Travel Through Spectacular Tuscany During a 12-Day Guided Tour of Italy
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.
Venice Artisan Glassblowing Demonstration
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.
San Gimignano Gelato Tasting
Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli for a taste of his finest frozen treats.
Veneto Prosecco Tasting
Visit a local winery and delight in a tasting of their magnificent prosecco. Meet the vignerons and learn how this local drink has come to rival its well-known counterpart in France.
Dinner in Venice
Enjoy a true Venetian dining experience.
Rome City Tour
Florence Orientation
Visit San Gimignano
Pisa Orientation
Cruise to Portofino
Cinque Terre Visit
Baveno Orientation
Cortina Orientation
Venice Gondola Ride
Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center of celebration between December 24, 2024, and December 31, 2025. 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. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travelers over a delicious dinner with wine.
Arrival Transfer: Depart Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30
Welcome: Meet your Travel Director at 17:30
Golden Tulip Rome Piram
Included Meals: Dinner
Rome Sightseeing and the Vatican
Enjoy the very best of the city’s highlights including entering the Vatican City and fast-tracked entry into the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert. Admire the Papal art collection before entering the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece. Afterwards, visit St. Peter’s Basilica. Later, cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome with your Local Expert. See the incredible Circus Maximus famous for its chariot races, and the iconic Colosseum.
Golden Tulip Rome Piram
Included Meals: Breakfast
Renaissance Florence
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 Piazza Santa Croce to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local café, where you will be in the perfect spot to admire the basilica and indulge in people-watching the elegant Florentines. Marvel at the artistry during a demonstration of leatherwork and admire how the goldsmiths create their designs, which are among the famous luxury goods found in Florence.
Villasanpaolo
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Florence Orientation
Choose between two carefully selected activities: Florence Accademia Museum Visit or Enjoy a Local Treat
The flavors of San Gimignano
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.
Villasanpaolo
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Visit San Gimignano
Authentic Dining: San Gimignano Gelato Tasting
The Chianti Hills to Pisa, Portofino and Santa Margherita
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.
Best Western Regina Elena
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Top Rated Highlights: Pisa Orientation, Cruise to Portofino
The Cinque Terre and Portofino
Head to the port of La Spezia for a highlight of your travels and one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes, the Cinque Terre. With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat. For lunch, enjoy a delicious Sea-to-Table dining experience. Enjoy leisure time to admire the colored houses, browse the boutiques or simply stay a while in the café bars on the piazzetta, watching the yachts moored in the harbor.
Best Western Regina Elena
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Top Rated Highlights: Cinque Terre Visit
Lake Maggiore
Head north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favorite 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.
Hotel Simplon
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Baveno Orientation
Cortina d’Ampezzo
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 flavor of prosecco. Continue through the Dolomites, to the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Hotel de la Poste
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Authentic Dining: Veneto Prosecco Tasting
Experience the Dolomites
The whole day is free for you to explore the colorful 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?
Hotel de la Poste
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Cortina Orientation
Venice, Queen of the Adriatic
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. With the afternoon at leisure, why not cruise the Venetian Lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?
Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione
Included Meals: Breakfast
Venice at Leisure
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts center, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Then there is free time to 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. Later, 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. This evening, indulge in traditional Venetian dishes that are enriched with inspiration from seasonal produce during a magical dinner.
Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Top Rated Highlights: Venice Gondola Ride
Authentic Dining: Dinner in Venice
Make Travel Matter: Venice Artisan Glassblowing Demonstration
Arrivederci Venice
Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo airport.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 08:00, 09:30
Included Meals: Breakfast
Images courtesy of Insight Vacations
12 Easy Payments
Travel the World Lightly
Give the Gift of Memories
Know Before You Go
Receive the latest and greatest deals and some great
vacation ideas!
Receive the latest and greatest deals and some great
vacation ideas!
