Treasures of Italy - From £3,685

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.

The 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 and see St. Peter’s Square. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus and the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine, and imagine the bustling ancient pavement of ancient Rome. Discover the history and legends of the iconic Colosseum as you view the exterior of this amazing structure. Later, perhaps continue your exploration of Rome to see the Pantheon, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and enjoy free time around Piazza Navona.

Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii in the company of your Local Expert, who reveals what life looked like before Mount Vesuvius reshaped history. As you navigate timeworn streets and gaze at mosaics still rich with colour, discover the daily rituals and ingenious design of this first-century Roman town, from public bathhouses to private gardens. Pause to savour a chilled lemon granita made from the famed citrus of nearby Sorrento. Later, travel towards the glittering coastline, arriving at your hotel in Capri or Sorrento (date dependent).

On the island of Capri, enjoy sweeping views of limestone cliffs and azure waters, once a favoured retreat of Roman emperors. In the company of your Local Expert, visit the Gardens of Augustus, planted in the 1930s by a German industrialist and offering exceptional vistas over the iconic Faraglioni rocks. Stroll through Capri town, where whitewashed villas, artisan boutiques and family-run cafes line the narrow lanes. This afternoon perhaps join an Optional Experience to cruise across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Positano with your Local Expert before time ashore to explore.

Descend to the port and take the jetfoil across the bay to Naples. Follow the Autostrada del Sole north passing Rome and continuing through the region of Umbria. Journey through idyllic Tuscan landscapes to Florence, centre of art and culture, and the heart of the Italian Renaissance.

Explore Florence with Insight Choice: visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo’s David, alternatively, stroll with your Travel Director to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe. Continue on a guided walk with a Local Expert through the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria to admire the cathedral, Giotto’s bell tower, baptistery and Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, as well as the statues of Neptune, Hercules and Cacus.  Afterwards, witness a demonstration of Florence’s renowned leatherwork and gold craftsmanship. In your free time, perhaps explore more of the city or join an Optional Experience to San Gimignano, famed for its medieval towers.

The famous Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre are highlights of your journey, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and celebrated as one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes. With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat. Spend some time exploring the old medieval quarter or the popular sandy beach. Your journey continues to the elegant seaside village of Portofino, epitome of la dolce vita. Admire the colourful houses, browse the boutiques or stay a while in the cafe bars on the piazzetta, watching the yachts moored in the harbour.

In the morning, journey north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where alpine scenery combines with lush subtropical vegetation. Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake or perhaps take a cruise out to the lovely Borromean Islands? For your dining pleasure, you are invited to choose from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.

Follow the southern fringes of the Alps to the Franciacorta wine region near Lake Iseo. Over 100 vineyards produce the famous sparkling wine of the region and winemaking traditions run deep. Taste the delicious vintages produced with a master vintner at a family-owned estate. Continue to the unique city of Venice and step back in time to centuries past.

Visit St. Mark’s Square where the city’s former wealth and power is evident in the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica. Pause to admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Take your seat on a gondola and be serenaded through myriad beautiful canals, passing water-lapped doorways and Rococo palaces. The rest of the afternoon is yours to discover Venice at leisure. Join a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop, where you’ll see how beautiful, handcrafted glass is made by expert artisans, preserving centuries-old skills. Later, you’ll cruise the Venetian lagoon to Burano and sit down to a sumptuous dinner with wine, sampling the local specialities.

Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo airport.