Italian Intermezzo
Holiday Highlights
- Florence: During dinner, meet a sommelier who will talk you through a tasting of some of Tuscan’s finest wines.
- Rome: Savour a four-course Celebration Dinner with wine to the rich tremolo of some of Italy’s best-loved opera.
- Dining Summary: 7 Breakfasts (B) and 3 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee. Festive Highlight Dinners: 21 Dec Christmas Day in Florence. 28 Dec New Year’s Eve in Florence.
- Venice: See a master craftsman honouring age-old Venetian crafts, when you visit an artisan showroom and workshop on Giudecca Island.
- Florence: Gain a fascinating insight into the work of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, with a Renaissance art expert during your visit to the Accademia Museum.
- Vatican City: Join your Local Expert and explore the city's highlights including St. Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, with VIP access into the Vatican Museums. Your visit also includes behind-the-scenes access to a part of the Vatican denied to the general public, the Bramante Staircase.
- Florence: Hotel Londra is an elegant hotel situated right in the heart of Florence.
- Rome: The Veneto Palace Hotel is located in the monumental and unique scenery of ancient Rome, not far from Piazza di Spagna, the Trevi Fountain and Villa Borghese, which is the largest park in central Rome. The guest rooms offer a classic style that blends in perfect harmony with the style of the building.
- Verona: During your orientation, walk past the well preserved Roman Arena to Juliet's balcony in the courtyard of a Renaissance villa.
- 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.
- Venice: To the tune of accompanying musicians, you are serenaded through the atmospheric canals by gondola.
- Florence: During your guided walk see the cathedral, bell tower and Gates of Paradise on the baptistery and visit the political heart of the city, Piazza della Signoria.
- Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods and witness a leather-work demonstration.
- Pisa: See the cathedral, baptistery and gravity-defying Leaning Tower.
- Assisi: Enjoy strolling through this quaint little town with your Local Expert and seeing it's beautifully preserved medieval lane ways and streets.
- Assisi: A Local Expert will explain why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of medieval Europe.
- Rome: See the mighty Colosseum and Roman Forum. You will also see other medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
- Vatican City: Join your Local Expert and visit St. Peters Basilica.
What's Included
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- 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.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- 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, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Lively Milan. - Accommodation: Ritz Milan.
Your complimentary, private transfer takes you to your local departure airport. Welcome to Italy. After being greeted by your Travel Director at Milan's Malpensa Airport, your transfer departs at 09:30 or 12:30. Join your Travel Director at 17:30 and head to local restaurant where your Welcome Dinner provides the opportunity to mingle and get to know your fellow travellers over a pleasant evening.(Dinner with Wine)
Day 2 - Verona and on to Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. - Accommodation: Hotel Continental Venice.
Head east to elegant Verona, legendary home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet. Enjoy a leisurely walk with your Travel Director, passing the well-preserved Roman Arena that is still used for opera performances. Stand beneath the balcony where the Capulet family is said to have lived and perhaps recite Shakespeare’s immortal words. There is free time to explore or perhaps browse the local market before continuing to the glorious city of Venice.(Breakfast)
General Note
Notes: Twin prices are per person. (2) Solo Traveller Savings: There is a 80% reduction to the Single Supplement on these departures, subject to availability. (1a) Festive Highlight Dinner: Christmas Day in Florence. (1b) Festive Highlight Dinner: New Year’s Eve in Florence. (1c) These departures will visit Christmas Markets.