Country Roads of Umbria & Tuscany - Classic Group

Country Roads of Umbria & Tuscany - Classic Group

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9 Days From

$3395

$2846

Country Roads of Umbria & Tuscany - Classic Group

9 Days Starting and ending in Rome

Visiting: Rome, Vatican, Umbria, Perugia, Assisi, Monte Subasio, Cortona, Siena, San Gimignano, Florence

Tour operator:

Insight Vacations

Tour code:

E822ZN19

Specialist Group:

Family/Kids

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

20 - 40

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

5-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English
From: $3395 $2846 Operator discount: -$457 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$93 -16%

NB: Prices correct on 31-Oct-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Live 'la dolce vita' during this 9-day guided tour of Italy. Explore the Vatican Museums, walk the narrow cobblestone streets of Siena to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and see the Torre del Mangia, the second-tallest tower in Italy. Visit a family-run olive mill, where a third-generation olive maker will share how its olives become the decadent oil you’ll taste at the mill. In San Gimignano, eat the best gelato in the world - literally. You’ll meet a world champion gelato maestro who will welcome you into his ice cream parlour to indulge in his favorite flavors. Alongside a Local Expert, marvel at the cathedral at the center of Florence: Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, nicknamed 'the Duomo' for its awe-inspiring crown made by a master goldsmith.

Highlights

  • Siena: Enjoy a tasting of Panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert containing fruits and nuts.

  • Siena: Visit Siena's medieval black and white striped cathedral with your Local Expert.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Umbria: Explore the art of Italian cooking with Chef Lorenzo and take part in a truffle hunting walk followed by a tasty lunch.

  • Vatican: Gain priority access into the Vatican Museums and admire the famous Bramante Staircase. Witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and view the splendid dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Welcome To Rome

Location: Rome

Accommodation: Hotel St. Martin, Rome.

Accommodation Name: NH Roma Centro

Meals Included: Dinner with Wine

Transfers to your hotel depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Join your Travel Director at 17:30 to explore the Eternal City, passing the renaissance palaces and baroque churches scattered throughout the city. Get to know your fellow travellers over a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Umbria And On To Perguia

Location: Rome, Vatican, Umbria, Perugia

Accommodation: Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.

Accommodation Name: Sangallo Palace Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

Explore the Vatican Museums in the morning, where a local historian unveils the gems of the vast Papal art collection. Your special visit includes fast-tracked entry and behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase, a part of the Vatican normally closed to visitors. View the imposing Basilica of St. Peter, the largest in the world. Journey north to the Umbrian village of Baschi. Immerse yourself in the flavours and culture of the region and learn about the secrets of Italian food culture as you join Giovanni and his dog Chris for a truffle hunting session. Then join Chef Lorenzo for an entertaining pasta demonstration and delicious Highlight Lunch accompanied by Orvieto Classico wine. Join a Local Expert in Perugia to navigate the underground labyrinth of little streets, alleys and arches. Walk Corso Vannucci, resplendent in pale-pink stone, passing the princely Priors' Palace, cathedral and finely sculptured Great Fountain in the main square.

Day 3: Perugia Sightseeing & Free Time Relaxed Start

Location: Perugia

Accommodation: Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.

Accommodation Name: Sangallo Palace Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

During a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, visit an artisanal workshop to meet Marta, recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant, and her weavers. See how the fascinating art of loom-weaving textiles has been passed down through the generations and learn how this ancient craft is being preserved. Afterwards, you will be free to enjoy the many delights of Umbria's capital city. For dinner, choose your ideal ambience and palate-pleasing menu from a hand-picked selection of Perugian restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening. Buon appetito!

Day 4: Assisi, In Search Of St. Francis Relaxed Start

Location: Perugia, Assisi, Monte Subasio

Accommodation: Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.

Accommodation Name: Sangallo Palace Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Journey to Assisi, one of Italy's most beautiful medieval hilltop towns, set high up in the mountains and enclosed by fortress walls. In the valley, see the famous 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. Step inside the massive, 13th century Basilica of St. Francis with your Local Expert to learn how Giotto masterfully painted frescoes that inspired a variety of Renaissance artists. Continue through the twisted groves that carpet the side of Mount Subasio.

Day 5: Tuscany To Cortona, Siena And San Gimignano

Location: Perugia, Cortona, Siena, San Gimignano

Accommodation: Villasanpaolo San Gimignano.

Accommodation Name: Villasanpaolo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, with Wine

Follow the shores of Lake Trasimeno to Cortona, one of the oldest hilltop towns in Tuscany. After free time to explore, continue to the narrow cobbled streets of Siena. Standing in the shell-shaped Campo, imagine the frenzied atmosphere of the biannual Palio horse race and see the superb 14th century Town Hall. Explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Cathedral. Alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert.  Travel to your home for the next three nights, a delightful villa near the medieval town of San Gimignano.

Day 6: San Gimignano Sightseeing And Free Time Relaxed Start

Location: San Gimignano

Accommodation: Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano.

Accommodation Name: Villasanpaolo

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, your Travel Director will show you San Gimignano's medieval skyscrapers, serpentine streets and hidden squares. The town is also home to world champion gelato maestro Sergio Dondoli. At his artisan ice cream parlour on Piazza della Cisterna, the jaunty gelataio doles out his silky, frozen treats in a range of unique flavours for you to try. The rest of the day is at leisure; why not join an Optional Experience to Pisa and Lucca?

Day 7: Florence And Tuscan Countryside Experience Relaxed Start

Location: San Gimignano, Florence

Accommodation: Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano.

Accommodation Name: Villasanpaolo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

The morning is devoted to the Renaissance city of Florence. A fascinating walking exploration with a Local Expert takes you to the marble-clad cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi's dome. See the baptistery with its beautiful Gates of Paradise and Giotto's splendid bell tower. Walk on to Piazza della Signoria with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculptures, followed by free time to shop for top-quality Florentine leather or gold. Toast to your travels during a delicious Farm-to-Table Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy tasting flavoursome dishes prepared with locally grown ingredients, sourced from the farm or nearby Tuscan region. Relax as the pairing of home-made pastas with the farm's own traditional Chianti wine rounds off your great Italian adventure.

Day 8: Country Drive To Ancient Rome

Location: San Gimignano, Rome

Accommodation: NH Roma Centro, Rome.

Accommodation Name: Hotel St. Martin

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave behind the tower topped town of San Gimignano. Enjoy rolling Tuscan hills as you journey through the Italian countryside, making your way to Ancient Rome. On arrival, enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Day 9: Arrivederci Roma

Location: Rome

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 and 09:30.

What's Included

  • Travel Director

    Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.

  • Personal Radio Headsets

    Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

  • Luggage Handling

    We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

  • Tips Included

    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.

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

    Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

  • Insight Flourish

    From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

  • Airport Transfers

    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.

What's Not Included

  • Airfare

    International and domestic airfare not included.

  • Meals

    Some meals are not included, please refer to the itinerary for details.

  • Optional Excursions

    Optional excursions and activities not included in the tour price.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, room service, and other discretionary spending are excluded.

Check out our Q&As

  • What are the main highlights of the Country Roads of Umbria & Tuscany tour?

    The main highlights include a choice between two carefully selected activities, a tasting of Panforte in Siena, a visit to Siena's medieval cathedral, luxury coach travel with enhanced hygiene protocols, a variety of dining experiences including dinners with wine and a lunch with wine, priority access to the Vatican Museums, a truffle hunting walk in Umbria, and a farm-to-table experience in Tuscany.

  • What type of transportation is used on the tour?

    The tour uses Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. The coaches are sanitized before the start of the tour and maintain high standards with physical distancing measures.

  • Are there any special dining experiences included?

    Yes, the tour includes special dining experiences such as a Welcome Dinner in Rome, an exploration of Italian cooking with Chef Lorenzo in Umbria, a Dine-Around Evening in Perugia, a taste of artisan gelato in San Gimignano, and a Celebration Dinner at Il Vecchio Maneggio in Tuscany with organic produce sourced from the surrounding farm.

  • What measures are in place for health and safety?

    The tour features enhanced hygiene protocols aligning with the latest guidance following COVID-19, including sanitized coaches, training for Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors, and Drivers in well-being and hygiene protocols, working only with establishments adhering to high well-being standards, availability of hand sanitizer onboard, and complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi to stay connected.

  • Is there a special experience related to local culture or sustainability?

    Yes, in Perugia, there's a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at an artisanal workshop with Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. This visit highlights the preservation of the ancient craft of loom-weaving, offering employment opportunities for local women and contributing to the protection of Umbria’s cultural heritage.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Peggy Lindenborn  

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02-Nov-2021

Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily is a delightful trip and our travel guides and driver, Enzo, Chris and Greg were amazing and made the trip very memorable. We saw so many places and had great experiences along the way! Thanks to them for such a wonderful vacation.!

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11-Jan-2023

Great itinerary, good pace, tour director was friendly and very knowledgeable and organised. Bus was very spacious and driver was great. Yes would recommend insight to friends and families

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31-Oct-2021

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08-Nov-2021

The trip was fantastic. Everything was well planned and exceeded my expectations. All insight personal were courteous helpful and professional Ann Manual and Kevin were a topnotch team There was attention to every detail and at all times felt safe and always a personal touch to the trip. The motor coach was clean and roomy and there was multiple wipe downs during the day All hotels were top notch and all staff at the hotels and restaurants were helpful and courteous I would recommend this trip as it gave you a fantastic view of the natural wonders of the the West.

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This trip is absolutely amazing! Worth every Penny! Our Tour guide did not Disappoint.

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Operator discount: -$467

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Operator discount: -$460

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$93

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Operator discount: -$457

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Operator discount: -$467

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$95

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Operator discount: -$467

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$95

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$3055 $2959

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$96

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$3135 $3036

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$99

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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$99

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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