Experience the food and fun of Italy on this 12-day guided tour. In Rome, see the Colosseum where gladiators fought to the death, then visit the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert for a behind-the-scenes look at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Travel from Florence to the heart of Tuscany, stopping in scenic San Gimignano for a taste of gelato with a world-champion gelato maker; later, arrive at your hotel for a sampling of the region’s most robust red wines. Prop up the Leaning Tower of Pisa for a photo and see the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cinque Terre with a Local Expert, who will join you for a sea-to-table feast in the medieval town of Monterosso. Allow yourself to be serenaded as you float along the canals of Venice in a traditional gondola, and watch a renowned craftsman blow Venetian glass into a masterful work of art.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
- Vatican City: Gain priority access into the Vatican Museums, witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and view the splendid dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
TOP-RATED HIGHLIGHTS
- Rome Orientation: During your orientation with you Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
- Florence Guided Shopping Tour: Wander through the market stalls and browse for local Italian souvenirs and leather goods on a guided shopping tour.
- Florence Accademia Museum Visit: 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 Orientation: Enjoy panoramic views over of the city and see the Florence Cathedral. During your guided walking orientation, see the bell tower, Gates of Paradise on the baptistery and visit Piazza della Signoria.
- Visit San Gimignano: Visit the medieval Manhattan of Italy!
- Lucca Orientation: Your orientation with your Travel Director will show you the churches, squares and palaces within the medieval ramparts.
- Pisa Orientation: 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.
- Cinque Terre Visit: 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.
- Cruise to Portofino: Cruise from Santa Margherita and get a taste of the sweet life in this elegant fishing village.
- Portofino Orientation: Visit this elegant fishing village and admire the colored houses and yachts moored in the harbor.
- Cortina Orientation: Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Cortina, a small town framed by magnificent alps as your Travel Director conducts an orientation.
- Venice Gondola Ride: Delight in the magic of this charming city as you are serenaded, traveling through the atmospheric canals by gondola.
AUTHENTIC DINING
11 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch with Wine, 6 Dinners with Wine
Great food is at the heart of every journey with us. Here is a selection of the incredible dining experiences you’ll enjoy on this tour.
- Rome Welcome Dinner: Taste a nutritious meal at Rome’s welcome dinner. The venue adopts a flexiterian philosophy; to them, sustainable consumption and healthy meals is what’s important.
- VIP Highlight Dinner at Cortile del Giardino Quadrato: Experience an exclusive VIP Highlight Dinner at the Vatican’s Cortile del Giardino Quadrato, whilst enjoying views of the cupola of St. Peters, should weather permit.
- San Gimignano Gelato Tasting: Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli for a taste of his finest frozen treats.
- Tuscany Wine Tasting: In the Tuscan countryside, where deep-green cypress trees pierce blue skies and olive groves hug the rolling hillsides, taste the wines of an eminent estate.
- Taste Buccellato in Lucca: Visit a traditional steam bakery and sample Buccellato, the sweet raisin bread typical of the region.
- Cinque Terre Sea-to-Table Lunch: Savor a freshly-prepared sea-to-table meal, made of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients typical of the region.
- Veneto Prosecco Tasting: Visit a local winery and delight in a tasting of their magnificent prosecco. Meet the vignerons and learn how to make the perfect Bellini.
- Venice Celebration Dinner: Enjoy a special Venetian Celebration Dinner with wine at La Fenice, situated in the heart of this historic city.
INCLUDED SERVICES
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- 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.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- 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.