Insight Vacations Italian Elegance

• Vatican City: Venture inside St. Peter’s Basilica and see Michelangelo’s Pietà, and the splendid dome.
• Florence: Stand beside Michelangelo’s monumental statue, David, in the Accademia Gallery, while an art expert explains the exquisite technique and absorbing history behind the world’s most famous sculpture.
• Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing as you watch artisans create delicate works of art.

• 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.

Day 1: Arrival into Rome

Your complimentary, private transfer takes you to your local departure airport. On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport transfers leave for your hotel at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. In this unique city, ancient monuments happily co-exist with some 900 churches, fine palaces, bustling piazzas, green parks and a vast urban sprawl. At 17:30, join your fellow guests and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner, a fun evening of Italian cuisine and wine at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Rome with private Vatican dinner

Dine in the Vatican’s elegant Cortile del Giardino Quadrato, should weather permit, where you will enjoy incredible views of the cupola of St. Peter’s during your private VIP Highlight Dinner.

Day 3: Florence and on to Monteriggioni

Take the autostrada north to Renaissance Florence. 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. From there, see the cathedral, campanile and the baptistery, adorned with the Gates of Paradise.

Day 4: San Gimignano and Siena

In the morning, visit medieval Siena where narrow cobbled streets lined with palaces and patrician mansions, lead to Piazza del Campo, scene of the Palio horse race. Explore with your Local Expert and visit the beautiful, striped cathedral. Continue to hilltop San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers that scrape the azure Tuscan sky. Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli, for a taste of his finest frozen treats. On return to your hotel, stop at a local winery to sample some of the robust red wines of Tuscany and learn about their origins.

Day 5: The Chianti Hills to Pisa, Lucca and Santa Margherita

Drive through the patchwork of vines, olives and cypresses that typify the Chianti hills. Head for Pisa and see the incredible Leaning Tower.

Day 6: Cinque Terre

Head for the port of La Spezia for a highlight of your travels, the Cinque Terre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes. With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat. Enjoy a delicious Sea-to-Table lunch in Monterosso.There is time to explore the old medieval quarter or the popular sandy beach before returning to your hotel. With the afternoon at leisure, perhaps make the most of the hotel’s private beach.

Day 7: Lake Maggiore

In the morning, head north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where Alpine scenery combines with lush subtropical vegetation.

Day 8: Dolomites to Cortina D’Ampezzo

Continue through the magnificent Dolomites, to the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Day 9: Experience the Dolomites

The whole day is free for you to explore the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites, one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Alps. During summer, once the snow and ice have melted away, a breathtaking landscape is revealed. There are a number of walking tracks through pristine Alpine wilderness for the adventurous to explore, or for a more relaxed pace, perhaps take a thrilling Optional Experience cable car ride to the summit of one of the peaks for breathtaking 360-degree views.

Day 10: Venice

Descend through the mountains to the romantic city of Venice. A private launch glides you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St Mark’s Square. See the basilica, the Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs, before checking into your intimate and luxurious hotel. With the afternoon at leisure, why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?

Day 11: Venice at leisure

Visit an arts centre to watch one of the few remaining craftsmen blow Venetian glass. Then there is free time to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this incredible city at your own pace.

Day 12: Farewell Venice

Bid farewell to Bella Italia and your newfound friends. Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport at 08:00 or 09:30. On arrival at your home airport, your driver will greet and escort you to your waiting car for your private transfer home.