Italian Escapade - Small Group
13 Days Starting and ending in Rome
Visiting: Rome, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Lake Maggiore, Venice, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE937ZN20
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Travel from Rome to Venice during this 13-day guided tour of Italy. Experience ancient Rome: See the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought, and Circus Maximus, where chariots raced for sport. Cruise around Venice in a private boat, then step onto St. Mark’s Square and stand in awe of its gothic-style Doge’s Palace. Sail to Murano Island, where a glassblower will manipulate molten glass into a work of art in front of your eyes. View the southern cliffs of Sorrento and see majestic Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Travel by open-top taxi with a Local Expert to the top of the island of Capri, then explore its charming alleyways — and duck into a shop to purchase a memento. Celebrate a spectacular vacation with an equally spectacular experience: a private operetta performed during a final feast in Rome.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To The Eternal City Of Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel Romanico Palace, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Romanico Palace
Meals Included: Dinner with Wine
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director at 17.30 and getting 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 Romanico Palace, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Romanico Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast
A Local Expert leads you through the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums, culminating beneath Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Your visit includes fast-track entry to the museums and a behind-the-scenes look at the Bramante Staircase. Later, continue to St. Peter’s Basilica. 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 : Siena And Medieval Florence
Location: Siena
Accommodation: Michelangelo Florence.
Accommodation Name: Michelangelo Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Travel north to medieval Siena and stroll through the winding stone-paved streets to the vast Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race takes place amid great festivities. See the Fountain of Joy and then walk up to the hilltop cathedral, striped with marble. Continue through the cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed.
Day 4 : Florence, Birthplace Of The Renaissance
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Michelangelo Florence.
Accommodation Name: Michelangelo Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local café.
Day 5 : Pisa And The Italian Lakes
Location: Pisa
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon, Baveno.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Simplon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stop in Pisa to see the incredible Leaning Tower, the splendid cathedral and baptistery. Your journey continues through the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po. Continue to your lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore.
Day 6 : The Italian Lake District
Location: Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon, Baveno.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Simplon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Today is set aside for you to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights of this beautiful lakeland area. For your Dine-Around Evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants for your dining pleasure.
Day 7 : To Venice With Wine Along The Way
Location: Venice
Accommodation: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental
Accommodation Name: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Follow the southern fringes of the European Alps to the vineyards of the Franciacorta wine region near the shores of Lake Iseo. Here, winemaking traditions run deep. Taste the delicious vintages produced with a master vintner at a family-owned estate. Continue to the unique city of Venice and step back in time to the 16th century.
Day 8 : The Magic Of La Serenissima
Location: Venice
Accommodation: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental
Accommodation Name: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental
Meals Included: Breakfast
A private boat ferries you to St. Mark’s Square. See the basilica, Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts center, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Enjoy being serenaded with traditional songs on a gondola ride, gliding through the city canals in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savor the magic of St. Mark’s square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes?
Day 9 : Hilltop Assisi
Location: Assisi
Accommodation: Hotel Giotto Assisi.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Giotto Assisi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy’s most important rivers, the Adige and Po. The scenery will then change dramatically as you drive through the wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone-built, hilltop town of Assisi, home of St. Francis. See the Church of St. Mary of the Angels before continuing up Mount Subasio. Then, with our Local Expert, visit the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis.
Day 10 : Sorrento On The Coast
Location: Sorrento
Accommodation: Hotel Isabella, Sorrento.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Isabella
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey along the clifftop road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking out to Mount Vesuvius. With the evening at leisure, why not try some of the local specialties during a regional dining experience?
Day 11 : Capri, The Isle Of Dreams
Location: Capri
Accommodation: Hotel Isabella, Sorrento.
Accommodation Name: Hotel Isabella
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
In the morning, cruise to Capri, known as the Isle of Dreams. With your Local Expert, explore the narrow alleyways of Capri town, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time. Perhaps join an optional visit to Positano and the Amalfi Coast?
Day 12 : On To Ill-Fated Pompeii And Rome
Location: Pompeii
Accommodation: Bettoja Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Bettoja Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Journey north to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Your Local Expert walks you through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. Witness the colorful frescoes that were hidden for centuries. Continue beneath the striking hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino and back to Rome where your journey reaches its zenith in the evening. In the heart of The Eternal City, you are treated to a quintessential Italian experience. Fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta for your Celebration Dinner.
Day 13 : Arrivederci Roma
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: on
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
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. For your Dine-Around Evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants for your dining pleasure. Learn about this historic winery, passed down through the generations, and taste its latest vintages. Enjoy a Celebration Dinner of delicious Italian cuisine and wine, accompanied by the rich tremolo of some of Italy's best loved songs.
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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. See the Fountain of Joy, striped cathedral and vast Piazza del Campo. 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. Delight in the magic of this charming city as you are serenaded, traveling through the atmospheric canals by gondola. Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
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Make Travel Matter
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.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International flights to and from the start and end points of the tour are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature, including souvenirs, laundry, and beverages, are not included.
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Optional Activities
Any optional activities mentioned in the itinerary are not included in the tour price.
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Meals Not Mentioned
Any meals not mentioned in the inclusions are not covered.
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Visa Fees
Any applicable visa fees are not included.
Mode of Transport
A private boat ferries you to St. Mark’s Square. See the basilica, Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts center, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Enjoy being serenaded with traditional songs on a gondola ride, gliding through the city canals in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savor the magic of St. Mark’s square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes?
Accommodation
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
Check out our Q&As
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What meals are included?
The tour includes 7 dinners with wine and 12 breakfasts.
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What countries does the tour visit?
The tour visits Italy.
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What is the starting location of the tour?
The tour starts in Rome.
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Are there any age restrictions for this tour?
The tour does not specify any age restrictions.
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What type of transport is used?
The tour uses a private boat to ferry to St. Mark’s Square in Venice and includes a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom for other travel segments.
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What is the primary tag of the tour?
The primary tag of the tour is Luxury.
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What type of accommodation is included?
The tour includes stays in hotels with complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available.
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What is the ending location of the tour?
The tour ends in Rome.
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What is the group size for this tour?
The tour does not specify the group size.
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What are the highlights of the tour?
Highlights of the tour include 7 dinners with wine, 12 breakfasts, a choice between two carefully selected activities, visits to famous locations such as Florence's Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's 'David', the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and a gondola ride in Venice. The tour also includes wine tasting, a visit to a traditional arts center in Venice, and a celebration dinner in Rome with Italian cuisine and wine.
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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 350 USD 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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