Italian Elegance - Classic Group - From £3,532

Europe Italy
OVERVIEW
Experience the food and fun of Italy on this 12-day guided tour. In Rome, see the Colosseum where gladiators fought to the death, then visit the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert. Travel from Florence to the heart of Tuscany, stopping in scenic San Gimignano for a taste of gelato with a world-champion gelato maker; later, arrive at your hotel for a sampling of the region’s most robust red wines. Prop up the Leaning Tower of Pisa for a photo and see the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cinque Terre with a Local Expert, who will join you for a sea-to-table feast in the medieval town of Monterosso. Allow yourself to be serenaded as you float along the canals of Venice in a traditional gondola, and watch a renowned craftsman blow Venetian glass into a masterful work of art.
EXPERIENCES
Vatican City: Visit the Vatican Museums, witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and see St. Peter's Basilica.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
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16/04/2027 27/04/2027 £4,225   Book
30/04/2027 11/05/2027 £4,225   Book
07/05/2027 18/05/2027 £4,550   Book
14/05/2027 25/05/2027 £4,550   Book
21/05/2027 01/06/2027 £4,550   Book
28/05/2027 08/06/2027 £4,550   Book
04/06/2027 15/06/2027 £4,175   Book
18/06/2027 29/06/2027 £4,175   Book
25/06/2027 06/07/2027 £4,250   Book
09/07/2027 20/07/2027 £4,295   Book
06/08/2027 17/08/2027 £4,250   Book
20/08/2027 31/08/2027 £4,225   Book
27/08/2027 07/09/2027 £4,125   Book
03/09/2027 14/09/2027 £4,450   Book
10/09/2027 21/09/2027 £4,525   Book
17/09/2027 28/09/2027 £4,575   Book
24/09/2027 05/10/2027 £4,575   Book
01/10/2027 12/10/2027 £4,550   Book
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ITINERARY

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious dinner with wine.

Enjoy a curated introduction to Rome’s iconic landmarks, starting with fast-tracked entry into Vatican City. With your Local Expert, explore the vast Papal art collection housed in the Vatican Museums, then enter the Sistine Chapel to take in Michelangelo’s masterpiece. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, a triumph of Renaissance architecture. Later, cross the Tiber River into ancient Rome to see the Circus Maximus, once home to dramatic chariot races, and visit the mighty Colosseum, the enduring symbol of Imperial power. Please note: On some departures, access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be restricted due to the Papal Audience. You’ll still have time to take in the atmosphere of St. Peter’s Square during your visit to Vatican City.

Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David. After, continue on foot to admire the multicoloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Continue into the 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 and Hercules and Cacus along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe.

Spend time exploring the maze of alleyways and admire scenic views across the valley. Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli, for a taste of his finest frozen treats.

Drive through the patchwork of vines, olives and cypresses that typify the Chianti hills before continuing to Pisa and see the incredible Leaning Tower, from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. See the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Next, journey to the sea and cruise along the rugged Ligurian coast to the elegant seaside village of Portofino, the epitome of la dolce vita (should weather permit). Finish your journey in the charming seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure, a true gem on the coast.

Head to Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Italy’s most stunning landscapes. Cruise along the Cinque Terre coastline (weather permitting) with your Local Expert, passing rugged cliffs and pastel-hued villages perched above the Ligurian Sea. Arrive by boat at one of the region’s historic fishing communities and enjoy a Sea-to-Table lunch, prepared with the day’s local catch. Afterwards, explore at your own pace—wander cobbled lanes, browse artisan boutiques or unwind at a cafe overlooking the village square.

Head north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where Alpine scenery combines with lush vegetation. Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake.

Travel through the stunning northern Italian countryside to one of the world’s most breath-taking wine regions. The vineyards around Conegliano Veneto produce Italy’s most prized sparkling wine. Be tempted with a taste of the crisp and aromatic flavour of prosecco. Continue through the Dolomites, to the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The whole day is free for you to explore the colourful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites, one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Alps. During summer, once the snow and ice have melted away, a breathtaking landscape is revealed. There are a number of walking tracks through pristine Alpine wilderness for the adventurous to explore, or for a more relaxed pace, perhaps take a thrilling optional experience to the summit of one of the peaks for breathtaking panoramic views?

Descend through the mountains to the romantic city of Venice. A private boat glides you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St. Mark's Square. See the basilica, the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, before checking into your luxurious hotel. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. With the rest of the afternoon at leisure, why not cruise the Venetian Lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialities and wine?

This morning, on your romantic gondola serenade, glide along the atmospheric canals exploring the intimate and hidden parts of this unique city while musicians set the mood with traditional songs. Later, enjoy the magical atmosphere of this incredible city at your own pace. Mingle with the locals at the open air markets near the Rialto Bridge and explore the back lanes and squares where Venetians go about their day. This evening, indulge in traditional Venetian dishes that are enriched with inspiration from seasonal produce during a magical dinner.

Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo airport.
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Bettoja Mediterraneo, Rome - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Bettoja Mediterraneo, Rome - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: Villasanpaolo, San Gimignano - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Best Western Regina Elena, Santa Margherita Ligure - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Best Western Regina Elena, Santa Margherita Ligure - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 7: Grand Hotel Dino, Baveno - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Hotel de la Poste, Cortina d'Ampezzo - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice., Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venice., Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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