INCLUDED QUALITY DINING
A Welcome Reception with light meal (WR)Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Sorrento (DA)Celebration Dinner of local cuisine with entertainment in Rome (CD)9 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 2 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES
Escorted by a professional Tour DirectorHeadsets for all guided visits and walking toursEnjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroomSleek, high-speed Eurostar Italia train from Florence to NaplesInsight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterageInsight Traveller Welcome packAirport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 11 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)

Day 1: DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2: ROME AT LEISURE
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with Classical antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Tonight meet your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and light informal meal.(Welcome Reception)

Day 3: ROME SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour with a local guide who will take you inside the Vatican Museums to gaze upon the treasures of the Popes. Enjoy clear commentary via your audio headset as you admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel. Now enter St Peter’s Basilica to wonder at another of his works, the emotive ‘Pieta’. Then cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial contests. After seeing the Roman Forum, the rest of the day is yours to sightsee or shop.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4: ROME - ASSISI
Leave Rome and follow the valley of the River Tiber to the hills of Umbria, which form part of the Apennines. Your destination is peaceful Assisi, one of Italy’s most beautiful mountain towns, home of St. Francis. First in the valley see the famous Church of St. Mary of the Angels, then continue up Mount Subasio to the upper town. Step inside the huge Basilica, built in the 13th Century after St. Francis’ death, where the frescoes by Giotto heralded a new era in Italian art.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5: ASSISI - VENICE
A pleasant drive leads to the romantic city of Venice, and what better way to see it than from a private launch? Cruise past Palladian churches and 13C palaces to St Mark’s Square. See the Doges’ Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape. Now admire the mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica and watch one of the few remaining masters blow molten glass into a unique creation at a Venetian glass showroom. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere, music and songs as you drift along the romantic Venetian canals by gondola.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6: VENICE - FLORENCE
Back on the mainland, cross the plain of the Po River and traverse the Apennines to reach the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. Follow the river to the coastal town of Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower. Time also to admire the marble cathedral and Baptistery before continuing to Florence.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 7: FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide for a walking tour of the historic city centre. A highlight is the visit to the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s monumental figure of David. Continue to the multi-coloured marble Cathedral to see Giotto’s bell tower and ‘Gates of Paradise’ before visiting the Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence. The area around Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the quality of its luxury goods; see a demonstration of leather work in the very place this craft first established itself. Then, there’s free time to shop for Florence’s finest or continue sightseeing. This evening don’t miss the chance to sample the fine Florentine cuisine - tasty starters, rich pastas, accompanied by Chianti wine.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8: FLORENCE - SORRENTO
After breakfast this morning board your sleek, high-speed Eurostar Italia train bound for Naples. Relax in air-conditioned comfort as the countryside slips past your window. In only three hours you arrive in to Naples where your transfer coach awaits to take you along the scenic cliff top road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 9: ISLE OF CAPRI EXCURSION
Investigate the art of ‘intarsio’ or marquetry wood inlaying before cruising to Capri - the isle of dreams. Under the Mediterranean sun, take an open top taxi up to Capri Town, where you can explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and enjoy the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Perhaps join an optional tour to visit Axel Munthe’s Villa San Michele? Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time. Later, why not immerse yourself in the Italian culture and work up an appetite on a traditional evening stroll (passeggiata) - it’s a time to ‘see and be seen’. Afterwards, you are offered a selection of local restaurants for your dining pleasure.(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Day 10: SORRENTO - POMPEII - ROME
Only a short drive from the hotel lies Pompeii, the opulent Roman town which was preserved by layers of ash from the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. A walking tour with a local guide through the cobbled streets and extensive excavations reveals the daily life of ancient Roman civilisation. Afterwards, the smooth motorway leads back to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a last night Celebration Dinner of local cuisine, complete with wine and entertainment.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 11: RETURN TO USA
Arrivederci Roma! Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30.(Buffet Breakfast)

Don't miss our current specials: SAVE $800 Per Couple On Insight's Hawaiian Dreams   Save $800 Per Couple On Insight Vacations April 14th Hawaiian Dreams Departure   AIR-INCLUSIVE DEPARTURE: save $800 per couple when flying Delta LAND-ONLY DEPARTURE: save 10% per person   BOOKING WINDOW: JANUARY 24TH, 2012 - MARCH 16TH, 2012 TRAVEL WINDOW: APRIL 14TH DEPARTURE ONLY         Terms and Conditions: Booking and full payment for entire vacation package must be made by February 28th, 2012 – Any bookings made after February 28th will require full payment at time of booking to qualify for savings. Offer is not applicable to groups. Promotion is combinable with brochure discounts found in our 2012 Europe & Britain brochures, EXCEPT for Early Payment Discounts. *$800 offer is valid for new air-inclusive bookings on 4/14/12 departure of Insight Vacations’ Hawaiian Dreams departure made between January 24th through March 16th, 2012. Offer valid ONLY on Delta Airlines. Normal name change policy applies. Once payment is received, air tickets are non-refundable. **10% Land-Only offer valid on land-only bookings on 4/14/12 departure of Hawaiian Dreams. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and subject to availability. Other restrictions apply. Please call for details. Save Up to $1,200 Per Couple on Insight Europe Tours We have been waiting for airfares to Europe to come down, and here it is!  Insight Vacations is offering up to $1,200 off per couple. Insight Gold Tours  Save $1,200 per couple Flights with British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines. Code: AP12GAIR600 *Travel is for peak season, should season travel receives $1,000 off per couple.                    Premium Europe Insight Tours                          Save $1,000 per couple Flights with British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines Code AP12AIR500 *Travel is for peak season, should season travel receives $1,000 off per couple. If for some reason these airlines do not fly out of your gateway or are sold out for your dates of travel, don't worry, you can still take advantage of $500 off ($250 pp) on air-inclusive Insight tours to Europe with any airline.  Promo code:  AP12AIR250 Travel window:  April 2nd through October 25, 2012.   Peak Season is May 22nd through August 23rd Should season is April 2nd - May 21st and August 24th - October 25th Terms and Conditions: Booking and full payment for entire vacation package must be made by March 30, 2012. Offer is valid for new bookings made from February 3, 2012 through March 30, 2012. Travel must begin between April 2, 2012 and October 25, 2012. Offer varies based on certain carriers and product. Offer not valid to Russia, Scandinavia, Iceland, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Israel, Select Choices, or cruise-only tours. Save $1000 per couple off valid from May 22, 2012 through Aug 23, 2012 and not valid to the UK, $800 per couple offer valid for departures April 2, 2012 to May 21, 2012 & Aug 24, 2012 to Oct 25, 2012 and not valid to the UK, $1200 per couple off valid on Insight Gold tours from May 22, 2012 through Aug 23, 2012 and not valid to the UK, $1000 per couple offer valid on Insight Gold tours for departures April 2, 2012 to May 21, 2012 & Aug 24, 2012 to Oct 25, 2012 and not valid to the UK , $500 per couple offer valid for all departures April 2, 2012 through Oct 25, 2012 and for all airlines to all destinations in Europe including the UK. Normal name change policy applies. Fuel surcharges, taxes and fees are included in quoted rate. Offer is applicable to scheduled Group bookings, but not Custom Groups. Promotion is combinable with brochure discounts found in our 2012 Europe & Britain brochures except Early Payment Discounts. Once payment is received, air tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and subject to availability. Other restrictions apply. Offer ends March 30, 2012. Please call for details.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/6/2012 - 4/16/2012	$3,499
4/13/2012 - 4/23/2012	$3,499
4/18/2012 - 4/28/2012	$3,499
4/20/2012 - 4/30/2012	$3,499
4/25/2012 - 5/5/2012	$3,499
4/27/2012 - 5/7/2012	$3,499
5/2/2012 - 5/12/2012	$3,499
5/4/2012 - 5/14/2012	$3,499
5/9/2012 - 5/19/2012	$3,499
5/11/2012 - 5/21/2012	$3,499
5/16/2012 - 5/26/2012	$3,499
5/18/2012 - 5/28/2012	$3,499
5/23/2012 - 6/2/2012	$3,499
5/25/2012 - 6/4/2012	$3,499
5/30/2012 - 6/9/2012	$3,499
6/1/2012 - 6/11/2012	$3,499
6/6/2012 - 6/16/2012	$3,499
6/8/2012 - 6/18/2012	$3,499
6/13/2012 - 6/23/2012	$3,499
6/15/2012 - 6/25/2012	$3,499
6/20/2012 - 6/30/2012	$3,499
6/22/2012 - 7/2/2012	$3,499
6/27/2012 - 7/7/2012	$3,385
6/29/2012 - 7/9/2012	$3,385
7/4/2012 - 7/14/2012	$3,385
7/6/2012 - 7/16/2012	$3,385
7/11/2012 - 7/21/2012	$3,385
7/13/2012 - 7/23/2012	$3,385
7/18/2012 - 7/28/2012	$3,385
7/20/2012 - 7/30/2012	$3,385
7/25/2012 - 8/4/2012	$3,385
7/27/2012 - 8/6/2012	$3,385
8/1/2012 - 8/11/2012	$3,385
8/3/2012 - 8/13/2012	$3,299
8/8/2012 - 8/18/2012	$3,299
8/10/2012 - 8/20/2012	$3,299
8/15/2012 - 8/25/2012	$3,299
8/17/2012 - 8/27/2012	$3,299
8/22/2012 - 9/1/2012	$3,299
8/24/2012 - 9/3/2012	$3,399
8/29/2012 - 9/8/2012	$3,399
8/31/2012 - 9/10/2012	$3,535
9/5/2012 - 9/15/2012	$3,535
9/7/2012 - 9/17/2012	$3,535
9/12/2012 - 9/22/2012	$3,535
9/14/2012 - 9/24/2012	$3,535
9/19/2012 - 9/29/2012	$3,535
9/21/2012 - 10/1/2012	$3,535
9/26/2012 - 10/6/2012	$3,535
9/28/2012 - 10/8/2012	$3,535
10/3/2012 - 10/13/2012	$3,499
10/5/2012 - 10/15/2012	$3,499
10/10/2012 - 10/20/2012	$3,499
10/12/2012 - 10/22/2012	$3,499
10/17/2012 - 10/27/2012	$3,499
10/19/2012 - 10/29/2012	$3,499
10/24/2012 - 11/3/2012	$3,475
10/26/2012 - 11/5/2012	$3,465
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
Rome: Tour the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. Visit the Colosseum and see the Forum.Assisi: See the Saint Mary Basilica then walk through the cobbled streets to visit the Basilica of St Francis.Venice: Cruise, with commentary, to St Mark’s Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, Doges’ Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. Drift through the canals on a traditional gondola serenade. Demonstration of traditional glass-blowing.Pisa: See the Cathedral, Baptistery and ‘Leaning Tower.Florence: Admire Michelangelo’s original ‘Statue of David’ in the Academy Gallery. See the Cathedral, bell tower, ‘Gates of Paradise’ and visit Signoria Square. Demonstration of traditional Florentine leather-work.Sorrento: Cruise to Capri, the Island of Dreams, ride into Capri town by open top taxi (weather permitting) and return by funicular railway. Join in the Italian social ritual of ‘La Passeggiata’. Demonstration of ‘Intarsio’ inlay woodworking.Pompeii: Tour the excavations of this buried Roman resort.Scenic Drives: Apennine Mountains, Sorrento clifftops.

SAVE $800 Per Couple On Insight's Hawaiian Dreams

Save Up to $1,200 Per Couple on Insight Europe Tours

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour's average rating:

Thanks for voting !

(4.6 out of 5, Based on 5 ratings) Write a review.

 

The most recent reviews for this tour:

---

Thanks for voting !

Pat rated this tour a 4 on 11/20/2011 5:53:32 AM and says:

"Our family of four toured Italy with Insights during July. 2011. This was our first escorted tour. Firstly, the coach was very comfortable and the driver was skilled and professional. The hotels were of a high standard and the tour guide was energetic, cheerful, informative. We are vegetarian and she made sure that we get proper dinners not just salads. The local guides in various cities were also fantastic. Only problem I felt was the 'Optional Tours', they were expensive and overpriced. A majority of them should have been included in the price of the tour especially the night tour of Venice. I know that we were not obligated to take them, but would have like to have seen more included up front."

---

Thanks for voting !

Zarya rated this tour a 4 on 8/24/2011 7:33:36 PM and says:

"

Loved tour.  If I could change one thing, it would be to spend more time in Venice, but we wanted to see as much as possible in under 12 days and we accomplished just that.  We did get a gondola ride included so I can scratch that off my bucket list. My favorite area was Sorrento. Wow that area was beautiful.  Thanks Insight and Atlas.

"

---

Thanks for voting !

Hannah rated this tour a 5 on 8/19/2011 11:24:49 AM and says:

"This was my first escorted tour. The bus was very spacious and comfortable. Hotels were also very nice. Tour guide was very energetic and informative. We have special dietary needs and she was wonderful in accommadating us. My only comment would be that the optional tours are expensive. It would be nice for more to be included even if the price was a bit higher up front to have less expenses while on your trip. But that being said the optionals were wonderful and you do get your monies worth."

---

Thanks for voting !

AnnieB rated this tour a 5 on 1/18/2011 10:46:53 AM and says:

"I took this tour in October 2008. It was my first tour, and I was not disappointed. My favorite optional excursion was to the town of Spello, a medieval hilltop town with only one road wide enough for cars to drive on. Amalfi Coast and Sorrento were amazing."

---

Thanks for voting !

Elsa rated this tour a 5 on 10/4/2009 1:41:06 AM and says:

"Boyfriend and I both have limited holiday and would want to see everything in Italy and thus we picked the Best of Italy tour. Andie, our tour director was very helpful and it made the trip to be a trip of a lifetime. She was very helpful in every aspect and she made the tour very lively! The tour itself no doubt was very busy with visits and excursions - yes it was tiring but this is what a tour is about! There are so much to see in so little time and Insight had planned the tour in such a way that you can have a feel of those in the 10 days. Don't expect to have a easy pace in this tour, this is the tour to be on the go all the time and see things and to experience the Italiano lifestyle!!!"

Related Travel Articles

• See Europe :: Travel Safely and In Style, Escorted Tours
• Rome, Istanbul & Athens :: See it Your Own way
• Travel Improves Your Health
• Adventures by Disney Invites Families to Experience the World in 2010
• Save 40% on Travel to Europe
• Four European Cities You Must See
• Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
• Things to See & Do While in Florence, Italy
• MAKING THE MOST OF A “MINI”: PACK FUN INTO QUICK GETAWAYS WITH MONOGRAMS
• Independent Vacation 2010 Prices Down 10 Percent Worldwide
• Tips on Packing for a Contiki Tour
• Europe Language Tips
• Europe Travel Tips
• Welcome to Europe
• Holiday Events at Walt Disney World Orlando
• Europe Cruise vs. Europe Tour
• Featured Trip: Best of Italy
• Collette Exporations: Small Group Travel...Big Experiences
• Featured Tour: Insight Vacations Best of Italy
• Travel Showcase: Flavors of Italy
• Travel the Romantic Cities of Europe
• Italy One Day Sale
• Toms Shoes Coupons : perfect travel shoes
• My Time in the City of Lights
• France River Cruises
• Family Travel: Exploring the World Together
• Travel with the Food Network to Italy, France and Spain
• Places to Travel in October
• UNESO World Heritage Sites
• Cruising the Amalfi Coast