Grand Italy & Sicily
Grand Italy & Sicily
Grand Italy & Sicily
17 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Palermo, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Lake Maggiore, Venice, Florence, Pompeii, Capri, Matera, Alberobello, Sicily, Taormina, Palermo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE921ZN19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Grand Italy & Sicily" tour and immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of Italy. Begin your journey in Rome, exploring ancient treasures with a passionate local guide. Marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the charming Cinque Terre, and the romantic canals of Venice. Discover the Renaissance masterpieces of Florence and the preserved ruins of Pompeii. Experience the allure of Capri and the unique trulli of Alberobello. Cross to Sicily to visit the ancient Greek Theatre in Taormina and the architectural wonders of Palermo. This luxurious tour offers authentic dining experiences, expert-led excursions, and unforgettable moments across Italy's most iconic destinations.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To The Eternal City Of Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel St. Martin
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, renaissance palaces and baroque churches.
Relax and settle in at the hotel before joining your Travel Director at 17:30. Get to know your fellow travelers over a delicious Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2 : Vatican City And Rome With A Local
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel St. Martin
A Local Expert leads you through the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums, culminating beneath Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Later, continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, then cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus, come up close and personal with 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.
Day 3 : Pisa And Santa Margherita Ligure
Location: Pisa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Best Western Regina Elena
Enjoy a delightful drive to Pisa through rolling countryside dotted with cypress trees, passing vineyards and olive groves. With a Local Expert, view the incredible Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. See the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Your journey continues to the pretty seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure.
Day 4 : The Charms Of The Cinque Terre
Location: Cinque Terre
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Best Western Regina Elena
Head to the famous Cinque Terre, which translates to Five Lands. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located on a gorgeously wild yet hospitable part of the coastline. With a Local Expert, approach one of the fishing villages by boat (weather permitting). In Monterosso, spend some time exploring the medieval quarter or the popular sandy beach before continuing to the village of Portofino, famed for its colorful houses. Browse the boutiques and stay a while in the cafe bars on the piazzetta, watching the yachts moored in the harbor. Then cruise along the rugged Ligurian coast to your hotel in the resort of Santa Margherita.
Day 5 : Lake Maggiore
Location: Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Simplon
Head north to beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lakes District and the town of Baveno, noted for its narrow cobbled streets and charming 16th century square. On arrival, settle into your hotel and take in the magical scenery. In the afternoon, why not join an optional cruise to Isola Bella to explore the palace and admire the stunning and immaculate Italian style gardens.
Day 6 : Onto Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Hotel Amadeus
Meals Included: Dinner
Your travels continue past the Soave vineyards, the City of Padua and on to the canals of Venice. In the evening, indulge in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7 : Venice And The Magic Of La Serenissima
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Amadeus
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 8 : A Scenic Journey To Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli
Meals Included: Dinner
Bid farewell to Venice and begin your journey to Renaissance Florence. Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David. After, continue on foot to admire the multi-colored 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. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed.
Day 9 : Florence, Birthplace Of The Renaissance
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli
Start the day with a traditional Florentine leather-work demonstration, then there is plenty of time to shop with the rest of the day at your leisure. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to explore the hilltop town of San Gimignano?
Day 10 : Ill-Fated Pompeii And On To Sorrento
Location: Pompeii
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Isabella
Journey south through the volcanic hills of Frascati to Pompeii, which was buried in A.D. 79 by Mount Vesuvius' catastrophic eruption. Walk with a Local Expert through the preserved cobbled streets for a glimpse into the daily life of civilization during the Roman Empire. Follow the clifftop road to the resort town of Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples.
Day 11 : Capri, The Isle Of Dreams
Location: Capri
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Isabella
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. Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, ascend to Capri town. Explore the narrow alleyways and descend to the port by funicular railway for the return to Sorrento. Later, perhaps explore the Amalfi Coast?
Day 12 : Sassi Di Matera And Alberobello
Location: Matera
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri
After breakfast, discover two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First, visit Matera for an in-depth guided exploration of the extraordinary Sassi, ancient troglodyte dwellings and churches dug out of the rock. These are the most extensive example of their kind in the Mediterranean and were inhabited by about 20,000 people up until 1950. Matera was also used as the setting for the film 'The Passion of the Christ'. Continue to Alberobello, the second UNESCO World Heritage Site and your home for the next two nights.
Day 13 : The Trulli Of Alberobello
Location: Alberobello
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri
Meals Included: Dinner
Admire another of Italy's record number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a Local Expert. The Trulli of Alberobello are circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within. They are built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar. In the evening, delight at the freshly prepared Farm to Table dinner. Enjoy a typical meal and learn about life in the region through the local food.
Day 14 : Sicily And The Taormina Riviera
Location: Sicily
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
The local roads will take you south, following the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to the mountainous Calabria region. Travel along the Purple Coast to the very 'toe' of Italy and board your ferry bound for Sicily. According to ancient legend, it was here at the Straits of Messina where the twin whirlpools of Scylla and Charybdis carried unwary seafarers away to their doom! After disembarking, continue to the Taormina Riviera.
Day 15 : Taormina And The Dawn Coast Of Europe
Location: Taormina
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA
Join a Local Expert for a visit to the Greek Theater, graced with the most spectacular of backdrops. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Mt. Etna?
Day 16 : Palermo, Capital Of Sicily
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: NH Palermo
Meals Included: Dinner
Head to the Sicilian capital of Palermo. On arrival, your Local Expert will show you the highlights of the capital. Palermo Cathedral has been altered over the years and a venture inside will help you to appreciate the composite architectural styles. Next, head to the amazing Palatine Chapel in the Palace of the Normans. With the outside completely covered in glittering 12th century mosaics, it provides an insight to what's within. Join your traveling companions and Travel Director at a local restaurant for an unforgettable Celebration Dinner of delicious local cuisine and wine.
Day 17 : Depart Palermo
Location: Palermo
Your journey draws to an end. Departure transfers arrive at Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport at 06:00 and 08:00.
What's Included
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Authentic Dining
Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers at a uniquely Roman local restaurant. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed. At a local restaurant, enjoy fresh, rustic dishes served with local wine at your Celebration Dinner.
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Top Rated Highlights
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. Your Local Expert will show you the baptistery bristling with marble spines, the colonnaded bell tower lurching behind the 11th century cathedral and of course, the famous Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles. Delight in the magic of this charming city as you are serenaded, traveling through the atmospheric canals by gondola.
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MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.
What's Not Included
Mode of Transport
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. Afterwards, board a traditional gondola for a serenade along the romantic canals.
Accommodation
Hotel St. Martin, Best Western Regina Elena, Hotel Amadeus, Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli, Hotel Isabella, Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA, NH Palermo
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
You will enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers at a uniquely Roman local restaurant, a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, and a Celebration Dinner with fresh, rustic dishes served with local wine at a local restaurant.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to the island of Murano, where you will see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour in Rome?
In Rome, you will discover ancient treasures with a passionate local, see Circus Maximus and the Ancient Forum, and stand beside the Colosseum. You will also visit the Vatican Museums, culminating beneath Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, and continue to St. Peter’s Basilica.
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What can I expect during the visit to Venice?
In Venice, you will cruise by private boat past historic churches and 13th-century palaces to arrive close to St Mark’s Square. You will stroll along the waterfront past the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace, and board a traditional gondola for a serenade along the romantic canals.
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What will I see in Florence?
In Florence, you can choose to visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo’s David, admire the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower, and baptistery, and explore the Piazza della Signoria and Piazza Santa Croce.
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What is special about the visit to Pompeii?
In Pompeii, you will walk with a Local Expert through the preserved cobbled streets for a glimpse into the daily life of civilization during the Roman Empire, which was buried in A.D. 79 by Mount Vesuvius’ catastrophic eruption.
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What will I experience on the Isle of Capri?
On the Isle of Capri, you will meet your Local Expert and cross the Bay of Naples to reach the island. You will explore the narrow alleyways of Capri town and descend to the port by funicular railway for the return to Sorrento.
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What are the highlights of the visit to Sicily?
In Sicily, you will visit the Greek Theater in Taormina with a Local Expert, and in Palermo, you will see the Palermo Cathedral and the amazing Palatine Chapel in the Palace of the Normans, with its glittering 12th-century mosaics.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
You will stay in a variety of hotels including Hotel St. Martin, Best Western Regina Elena, Hotel Amadeus, Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli, Hotel Isabella, Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Hellenia Yachting Hotel & SPA, and NH Palermo.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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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.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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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.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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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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