Italian Escapade - Small Group
Italian Escapade - Small Group
$7250
Italian Escapade - Small Group
13 Days Starting and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Florence, Lake Maggiore, Venice, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE937ZN20
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Italian Escapade - Small Group" tour and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Italy's cultural and historical wonders. This journey takes you through iconic cities and breathtaking landscapes, starting in Rome with its ancient treasures and vibrant atmosphere. Discover the artistic marvels of Florence, including Michelangelo's 'David', and stroll through the charming streets of Siena. Experience the leaning marvel of Pisa and the serene beauty of Lake Maggiore. In Venice, enjoy a gondola ride and witness the traditional craft of glassblowing. Explore the picturesque island of Capri and the haunting ruins of Pompeii. Savor authentic Italian cuisine, from a Bistecca alla Fiorentina in Florence to a celebration dinner in Rome. This tour offers a perfect blend of guided exploration and leisure, ensuring a memorable Italian adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To The Eternal City Of Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel Romanico Palace, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center of celebration. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City. Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a visit to Trastevere, Rome's bohemian quarter. Enjoy a private visit to Farmacia of Santa Maria della Scala, the oldest pharmacy in Europe. Gain historic insights from a Carmelite friar as you admire the Farmacia and explore the adjoining 16th-century church. Take in the vibrant atmosphere of this charming neighborhood as you indulge in dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Vatican City And Rome With A Local
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel Romanico Palace, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your day is devoted to the Eternal City. Join a Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Vatican Museums, full of priceless art treasures collected by the Popes. Visit the Sistine Chapel, where Popes are elected, to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. Cross the Tiber River to enjoy ancient Rome and see the incredible Circus Maximus. Admire the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine, walking on the ancient pavement. Discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum as you stroll around the exterior of this amazing structure. Later, perhaps continue your exploration of Rome to see the Pantheon, the stunning piazzas and fountains of Rome.
Day 3: Siena And Medieval Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Michelangelo Florence.
Accommodation Name: Michelangelo Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel north to medieval Siena and stroll through the winding stone-paved streets to the vast Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race takes place amid great festivities. See the Fountain of Joy and then walk up to the hilltop cathedral, striped with marble. Continue through the cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed.
Day 4: Florence, Birthplace Of The Renaissance
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Michelangelo Florence.
Accommodation Name: Michelangelo Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David. After, admire the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Continue to 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: Pisa And The Italian Lakes
Location: Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon, Baveno.
Accommodation Name: Simplon, Baveno
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stop in Pisa to see the incredible Leaning Tower from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity, as well as the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Your journey continues, past the marble quarries at Carrara, used since the time of Ancient Rome, through the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po. Continue to your lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore. As night time draws in, why not work up an appetite before dinner with a traditional evening stroll, or passeggiata as they say in Italy?
Day 6: The Italian Lake District Relaxed Start
Location: Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel Simplon, Baveno.
Accommodation Name: Simplon, Baveno
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is set aside for you to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights of this beautiful lakeland area. For your Dine-Around evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants for your dining pleasure.
Day 7: To Venice With Wine Along The Way Relaxed Start
Location: Venice
Accommodation: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental
Accommodation Name: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Follow the southern fringes of the European Alps to the vineyards of the Franciacorta wine region near the shores of Lake Iseo. Here, winemaking traditions run deep. Taste the delicious vintages produced by a master vintner at a family-owned estate. Continue to the unique city of Venice.
Day 8: The Magic Of La Serenissima
Location: Venice
Accommodation: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental
Accommodation Name: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
A private boat ferries you to St. Mark’s Square. See the basilica, Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional workshop, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding creative skills. Enjoy being serenaded on a gondola ride, gliding through the city's canals in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savor the magic of St. Mark’s square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes?
Day 9: Hilltop Assisi
Location: Assisi
Accommodation: Hotel Giotto Assisi.
Accommodation Name: Giotto Assisi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy’s most important rivers, the Adige and Po. The scenery will then change dramatically as you drive through the wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone-built, hilltop town of Assisi, home of St. Francis. See the Church of St. Mary of the Angels before continuing up Mount Subasio. Then, with our Local Expert, visit the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis.
Day 10: Sorrento On The Coast
Location: Sorrento
Accommodation: Hotel Isabella, Sorrento.
Accommodation Name: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey along the clifftop road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking out to Mount Vesuvius. With the evening at leisure, why not try some of the local specialties during a regional dining experience?
Day 11: Capri, The Isle Of Dreams
Location: Capri
Accommodation: Hotel Isabella, Sorrento.
Accommodation Name: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning, cruise to Capri, known as the Isle of Dreams. With your Local Expert, explore the narrow alleyways of Capri town, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time. Perhaps join an optional visit to Positano and the Amalfi Coast?
Day 12: On To Ill-Fated Pompeii And Rome
Location: Pompeii
Accommodation: Bettoja Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Bettoja Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey north to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Your Local Expert walks you through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. Witness the colorful frescoes that were hidden for centuries. Continue beneath the striking hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino and back to Rome where your journey reaches its zenith in the evening. In the heart of The Eternal City, you are treated to a quintessential Italian experience. Fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta for your dinner.
Day 13: Arrivederci Roma
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: on
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy, savoring the memories of its enchanting cities, historic landmarks and stunning landscapes. Italy's unique allure will linger in your heart long after you leave.
What's Included
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Authentic Dining
Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers at a uniquely Roman local restaurant. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed. For your Dine-Around Evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants for your dining pleasure. Learn about this historic winery, passed down through the generations, and taste its latest vintages. Enjoy a Celebration Dinner of delicious Italian cuisine and wine, accompanied by the rich tremolo of some of Italy's best loved songs.
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Top Rated Highlights
Discover ancient treasures of Rome with a passionate local. See Circus Maximus and the Ancient Forum, and stand beside the Colosseum, which bears witness to the limitless courage of the gladiators. See the Fountain of Joy, striped cathedral and vast Piazza del Campo. Stand beside Michelangelo's monumental statue, 'David', in the Accademia Gallery, and admire the exquisite technique and absorbing history behind the world's most famous sculpture. Delight in the magic of this charming city as you are serenaded, traveling through the atmospheric canals by gondola. Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
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Make Travel Matter
Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft. The workshop advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
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Accommodation
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transport
A private boat ferries you to St. Mark’s Square. See the basilica, Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy being serenaded with traditional songs on a gondola ride, gliding through the city canals in romantic awe.
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Additional Included Highlights
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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Insight Experiences
Rome: Enjoy an exclusive visit to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, Rome’s Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala, also known as the ‘Pharmacy of the Popes.’ Discover this hidden gem during a private audience with a friar of the Carmelite order, who reveals the historic curiosities of this 16th-century pharmacy.
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Well-being
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International flights to and from the start and end points of the tour are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature, including souvenirs, laundry, and beverages, are not included.
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Optional Activities
Any optional activities mentioned in the itinerary are not included in the tour price.
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Meals Not Mentioned
Any meals not mentioned in the inclusions are not covered.
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Visa Fees
Any applicable visa fees are not included.
Dining Summary
- 7 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 12 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Rome: Enjoy an exclusive visit to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, Rome’s Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala, also known as the ‘Pharmacy of the Popes.’ Discover this hidden gem during a private audience with a friar of the Carmelite order, who reveals the historic curiosities of this 16th-century pharmacy.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experience does the tour offer in Venice?
In Venice, the tour offers a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you can witness the ancient skill of glassblowing at a traditional workshop. This experience supports the survival of this traditional craft and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
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What can I expect during the visit to the Vatican City?
During the visit to Vatican City, you will join a Local Expert for an in-depth tour of the Vatican Museums, which are filled with priceless art treasures collected by the Popes. You will also visit the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling.
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What is the significance of the pharmacy visit in Rome?
In Rome, you will have an exclusive visit to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, the Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala, also known as the 'Pharmacy of the Popes.' A friar of the Carmelite order will reveal the historic curiosities of this 16th-century pharmacy during a private audience.
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What dining experiences are included in Florence?
In Florence, you will enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, which is a specialty not to be missed.
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What activities are available in Florence as part of the Insight Choice?
In Florence, you can choose to visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo’s David or take a stroll with your Travel Director to Piazza Santa Croce to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local café.
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What is the highlight of the visit to Pompeii?
In Pompeii, a Local Expert will guide you through the cobbled streets of this ancient Roman city, preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. You will explore shops, villas, and temples, and see colorful frescoes that were hidden for centuries.
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What can I expect during the visit to Assisi?
In Assisi, you will see the Church of St. Mary of the Angels and visit the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert, learning why it is considered one of the crowning achievements of Europe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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