Grand Italy & Sicily - Classic Group

18 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
97%
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Group Tour
Art, food, and scenery combine in this 17-day guided tour through Italy. Revel in Renaissance artwork housed in the Vatican Museums and gaze at Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. See Rome’s iconic Colosseum as a Local Expert shares its history. In coastal Cinque Terre, stop in two fishing villages and cruise the rugged Ligurian coast, admiri...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Choose between two carefully selected activities
    • Florence: Stand beside Michelangelo's monumental statue, 'David', in the Accademia Gallery, and admire the exquisite technique and absorbing history behind the world's most famous sculpture.
    • Florence: Wander through the market stalls and browse for local Italian souvenirs and leather goods on a guided shopping tour.
    • : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).
    • : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
    • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhancedwell-being and hygiene protocols.
    • : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
    • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
    • : "A type of food I really love introducing my guests to is the street food because it tells a lot about the habits of the locals, it can be a slice of pizza folded up or a sfogliatella in Naples, an arancini, a gelato in Sicily, or a cannolo. "
    • : "One thing I really love about showing guests about Italy is how art and beauty can be found around every corner of some of Italy's cities, which are real open air museums."

What's this trip about?

    Art, food, and scenery combine in this 17-day guided tour through Italy. Revel in Renaissance artwork housed in the Vatican Museums and gaze at Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. See Rome’s iconic Colosseum as a Local Expert shares its history. In coastal Cinque Terre, stop in two fishing villages and cruise the rugged Ligurian coast, admiring the colorful homes perched on the cliffs. See statues of Neptune, Hercules and Cacus, and feast on a steak dinner and local wine in Florence. In Sorrento, meet a Local Expert for a cruise to Capri, where you can take an open-top taxi to the top of the island for an unapparelled view of the Mediterranean Sea. In the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello, meet a restauranteur who will share his farm-to-table philosophy and serve you freshly made orecchiette pasta.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityRome
End CityPalermo

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

Attractions

  • Cinque Terre
  • Florence
  • Matera
  • Rome
  • Sicily
  • Sorrento
  • Venice

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Trip includes

    • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
    • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
    • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
    • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
    • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
    • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
    • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your hotel at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30.Relax and settle in before joining...

Day 2: Vatican City and Rome with a Local

A Local Expert leads you through the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums, culminating beneath Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Your priority visit includes fast-tracked entry to the museums and a behind-the-scenes look at the Bramante S...

Day 3: Pisa and Santa Margherita Ligure

Enjoy a delightful drive to Pisa through rolling countryside dotted with cypress trees, passing vineyards and olive groves.With a Local Expert, view the incredible Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velo...

Day 4: The Charms of the Cinque Terre

Head to the famous Cinque Terre, which translates to Five Lands. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located on a gorgeously wild yet hospitable part of the coastline. With a Local Expert, approach one of the fishing villages by boat. In Monterosso, spend some time exp...

Day 5: Lake Maggiore Relaxed Start

Head north to the beautiful Lake Maggiore in the Italian Lakes District and the town of Baveno, noted for its narrow cobbled streets and charming 16th century square. On arrival, settle into your hotel and take in the magical scenery. In the afternoon, why not join an...

Day 6: Onto Venice Relaxed Start

Your travels continue through the Soave vineyards, passing Padua and on to the canals of Venice. In the evening, indulge in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

NH Venezia Rio Novo.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: Venice and the Magic of La Serenissima Relaxed Start

Your private boat takes you past historic churches and 13th century palaces to St. Mark's Square. The first sight is the glided regalia of St. Mark's Basilica. Turn the corner, and view the pink marble of the Doge's Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Si...

Day 8: A Scenic Journey to Florence

Bid farewell to Venice and begin your journey to Renaissance Florence. Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's David. Alternatively, wander through the market stalls on a guided shopping tour. Walk to the Cathed...

Day 9: Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance Relaxed Start

Start the day with a traditional Florentine leather-work demonstration, then there is plenty of time to shop with the rest of the day at your leisure. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to explore the hilltop town of San Gimignano?

Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli.

Breakfast

Day 10: Ill-fated Pompeii and on to Sorrento

Journey south through the volcanic hills of Frascati to Pompeii, which was buried in A.D. 79 by Mount Vesuvius' catastrophic eruption. Walk with a Local Expert through the preserved cobbled streets for a glimpse into the daily life of civilisation during the Roman Emp...

Day 11: Capri, the Isle of Dreams

Meet your Local Expert and cross the Bay of Naples to reach the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean! For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields. Arriving at the Marina Grande by boat, ascend to Ca...

Day 12: Sassi di Matera and Alberobello

After breakfast, discover two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First, visit Matera for an in-depth guided exploration of the extraordinary Sassi, ancient troglodyte dwellings and churches dug out of the rock. These are the most extensive example of their kind in the Medit...

Day 13: The Trulli of Alberobello Relaxed Start

Admire another of Italy's record number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a Local Expert. The Trulli of Alberobello are circular structures with conical roofs that are domed within. They are built from local limestone and stacked without using mortar. In the evening...

Day 14: Sicily and the Taormina Riviera

The local roads will take you south, following the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to the mountainous Calabria region. Travel along the Purple Coast to the very 'toe' of Italy and board your ferry bound for Sicily. According to ancient legend, it was here at the Straits...

Day 15: Taormina and the Dawn Coast of Europe Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert for a visit to the Greek Theatre, graced with the most spectacular of backdrops. Stroll onto the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s grandest building. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Mt. Etna?

RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.

Breakfast

Day 16: Palermo, Capital of Sicily

Head to the Sicilian capital of Palermo. On arrival, your Local Expert will show you the highlights of the capital. Palermo Cathedral has been altered over the years and a venture inside will help you to appreciate the composite architectural styles. Next, head to the...

Day 17: Depart Palermo

Your journey draws to an end. Departure transfers arrive at Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport at 06:00 and 08:00.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,575
Price per day$365
Last Updated: 10/14/2024

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Insight Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,648
Great
2,950
Average
941
Disappointing
261
Terrible
219
T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2023

Written on

Grand Italy & Sicily

We had been looking for a long time of a trip covering all...

L

Leon Bishop

Oct 2023

Written on

Grand Italy & Sicily

Enjoyed all stops sights and hotels

J

John Mandel

Oct 2023

Written on

Grand Italy & Sicily

Fast paced, not enough free time with crowds. Comfortable transportation, mostly very good optional experiences with a few that could be changed perhaps for the bet...

M

Mark William Wallace

Jul 2023

Written on

Grand Italy & Sicily

Lots to see and do , could have spent more time in a few spots

T

Trusted Customer

Jun 2023

Written on

Grand Italy & Sicily

We travelled the length of Italy and were fortunate to have ...

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Other Insight Vacations Reviews

T

Trusted Customer

Dec 2024

Written on

Do your homework and book your own tour!

Insight itself was great. The hotels, food, transportation and tour guides were excellent. However, AAA (the 3rd party travel service) was not as impressive. The tra...

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Tour Operator

Insight Vacations

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As the global leader in premium tours, Insight Vacations delivers all the sights and insights of destinations up close and personal. Each tour is crafted in true comfort and style with premium 5 and 4 star hotels, small groups and customized coaches with extra leg room. The brand’s category leading dining options including the unique dine-around and dine-at-home experiences means that guests enjoy a culinary journey through the places they visit. An extensive Vegetarian option across all tour series further compliments the elevated dining offering. With a Make Travel Matter Experience®, that creates a positive impact for both the visitor and visited, plus also supports the United Nations sustainable Development Goals, included on each and every trip, Insight Vacations leads the way in immersive responsible travel.

Insight Vacations is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

Why we love this operator
They really care about everyone's individual needs on each tour and they have an incredible attention to detail.
What they’re known for
Premium worldwide tours for curious travelers who want to get closer to the destination in comfort and style.

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Hotel St. Martin, Rome.
  • Best Western Regina Elena, Santa Margherita Ligure.
  • Hotel Simplon, Baveno
  • NH Venezia Rio Novo.
  • Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli.
  • Hotel Isabella, Sorrento.
  • Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
  • RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
  • NH Palermo.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
insightvacations-E921N18

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