Insight Vacations Best of Italy

• VIP door-to-door transfer service – taken directly from your door to departing airport.
• Airport transfers at destination.
• Quality accommodation as per itinerary.
• Experiences & quality dining as per itinerary.
• Coach with more legroom, air-conditioning, sound system, video & Wi-Fi.

Gain VIP fast-track entrance into the Vatican Museums and enjoy a special private viewing of the Bramante Stairs before being confronted by the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
Sightsee the local way with a leisurely passeggiata through the backstreets, where a friend in Rome will explain how modern life takes place around ancient treasures.
Gain a fascinating insight into the work of Michelangelo’s masterpiece statue, David, with a Renaissance art expert during your visit to the Accademia Museum.
Enjoy a traditional gondola for a serenade through the romantic canals.
Find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of medieval Europe with a Local Expert.
Cruise to this famous isle to meet your Local Expert. In a unique style, ascend by open-top taxi and return to the port by funicular.
Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.

Day 1 – Rome The Eternal City
Your complimentary, private transfer takes you to your local departure airport. 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 at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Join your Travel Director at 17:30 for a uniquely Roman Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2 – Vatican And Rome
The day is devoted to the Eternal City. Join a Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Vatican Museums, full of priceless art treasures collected by the Popes. Insight has arranged special VIP entry to avoid the lines and gain behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase, a marvel of Renaissance architecture normally off-limits to visitors. Visit the Sistine Chapel, where the Popes are elected, to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, to wonder at another of his works, the emotive ‘Pietà,’ and stand beneath the dome completed after his death. There’s free time to do as the Romans do, or perhaps join a tour inside the Colosseum? Rome is about art, antiquity, piazzas and pizzazz, and our included walking exploration has it in abundance. Toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon, the best preserved monument from the Roman period, and enjoy free time in Piazza Navona.

Day 3 – Renaissance Florence
Travel north through glorious, peaceful Tuscan landscapes. Meet your Local Expert for a guided visit through the house of the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer, Niccolo Machiavelli, with a special opening of his private office where he wrote ‘The Prince.’ Visit the Italian garden for views of Florence’s iconic domed cathedral and see the historic cellar which connects to one of the oldest restaurants in Italy by a secret underground tunnel. Taste wines made from the vineyards surrounding the home, accompanied by delicious samples of local Tuscan fare. Continue on to Renaissance Florence.

Day 4 – Florence Sightseeing 
Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose between a visit to the Accademia Museum with an art historian to see Michelangelo’s monumental statue, David. Alternatively, wander through the market stalls on a guided shopping tour and enjoy all the treats and trinkets on show. Continue to the multi-coloured marble cathedral to admire Giotto’s bell tower and Gates of Paradise. Visit Piazza della Signoria and explore the area around Santa Croce Basilica. After a demonstration of leatherwork, there’s free time to shop or venture on your own. In the evening, why not sample the fine Florentine cuisine of tasty starters and typical Tuscan dishes accompanied by Chianti wine?

Day 5 – Pisa To Venice 
In the morning, journey to the coastal town of Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles as well as the baptistery, with its intricately detailed marble facade, and the colonnaded bell tower lurching behind the cathedral. Then relax and enjoy the scenery as you cross the spectacular Apennine Mountains, through the Emilia-Romagna region – one of Europe’s most intensely farmed fertile plains. Continue through the marshes of the Venetian Lagoon before crossing the causeway into the floating city of Venice. This evening, enjoy indulging in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6 – Venice And The Magic Of La Serenissima 
In the morning, a visit to an arts centre on Giudecca Island will allow you to admire the age-old skill of glassblowing by skilled artisans. In the afternoon, your private boat takes you past historic churches and 13th century palaces to St. Mark’s Square. The first sight is the pink marble of the Doge’s Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape. Turn the corner, and the gilded regalia of St. Mark’s Basilica comes into view. Afterwards, board a traditional gondola for a serenade along the romantic canals.

Day 7 – Into The Hills Of Umbria 
Leave Venice and journey to peaceful Assisi, one of Italy’s most beautiful mountain towns. In the valley, see the 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. With your Local Expert, step inside the huge Basilica of St. Francis, built in the 13th century, where the frescoes by Giotto heralded a new era in Italian art.

Day 8 – Sorrento On The Coast 
Travel south passing Cassino, the scene of a fierce battle during World War II. Follow the spectacular clifftop road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples to Mount Vesuvious. After checking in to your hotel, spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 9 – Capri, The Isle Of Dreams 
In the morning, cruise to the Isle of Capri. Under the Mediterranean sun, take one of the island’s iconic open-top taxis up to Capri town where your Local Expert will take you around the narrow alleyways to browse exclusive boutiques and enjoy views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Perhaps join an optional cruise around Capri? Descend to the port on a funicular ride and return to Sorrento for some time to relax.

Day 10 – Pompeii Onto Rome
Continue to Pompeii, the opulent Roman town which was preserved by layers of ash from the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. A walk with your Local Expert through the cobbled streets and extensive excavations reveals the daily life of ancient Roman civilisation. Visit the Forum and peer into shops and patrician villas, decorated with colourful wall paintings. Then continue north as you travel to your hotel in Rome. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a memorable Celebration Dinner of delicious Italian cuisine and wine.

Day 11 – Depart Rome
Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at approximately 07:00 and 09:30. On arrival at your home airport, your driver will greet and escort you to your waiting car for your private transfer home.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.