A Grand Tour of Italy

Day 1 Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome

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.  Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director at 17:30, and get to know your fellow travellers over a delicious Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Day 2 Vatican and Rome with a Local

Today 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 priority 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. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy views of ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus and the legendary Colosseum. There’s free time to do as the Romans do, or perhaps join a walking tour and 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 Castel Gandolfo

Venture to Castel Gandolfo to explore the artistic treasure of the Villa Barberini Gardens. Ride an electric train along the pathways to marvel at the intricately designed mosaic flower beds and fountains. After our visit to the former papal gardens our journey continues on south past Naples to the resort town of Sorrento.

Day 4 Capri, the Isle of Dreams

Meet your Local Expert and cross the Bay of Naples to reach the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean! For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields. Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, ascend to Capri town by one of the island's iconic open-top taxis. Explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento, where you are at leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 5 The Picturesque Amalfi Coast

Travel along Italy’s finest coastline, the Amalfi Coast. Board minibuses and stop to admire a view of the terraced houses of the artist's paradise of Positano, clinging to the cliff face. Take time to be tempted by the local boutiques.

Day 6 Pompeii and Orvieto

Journey to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii and explore with your Local Expert. Travel into the heart of Italy to enjoy free time in Orvieto, located on a rock pedestal overlooking a vineyard-covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation and admire the richly decorated facade of the cathedral in Piazza del Duomo. Take in the flavours of the region and enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine - a magical culinary experience!

Day 7 Assisi and on to Perugia

Cross the River Tiber to see St. Mary of the Angels Church. Under the dome is a small medieval chapel and the spot where St. Francis died. In Assisi see St. Clare’s Church and the cathedral. Continue to walk down the Via San Francesco and visit the huge Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert. Journey to beautiful Perugia - the jewel of Umbria. Your guided walking exploration begins in the main street of Perugia's Old Town. See the Collegio del Cambio, the splendid Priors' Palace, the Cathedral and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the magnificent main square. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit an artisanal workshop and meet Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Learn how Marta and her weavers are preserving the ancient craft of loom-weaving.

Day 8 Perugia, the Jewel of Umbria

The entire day is at leisure for you to explore this gem of a town on your own. Perhaps visit Cortona, one of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany. On this Optional Experience, journey to a recently unearthed Etruscan Temple before a guided exploration through the town's historic centre with views of Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana. In the evening there is the option to discover the edible treasures of a traditional Umbrian kitchen, accompanied with wines of the region.

Day 9 Siena and Radda in Chianti

Drive past Lake Trasimeno to Siena. Explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Cathedral or alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Travel through the cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to your elegant hotel. On arrival, enjoy a delicious exploration of Tuscany's red wines, discovering their robust flavours and absorbing history.

Day 10 Renaissance Florence

Journey to Renaissance Florence where on arrival you will walk with a Local Expert to see the marble-clad cathedral, bell tower and Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at the fountains and sculptures along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Wander the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods of gold and leather. 

Day 11 San Gimignano and on to Lucca

Visit the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Enjoy a tasting with award-winning, master gelato maker, Sergio Dondoli whose great inventions include innovative and mouth-watering flavour combinations. Continue to Lucca, to view its churches, squares and palaces that are perfectly preserved within encircling medieval ramparts. Pause a while and taste the lavish loaves of buccellato, Lucca's sweet raisin anise bread, said to be a favourite of the ancient Roman army. Later, perhaps explore Pisa?

Day 12 Exploring the Cinque Terre

Get ready to explore the Cinque Terre, or five villages, which for years were only accessible by foot. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. Join a Local Expert in one of the picturesque fishing villages, before cruising along the rugged coastline (weather permitting). There is plenty of time to explore the old medieval quarter and popular sandy beach before returning to your hotel in Lucca.

Day 13 Modena and on to Parma

Visit one of Modena's top producers of authentic, traditional, artisan balsamic vinegar and take a master class to understand what makes this vinegar as expensive as top-rated wines. Continue to the beautiful university town of Parma, world-famous for its local ham and cheese. Meet one of the locals, Paolo. Learn about the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano as Signor Paolo shares with you his passions for Italian food, especially excellent quality Parmesan cheese. Taste samples of the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano, accompanied with a glass of wine.

Day 14 Onto Venice

Continue on through the Soave vineyards past Padua to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. To the tune of accompanying musicians, you will be serenaded through the atmospheric canals as you glide by gondola, past water-lapped doorways and rococo palaces.

Day 15 The Magic of La Serenissima

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Visit St. Mark’s Square where the city’s former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica and admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. The waterways of Venice are renowned for gondolas that drift by. In the evening, cruise the islands of the Venetian Lagoon to arrive at Burano, famous for its candy coloured houses. Sit down to a sumptuous Celebration Dinner with wine, sampling the local specialities.

Day 16 Arrivederci Venice

Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport at 08:00 and 09:30.

Please note the above itinerary is subject to change without notice.

There are multiple departures between April to October in 2024 and 2025

Below price for 26 July 2024 departure

• Twin/Double from $8525 $6,820 per person
• Solo Traveller from $10715 $8,470 Per Person

please call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 for details or to book your tour.

Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking or until sold out and may change without notice.

• Room 007 Select
• Majestic Palace Hotel
• Hotel Fonte Cesia
• Sangallo Palace Hotel
• CDH Hotel Radda
• Hotel Villa La Principessa
• Starhotels Du Parc Parma
• Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
• Hilton Molino Stucky Venice

IS THERE SEAT ROTATION?

Yes, your Travel Director will implement a seat rotation system, whereby all guests will rotate their seats on the coach daily. This allows for everyone to experience the spectacular views from different seats, and you’ll have a better opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers. 

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

You are allowed to bring one suitcase per person with the dimensions of 30.5”x22”x12.5” (77.5 x 56 x 32cm) and weight not exceeding 50 lbs (23kg) due to the limited space on the coach. You can also bring one piece of hand luggage, provided it is small enough to take on the coach and does not have telescope handles. Please note that air carriers, cruise lines and other forms of transportation may have other restrictions and requirements including weight, and we recommend that you contact the suppliers directly for additional information. We regret we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits.

DO YOU ACCOMMODATE SPECIAL NEEDS?

We make every effort to accommodate any special needs requests, whether it be a dietary restriction or a physical limitation. In order to accommodate your needs as best as possible, we ask that you let us know at time of booking so we can assess the request and see how and where we can accommodate you. We may ask you to fill out a form depending on the request in order for us to assess how and if we can accommodate. 

DO YOU HAVE A SHARE PROGRAM FOR SINGLES?

If you wish to share with another traveller of the same sex you can advise us at the time of booking. Insight believes that travelling solo doesn't have to cost you more. They will try to match you with someone of the same sex in order to avoid having to pay the single supplement. If they are not able to provide a suitable room mate, Insight will provide a single room at no extra cost.