A comprehensive exploration from north to south. Contrast Sicily’s Greek heritage with the beauty of Capri and Venice’s very own captivating character.

15 days, Priced from A$4199

Premium Escorted, Departs from & returns to Rome

Tour code E921

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Itinerary

Day 1 – ROME AT LEISURE

On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport transfer leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Perhaps take a stroll in the Piazza Navona before joining your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: NH Vittorio Veneto

Day 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING

Tour St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, seeing the Popes’ Altar by Bernini & Michelangelo’s Pieta. Now visit the Colosseum, scene of great entertainment in Imperial times & overlook the Roman Forum. Time at leisure this afternoon. (BB)

Day 3 – ROME – OVERNIGHT FERRY

Meet your local guide for a sightseeing tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel. Drive through vine-covered hills to the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Cassino. Stop at Pompeii, where you are guided around the Roman town, buried by an eruption in 79AD. Drive through Naples before boarding an overnight ferry to Sicily. (BB)

Day 4 – PALERMO – AGRIGENTO

Disembark in Palermo early this morning. Join a local guide who will show you the rich colour of the bustling Vucceria market, cathedraland mosaics in the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel. Then it’s off to visit the famous Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, considered the finest Greek sanctuary in Sicily.

Hotel: Della Valle (BB,D)

Day 5 – AGRIGENTO – ENNA – GIARDINI NAXOS

Travel to the hilltop town of Enna, the Belvedere of Sicily. Explore the quaint streets, see the cathedral or enjoy the views from the medieval castle. Descend to the east coast & follow the coastline of the Cyclops Riviera to the seaside resort of Giardini Naxos.

Hotel: Sant Alphio Garden (BB,D)

Day 6 – TAORMINA EXCURSION

Drive up to Taormina, clinging to the side of Mount Tauro. Walk with your guide to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja. Visit the Greek Theater, overlooking the sea and Mount Etna. Now stroll along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile for more panoramic views. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace. (BB)

Day 7 – GIARDINI NAXOS – SORRENTO

Head for Messina to board your ferry back to the Italian mainland. Drive along the very edge of the mountainous Calabria region, so often compared to Switzerland. Continue north past Salerno, to take the cliff-top road to Sorrento.

Hotel: Grand Hotel La Pace (BB)

Day 8 – ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION

See the local art of ‘intarsio’, before cruising to the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean. A funicular train takes you up to Capri town to spend time browsing the shops & admiring the sea views. Return to Sorrento where you choose from a selection of local restaurants for dinner tonight. (BB,DA)

Day 9 – SORRENTO – ASSISI

Ascend the Apennine Mountains to delightful Assisi, a stone-built town sprawling over the steep hillside of Monte Subasio. Stroll through the narrow streets & visit the Basilica of St Francis with its famous frescoes by Giotto. The energetic might like to climb up to the castle for fine views over the valley. Tonight, before dinner, work up an appetite as you join the locals for a traditional promenade (passaggiata).

Hotel: Giotto (BB,D)

Day 10 – ASSISI – BOLOGNA – VENICE

Take a beautiful drive through the Apennines to Bologna to see Giambologna’s Neptune Fountain in Piazza Nettuno & the Old Town. Time to savour the local specialties in the trattorias. & ristoranti & mingle with the locals before continuing to your hotel located directly on the canals of Venice.

Hotel: Hilton Molino Stucky (BB,D)

Day 11 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy the scenery as you travel by private launch to St Mark’s Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Doges’ Palace to the prisons. See the ornate St Mark’s Basilica, followed by a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing. Step aboard your gondola to glide along peaceful canals to hidden parts of the city. Now you are at leisure. (BB)

Day 12 – VENICE – FLORENCE

Head for the Apennines and the Tuscan capital, Florence. Join your guide to visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery. Walk to the Cathedral to see Giotto’s bell tower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before continuing to Signoria Square. Your walking tour finishes at the Basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo lies buried. Finally, watch a leather work demonstration before enjoying time at leisure.

Hotel: Boscolo Astoria (BB,D)

Day 13 – FLORENCE AT LEISURE

A whole day is set aside to explore this glorious city, the treasure house of the Italian Renaissance. Perhaps take an optional excursion to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa? (BB)

Day 14 – FLORENCE – SIENA – ROME

Travel through archetypal Tuscan countryside to Siena. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the Chianti wines that make this region so famous. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets to the vast Campo Square. Time to see the Town Hall, Della Quercia’s ‘Fountain of Joy’, & perhaps climb up to the hilltop Cathedral before returning to Rome. Tonight, join us for a celebration farewell dinner complete with pasta & music.

Hotel: Sheraton Rome (BB,HD)

Day 15 – ROME

Arrivederci Roma! Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30. (BB)

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Tour Dates & Total Prices 2012

Departs on Returns on Total Twin Share per person Total Single per person
Fri 20 Apr Sat 05 May A$4725 A$5940
Fri 27 Apr Sat 12 May A$4725 A$5940
Fri 04 May Sat 19 May A$4725 A$5940
Fri 11 MayDEF Sat 26 May A$4725 A$5940
Fri 18 May Sat 02 Jun A$4725 A$5940
Fri 25 May Sat 09 Jun A$4725 A$5940
Fri 01 JunDEF Sat 16 Jun A$4725 A$5940
Fri 08 Jun Sat 23 Jun A$4725 A$5940
Fri 15 Jun Sat 30 Jun A$4665 A$5880
Fri 22 Jun Sat 07 Jul A$4665 A$5880
Fri 29 Jun Sat 14 Jul A$4599 A$5814
Fri 06 Jul Sat 21 Jul A$4599 A$5814
Fri 13 Jul Sat 28 Jul A$4599 A$5814
Fri 20 JulDEF Sat 04 Aug A$4599 A$5814
Fri 27 Jul Sat 11 Aug A$4635 A$5850
Fri 03 Aug Sat 18 Aug A$4635 A$5850
Fri 10 Aug Sat 25 Aug A$4635 A$5850
Fri 17 Aug Sat 01 Sep A$4699 A$5914
Fri 24 AugDEF Sat 08 Sep A$4699 A$5914
Fri 31 Aug Sat 15 Sep A$4750 A$5965
Fri 07 Sep Sat 22 Sep A$4750 A$5965
Fri 14 Sep Sat 29 Sep A$4750 A$5965
Fri 21 SepDEF Sat 06 Oct A$4750 A$5965
Fri 28 Sep Sat 13 Oct A$4750 A$5965
Fri 05 Oct Sat 20 Oct A$4750 A$5965
Fri 12 Oct Sat 27 Oct A$4750 A$5965

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Early Payment Discount on Early Bookings

Insight’s most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, and the earlier you pay, the more you SAVE! Here’s how …

* Pay in full 10 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 7.5%

* Pay in full 6 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 5%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. This discount only applies to tours that feature the “Early Payment Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE.

Extra Tour Discount – ON YOUR 2ND TOUR

Book two Insight vacations, and you will receive a reduction of 5% off the cheaper of the two tours. Take three tours and save on two! Ask your Travel Agent for suggestions!

Exceptions 1, 2 & 3. All tours must be booked at the same time to qualify.

Young Traveller Savings – 5-17 Year-olds

Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren.

This discount applies only to tours featuring the “Young Traveller Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE!

Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date and accompanied by an adult, sharing a twin room (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). Children under 5 years old are not accepted on any escorted tour. This discount cannot be combined with our Small Group or Milestone Celebrations Discount.