Italian Escapade - Classic Group
Tour Type: Regional
Brochure Type Europe & Britain Premium 2025 v1
Travel from Rome to Venice during this 13-day guided tour of Italy. Experience ancient Rome: See the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought, and Circus Maximus, where chariots raced for sport. Cruise around Venice in a private boat, then step onto St. Mark's Square and stand in awe of its gothic-style Doge's Palace. Sail to Murano Island, where a glassblower will manipulate molten glass into a work of art in front of your eyes. View the southern cliffs of Sorrento and see majestic Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Travel by open-top taxi with a Local Expert to the top of the island of Capri, then explore its charming alleyways and duck into a shop to purchase a memento. Celebrate a spectacular vacation with a delicious dinner featuring Roman flavors in the Eternal City's bohemian quarter.
Additional Included Highlights
Brochure Type Europe & Britain Premium 2025 v1
Travel from Rome to Venice during this 13-day guided tour of Italy. Experience ancient Rome: See the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought, and Circus Maximus, where chariots raced for sport. Cruise around Venice in a private boat, then step onto St. Mark's Square and stand in awe of its gothic-style Doge's Palace. Sail to Murano Island, where a glassblower will manipulate molten glass into a work of art in front of your eyes. View the southern cliffs of Sorrento and see majestic Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Travel by open-top taxi with a Local Expert to the top of the island of Capri, then explore its charming alleyways and duck into a shop to purchase a memento. Celebrate a spectacular vacation with a delicious dinner featuring Roman flavors in the Eternal City's bohemian quarter.
Additional Included Highlights
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, y
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- Florence Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed.
- Lake Maggiore For your Dine-Around Evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants for your dining pleasure.
- Rome Enjoy a Celebration Dinner of delicious Italian cuisine and wine, accompanied by the rich tremolo of some of Italy's best loved songs.
- Lake Iseo Learn about this historic winery, passed down through the generations, and taste its latest vintages.
- Florence Stand beside Michelangelo's monumental statue, 'David', in the Accademia Gallery, and admire the exquisite technique and absorbing history behind the world's most famous sculpture.
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Florence Take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce and immerse yourself in the essence of la dolce vita of Florence while you enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe.
- 7 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 12 Breakfast (B)
- Rome Enjoy an exclusive visit to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, Rome's Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala, also known as the ?Pharmacy of the Popes.' Discover this hidden gem during a private audience with a friar of the Carmelite order, who rev
- Venice Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblow
- Capri Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters to meet your Local Expert.
- Pisa During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery bristling with marble spines, and the colonnaded bell tower lurches behind the 11th century cathedral - the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
- Siena See the Fountain of Joy, striped cathedral and vast Piazza del Campo.
- Assisi With a Local Expert, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of Europe.
- Capri Relax and enjoy the views as you are driven in an iconic open-top taxi.
- Capri Explore Capri town with your Local Expert and see the whitewashed houses, winding alleyways, small cafes, fashionable boutiques and artisans studios.
- Florence Take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce and immerse yourself in the essence of la dolce vita of Florence while you enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe.
- Rome Discover ancient treasures of Rome with a passionate local. See Circus Maximus and the Ancient Forum, and stand beside the Colosseum, which bears witness to the limitless courage of the gladiators.
- Florence Enjoy a stroll through Renaissance Florence and admire the medieval buildings that gave birth to this new style of architecture.
- Sorrento Perched upon the cliffs, lookout to see the mighty Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.
- Lake Maggiore Step out with your Travel Director to experience the charming traditional social ritual of la passeggiata. All across Italy, in cities, towns and villages people leave their houses to gently walk streets, from babies in strollers to the mos
- Venice Delight in the magic of this charming city as you are serenaded, traveling through the atmospheric canals by gondola.
- Venice With your Travel Director cruise to St. Mark's Square and see the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Basilica.
- Assisi See St. Mary of the Angels Church and join your Local Expert to walk through the cobbled streets and beautifully preserved medieval laneways of this quaint town.
- Florence Stand beside Michelangelo's monumental statue, 'David', in the Accademia Gallery, and admire the exquisite technique and absorbing history behind the world's most famous sculpture.
- Pompeii Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Call 410-638-5822 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18545767
- Tour Operator
- Insight Vacations
- Duration
- 13 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Rome | Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome: Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a visit to Trastevere, Rome's bohemian quarter. Enjoy a private visit to Farmacia of Santa Maria della Scala, the oldest pharmacy in Europe. Gain historic insights from a Carmelite friar as you admire the Farmacia and explore the adjoining 16th-century church. Take in the vibrant atmosphere of this charming neighborhood as you indulge in a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Accommodations: Hotel Romanico Palace, Rome. |
| Day 2 | Vatican | Vatican City and Rome with a Local: Your 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. Visit the Sistine Chapel, where 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. Cross the Tiber River to enjoy ancient Rome to see the incredible Circus Maximus. Admire the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine, walking on the ancient pavement. Discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum as you stroll around the exterior of this amazing structure. Later, perhaps continue your exploration of Rome to see the Pantheon, the stunning piazzas and fountains of Rome. Accommodations: Hotel Romanico Palace, Rome. |
| Day 3 | Florence | Siena and Medieval Florence: Travel north to medieval Siena and stroll through the winding stone-paved streets to the vast Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race takes place amid great festivities. See the Fountain of Joy and then walk up to the hilltop cathedral, striped with marble. Continue through the cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed. Accommodations: Michelangelo Florence. |
| Day 4 | Florence | Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance: Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo's David. After, continue on foot to admire the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Continue into the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune, Hercules and Cacus along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe, where you will be in the perfect spot to admire the basilica, indulge in people-watching the elegant Florentines and pamper yourself shopping for luxury goods like gold and leather. Accommodations: Michelangelo Florence. |
| Day 5 | Lake Maggiore | Pisa and the Italian Lakes: Stop in Pisa to see the incredible Leaning Tower from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity, as well as the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Your journey continues, past the marble quarries at Carrara, used since the time of Ancient Rome, through the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po. Continue to your lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore. As night time draws in, why not work up an appetite before dinner with a traditional evening stroll, or passeggiata as they say in Italy? Accommodations: Hotel Simplon, Baveno. |
| Day 6 | Lake Maggiore | The Italian Lake District Relaxed Start: Today is set aside for you to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights of this beautiful lakeland area. For your Dine-Around Evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants for your dining pleasure. Accommodations: Hotel Simplon, Baveno. |
| Day 7 | Venice | To Venice With Wine Along the Way Relaxed Start: Follow the southern fringes of the European Alps to the vineyards of the Franciacorta wine region near the shores of Lake Iseo. Here, winemaking traditions run deep. Taste the delicious vintages produced with a master vintner at a family-owned estate. Continue to the unique city of Venice and step back in time to the 16th century. Accommodations: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental |
| Day 8 | Venice | The Magic of La Serenissima: A private boat ferries you to St. Mark's Square. See the basilica, Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience during a visit to a traditional arts center, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Enjoy being serenaded with traditional songs on a gondola ride, gliding through the city canals in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savor the magic of St. Mark's square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes? Accommodations: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental |
| Day 9 | Assisi | Hilltop Assisi: Skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy's most important rivers, the Adige and Po. The scenery will then change dramatically as you drive through the wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone-built, hilltop town of Assisi, home of St. Francis. See the Church of St. Mary of the Angels before continuing up Mount Subasio. Then, with our Local Expert, visit the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis. Accommodations: Hotel Giotto Assisi. |
| Day 10 | Sorrento | Sorrento on the coast: Journey along the clifftop road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking out to Mount Vesuvius. With the evening at leisure, why not try some of the local specialties during a regional dining experience? Accommodations: Hotel Isabella, Sorrento. |
| Day 11 | Capri | Capri, the Isle of Dreams: In the morning, cruise to Capri, known as the Isle of Dreams. With your Local Expert, explore the narrow alleyways of Capri town, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time. Perhaps join an optional visit to Positano and the Amalfi Coast? Accommodations: Hotel Isabella, Sorrento. |
| Day 12 | Rome | On to ill-fated Pompeii and Rome: Journey north to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Your Local Expert walks you through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. Witness the colorful frescoes that were hidden for centuries. Continue beneath the striking hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino and back to Rome where your journey reaches its zenith in the evening. In the heart of The Eternal City, you are treated to a quintessential Italian experience. Fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta for your Celebration Dinner. Accommodations: Bettoja Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome. |
| Day 13 | Rome | Arrivederci Roma: Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Accommodations: |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Twin prices are per person.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class
