12D Italy

Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrival at Rome
Welcome to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome - once hub of the vast Roman Empire. The airport shuttle service to your Insight tour hotel departs Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09.30, 12.30, 15.30 & 18.45 hours. Later, join your fellow guests and Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills

DAY 02 : Rome Sightseeing (Breakfast)
Meet your guide in the Vatican State, the richest community in the world, and visit the superb Vatican Museums. Browse through the vast art collection before emerging into the Sistine Chapel, immortalised by Michelangelo’s painted ceiling. Your tour continues inside St Peter’s Basilica, designed by some of history’s greatest architects - Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo. Another highlight takes you inside the massive Colosseum, scene of great excitement in imperial times. Then look out over the ruins of the Forum - once the religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire.

DAY 03: Rome - Sorrento (Breakfast)
Travel southwards towards Pompeii, the incredibly preserved Roman city, destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius (still one of Europe’s few active volcanos) in 79 A.D. After a walk with a local guide through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples, continue along the Bay of Naples to the lively cliff-top resort of Sorrento. Why not dine at one of Sorrento’s top restaurants tonight?
Hotel: Grand Hotel Flora - Aponte

DAY 04 : Sorrento Sightseeing (Breakfast / Dinner)
Visit Sorrento’s Piazza Tasso and watch the art of ‘intarsio’ wood inlaying. Cruise to the island of Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway. There is time to explore before returning to Sorrento.

DAY 05: Sorrento - Florence (Breakfast / Dinner)
You pass beneath the hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino today, before continuing northwards to the hilly region of Umbria and on to the unique landscape of Tuscany and the city of Florence.
Hotel: Croce Di Malta

DAY 06: Florence Sightseeing (Breakfast)
Join a local guide for a walking tour and highlight visit to the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s monumental figure of David. Continue to the multi-coloured marble Cathedral to see Giotto’s belltower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before visiting the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. Finally watch a demonstration of leatherwork in the area around Santa Croce Basilica. Then, there’s free time to shop for Florence’s finest or continue sightseeing. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 07: Florence - Milan (Breakfast / Dinner)
Travel to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower, the white marble cathedral and magnificent baptistery. Then we follow the coastal route, passing Carrara, before we head inland to the great northern city of Milan. Hotel: NH Touring

DAY 08: Milan Sightseeing (Breakfast / Dinner)
Join your local guide for a city sightseeing tour which features the stunning cathedral, its marble facade bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues. See the massive Sforza Castle and world famous La Scala Theatre before enjoying free time to explore or shop.

DAY 09: Milan - Venice (Breakfast / Dinner)
Today, drive eastwards to the elegant city of Verona. See the ancient Roman arena, venue for the opera each summer, and visit the courtyard of the Capulet home to see Juliet’s balcony. Then on to romantic Venice, a glorious city of quaint bridges, ornate palaces and gondolas.
Hotel: Continental

DAY 10: Venice Sightseeing (Breakfast)
Venice - a living treasure! What better way to see it than from a private launch? Cruise past Palladian churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark’s Square. See the Doges’ Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! Now turn the corner, and the gilded regalia of St Mark’s Basilica comes into view. Finally, watch one of the few remaining masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory.

DAY 11: Venice - Rome (Breakfast / Dinner)
Take the spectacular highway over the wild Apennines, continuing southwards to reach the valley of the River Tiber, its course leading back to Rome. This evening, join your fellow passengers for a farewell highlight dinner of pasta, wine and music.
Hotel: Sheraton Roma

DAY 12: Rome (Breakfast)
Sadly, our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Airport shuttle service from
the hotel arrives at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07.00 & 09.30 hours.