure for the rest of the day.
- Perhaps head to Positano for an exploration of the colourful Amalfi Coast?
Day 10: Pompeii, frozen in time and on to Rome (Breakfast/Lunch with Wine/Dinner with Wine)
- Continue to Pompeii, the opulent Roman town which was preserved by layers of ash from the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.
- A walk with your Local Expert through the cobbled streets and extensive excavations reveals the daily life of ancient Roman civilisation.
- Visit the Forum and peer into shops and patrician villas, decorated with colourful wall paintings.
- Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Vesuvius National Park and visit Casa Barone.
- This small family-run farm on the slopes of the volcano is one of the world’s only producers of Piennolo tomatoes, an endangered fruit that only thrives in the fertile volcanic soil.
- Each harvest is sustainably farmed and cared for by the extended Barone family, who all work here.
- Be sure to savour the unique flavours of this rare tomato during a truly unique Farm-to-Table lunch.
- Your journey continues to Rome. In the evening, enjoy an elegant four-course Celebration Dinner with local wine at a Roman restaurant.
- As you dine, enjoy a private performance of popular songs and arias from some of Italy’s best-loved operas.
Day 11: Arrivederci Roma (Breakfast)
- Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 07:00, 09:30
- Day 1 – Day 2: Hotel Mediterraneo
- Day 3 – Day 4: Hotel Albani Firenze/NH Firenze (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
- Day 5 – Day 6: NH Venezia Santa Lucia
- Day 7: Hotel Giotto Assisi
- Day 8 – Day 9: Hotel Isabella
- Day 10: Kolbe Hotel Rome/NH Roma Centro (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)