Insight Vacation: Italian Intermezzo Tour
 |
Italian
Intermezzo
|
|
| Rome, Perugia, Tuscany, Florence, Bologna, Venice | ||
|
|
Italian
Intermezzo
|
|
| Rome, Perugia, Tuscany, Florence, Bologna, Venice | ||
8 Days Rome to Rome |
|
INCLUDED FEATURES... HOTELS Both the Roman hotels are modern with all comforts - the Crown Plaza St. Peters has a beautiful garden setting. Montecatini's Francia and Quirinale is in traditional Tuscan spa-town style, while the Boulevard Hotel on Venice Lido echoes traditional Venetian architecture from the 15th century FELLOW PASSENGERS This tour attracts the first-time visitor to Italy but is also suitable for the returning traveller who wants to revisit three of the major Italian cities. It also appeals to passengers with limited vacation time and those with a passion for art, architecture and a love of Italian food and wine SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS Highlights are many: the Renaissance treasures of Florence (in particular Michelangelo's original statue of David); the unique waterscape of the Venetian Lagoon; the awe-inspiring beauty of St. Peter's Basilica and the extraordinary ceiling of the Sistine Chapel EXCURSIONS & SIGHTS Visit Piazza 4 Novembre in Perugia to see the Great Fountain, Cathedral & Priors' Palace; See the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo inside Santa Croce Church in Florence; See the 'Gates of Paradise' on the Baptistery and Cathedral in Florence; Scenic drive along the Brenta Riviera to see the Venetian summer palaces; Cruise to St. Mark's Square by private launch past San Giorgio Maggiore; See St. Mark's Basilica, the Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs in Venice; Tour St. Peter's Basilica, mother church of the Catholic faith; Visit Rome's Piazza di Spagna dominated by the elegant Spanish Steps; Florence leatherwork & Venetian glass-blowing demonstrations SCENIC DRIVES Tuscany, Apennines GUIDED CITY TOURS Indepth Sightseeing tours in Rome & Florence; Orientation tours in Perugia & Venice INSIGHT'S FIRST CLASS SERVICES Escorted by a professional Tour Director; Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 8
Terms & Conditions
Double Click on Map to Enlarge |
DAY 2: ROME AT LEISURE. (SAT.) Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. Then this beautiful and historic city is yours to discover: stroll down the Via Veneto or sip a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe and watch life go by. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sheraton DAY 3: ROME - TUSCANY. (SUN.) Drive northwards, following the valley of the Tiber, to Perugia, which in medieval times housed one of the great Italian schools of painting. Visit the Piazza 4 Novembre, one of the grandest squares in Italy, to see the Great Fountain, Gothic Cathedral and splendid Priors' Palace before seeing the nearby Collegio del Cambio. Take a delightful drive through the Tuscan olive groves to Florence and explore the riches of the Renaissance. With a local guide, visit the Academy Museum to see Michelangelo's original 'Statue of David'. See the marble clad Cathedral and Baptistery too, where Ghiberti's 'Gates of Paradise' have been recreated in all their glory. Next stop is Signoria Square, political heart of the city and still an open air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Finally, visit the church of Santa Croce to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. Afterwards, make your way to your hotel in Montecatini. (BB,D) Hotel: Francia & Quirinale DAY 4: FLORENCE EXCURSION. (MON.) Drive back to Florence to enjoy a demonstration of traditional Florentine leatherwork. The rest of the day is yours to shop, explore or continue sightseeing at your own pace. Consider taking an optional excursion to the leaning tower of Pisa before sampling some fine Florentine cuisine and Chianti wine. (BB) DAY 5: TUSCANY - VENICE. (TUE.) Cross the Apennine Mountains, passing Bologna and the flood plains of the River Po for a scenic drive along the famous Brenta Riviera. See the magnificent classical villas that were once the summer residences of the Venetian nobility. The route takes you along the canal through Strą, Dolo and Mira to magical Venice, where the city seems to float on the lagoon. Stay on the Lido, one of the most fashionable resorts on the Adriatic. (BB,D) Hotel: Le Boulevard DAY 6: VENICE SIGHTSEEING.
(WED.) Appreciate the splendor of Venice as you cruise by the Biennale Park and Palladio's San Giorgio Maggiore to St. Mark's Square. Your Tour Director will explain the glorious history of 'La Serenissima', once one of the greatest trading centres of the world which imported goods from the Orient – DAY 7: VENICE - ROME. (THU.) Take the spectacular highway over the wild Apennines, continuing southwards to reach the valley of the River Tiber, its course leading back to Rome. In the evening, why not dine to your favourite Italian songs from some of the best voices in Italy? (BB) Hotel: Crowne Plaza St. Peter's DAY 8: ROME SIGHTSEEING. (FRI.) A local guide introduces the grandeur of the city: drive to the independent Vatican State, the richest community in the world. Visit the superb Vatican Museums, treasure house of the Catholic faith with vast collections of ancient and Renaissance art gathered by Popes over the ages. Continue into the Sistine Chapel, a glorious masterpiece of Michelangelo's fresco skills. Tour St. Peter's Basilica to see another of Michelangelo's early works, the Pieta, as well as the splendid dome completed after his death. Hear tales of the glory of ancient Rome as you cross the River Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. The afternoon is free to enjoy Rome at your own pace. This evening, join your fellow passengers for a stroll around the Spanish Steps followed by a farewell Highlight Dinner of pasta, wine and music. (BB,HD) DAY 9: RETURN TO USA. (SAT.) Bid farewell to the glories of Italy as you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (BB) |
From $2125 US
DAY 1: DEPART USA. (FRI.) Overnight flight to Rome.
this wealth and power is echoed by the riches of St. Mark's Basilica. See the Doges' Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs, then visit one of the glass showrooms for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere as you cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. There is time to explore or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge in the afternoon. Don't miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon. (BB)