Insight Vacations | Italian Intermezzo - Classic Group, Summer

Travel from the shores of Venice to the ancient city of Rome on this 8-day guided tour of Italy.

Begin your journey in the Italian Lake District, where a feast - complete with decadent Italian wines - awaits you on the shores of Lake Maggiore. In Venice, relax on a private boat as you pass by its iconic floating houses to St. Mark’s Square, where you will see a gilded basilica anchoring the bustling piazza. Later, take a traditional gondola ride and sail through the canals as your Italian gondolier serenades you with songs. See the legendary Colosseum in Rome, then travel to the Vatican Museums, where a Local Expert will lead you through the papal art collection and to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Dine with your fellow travellers to celebrate a fantastic trip through Italy.


Tour Operator: Insight Vacations
  • Pricing

      • Start Date
      • End Date
      • Price
        (Twin)
      • 6 Oct 24
      • 13 Oct 24
      • $5,450
      • 13 Oct 24
      • 20 Oct 24
      • $5,475
      • 20 Oct 24
      • 27 Oct 24
      • $5,450
    Please note: while prices are accurate at time of loading they are subject to change due to currency fluctuations and currency surcharges may apply.Please check price at time of booking
  • Itinerary

    Day 1 - Italian Lakes

    Greet your Travel Director at Milan’s Malpensa Airport. Later, join your Travel Director and head to an elegant restaurant known for serving delicious fresh produce. Tonight's dinner provides the opportunity to mingle and get to know your fellow travellers over a pleasant evening.

     

    Day 2 - Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic Relaxed Start

    Journey through the picturesque Italian lake district, passing by the serene Lakes Iseo and Garda, to reach the enchanting floating city of Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. Your hotel, exuding authentic Venetian charm, beautifully reflects the history and culture of the surrounding area. As night falls, there's the opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of St. Mark’s Square, with its orchestras and delightful alfresco cafes, providing an unforgettable experience.

     

    Day 3 - Venice and the Magic of La Serenissima

    Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. What better way to see Venice than from a private boat, sailing past palazzos and churches to St. Mark’s Square? See the gilded basilica, the Doge’s Palace and Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs. No visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola serenade through the myriad of beautiful canals. Relax and enjoy the local traditional songs, as you drift along in awe. While here, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional glassmaking workshop, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Spend the afternoon and evening as you wish. Or, join an optional experience to the island of Burano. Leave the hustle of St Mark's Square behind on a delightful private cruise around the islands of the Venetian lagoon. Alight at the island of Burano, famous for its candy coloured houses, artisan lace makers and leaning bell tower that would give Pisa a good run for its money. Enjoy a superb meal sampling the local specialties with wine included.

     

    Day 4 - Tranquil Tuscany, Pisa and Florence

    Stop in Pisa to see the incredible Leaning Tower from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David. After that, continue on foot to admire the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Continue into the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune, Hercules and Cacus along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local café, where you will be in the perfect spot to admire the basilica and indulge in people-watching the elegant Florentines.

     

    Day 5 - Free Time in Renaissance Florence Relaxed Start

    Learn the secrets of traditional Florentine leatherwork when you visit a local workshop to admire the intricate work. The rest of the day is free for you to fully immerse yourself in the Tuscan capital. Perhaps shop for leather or gold goods around Santa Croce or relax and soak up the atmosphere in one of the many street cafés. Be sure not to miss the magnificent museums and galleries that house some of the most famous works of art in the world. Choose to take an excursion to Tuscany's most famous hill-top town, San Gimignano. Soak up the atmosphere of this ancient gem which has remained intact for centuries and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the evening, consider an optional experience dining on Tuscan cuisine with local wine, including, of course, Chianti from the vineyards of Tuscany.

     

    Day 6 - Chianti Country to Orvieto and on to Rome

    Journey to Umbrian Orvieto, a hilltop village overlooking a vineyard-covered plain. Explore the town with your Travel Director and visit Piazza del Duomo to admire the cathedral, before continuing towards the Eternal City of Rome. Join an optional experience, Piazzas & Fountains, and with your Local Expert, take a "passeggiata" (stroll) to enjoy the backstreets and secrets of pedestrian Rome. Be amazed at sights such as the fascinating Pantheon and the beauty of 17th-century fountains and beautiful piazzas. Why not throw your coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to the city?

     

    Day 7 - Rome Sightseeing and the Vatican

    In the morning, enjoy the very best of the city’s highlights including seeing the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome with your Local Expert. See the incredible Circus Maximus famous for its chariot races, and the iconic Colosseum. Enjoy fast-tracked entry into the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert. Admire the Papal art collection, before entering the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece on its ceiling. Dine on Lazio's culinary specialties at your Roman dinner this evening.

     

    Day 8 - Arrivederci Roma

    Bid farewell to the glories of Italy, savouring the memories of its enchanting cities, historic landmarks and stunning landscapes. Italy's unique allure will linger in your heart long after you leave.

     

*Terms and Conditions
Offer subject to availability at time of booking. Prices are per person share twin based on best available tour price, inclusive of all discounts unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations and are based on cash or cheque. Tour deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions may apply. Food fund and airfares may be additional. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry.
HLO Ref# 23994