Italy's three most famous and best loved cities reveal a treasure-trove of riches on this concise yet surprisingly diverse and delightful itinerary. Tour Pace: Comfortable Premium Experiences & Dining: See the former epicentre of ancient Rome and visit the Colosseum, still echoing with the thronging crowds and ghostly cries of gladiatorial combat. Stand in awe beside Michelangelo’s monumental Statue of David in the Academy Gallery, Florence. Witness the treasure-trove of priceless art amassed over the centuries by the Popes before confronting the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel. Florentine cooking is the envy of the world! Get together with your friends and choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around evening. Arrivederci Roma! Celebrate at a delicious end-of-tour Roman feast served with abundant local wine, and soloists at your table singing popular Italian folk songs.
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Day 1
DEPART CANADA
Board your overnight flight (not included).
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Day 2
ROME, THE IMPERIAL CITY
Welcome to Italy! 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. Then this historic city is yours to discover. Your hotel is well positioned for a stroll down the Via Veneto for a taste of ‘la dolce vita’. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light informal meal. Next morning, a local guide introduces the grandeur of the city! Start off in the independent Vatican State, the richest community in the world. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica housing one of Michelangelo’s early works, the Pieta, and see the splendid dome completed after his death. Now relive the glory of ancient Rome as you cross the River Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum. Finally, look out over the site of the Roman Forum, once the bustling centre of commerce, law and religion. The afternoon is entirely at leisure - enjoy Rome at your own pace or check with your Tour Director about additional sightseeing options.(Welcome Reception / Buffet Breakfast)
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Day 4
VENICE AND THE MAGIC OF LA SERENISSIMA
Depart the ‘Eternal City’ and follow the course of the River Tiber north. Drive through the idyllic Tuscan countryside before
descending to the fertile Po Valley and the glorious city of Venice beyond, with its quaint bridges, ornate palaces and gondolas. Your prestigious hotel overlooks the city’s most romantic stretch of water. Even for the experienced traveller, there can be no better joy than waking-up in Venice. Appreciate her splendour as you cruise by Palladio’s San Giorgio Maggiore to St. Mark’s Square. Your Tour Director will explain the glorious history of ‘La Serenissima’, once one of the greatest trading centres of the world – its wealth and power is echoed by the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica. See the Doges’ Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs, then visit one of the glass showrooms for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. There is time to explore or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge in the afternoon. Don’t miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)
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Day 6
FLORENCE, BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE
Bid farewell to the unique islands of Venice this morning and re-join your coach. Follow the river Reno high into the Apennines to the Renaissance city of Florence. On arrival meet with your local guide for a walking tour of the historic centre. Visit the
Academy Museum to see Michelangelo’s original ‘Statue of David’. Admire the marble clad Cathedral and Baptistery, where Ghiberti’s
‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. Next stop is Signoria Square filled with Renaissance masterpieces. Finally, learn all the secrets of traditional Florentine leather-work with a demonstration. Tonight, there is a wonderful selection of local restaurants to choose from on your Florentine Dine-Around evening. The following day is entirely yours to do as you please! Everything is easily reached on foot. Traverse the medieval streets to the Ponte Vecchio, haggle for leather goods at the market around San Lorenzo or relax amid the terraces of the Boboli Gardens. Be sure not to miss the magnificent museums and galleries – how often do you get the chance to see some of mostfamous works of art in the world? Perhaps consider an optional
excursion into the undulating hills of Tuscany and medieval San Gimignano before sampling some fine Florentine cuisine and
Chianti wine?(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around / Buffet Breakfast)
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Day 8
THE POWERHOUSE OF THE POPES
As you drive through the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany, there is an informative tutorial about the Chianti wines that make this
region so famous. Continue along the smooth autostrada back to Rome. Your Intermezzo reaches its crescendo at the Vatican Museums. Wonder at the collection of ancient and Renaissance art gathered by Popes over the ages, then enter the Sistine Chapel, where the Popes are elected. This is where your audio headset comes into its own, providing clear, expert commentary from your local guide. Gaze up now and truly appreciate the significance of Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling. You last night on tour is a night to remember. Over a sumptuous dinner of Roman cuisine, fill your glasses with local wine, and sing along with the live music, arias and best-loved Italian songs.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)
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Day 9
DEPART ROME
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30.(Buffet Breakfast)
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A Welcome Reception with drinks and a light meal (WR)
7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Dine-Around evening (DA), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 1 three-course table d’hôte Dinner, plus tea or coffee (D)
Departures on tour for Christmas & New Year’s Eve, enjoy a festive celebration dinner
Escorted by a professional Tour Director
Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
Insight Traveller Welcome pack
Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 9 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport or purchase a transfer)
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For your final night on tour, the impressive Sheraton Hotel has been selected for its easy access to Rome airport.
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