All Insight Vacations Holidays to Europe
that we feature have been discounted 7% from their brochure
prices.When booking please
quote Travel 55 Refs:T55IN.Group
Travel Available - contact us for details.
Italian
Elegance - 12 Days
Featuring Even today, the Cinque
Terre remains an isolated region of Italy. Your visit to two
of the fishing villages is the highlight of this tour, closely
followed by the yellow and pink hues of the Dolomites plus
Rome, Florence & Venice.
Italian Elegance - Itinerary
DAY 1 – FRI – UK –
ROME Welcome to Rome! After
your scheduled flight to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport
there are complimentary transfers to your hotel at 09.30,
12.30 &15.30 hours. Spend the rest of the day at leisure
before joining your Tour Director and fellow travellers for
a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Massimo D’Azeglio.
DAY
7 – THU – VENICE SIGHTSEEING Wake up to the sounds of Venice! Literally around
the corner is St Marks Square, dominated by its magnificent Basilica and overlooked by the great Clock
Tower where bronze Moors beat out the hours on a huge bell. Nearby is the Campanile and Doges’ Palace
which is connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. See a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing
before enjoying a highlight ride by traditional gondola along the picturesque canals. This afternoon is free
to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this unique city at your own pace. Stroll back to your hotel tonight, past
the al-fresco cafés, with the sound of music drifting in the background...unforgettable! (BB)
DAY 2 – SAT – ROME
SIGHTSEEING Get to know Rome with a guided tour of the priceless
art collection of the Vatican Museums, followed by a visit to the celebrated Sistine Chapel. Then visit
St Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the Tiber to enter the Colosseum and
see the Roman Forum. The afternoon is free for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing. As evening falls,
your Tour Director offers you an evening of fine dining from a selection of restaurants. (BB,DA)
DAY
8 – FRI – VENICE – CORTINA D'AMPEZZO Bid farewell to this enchanting city and
take the scenic route along the Brenta Canal, lined with classical villas by Renaissance architect Andrea
Palladio. See more of his work in the town of Vicenza, nicknamed ‘Venice on terra firma’. Walk down the
main street, Corso Andrea Palladio, and visit the Piazza dei Signori before continuing to Bassano del Grappa,
which gives its name to the brandy distilled here. Perhaps try a glass on the covered wooden bridge designed
by Palladio that spans the Brenta River. Continue through the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the
Dolomites, to your overnight stay in the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Hotel: Ancora. (BB,D)
DAY
3 – SUN – ROME - LA SPEZIA Take the autostrada
northwards through Tuscany, home of the famous Chianti wines,
to medieval Siena, where you can explore narrow cobbled streets
lined with palaces and patrician mansions, and the famous
Campo Square. Twice a year, the Palio horse race takes place
here to the accompaniment of great festivities. Continue to
Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower in the 'Meadow of Miracles',
and the 11th century Cathedral and Baptistery. Follow the
Mediterranean coast past the marble quarries of Carrara to
your hotel in La Spezia on the eastern end of the Italian
Riviera. Hotel: Jolly. (BB,D)
DAY
9 – SAT – DOLOMITES AT LEISURE Enjoy the fresh mountain
air and blue skies as you relax in Cortina. Why not ascend
to the summit of one of the nearby peaks by cable car for
magnificent Dolomite panoramas? (BB)
DAY
4 – MON – LA SPEZIA - FLORENCE Explore the Cinque Terre, or ‘five villages’,
which were for years only accessible by donkey. Luckily, today you can take the train! A local expert
will guide you around two of the villages, which both retain their charm and reputation for producing
one of Italy’s most sought after and exclusive wines. Later, head to Florence, city of treasures and
cradle of the Renaissance, for your two night stay. Hotel: Villa Gabriele D’Annunzio. (BB,D)
DAY
10 – SUN – CORTINA D’AMPEZZO – ITALIAN
LAKES Take the beautiful route
to the ‘Lago di Misurina’, the prettiest lake of the Dolomites. Then it’s on via Dobbiaco, past fields,
forests, farms and mountain pastures to join the autostrada heading south. Follow the Adige River to
Verona, legendary home of Romeo and Juliet, and see the well-preserved Roman Arena and Juliet’s
Balcony. Later, continue to Lake Maggiore in the beautiful Italian Lake District. Hotel: Dino. (BB,D)
DAY 5 – TUES – FLORENCE
SIGHTSEEING With a local guide you
will see the lofty Cathedral and Baptistery, Giotto’s 14th
century Campanile - said to be the most beautiful bell-tower
in the world - the ‘Gates of Paradise’ and Signoria Square
with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture. Afterwards,
visit the craftsmen’s area to see the famous Florentine leather
and gold-work, or discover more art treasures housed in the
many museums and galleries. As night falls, consider joining
a Tuscan dinner party. (BB)
DAY
11 – MON – ITALIAN LAKES SIGHTSEEING Time to relax and enjoy
the scenery this morning, or why not take an optional cruise
to the Borromean Islands to visit the exotic gardens? Later,
a beautiful drive takes you along the shores of the lake past
splendid villas set in sub-tropical gardens. Cross into Switzerland
and stop awhile in fashionable Lugano, beautifully located
on the shores of its lake amid spectacular mountains. Time
here to stroll in the gardens and browse in the exclusive
shops, before returning to tour hotel. (BB)
DAY
6 – WED – FLORENCE - VENICE Descend the Apennine Mountains to reach
Ravenna, the ‘City of Mosaics’. At one time Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire
and a local guide will show you some of the area’s great artistic treasures and famous buildings.
Continue around the Lagoon to reach Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic'. A private launch ferries you past
canals lined with ornate palaces to your hotel, close to St Marks Square and overlooking a romantic
waterfront where gondolas moor for the night. Hotel: Cavaletto E Doge Orseolo. (BB,D)
DAY
12 – TUES – MILAN - UK Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast.
Complimentary transfers arrive Malpensa Airport at 09.00hrs. (BB)
Italian
Elegance
Departure Dates & Prices 2008 - Tour Code E923
A 7% discount pp can be claimed off the brochure prices
below
WHEN BOOKING Quote Travel 55 Ref T55IN plus the Tour Code E923 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
and page references not included in this site.
Not responsible for errors/omissions or updates
Insights 5% Frequent traveller discount will not
apply when booking through travel 55
unless you have booked your Insight tour through T55
before.
Copyright
2001 - 2008 CenNet Ltd. All rights reserved
