Insight Vacations European Fall Winter and Spring - TPI Worldwide

ItaliansplendorsTour Pace - This is a perfectly paced tourwith two-night stays in Rome, Sorrento, Venice andFlorence. All traveling days are of a reasonablelength with interesting stops en route forrefreshments, sightseeing or photos.Hotels - Enjoy a range of hotels from the chicCosmopolitan in Florence to the 15C Continentalon the Grand Canal. From the terraces of the GrandHotel Assisi you can enjoy a wonderful views overthe Umbrian countryside.Fellow Passengers - This popularitinerary suits those looking for a well-paced,comprehensive tour of mainland Italy. It focuses onhistory, art, and architecture from Roman timesthrough to the golden age of the 15 & 16C.Highlights - See history embodied in thestreets of Pompeii and the antiquities of Rome.Experience the artistic heritage of Florence, theunique waterscape of Venice and the naturalbeauty of the Italian Lakes, Assisi and Capri.ffSee the famous Leaning Tower of PisaDAY 1 – DEPART CANADA. Overnight flight to Rome.DAY 2 – ARRIVE ROME. Welcome to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome - once hub of the vast RomanEmpire. Complimentary transfers to your Insight tour hotel depart Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo daVinci Airport at 09.30, 12.30 & 15.30 hours. Later, join your fellow guests and Tour Director for aWelcome Drink. Hotel: Ateneo Garden Palace.DAY 3 – ROME SIGHTSEEING. Meet your guide in the Vatican State, the richestcommunity in the world, and visit the superb Vatican Museums. Browse through the vast artcollection before emerging into the Sistine Chapel, immortalised by Michelangelo's painted ceiling.Your tour continues inside St Peter’s Basilica, designed by some of history's greatest architects -Bramante, Bernini and Michelangelo. Another highlight takes you inside the massive Colosseum, sceneof great excitement in imperial times. Then look out over the ruins of the Forum - once the religious,political and commercial heart of the Roman Empire. (BB)ffff20-21DAY 4 – ROME – SORRENTO. Travel southwards towards Pompeii, the incredibly preservedRoman city, destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius (still one of Europe's few active volcanos) in 79A.D. After a walk with a local guide through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas andtemples, continue along the Bay of Naples to the lively cliff-top resort of Sorrento. Why not dine atone of Sorrento’s top restaurants tonight? Hotel: Michelangelo. (BB)DAY 5 – SORRENTO SIGHTSEEING. Visit Sorrento’s Piazza Tasso and watch the artof ‘intarsio’ wood inlaying. Cruise to the island of Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway.There is time to explore before returning to Sorrento. (BB,D)DAY 6 – SORRENTO – ASSISI. You pass beneath the hilltop monastery of Monte Cassinotoday, before climbing into the foothills of the Appenine Mountains. Stop first at the massive Basilicaof Santa Maria degli Angeli, built around the tiny chapel of the monastery founded by St Francishimself. Now ascend to the charming hill-town of Assisi, a perfectly preserved medieval communityof cobbled streets and houses of warm pink stone. Visit the impressive basilica, housing the saint'stomb and decorated with frescoes by Giotto. Hotel: Grand Hotel Assisi. (BB,D)DAY 7 – ASSISI – VENICE. A delightful mountain drive takes you through the heart of theAppenines to the Adriatic coast and on to Ravenna, the 'City of Mosaics' and meeting point ofRoman, Christian and Byzantine cultures. At one time a Roman naval base and the site of Dante'stomb, your guide reveals some of Ravenna’s great artistic treasures and famous buildings. Continuethrough the marshes of the Venetian lagoon and across the causeway to the unique city of Venice.Your hotel is located directly on the Grand Canal. Hotel: Continental. (BB,D)DAY 8 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING. Venice - a living treasure! What better way to see it thanfrom a private launch? Cruise past Palladian churches and 13th century palaces to St Mark’s Square.See the Doges’ Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here thatCasanova made his daring escape! Now turn the corner, and the gilded regalia of St Mark’s Basilicacomes into view. Finally, watch one of the few remaining masters blow molten glass into a uniquecreation at a Venetian glass-blowing factory. (BB)DAY 9 – VENICE – COMO. This morning travel to Verona, setting for one of history's saddestlove stories. Here view the maze of elegant squares, the Roman Arena, where Opera is still performed,and glimpse the Capulet House with its famous balcony. Cross the fertile northern plains and pass bythe outskirts of Milan, the commercial capital, before heading north to the Italian Lake District andthe stunning beauty of Lake Como, your destination for tonight. Hotel: Grand Hotel Di Como. (BB,D)DAY 10 – COMO – FLORENCE. Head towards the Mediterranean and stop at Pisa tosee the famous Leaning Tower in the 'Field of Miracles', and also the 11th century Cathedral andBaptistry. Continue to your hotel in the heart of Florence, treasure house of the Renaissance.Hotel: Cosmopolitan. (BB,D)DAY 11 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING. Join a local guide for a walking tour and highlightvisit to the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s monumental figure of David. Continue to themulti-coloured marble Cathedral to see Giotto’s belltower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before visiting thePiazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. Finally watch a demonstration ofleatherwork in the area around Santa Croce Basilica. Then, there’s free time to shop for Florence’sfinest or continue sightseeing. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)DAY 12 – FLORENCE – ROME. Travel through the Chianti vineyards and olive groves toSiena, Renaissance rival of Florence. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets, lined with palaces andmansions to reach the vast Campo Square, where the Palio horse race takes place. See the Town Hall,Della Quercia's ‘Fountain of Joy’, and climb up to the hilltop Cathedral before returning to Rome.Drive to a local restaurant tonight for a highlight farewell dinner including pasta, vino andentertainment. Hotel: Villa Pamphili. (BB,HD)DAY 13 – RETURN TO CANADA. Sadly, your 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)