INCLUDED FEATURES...

HOTELS

All four hotels are well located to enable easy exploration of the historic centres. They range in style from the modern Starhotel Ritz, a short walk from Milan’s Cathedral Square to the 15C Continental on the Grand Canal.

FELLOW PASSENGERS

This tour appeals to those wanting a flexible itinerary with the convenience of an escorted tour. Half day city tours introduce you to highlights of each location, then the rest of the time is yours to explore at will.

HIGHLIGHTS

Each centre is a highlight in itself! Milan’s exquisite Gothic cathedral, the haunting waterscape of Venice, Renaissance Florence and Rome – overflowing with artistry & ancient monuments.

EXCURSIONS & SIGHTS

• See Milan’s Gothic Cathedral, Sforza Castle and La Scala Opera House
• See Juliet’s Balcony and the ancient Roman arena in Verona
• Cruise to St Mark’s Square in Venice by private launch
• See St Mark’s Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs
• See the Duomo and Gates of Paradise.
• Visit Signoria Square & Santa Croce
• Visit the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi with its amazing frescos by Giotto
• See the Forum and visit the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain & St Peter’s Basilica in Rome

SCENIC DRIVES

Italian Lake District, Tuscany, Apennines

GUIDED CITY TOURS

• In depth sightseeing tours in Rome & Florence.
• Orientation tours of Milan, Verona & Venice
• Orientation tours of Milan, Verona & Venice

INSIGHT'S FIRST CLASS SERVICES

• Professional Tour Director escorts you
• Luxury touring coach with extra legroom & onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Complimentary transfers. See day-by-day itinerary for exact details

QUALITY DINING

• Highlight Dinner of Italian cuisine in Rome (HD)
• See day-by-day itinerary for exact details

DAY 1: DEPART USA. Overnight flight to Milan.

DAY 2: ARRIVE MILAN. Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Malpensa airport there are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel at 09.00 and 12.30. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Starhotel Ritz. (D)

DAY 3: MILAN SIGHTSEEING. Sightseeing this morning includes the Milan Cathedral, its marble facade bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues! We see the massive Sforza Castle and La Scala Theatre too, before free time to explore. (BB)

DAY 4: MILAN AT LEISURE. Today is at leisure to relax or perhaps continue sightseeing? Why not take an optional excursion to the nearby, scenic Italian Lake District? (BB)

DAY 5: MILAN - VENICE. We head east to pretty Verona, Roman city and gateway to the Alps. We see the Arena built over 1900 years ago and walk through the old narrow streets to the courtyard of the Capulet home to see Juliet's balcony. Then on to Venice, glorious city of bridges, palaces and gondolas. Hotel: Continental. (BB,D)

DAY 6: VENICE SIGHTSEEING. We cruise to St Mark's Square by private launch to see the ornate Basilica. We also admire the Doges' Palace and adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Later we visit a glass showroom to see a traditional craftsman at work. Now the rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 7: VENICE AT LEISURE. A day to drink in the unique atmosphere of this wonderful city! Maybe explore the treasures of the Academy Museum, browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge or sit a while at a canal side café with a glass of local wine? (BB)

DAY 8: VENICE - FLORENCE. Leaving Venice we follow the smooth highway across the valley of the river Po and into the wild Apennines. We soon reach the Renaissance city of Florence. Our sightseeing with a local guide shows us the statue of 'David' in the Academy Gallery. We continue to see the Duomo, 'Gates of Paradise' and Signoria Square, political stage of the Florentines. Our last stop is the Basilica of Santa Croce which houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. Now on to our hotel. Hotel: Croce di Malta. (BB,D)

Days 9 & 10: FLORENCE AT LEISURE. Two whole days to enjoy this beautiful city! Maybe take an optional excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the unique and beautiful Cinqueterre region? Perhaps visit San Gimignano to admire the picturesque Salucci Towers? Or why not dedicate a day to shopping for leather and gold products? The choice is yours! (BB, BB)

Day 11: FLORENCE - ROME. We travel through the vineyards of the Chianti region en route to Assisi. A chance to visit the tomb of St Francis and the frescoes of Giotto in the great basilica, before continuing along the Tiber valley towards the 'Eternal City', Rome. Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace. (BB)

Day 12: ROME SIGHTSEEING. Sightseeing with our local guide begins with a visit to the Vatican Museums where we see Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Next, we visit St. Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. This afternoon we are free to shop or relax. (BB)

Day 13: ROME AT LEISURE. A day to explore Rome at our own pace. Perhaps spend some time in the designer stores of the Spanish Steps, visit the well preserved Pantheon or sip a cappuccino in the Piazza Navona - the 'Living Room of Rome'. This evening, we toss a coin into the illuminated Trevi Fountain before enjoying a typically Roman dinner in a local restaurant. (BB,HD)

Day 14: RETURN TO USA. Our tour ends today. Transfers from the hotel arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07.00 and 09.30 hrs. (BB)