Italian Elegance

Day 1  Rome          
Arrive into Rome and transfer to your hotel, in the evening join your travel director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.  

Day 2  Rome      
Enjoy a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica with a local expert, before some free time to explore at your leisure. This afternoon, enjoy VIP entrance into the Vatican Museums to view the Papal art collection and marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Dinner this evening will be with a curator from the Ethnological Museum among the treasures of the Vatican.  

Day 3  Rome to Tuscany          
Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David. After, continue on foot to admire the multi-coloured 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, indulge in people-watching the elegant Florentines and pamper yourself shopping for luxury goods like gold and leather.  

Day 4  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.  
     
Day 5  San Gimignano to Santa Margherita Ligure
Drive through the patchwork of vines, olives and cypresses that typify the Chianti hills before continuing to the delightful town of Lucca. Taste the lavish loaves of buccellato, Lucca's sweet raisin anise bread. Head for 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, cruise along the rugged Ligurian coast to the elegant seaside village of Portofino, the epitome of la dolce vita (should weather permit). Continue along the coast to the pretty seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure.  

Day 6  Santa Margherita Ligure        
Head to the stunning Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a local expert for a boat ride and historical insight into the five towns, visiting one of the picturesque towns perched on the cliff tops. The afternoon is free to perhaps relax on the beach.  

Day 7  Santa Margherita Ligure to Lake Maggiore        
Enjoy a cruise along the rugged coast this morning to Portofino. After some free time to explore the coloured houses and browse the boutique shops, journey through the stunning Italian Lake District and marvel at the picturesque alpine scenery en route to Lake Maggiore.  

Day 8  Lake Maggiore to Cortina d’Ampezzo        
Head to the beautiful peaks and sheer valleys of the Dolomites taking in the incredible vistas, before arriving in the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Day 9  Cortina d’Ampezzo            
Relax in this mountain paradise, perhaps take a cable car ride for spectacular views or simply wander around the town and while away the day in a café.  

Day 10  Cortina d’Ampezzo to Venice  
Leave The Dolomites behind and travel to the romantic city of Venice. Enjoy a private boat cruise through the canals to St Mark’s Square, passing sights such as the Bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace. The afternoon is free to explore this marvellous city at leisure.  

Day 11  Venice          
This morning, visit a traditional arts centre to admire the art of glassblowing before enjoying some free time to explore. Wander the open air markets of the Rialto Bridge and the numerous fascinating back lanes of the city, before a romantic gondola serenade, a highlight of any trip to Venice. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.  

Day 12  Venice        
Say goodbye to Venice with a transfer to the airport for your flight back home.