Italian Escapade
Experience Overview
Travel from Rome to Venice during this 13-day guided tour of Italy. Experience ancient Rome: See the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought, and Circus Maximus, where chariots raced for sport. Cruise around Venice in a private boat, then step onto St. Mark’s Square and stand in awe of its gothic-style Doge’s Palace. Sail to Murano Island, where a glassblower will manipulate molten glass into a work of art in front of your eyes. View the southern cliffs of Sorrento and see majestic Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Travel by open-top taxi with a Local Expert to the top of the island of Capri, then explore its charming alleyways and duck into a shop to purchase a memento. Celebrate a spectacular vacation with a delicious dinner featuring Roman flavors in the Eternal City's bohemian quarter.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 7 Dinner (D)
- 12 Breakfast (B)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Florence: Join your Travel Director on a short walk to a local spot loved by residents. Sample a classic Italian treat and hear how it became a staple of the area. It’s a chance to experience the flavors locals grow up with and return to time and again.
- Florence: 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.
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.
Authentic Dining
- Florence: Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a specialty not to be missed.
- Lake Maggiore: For your Dine-Around evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants featuring regional delicacies.
- Lake Iseo: Learn about this historic winery, passed down through the generations, and taste its latest vintages.
- Rome: Enjoy a dinner of delicious Italian cuisine and wine, accompanied by the rich tremolo of some of Italy’s best-loved songs.
Insight Choice
- Florence: Join your Travel Director on a short walk to a local spot loved by residents. Sample a classic Italian treat and hear how it became a staple of the area. It’s a chance to experience the flavors locals grow up with and return to time and again.
- Florence: 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.
Insight Experiences
- Vatican City: Visit the Vatican Museums, witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and see St. Peter's Basilica.
- Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
Make Travel Matter
- Venice: 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. This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Top Rated Highlights
- Rome: Discover ancient treasures of Rome. See Circus Maximus and the Ancient Forum, where Ancient Roman political life and law courts mingled with open-air markets and shops.
- Siena: See the Fountain of Joy, striped cathedral and vast Piazza del Campo.
- Florence: Enjoy a stroll through Renaissance Florence and admire the medieval buildings that gave birth to this new style of architecture.
- Pisa: During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery bristling with marble spines, and the colonnaded bell tower lurching behind the 11th-century cathedral - the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
- Lake Maggiore: Experience the charming traditional social ritual of la passeggiata in the Italian Lake District. All across Italy, in cities, towns and villages people leave their houses to gently walk streets, from babies in strollers to the most senior citizens. Savor a gelato or glass of wine along the way and observe, as new romances, new babies and new shoes are all put on display. Note the ever-stylish Italians love to dress up for the occasion so feel free add a touch of flair to your outfit!
- Venice: Join your Travel Director for an introduction to Venice, exploring its canals, lively squares, and historic landmarks. Discover the city’s unique charm as you navigate its maze of streets and take in iconic sights like St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
- Venice: Glide through Venice’s canals on an iconic gondola ride, passing beneath historic bridges and past elegant palaces. Soak up the city’s romantic atmosphere as your gondolier navigates the tranquil waterways, offering a unique perspective of this timeless floating city.
- Assisi: See St. Mary of the Angels Church and join your Local Expert to walk through the cobbled streets and beautifully preserved medieval laneways of this quaint town.
- Assisi: With a Local Expert, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of Europe.
- Sorrento: Perched upon the cliffs, lookout to see the mighty Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.
- Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters.
- Capri: Explore Capri town with your Local Expert and see the whitewashed houses, winding alleyways, small cafes, fashionable boutiques and artisans studios.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the first century.
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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19635
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 108.751A
Starts: Rome, Italy
Finishes: Rome, Italy
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,937 ($457 /day)
Itinerary
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 as you indulge in dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals: Dinner
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 sidewalk. 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. Due to increased demand during the Jubilee year, access to the Vatican Museums may be limited. If tickets are unavailable during your visit, your sightseeing will instead explore the Capitoline Museums, home to the iconic Capitoline Wolf, ancient Roman bronzes and Renaissance art, set atop Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio with sweeping views of the Roman Forum.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals: 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. 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. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local café.
Accommodation: Michelangelo Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Discover the secrets of traditional Florentine leatherwork, gaining insight into the techniques that have been passed down through generations. Get up close and personal with unique pieces to appreciate the skill of local crafts person keeping important traditions alive. Additionally, you will witness a fascinating gold demonstration, showcasing local artistry and craftsmanship. This afternoon, spend time exploring the Florentine streets or opt to visit San Gimignano.
Accommodation: Michelangelo Florence
Meals: 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?
Accommodation: Simplon, Baveno
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Simplon, Baveno
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Accommodation: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental, Venice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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?
Accommodation: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental, Venice
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Giotto Assisi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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?
Accommodation: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals: 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?
Accommodation: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey north to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in AD 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. Enjoy a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. Take in the vibrant atmosphere of the Eternal City as you indulge in fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta for your dinner.
Accommodation: Bettoja Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2025
Saw a lot; tour director was great arranging quick access to popular attractions.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/08/2025
Gary - Traveled, April 2025
It was aggressive but I liked being able to experience Italy from top to bottom. I felt it touched on most of the major regions of Italy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/06/2025
Kimberly - Traveled, April 2025
Everything and I do mean everything was taken care of! This was the most stress free vacation I can imagine. Our guide was amazing. He took care of our entire group. Always let us know interesting facts about each place we visited and what we'd need to be comfortable. He knew the ins and outs of every stop. It was perfect! How he managed to keep track of our whole group, I'll never know. But he did! He spoke clearly and made sure we all heard him. We were busy, on the go constantly. Do it all! It's worth it! We loved being able to choose what we wanted to do and glad we chose to do it all!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/05/2025
Gloria - Traveled, April 2025
This was my first to ur that I have ever taken. So happy to have chosen Insight Vacations. Everything was arranged for us from our flights, hotels , restaurants and tours. All we had to do was enjoy and make memories. There’s no way I could have done this on my own. What a wonderful way to experience Italy through this amazing tour! My memories are countless! Our tour director,Mark, was amazing. He was very detailed organized, and friendly. Each excursion we took was unbelievable. The details we learned from the individual tour guides was exceptional. Italy is the most beautiful country I have visited. The stories behind all the ancient ruins , buildings, and fountains were amazing. I would highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2025
We had a great tour director, driver and local guides. The service was excellent. The itinerary was full of so many wonderful places to see. I loved them all. Be sure people are aware of how busy this tour is. It's great, but tiring. It would be wonderful to have later start tines I the mornings.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2025
April - Traveled, April 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed our trip! Remi and Simone were fantastic. We felt everything- luggage, getting around, tickets, etc. was handled so smoothly. Still can't believe how much we were able to see during our time in Italy!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2025
Sam - Traveled, October 2024
If you get lucky and get the perfect weather with the perfect tour guide and tour driver, and a bunch of great people as fellow tour guests, then there is no other way to tour a country better than with Insight. Went solo on this trip, so the first thing i would like to share is that i didn’t feel alone at all, it was really fun and amazing to meet and befriend all the tour guests during this 13 day tour. And had an amazing tour guide who done beyond what is expected from him going as far as making a detour ( Milan Football Derby match ) that I made one day from the trip as part of his responsibilities to insure I’m safe and well taken care of. Really loved how he loves to plan everything to the second and make sure everything is on track with contingency on the side if needed. Also we had a great tour Driver who was more than just the driver, and became part of what made this trip lovely for all of us. I would’ve loved better hotel rooms however we only go back to the room when we sleep so it wasn’t that much of a problem, but loved every other aspect of the trip and the pace of it and would definitely recommend it for anyone who is on a tight schedule to cover the main highlights of Italy without the intention to come back again to the country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Excellent customer service with great attention to detail.We experienced the very best of Italy and could not have done it all without our FABULOUS tour guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2024
Mary - Traveled, October 2024
Insight Vacation’s is the best. The best guide ever. It was a fantastic trip. Our guide was the best. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in traveling to Italy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/10/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2025
Great company. Great places to visit always ahead of the hordes. Many hidden treasures. knew and conveyed great history!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/22/2025
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