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Experience the elegance of Italy on this 12 day tour with Insight! Itinerary Day 1 - ROME Welcome to Rome, one of
the world's great cities, where ancient monuments happily coexist with
some 300 churches, fine palaces, bustling piazzas, green parks & a
vast urban sprawl. On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci
Airport, your airport transfers leave for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30
& 15:30. The rest of the day is at leisure. Later join your Tour
Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Plaza St Peters Day 2 - ROME SIGHTSEEING Enjoy a
tour of the priceless art of the Vatican Museums, followed by a visit to
the celebrated Sistine Chapel. Using your audio headset, a local guide
explains the significance of Michelangelo's famous painted ceiling. Then
visit St Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world.
Cross the Tiber to enter the Colosseum & see the Roman Forum. The
afternoon is free for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing. (BB) Day 3 - ROME - FLORENCE - TUSCANY Take
the autostrada north to Renaissance Florence. Accompany your local
guide inside the Academy Gallery to admire Michelangelo's original
statue of David. Back outside, admire the Cathedral, campanile & the
Baptistery, adorned with the 'Gates of Paradise'. Walk on to Signoria
Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture. Later, there
is the chance to shop for Florentine leather or gold. Continue to your
elegant Tuscan villa near the walled town of Monteriggione. Having spent
two DAYs in the metropolis of Rome, your villa is a welcome retreat. Hotel: Borgo San Luigi (BB,D) Day 4 - SIENA & TUSCANY EXCURSION Visit
medieval Siena. The narrow cobbled streets, lined with palaces &
patrician mansions, lead to Campo Square, scene of the Palio horse race.
Now enjoy a drive through the beautiful rolling countryside of Tuscany,
past farmhouses, medieval towns, olive groves & the Chianti
vineyards. Stop at a local winery for a short tutorial on Italian wines
& a taste of some of the region's most famous products. This
afternoon, relax by the pooland take in the tranquil surroundings, or
perhaps take an excursion to see more of fantastic Tuscany, this is
Tuscany at its best. (BB) Day 5 - TUSCANY - CINQUE TERRE - SANTA MARGHERITA Head
for the famous Italian Riviera & a highlight of your tour, the
Cinque Terre. A UNESCO World Heritage site & one of Italy's best
kept secrets, this wild but hospitable coastline, at one time could only
be reached by boat or train! Visit two of the picturesque fishing
villages before continuing along the coast to the resort of Santa
Margherita Ligure. Hotel: Regina Elena (BB,D) Day 6 - SANTA MARGHERITA - PORTOFINO - ITALIAN LAKES Enjoy
a short cruise (weather permitting) along the Ligurian coast to the
exclusive & elegant village of Portofino, epitome of La Dolce Vita.
Admire the gaily-coloured houses, browse the boutiques, stay a while in
the café bars on the piazzetta & watch the yachts moored in the
harbour. Later, head north to beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian
Lake District. This evening why not join in the traditional ritual of la
passeggiata Hotel: Grand Hotel Dino (BB,D) Day 7 - ITALIAN LAKES AT LEISURE A
full day to relax & enjoy this popular resort & beautiful lake,
which has long been a favourite retreat of the famous. Why not take a
cruise out to the lovely Borromean Islands - to the Isola Bella where
Carlo Borromeo (Cardinal, Pope & later Saint) built his charming
Palace? Tonight, your Tour Director offers you a selection of
restaurants to choose from for your dining pleasure.(BB,DA) Day 8 - ITALIAN LAKES - VERONA - CORTINA D'AMPEZZO Drive
to the town of Verona, legendary home of Romeo & Juliet. Enjoy free
time to admire the well preserved Roman Arena & Juliet's Balcony.
Continue through the colourful peaks & sheer valleys of the
Dolomites, some of the most beautiful scenery that Europe has to offer,
to your overnight stay in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Hotel: Ancora Cortina (BB,D) Day 9 - DOLOMITES AT LEISURE. Your
hotel is located right across from the church tower in the pedestrian
mall which incorporates most of downtown Cortina. Enjoy the fresh
mountain air & blue skies as you relax in this fashionable capital
of the Dolomites. Why not ascend to the summit of one of the nearby
peaks by cable car for magnificent Dolomite panoramas? (BB) Day 10 - CORTINA D'AMPEZZO - VENICE Descend
through the mountains to the romantic city of Venice. Arrive at your
hotel overlooking the Grand Canal. This afternoon a private launch
ferries you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St. Mark's Square.
See the Basilica, the Doges' Palace & Bridge of Sighs. Watch a
demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before gliding along the
picturesque canals by traditional gondola. Hotel: Continental (BB) Day 11 - VENICE AT LEISURE Today
is entirely free is to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this incredible
city at your own pace. Mingle with the locals at the open air markets
near the Rialto Bridge, explore the back lanes & squares or cruise
across the lagoon to the colourful island of Burano. Stroll back to your
hotel tonight, past the al-fresco cafés... unforgettable! This evening,
end your Italian Elegance in style with a Highlight Dinner. (BB,HD) Day 12 - DEPART VENICE Sadly
you must bid farewell to Bella Italia & your new found friends.
Your departure transfer arrives Venice Airport at 08:00. (BB) |
