Day 1 - Depart USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2 to Day 3 - Papal and Imperial Rome
Welcome to Rome - not only the modern capital of Italy but also a spectacular encyclopedia of living history! You are met on arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. At 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30 transfers depart for your hotel. Early evening, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception, drinks and a light informal meal. In the morning you are joined by a resident expert who guides you through the art collection of the Vatican Museums culminating beneath Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Your VIP visit includes fast-track entry and the Bramante Staircase, a part of the Vatican closed to the general public. More of Michelangelo’s genius is on display next door in St Peter’s Basilica. Now cross the Tiber to over look the Roman Forum and visit the Colosseum, scene of bloody contests, wild beasts and Gladiators. Rome is now yours to discover at your own pace. (Welcome Reception / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4 to Day 6 - Ancient Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi and the Isle of Dreams
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. The next day 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. There’s time to be tempted by the boutiques before returning to your hotel. Why not work up an appetite by joining the traditional ritual of passeggiata, a pre-dinner promenade, to ‘see and be seen’. In the morning the Isle of Dreams awaits! 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. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7 - The Umbrian Hill Town of Orvieto
Travel north to enjoy free time in Orvieto, a former papal stronghold, set in the heart of Italy and located on a rock pedestal overlooking its vineyard covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation tour and admire the richly decorated façade of the Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo. There’s time to shop for handpainted ceramics before your Dine-Around evening. Choose from a selection of lively restaurants at which to enjoy dinner and a glass of cold Orvieto wine. (Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Day 8 to Day 9 - In search of St. Francis in Assisi and Perugia, the Jewel of Umbria
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 for the night. Your morning 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. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 10 to Day 11 - Siena, the Towers of San Gimignano and Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance
Stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of Siena with a local expert 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. In the morning join a local expert to 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 and finish with a Florentine leather-work demonstration. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 12 to Day 13 - Bella Bologna, Venice and the Magic of La Serenissima
Through the Apennine Mountains to stop in Bologna - gastronomic capital of Italy, unique in its medieval and Renaissance historic value. Here you have time to explore the Old Town, sample the delicious ‘Bolognese’ cuisine or simply relax with a coffee. Continue across the fertile plains to Venice. Your hotels enjoys one of the most famous views in the world, across the water from the Doges’ Palace. Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Admire the skill of glassblowers, mask makers and gondola builders on a visit to a traditional arts centre. Then 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. No visit to Venice would be complete with out a gondola serenade. Enjoy the atmosphere, music and songs as you drift along the canals. The rest of the day is at leisure in this remarkable city. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 14 to Day 15 - Ravenna, the Byzantium of the West, Chianciano Terme and Montepulciano
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. In the morning embark on an excursion to beautiful Montepulciano, one of Tuscany’s highest hill towns, with streets brimming with Reniassance palazzi and fortifications offering broad views over Umbria and Southern Tuscany. It is also the home of a very fine Sangiovese-based red wine, the noble wine of Montepulciano, and you enjoy a tasting before returning to your hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 16 - Tivoli and the Eternal City
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. Tonight, your tour reaches its zenith with an elegant four-course dinner with unlimited local wine at a favourite Roman restaurant. As you dine, you are serenaded with popular songs and arias from best-loved operas. (Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 17 - Return to USA
Arrivederci Roma! Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (Buffet Breakfast)

Between the major cities, you’ll find little-known gems like Orvieto, Assisi and Perugia, Tuscan hill towns, fantasy gardens, a formidable abbey and Italy’s finest stretch of coastline.

• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• 15 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Dine-Around (DA), Celebration Dinner (CD) and 3 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, plus tea or coffee (D)
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all visits and walking tours
• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Airport transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 17 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport or purchase a transfer)

• Rome: Enjoy a private guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Monte Cassino: Visit the hill-top Abbey.
• Cassino: Visit the peaceful Commonwealth War Cemetery.
• Sorrento: Join in the Italian social ritual of ‘La Passeggiata’.and witness the ‘Intarsio’ demonstration.
• Orvieto: Visit Piazza del Duomo to admire the Cathedral.
• Assisi: Walk through the cobbled streets to St. Clare’s church. Visit St. Mary of the Angels.
• Perugia: See the Priors’ Palace and Collegio del Cambio.
• Siena: Visit the Campo Square, fountain and Cathedral.
• San Gimignano: Visit the medieval Manhattan of Italy!
• Florence: See the Cathedral, belltower, ‘Gates of Paradise’ and Signoria Square. Witness a leather-work demonstration.
• Bologna: Explore the old town.
• Venice: Cruise to St. Mark’s Square by private launch. See St. Mark’s Basilica, bell tower, clock tower, Doges’ Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Witness hand made Venetian glass-blowing.
• Montepulciano: Visit the old town.

Rome: Mediterraneo
Sorrento: La Favorita
Orvieto: Aquila Bianca
Perugia: Sangallo Palace
Florence: Londra
Venice: Bauers Palladio Hotel & Spa
Chianciano: Grande Albergo Fortuna
Rome: Sheraton

• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

For Insight Vacations terms and conditions, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.