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Between major cities such as Rome, Florence, Sorrento and Venice, you'll find little known gems like Orvieto, Assisi and Perugia. See the 'Statue of David', enjoy a highight lunch in Bologna and travel along the Amalfi Coast for spectacular views.
| 16 day tour from $4,275*pp |
Inclusions
- 15 nights in first class hotels
- 15 buffet breakfasts, 3 three-course table d'hote dinners plus tea and coffee
- Travel by luxury 40-seat coach with more legroom
- Escorted by professional tour director
- Included sightseeing & premium highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Rome at leisure
Welcome to Rome! On arrival transfers to your hotel. Hotel: Cicerone/Veneto.
Day 2 Rome sightseeing
With your local guide, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Next door, tour St Peter’s Basilica, seeing Michelangelo’s Pieta. Cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. There is time in the afternoon to relax or explore.
Day 3 Rome - Pompeii - Sorrento
Visit the formidable mountain top Abbey of Monte Cassino, rebuilt after the epic battle of 1944. Stop at the Commonwealth War Cemetery before continuing to ill-fated Pompeii for a guided tour through the cobbled streets. A scenic cliff-top drive leads you to Sorrento. Hotel: La Favorita/Cesare Augusto.
Day 4 Amalfi coastal drive
Travel along Italy’s finest coastline, the Amalfi Coast. Stop for a bird’s-eye view of the terraced houses of Positano before boarding minibuses to explore the heart of the town.
Day 5 Isle of Capri excursion
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 open top taxi. Browse in the elegant shops and enjoy the sea views before returning to Sorrento.
Day 6 Sorrento - Orvieto
Travel north to the celebrated wine town of Frascati and then see the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Continue to Orvieto, which looks down from its cliff-edged balcony over a vineyard covered plain. Hotel: Aquila Bianca.
Day 7 Orvieto - Assisi - Perugia
Cross the River Tiber to arrive at St Mary of the Angels Basilica, erected where St Francis died. Continue on to hill-top Assisi to visit the huge Basilica. Stroll down the Via San Francesco to St Clare’s church, then see the Cathedral with its baptismal font where St Francis was christened. Move on to beautiful Perugia, the jewel of Umbria. Hotel: Sangallo Palace.
Day 8 Perugia sightseeing
Your sightseeing begins on foot 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. Later there is time at leisure in this beautiful, historic town.
Day 9 Perugia - Siena - Florence
Stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of Siena with a local guide to the vast Campo Square. See Della Quercia’s ‘Fonte Gaia’, then continue to the zebra striped cathedral. Follow the Tuscan country roads to San Gimignano to admire the Salucci Towers, Chigi Towers and Cathedral. A delightful drive through cypresses and olive groves brings you to the Renaissance city of Florence. Hotel: NH Firenze/Londra.
Day 10 Florence sightseeing
With a local guide, admire the original statue of David in the Academy Gallery. Continue to see the marble clad Cathedral, bell tower and see the Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery. Walk on to Signoria Square, an open air gallery of sculpture and fountains. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, to see Michelangelo’s tomb.
Day 11 Florence - Bologna - Venice
Through the Appenine mountains to stop in Bologna - gastronomic capital of Italy. Here your guided tour includes Giambologna’s Neptune Fountain in Piazza Nettuno and the Old Town. Continue across the fertile plains to Venice. Hotel: Bauers Palladio Hotel & Spa/NH Manin.
Day 12 Venice sightseeing
Only minutes away by private launch is St Mark’s Square. See Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs connecting the Doges’ Palace to the Prisons, before admiring the Byzantine Basilica and belltower. The rest of the day is at leisure in this remarkable city.
Day 13 Venice - Classe - Chianciano Terme
Stop on the outskirts of Ravenna this morning to visit the church of St Apollinaris in Classe which houses some of the finest mosaics in Europe. Continue into the Apennines to the spa town of Chianciano Terme. Hotel: Grande Albergo Fortuna.
Day 14 Montepulciano excursion
Embark on an excursion to beautiful Montepulciano, one of Tuscany’s highest hill towns, its fortifications offering broad views over Umbria and Southern Tuscany. Explore the streets brimming with Reniassance palazzi before returning to your hotel.
Day 15 Chianciano Terme - Tivoli - Rome
Climb up to the pleasant hilltop town of Tivoli where you visit the amazing 16th century water gardens of the Villa d’Este - an oasis of cool tranquillity amid the bustle of modern life! Continue past the sulphurous medicinal springs at Bagni di Tivoli to return to the ‘eternal city’ of Rome. Hotel: Sheraton.
Day 16 Rome
Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
Departure dates and Prices*
| Departure dates in 2012 | Price per person, twin share |
|---|---|
| Apr 13, 20, 27 | $4,399 |
| May 4, 5^, 11, 12^, 18, 19^, 25, 26^ | $4,399 |
| Jun 1, 2^, 8, 9^ | $4,399 |
| Jun 15, 16^, 22 | $4,350 |
| Jun 29, Jul 13, 27, Aug 10 | $4,275 |
| Aug 24 | $4,375 |
| Aug 31 | $4,399 |
| Sep 1^, 7, 8^, 14, 15^, 21, 22^, 28, 29^ | $4,450 |
| Oct 5, 6^, 12, 13^ | $4,399 |
| Oct 19 | $4,275 |
^Itinerary operates in reverse order
*Terms and Conditions
- Prices current as at 1 February 2012
- Prices are per person in AUD$ based on twin share
- Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
- Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
- Further conditions apply please see the Insight Vacations Europe and Britain 2012 brochure
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