Speak to a Tour Specialist

Italian Splendors 2010-2011

13 days with Insight

Book now and save on departure dates shown below in red!
Click any FastDeal# to see additional discounts.

800-680-2858	Tour Itinerary	800-680-2858
Discounts are offered on dates in red. Click FastDeal # for Complete Pricing  FastDeal #   Departs US  Starting   Price * Inc Air Starting  Price * No Air #T27410 Nov 5, '10 Call $2,200 #T20036 Nov 12, '10 Call $2,200 #T26178 Nov 19, '10 Call $2,200 #T19099 Nov 26, '10 Call $2,200 #T33098 Dec 3, '10 Call $2,175 #T39235 Dec 10, '10 Call $2,175 #T32096 Dec 17, '10 Call $2,249 #T14430 Dec 26, '10 Call $2,425 #T14896 Jan 7, '11 Call $2,175 #T11312 Jan 21, '11 Call $2,175 #T20411 Feb 4, '11 Call $2,175 #T38039 Feb 18, '11 Call $2,175 #T15153 Mar 4, '11 Call $2,200 #T38903 Mar 11, '11 Call $2,200 #T35524 Mar 18, '11 Call $2,200 #T24845 Mar 25, '11 Call $2,200 Discounts are offered on dates in red. Click FastDeal # for Complete Pricing DAY 1 – DEPART USA.  Board your overnight flight.  DAY 2 – ARRIVE ROME.  Welcome to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome - once hub of the vast Roman Empire. The airport shuttle service to your Insight tour hotel departs Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30 hours. Later, join your fellow guests and Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.  DAY 3 – ROME SIGHTSEEING.  Meet your guide in the Vatican State, for a visit to the superb Vatican Museums. Browse through the vast art collection before emerging into the Sistine Chapel, immortalized by Michelangelo’s painted ceiling. Your tour continues inside St Peter’s Basilica, designed by some of history’s greatest architects. Another highlight takes you inside the Colosseum, scene of great excitement in imperial times. Then look out over the Forum - once the religious, political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. (BB)  DAY 4 – ROME – POMPEII – SORRENTO.  Travel south to Pompeii, the incredibly preserved Roman city, destroyed by an eruption of Vesuvius (still one of Europe’s few active volcanos) in 79 A.D. Walk with a local guide through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples, then continue along the Bay of Naples to the cliff-top resort of Sorrento. Why not dine at one of Sorrento’s top restaurants tonight? (BB)  DAY 5 – SORRENTO – CAPRI EXCURSION.  Visit Sorrento’s Piazza Tasso and watch the art of ‘intarsio’ wood inlaying. Cruise to the island of Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway. There is time to explore before returning to Sorrento. (BB,D)  DAY 6 – SORRENTO – FLORENCE.  You pass beneath the hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino today, before continuing northwards to the hilly region of Umbria and on to the unique landscape of Tuscany and the city of Florence. (BB,D)  DAY 7 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING.  Join a local guide for a walking tour and highlight visit to the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s monumental figure of David. Continue to the multi-colored marble Cathedral to see Giotto’s belltower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before visiting the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. Finally watch a demonstration of leatherwork in the area around Santa Croce Basilica. The rest of the day is at leisure, with free time to shop for Florence’s finest or continue sightseeing. (BB)  DAY 8 – FLORENCE – PISA – MILAN.  Travel to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower, the white marble cathedral and magnificent baptistery. Then follow the coastal route, past Carrara, before heading inland to the great northern city of Milan. (BB,D)  DAY 9 – MILAN SIGHTSEEING  Join your local guide for a city sightseeing tour which features the stunning cathedral, its marble facade bristling with 135 pinnacles and over 2000 statues. See the massive Sforza Castle and world famous La Scala Theatre before enjoying free time to explore or shop. (BB)  DAY 10 – MILAN – VERONA – VENICE  Today, drive eastwards to the elegant city of Verona. See the ancient Roman arena, venue for the opera each summer, and visit the courtyard of the Capulet home to see Juliet’s balcony. Then on to romantic Venice, a glorious city of quaint bridges, ornate palaces and gondolas. (BB,D)  DAY 11 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING.  Venice - a living treasure! What better way to see it than from a private launch? Cruise past Palladian churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark’s Square. See the Doges’ Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! Now turn the corner, and the gilded regalia of St Mark’s Basilica comes into view. Finally, watch one of the few remaining masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory. (BB)  DAY 12 – VENICE – ROME.  Take the spectacular highway over the wild Apennines, continuing south to the valley of the River Tiber, its course leading back to Rome. This evening, join your fellow passengers for a farewell highlight dinner of pasta, wine and music. (BB,HD)  DAY 13 – RETURN TO USA.  Sadly, your tour comes to an end today. Airport shuttle service from the hotel arrives at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07.00 & 09.30 hours. (BB)

800-680-2858	All This Included	800-680-2858
Italy’s idyllic landscapes are captured here; majestic lakes, fertile river plains, Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan hillsides, sparkling seas, imposing volcanoes, all bathed in a golden light that adds to the charm. Highlight Dinner of Italian cuisine in Rome (HD) 11 Buffet breakfasts (BB), 4 three course table d’hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D) Departures on tour for Christmas & New Year’s Eve, enjoy a festive celebration dinner Escorted by a professional Tour Director Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and onboard restroom First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 13

800-680-2858	Tour Highlights	800-680-2858
Discover the wonders of ancient Rome as you overlook the Forum and visit the Colosseum Tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece of Michelangelo’s fresco skills Glimpse a moment of every day Roman life, as you tour the excavations of Pompeii Cruise to Capri, the Island of Dreams, and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway Visit Florence’s Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s original ‘Statue of David’ In Verona the tale of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet is brought to life. Guided visit of St Peter’s Basilica - mother church of the Catholic faith Visit Sorrento’s Piazza Tasso and watch the art of ‘intarsio’ wood inlaying See the Cathedral, belltower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ on the Baptistery in Florence Visit the statue lined Piazza della Signoria, political stage of Florence Watch a demonstration of leatherwork in the Santa Croce district See the leaning Tower of Pisa See the Cathedral, Sforza Castle and La Scala Theatre in Milan Cruise through the canals of Venice by private launch See the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs, Campanile and St Mark’s Basilica Venetian glass-blowing demonstration

800-680-2858	Accommodations on this Tour	800-680-2858
Rome: Cicerone Sorrento: Grand Hotel Flora Florence: Londra Milan: NH Milano Touring Venice: Principe/Amadeus Rome: Sheraton Roma

800-680-2858	Notes	800-680-2858
Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

800-680-2858	Terms and Conditions	800-680-2858
For terms and conditions of this Insight tour, please click here. * The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive tour prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the tour origination city, we are able to offer the land portion of the package or tour, at the price quoted.