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

Day 2 to Day 4 - Papal and Imperial Rome
Welcome to Rome - one of the world’s most historic cities, filled with classical antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches! Transfers to the tour hotel depart Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Then this historic city is yours to discover - stroll down the Via Veneto for a taste of ‘la dolce vita’. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception, drinks and a light meal. In the morning a local expert introduces the grandeur of the city! Start off in the Vatican State, the richest community in the world. While others wait in line, you are fast-tracked through the VIP entrance into the Vatican Museums. With your local expert, admire the collection of priceless art gathered by Popes over the ages. Your visit also includes behind the scenes access to parts of the Vatican not open to the general public - the famous Bramante Staircase. Then enter the sublime Sistine Chapel. This is where your audio headset comes into its own, providing clear, expert commentary from your guide. Gaze up now and truly appreciate the significance of Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling. Next door in St. Peter’s Basilica, see one of Michelangelo’s early works, the Pieta, and the splendid dome completed after his death. Now relive the glory of ancient Rome as you cross the River Tiber to visit the Colosseum, and imagine yourself back in the days of the gladiators. Finally, look out over the site of the Roman Forum, for centuries the centre of Roman public life. The afternoon and all of the next day is entirely at leisure for you to enjoy Rome at your own pace. Suggestions include the Catacombs, the Pantheon, the fantastic fountains in the Tivoli Gardens, or the peaceful Castelli Romani hills. Or perhaps you may like to spend some time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso, the Via Nazionale or the elegant designer stores in the neighbourhood of the Spanish Steps? In the early evening why not sip a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe in the Piazza Navona (the 'Living Room of Rome') and watch life go by! (Welcome Reception / Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 5 to Day 7 - Pisa and Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance
Drive northwards through the Tuscan hills and across the Arno river to Pisa. See the incredible Leaning Tower, as well as the beautiful Cathedral and Baptistry. Now on to Florence, the jewel of the Renaissance. From the terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo there is a wonderful panorama of the city skyline dominated by Brunelleschi’s domed cathedral. In the morning join a local historian to meet Michelangelo’s original ‘David’ in the Academy Museum. Then walk on to the multi-coloured marble Cathedral, belltower and Baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti’s “Gates of Paradise”. You also visit the open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces in Signoria Square, the political heart of the city. Round off your walking tour at the tomb of Michelangelo in Santa Croce. Then the afternoon and all of the following day is entirely free to explore at your own pace. Everything is easily reached on foot. Traverse the medieval streets to the Ponte Vecchio, haggle for leather goods at the market around San Lorenzo or relax amid the terraces of the Boboli Gardens. The choice is yours, but be sure not to miss the magnificent museums and galleries – how often do you get the chance to see some of most famous works of art in the world? At night, why not make the most of the warm summer evening and venture into the Tuscan countryside to taste the fine rustic dishes with some local Chianti wine. Alternatively, dine alfresco with crisp table-top linen and crystal glassware. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8 to Day 10 - Fair Verona, Venice and the Magic of La Serenissima
Passing the city of Bologna, today’s highlight stop is the elegant city of Verona, legendary home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. Walk with your Tour Director past the Roman Arena where Opera is still performed, to the famous balcony in the courtyard of the Capulet home. After free time to savour the local dishes and wines, take the autostrada east to Venice, ‘Queen of the Adriatic’! Your luxurious hotel gazes out over the Giudecca Canal and an unforgettable city skyline. Wake up ready to embrace this most romantic of cities. Admire the skill of glassblowers, mask makers and gondola builders on a visit to a traditional arts centre. Then board your private launch sit back and enjoy your introduction to this unique city of ornate palaces, bridges and gondolas. Disembark near the Bridge of Sighs before turning the corner to stand in awe at the marble arcades of Piazza San Marco. St Mark’s Basilica, with its dazzling domes, occupies the corner next to the clock tower. Next door stands the pink and white marbled Doges’ Palace. During your remaining day and a half there is plenty of time to explore the museums, galleries and churches or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge. Otherwise simply lose yourself in the back lanes and ‘campi’, small squares, where tourists seldom tread and the Venetians go about their daily lives. Maybe visit some of the 90 churches which house masterpieces of Venetian art or explore the treasures of the Academy Museum? Sit a while at a canal side cafe to sip the local wine, or sample delicious lagoon fresh fish. Perhaps cruise out to some of the other islands in the lagoon to experience the age-old lifestyle of Venetian fishermen and lace-makers? As evening descends, take your seats in a traditional gondola for a serenade through the ‘watery streets’. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere, music and songs as you drift along the romantic canals before dining ‘alla Veneziana’. There can be no better place to celebrate your tour finalé than with good food, good wine and good company in this magical setting. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Linger longer in Italy’s three most appealing and profoundly cultural cities. Savour every part of Rome’s rich heritage. Soak up the Renaissance atmosphere of Florence and look beyond the canals and gondolas to gain a deeper understanding of Venice.

• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• 9 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 1 three-course table d’hôte Dinner plus tea or coffee (D)
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided 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 11 (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.
• Pisa: See the Cathedral, Baptistery and ‘Leaning Tower’.
• Florence: View the city skyline from the sumptuous terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo. See the Cathedral, ‘Gates of Paradise’ on the Baptistery and Signoria Square. Visit Santa Croce Church housing the tomb of Michelangelo. Traditional Florence leather-work demonstration.
• Verona: Walk with your Tour Director past the Roman Arena to the famous balcony in the courtyard of the Capulet home.
• 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 arts such as glass-blowing and lace making.

Rome: Veneto Palace
Florence: NH Anglo American
Venice: Molino Stucky Hilton

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

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* 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.