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Best
of Italy - 10 Days
Highlights The ancient historic
and religious sights of Rome, the touching beauty of Assisi,
the unique waterscape of Venice, the artistic heritage of
Florence (epitomised by the statue of David) and the stunning
scenery of Capri, the Island of Dreams
Best of Italy- Itinerary
DAY
1 – UK – ROME Welcome to Rome, a
glorious city filled with Classical antiquities, medieval
buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. After
your scheduled arrival to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo
da Vinci Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your
tour hotel at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30 hours. After checking
in, there’s time at leisure to explore or relax. Spend
time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso or the elegant
designer stores of the Via Condotti. As night falls, meet
your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters.
DAY
6 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING Drive to the Tuscan capital, Florence, and 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-coloured marble Cathedral of Santa Maria dei
Fiore to see Giotto’s belltower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before visiting the Piazza della Signoria, still
the political heart of Florence. The area around Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the quality of its
luxury goods; see a demonstration of leatherwork in the very place this craft first established itself.
Then, there’s free time to shop for Florence’s finest or continue sightseeing. (BB,D)
DAY
2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING Enjoy an indepth sightseeing
tour with a local guide who will take you inside the Vatican
Museums to gaze upon the treasures of the Popes. Also see
Michelangelo’s famous ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel.
Tour St Peter’s Basilica to wonder at another of his
works, the emotive ‘Pieta’, then cross the Tiber
to visit the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial contests.
After seeing the Roman Forum, the rest of the day is yours
to relax, sightsee or shop. (BB)
DAY
7 – TUSCANY – SORRENTO Take the smooth motorway south through the rich
volcanic hills of Frascati to Cassino and visit the Commonwealth Cemetery, overlooked by the
austere monastery of Montecassino – headquarters of the Benedictine order. Take the clifftop road to
your hotel in the picturesque resort of Sorrento. Hotel: La Pace. (BB)
DAY
3 – ROME – ASSISI Leave Rome and follow
the valley of the River Tiber to the hills of Umbria, which
form part of the Apennines. Your destination is the peaceful
hill-top town of Assisi, the home of St Francis. Visit the
Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built on the site of the
original Porziuncule Chapel foundations, then continue up
Mount Subasio to the town and visit the Basilica of St Francis
with its magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto. Hotel:
Subasio. (BB,D)
DAY
8 – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION Spend the morning being shown the art of
‘intarsio’ or marquetry wood inlaying before cruising to the sun-drenched island of dreams, Capri – a
rock rising from the Mediterranean.Take the funicular train up to the main village (Capri Town), then
spend time exploring the narrow alleyways, browse in the exclusive boutiques and enjoy the
fabulous views over the Mediterranean Sea. Join an optional tour to Anacapri to visit Villa San Michele
before returning to your hotel for some time to relax. (BB,D)
DAY
4 – ASSISI – VENICE A pleasant drive leads to the romantic city of Venice, and 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 admire the mosaics of the Basilica and
watch one of the few remaining masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glassblowing
factory. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere as you cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola.
Hotel: Quattro Fontane/Continental/Le Boulevard/Principe/Grand Albergo Ausonia. (BB,D)
DAY
9 – SORRENTO – ROME Only a short drive from your hotel lies Pompeii, the opulent
Roman town which was preserved by layers of ash from the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in
AD79. A walking tour through the varied and extensive excavations with a local guide brings the
ancient, ill-fated city to life. Afterwards, the smooth motorway leads you back to the ‘Eternal City’ of
Rome. This evening, join your fellow passengers for a last night celebration Highlight Dinner of local
cuisine, complete with wine and entertainment.
Hotel: Melia Aurelia Antica/Marriott Park/Ritz/Sheraton. (BB,HD)
DAY
5 – VENICE – TUSCANY Leave magical Venice
this morning, we drive along the scenic Brenta Canal with
its magnificent Palladian villas, once the summer residences
of Venetian nobility. We then cross the plain of the Po River
and traverse the Apennines, the hilly backbone of Italy, to
reach the Arno valley. We now follow the river westwards to
the coastal town of Pisa. Here we see the famous Leaning Tower,
where elaborate steps have been taken to prevent this landmark
from falling over! There is also time to admire the white
marble cathedral and Baptistery, before we continue to the
Tuscan spa resort of Montecatini for our two night stay. Hotel:
Francia & Quirinale. (BB)
Day
10 – ROME – UK Arrivederci Roma! Transfers
to Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport arrive
at 07.00 & 09.30 where we board our return flights home.
(BB)
Best
of Italy
Departure Dates & Prices 2008 - Tour Code E922
A 7% discount pp can be claimed off the brochure prices
below
WHEN BOOKING Quote Travel 55 Ref T55IN plus the Tour Code E922 Contact Insight Vacations on 01475 741203
To book or to check availability Contact Insight Vacations on 01475
741203
Quote Travel 55 Ref T55IN plus the Holiday Code
Itineraries and prices are subject
to change and are based on availability. Please refer
to our brochures for Booking Conditions, other restrictions
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unless you have booked your Insight tour through T55
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