• Roman Forum
• Trevi Fountain & Colosseum
• St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
• Cathedral in hilltop Orvieto
• Michelangelo’s tomb, see the Duomo, and Gates of Paradise in Florence
• Juliet’s Balcony and the Roman arena in Verona
• Cruise to St Mark’s Square by private launch
• See the Doges’ Palace, St Mark’s Basilica and Bridge of Sighs in Venice

Hotels
Hotels on this tour range from the comfortable & modern Grand Hotel Tiberio to the more modest & traditional Continental in Venice. The hotel locations, as always, are excellent.

Fellow Passengers
This tour appeals to passengers seeking an in–depth look into the three main cultural cities of northern Italy. Popular with guests who have a limited vacation time and lovers of art, history and architecture.

Highlights
Follow Roman history from the origins of the Empire to the unification of Italy. The Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel in Rome, Renaissance Florence and the splendour of St Mark’s Square in Venice brings it all to life!

Enjoy our Premium Highlights Plus These Extra Tour Features

Excursions & Sights

• See the Roman Forum and visit the Trevi Fountain & Colosseum
• Admire the works of Bernini and Michelangelo in St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
• Visit the renowned Cathedral in hilltop Orvieto
• Enjoy panoramic views over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo
• Visit Michelangelo’s tomb, see the Duomo,  and Gates of Paradise in Florence
• Traditional Florentine leatherwork & Venetian glass blowing demonstrations
• See Juliet’s Balcony and the Roman arena in Verona
• Cruise to St Mark’s Square by private launch
• See the Doges’ Palace, St Mark’s Basilica and Bridge of Sighs in Venice

Guided City Tours

• In depth sightseeing tour in Rome & Florence
• Orientation tours of Orvieto and Venice

Insight's First Class Services

• Professional Tour Director to escort you
• Luxury touring coach with extra legroom & onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Complimentary arrival transfer. See day–by–day itinerary for exact details

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner of Italian cuisine in Rome (HD)
• See day–by–day itinerary for exact details

Tour Pace
With two night stays in each of the cities, this tour is relaxed and well paced. Rome to Florence & Florence to Venice are only half day drives, allowing plenty of time to explore Orvieto and Verona en route.

DAY 1 – DEPART USA

Overnight flight to Rome.

DAY 2 – ARRIVE ROME

Welcome to Rome. Complimentary transfers to your Insight tour hotel depart Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30 hours. Later, join your fellow guests and Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Tiberio/Villa Pamphili.

DAY 3 – ROME SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing in this magnificent city includes St. Peter's, the largest church in the world, the Colosseum and Roman Forum. This afternoon we are free to shop, relax on the Via Veneto, then there is so much to choose from: visit the Catacombs, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps. This evening, why not try a typically Roman dinner in one of the many restaurants? (BB)

DAY 4 – ROME – FLORENCE

This morning with a local guide we visit the vast art collection in the Vatican Museums as well as the Sistine Chapel, glorious masterpiece of Michelangelo's fresco skills. We then ascend the Apennine Mountains to the hilltop town of Orvieto. Here we visit the impressive cathedral, with its breathtaking facade, considered one of Italy’s finest! Then, a beautiful drive takes us through the Tuscan vineyards to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping views over Florence – a great photo opportunity! Now on to our hotel.
Hotel: Croce di Malta/Mediterraneo. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

On our guided walking tour we visit the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s original statue of David. We then continue to the huge Cathedral to see the Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery. Next we visit Signoria Square, political heart of the city and still an open air gallery of Renaissance art. Our last stop is the Basilica of Santa Croce which houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. We finish with a demonstration of leather work. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 6 – FLORENCE – VENICE

This morning we travel to Verona, setting for one of history's saddest love stories. Here we view Juliet's balcony and the well–preserved Roman Arena (still used for open–air opera performances). We then continue to the romantic city of Venice – a step back in time to the 16th century!
Hotel: Continental. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Venice – a living treasure! Appreciate her splendouras we cruise by the Church of the Redentore and Palladio's San Giorgio Maggiore, to St Mark's Square. Once one of the greatest trading centres of the world, importing goods especially from the Orient, the city's wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St Mark's Basilica. We also see the Doges’ Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Later we visit one of the glass showrooms for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. Now time to relax and watch the gondolas as they slip beneath the bridges. Don't miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon! (BB)

DAY 8 – VENICE – ROME

Today we follow the smooth highway across the fertile valley of the river Po before climbing high into the Apennine mountains. Continuing southwards, we reach the valley of the river Tiber and follow its course to Rome. This evening, we drop a coin in the glittering Trevi Fountain to ensure our return, before enjoying a Highlight Dinner including wine and live entertainment!
Hotel: Grand Hotel Tiberio/Villa Pamphili. (BB,HD)

DAY 9 – RETURN TO USA

Sadly, our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Transfers from the hotel arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07.00 & 09.30 hours. (BB)