Best of Italy (Small Groups, Summer, 11 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through Italy's most iconic cities and attractions. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of history, culture, art, and gastronomy. From the ancient ruins of Rome to the Renaissance masterpieces in Florence, the leaning tower of Pisa, the romantic canals of Venice, the serene town of Assisi, the picturesque resort of Sorrento, the enchanting Isle of Capri, and the preserved Roman town of Pompeii, this tour has it all. Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, learn about traditional crafts, and engage in unique experiences that make travel matter. This tour is perfect for those seeking to immerse themselves in Italy's rich heritage and vibrant lifestyle.
Included
5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
10 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
Rome: Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers at a uniquely Roman local restaurant.
Rome: Enjoy a Celebration Dinner of delicious Italian cuisine and wine, accompanied by the rich tremolo of some of Italy's best loved songs.
Vesuvius National Park: Visit Casa Barone, a small family-run farm on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius and one of the world’s only producers of Piennolo tomatoes. Learn about their commitment to sustainability and taste the flavours of this special tomato during your Farm-to-Table lunch. Casa Barone cultivates the endangered endemic food species of Piennolo tomato as well as other traditional elements of the classic Vesuvian Countryside, using cultivation methods with low environmental impact. Through their production the farm prevents the local biodiversity from disappearing. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
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.
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.
10 night accommodation
Florence: Take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce and immerse yourself in the essence of la dolce vita of Florence while you enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local café.
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Pisa: During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery bristling with marble spines, and the colonnaded bell tower lurches behind the 11th century cathedral - the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
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.
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.
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.
Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
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.
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.
Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
Florence: Enjoy a stroll through Renaissance Florence and admire the medieval buildings that gave birth to this new style of architecture.
Venice: Delight in the magic of this charming city as you are serenaded, travelling through the atmospheric canals by gondola.
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.
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.
Capri: Relax and enjoy the views as you are driven in an iconic open-top taxi.
Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Rome
- Rome
- Fiumicino - Arrival day
- More
Welcome to Rome, a city rich in history and culture. Upon arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Take some time to relax and settle in. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a delightful Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll get to taste authentic Italian cuisine paired with fine wine.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Rome
Day 2: Exploring Rome
- Sistine Chapel
- Vatican Museums
- Carriage Pavilion
- St Peter's Basilica
- More
Spend the day exploring the Eternal City. Start with a visit to the Vatican Museums, home to a vast collection of art treasures. Enjoy exclusive access to the Bramante Staircase, a marvel of Renaissance architecture, and admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Continue to St. Peter's Basilica to marvel at Michelangelo's 'Pietà'. Cross the Tiber river to explore ancient Rome, where you'll see the Circus Maximus, the Arch of Constantine, and the iconic Colosseum. You may also choose to explore the Pantheon and Rome's stunning piazzas and fountains.
Day 3 – Day 3: Journey to Florence
- Pisa
- Florence
- More
Today, we'll drive through the scenic Chianti Hills to reach the city of Florence. Upon arrival, you'll get a glimpse into the secrets of traditional Florentine leatherwork and witness a gold demonstration. In the evening, indulge in a delicious meal at a local restaurant, where you can savor the flavors of Tuscan cuisine.
Day 4 – Day 4: Discovering Florence
- Florence
- More
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano
- Galleria dell'Accademia
- piazza della Signoria
- More
Explore the artistic and architectural treasures of Florence. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's David, or take a leisurely stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce. Here, you can enjoy a typical Italian treat at a local café, shop for luxury goods, and admire the basilica. In the afternoon, you may opt to visit the medieval town of San Gimignano.
Day 5 – Day 5: Pisa and Venice
- Florence
- Venice
- Pisa
- More
- Leaning Tower of Pisa
- More
Today, we'll journey to the coastal town of Pisa, where you'll see the famous Leaning Tower, the baptistery, and the bell tower. Enjoy the scenic drive through the Apennine Mountains and the Emilia-Romagna region, before arriving in the floating city of Venice. As the day turns into evening, enjoy the tranquility of Venice from your centrally located hotel. Indulge in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6 – Day 6: Venice Exploration
- Venice
- More
- Doge's Palace
- Piazza San Marco
- St Mark's Basilica
- Bridge of Sighs
- More
Stroll through the historic streets of Venice to St. Mark's Square. Admire the gilded façade of St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy a romantic gondola ride along the city's canals. Visit a traditional arts centre to witness the art of glassblowing, a craft that Venice is famous for.
Day 7 – Day 7: Assisi Visit
- Ravenna
- Assisi
- Venice
- More
- Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi
- More
Today, we'll journey to the peaceful town of Assisi, known for its medieval churches and colourful frescoes. Visit the Church of St. Mary of the Angels and the Basilica of St. Francis, where you'll see frescoes that marked a new era in Italian art. Enjoy some free time to explore the historic old town.
Day 8 – Day 8: Sorrento Sojourn
- Sorrento
- Assisi
- More
Travel south to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. After checking into your hotel, spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Explore the town's charming streets, enjoy the stunning views, or simply relax and soak up the Mediterranean sun.
Day 9 – Day 9: Isle of Capri Excursion
- Sorrento
- Capri
- More
Cross the Bay of Naples to reach the enchanting Isle of Capri. Explore the island's narrow alleyways, browse in deluxe boutiques, and enjoy breathtaking views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. You may choose to explore the colourful Amalfi Coast.
Day 10 – Day 10: Pompeii and Return to Rome
- Pompei
- Sorrento
- More
- Amphitheatre of Pompeii
- Vesuvio National Park
- More
Visit Pompeii, the Roman town preserved by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Walk through the cobbled streets and explore the shops and villas adorned with colourful wall paintings. Visit a local farm in Vesuvius National Park for a unique farm-to-table lunch experience. Continue your journey to Rome. In the evening, enjoy a four-course Celebration Dinner with local wine at a Roman restaurant, accompanied by a private performance of popular songs and arias from Italy's best-loved operas.
Day 11 – Day 11: Departure from Rome
- Rome
- Fiumicino - Departure day
- More
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers will take you to Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your onward journey. We hope you take home unforgettable memories of your Italian adventure.
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