italy, sicily & malta regional journey grand italy & … · 2018-11-21 · (days 16 &...
TRANSCRIPT
TAORMINA RIVIERA(Days 14 & 15)
SANTA MARGHERITA
(Days 3 & 4)
BAVENO(Day 5)
LakeMaggiore
SORRENTO(Days 10 & 11)
Pompeii
ALBEROBELLO(Days 12 & 13)
Ostuni
Amalfi Coast
Mt Etna
San Gimignano
River Po
Matera
VENICE(Days 6 & 7)
Verona
FLORENCE(Days 8 & 9)
Cinque Terre
Pisa
Portofino
Capri
ApennineMountains
Chianti
PALERMO(Days 16 & 17)
ROME &THE VATICAN CITY
(Days 1 & 2)
CalabriaMts.
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2
2
21
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ITALY
SICILY
2
GRAND ITALY & SICILY
ITALY, SICILY & MALTAREGIONAL JOURNEY
Dine in style at your Celebration Dinner in Palermo
INSIGHT EXPERIENCES
Alberobello: You are welcomed into the home of a local for a freshly prepared meal, typical of the region for your Dine-at-Home experience.
Visit Bramante Staircase, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Expert • Rome with a Local Expert • a glassblower workshop and gondola crafting in Venice • Accademia Museum in Florence with a Local Expert.
COACH WITH EXTRA LEGROOM
SMALLER GROUPS
140
AUTHENTIC DINING
Welcome Dinner in Rome • Bistecca alla Fiorentina Dinner with Wine in Florence • Celebration Dinner in Palermo.
Taste wine in Alberobello.
TOP RATED HIGHLIGHTS
Cruise from Porto"no to Santa Margherita • Ride a gondola, serenaded through the canals of Venice • Cruise to the Isle of Capri • Ride an open-top taxi.
Visit Taormina Amphitheatre • Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo.
City tours of Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Pompeii, Isle of Capri, Matera, Alberobello, Taormina and Palermo, all with Local Experts.
See the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona in Rome • Italian Lakes District • Roman Arena and Juliette's balcony in Verona • St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace in Venice • Mount Vesuvius from Sorrento • the Sassi of Matera • the Trulli of Alberobello • Palazzo Corvaja in Taormina Riviera • Teatro Massimo, Quattro Canti Square and Fountain of Shame in Palermo.
Key:
Join/Leave Options
UNESCO Heritage Site
Central Hotels + Nights
Scenic Hotels + Nights
Place Visited
Optional Place Visited
1
1
FROM $321 PER DAY
For information on this trip, or to book, go to insightvacations.com, call (65) 6922 5950/6299 3382 or speak to your travel agent.
STARTS STARTSENDS ENDSTWIN TWIN
DAY 6
FAIR VERONA AND ONTO VENICE.
Follow the southern fringes of the Alps
to romantic Verona, the setting of one of
literature's most tragic and best known love
stories between star-crossed lovers.
See the ancient Roman Arena, still used
for opera performances and stand beneath
Juliet's balcony in a Renaissance courtyard of
the supposed Capulet home - can you recite
Shakespeare's immortal words?
Your travels continue through the Soave
vineyards, passing Padua, and on to the canals
of Venice. (B) (DW)
Bellini Venezia, Venice.
DAY 7 · RELAXED START
THE MAGIC OF LA SERENISSIMA.
Even for the experienced traveller, there can be
no better joy than waking up in Venice.
Admire the art of glass-blowing by master
craftsmen when you visit a traditional arts
centre on Giudecca Island.
#en cruise by private launch along canals
lined with ornate palaces to arrive at St. Mark's
Square where St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's
Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs await.
Board your gondola to be serenaded through
the beautiful canals, passing water-lapped
doorways and Rococo palaces. Relax amongst
the romantic atmosphere as you drift along
before having an afternoon to enjoy. (B)
DAY 8
A SCENIC JOURNEY TO FLORENCE.
Bid farewell to Venice and begin your journey
to Renaissance Florence.
Join your Local Expert to see Michelangelo's
David when you visit the Accademia Gallery.
Walk to the cathedral and see Giotto's bell
tower and the Gates of Paradise on the
baptistery. Wander through the open-air
gallery of Piazza della Signoria, gazing at
statues such as Neptune, Hercules and Cacus,
along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Your
exploration will "nish in front of the basilica
where Michelangelo lies buried in Piazza Santa
Croce, famous for its quality goods.
Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina
steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a
speciality not to be missed. (B) (DW)
Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli.
Michelangelo's genius is on display next door
in St. Peter's Basilica.
Join a local for a leisurely passeggiata through
this cultural city. Toss a coin into the
spectacular Trevi Fountain, see the Pantheon
and enjoy free time in Piazza Navona. (B)
DAY 3
PISA AND SANTA MARGHERITA
LIGURE.
Enjoy a delightful drive through rolling
countryside dotted with cypress trees, passing
vineyards and olive groves to Pisa.
With a Local Expert, view the incredible
Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles
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.
Your journey continues to the pretty seaside
resort of Santa Margherita Ligure. (B) (DW)
Best Western Regina Elena, Santa Margherita Ligure.
DAY 4
THE CHARMS OF THE CINQUE TERRE.
Head for the famous Cinque Terre, which
translates to Five Lands, located on a
gorgeously wild yet hospitable part of the
coastline and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With a Local Expert, approach one of the
"shing villages by boat and spend some time
exploring the medieval quarter or the popular
sandy beach before continuing to the village
of Porto"no, to admire the colourful houses.
Should weather permit, return with a cruise
along the rugged Ligurian coast to your hotel
in the resort of Santa Margherita. (B)
DAY 5 · RELAXED START
LAKE MAGGIORE.
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 evening, why not join
a private cruise to Isola Bella to explore the
palace and admire the stunning Botanical
Gardens? (B)
Hotel Simplon, Baveno, Italian Lakes.
DAY 1
WELCOME TO THE ETERNAL CITY
OF ROME.
On arrival at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da
Vinci Airport you are met and at 09:30, 12:30
and 15:30 transfers depart for your hotel.
Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers
at 17:30 and travel to your Welcome Dinner
at a local restaurant. (DW)
Hotel Romanico Palace, Rome.
DAY 2
VIP VATICAN AND ROME WITH A
LOCAL.
In the morning, you will be joined by a Local
Expert to guide you through the art collection
of the Vatican Museums, culminating
beneath Michelangelo's famous ceiling in
the Sistine Chapel. Your VIP visit includes
fast-tracked entry and a behind-the-scenes
look at the Bramante Staircase, a part of the
Vatican usually closed to visitors. More of
Please see inside front cover for information key on dining, travel styles and itinerary icons.
YOUR ITINERARY - AT A GLANCE17 DAYS | 2 COUNTRIES | 16 BREAKFASTS | 8 DINNERS | 26 INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
TRIP CODE: E921
TRIP PLANNER - 17 DAYS
141
EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT SAVE UP TO $560 p.p.
Fri 12 Apr Sun 28 Apr $5450 Fri 12 Jul Sun 28 Jul $5575
Fri 19 Apr Sun 05 May $5475 Fri 19 Jul Sun 04 Aug $5525
Fri 26 Apr Sun 12 May $5475 Fri 26 Jul Sun 11 Aug $5525
Fri 03 May Sun 19 May $5475 Fri 02 Aug Sun 18 Aug $5525
Fri 10 May Sun 26 May $5475 Fri 09 Aug Sun 25 Aug $5525
Fri 17 May Sun 02 Jun $5475 Fri 16 Aug Sun 01 Sep $5525
Fri 24 May Sun 09 Jun $5475 Fri 23 Aug Sun 08 Sep $5525
Fri 31 May Sun 16 Jun $5475 Fri 30 Aug Sun 15 Sep $5475
Fri 07 Jun Sun 23 Jun $5475 Fri 06 Sep Sun 22 Sep $5575
Fri 14 Jun Sun 30 Jun $5475 Fri 13 Sep Sun 29 Sep $5575
Fri 21 Jun Sun 07 Jul $5525 Fri 20 Sep Sun 06 Oct $5525
Fri 28 Jun Sun 14 Jul $5550 Fri 27 Sep Sun 13 Oct $5525
Fri 05 Jul Sun 21 Jul $5595 Fri 04 Oct Sun 20 Oct $5525
ALL INCLUDED EXPERIENCES & DINING WORTH APPROXIMATELY $961
NOTES: Twin prices are per person. Isle of Capri: Open-top taxis are
dependent on favourable weather conditions.
FURTHER SAVINGS UP TO: Young Traveller $550 | Triple Room
Reduction $200 | 2nd Trip $140
ROOMING OPTIONS: Single Supplement from $1300 p.p. up to $1390 p.p.
EXTRA NIGHT HOTELS PER PERSON - SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS MAY
APPLY: Rome: Hotel Romanico Palace Twin $192 | Single $303
Triple $163. Palermo: Best Western Ai Cavalieri Hotel Twin $114
Single $164 | Triple $108
ONE-WAY TRANSFER OUTSIDE SCHEDULE TIMES: Rome: $50 p.p.,
Palermo: $70 p.p.
PREPAID GRATUITIES OPTION: For your Travel Director and
Driver $196 p.p.
142
YOUR ITINERARY - AT A GLANCE17 DAYS | 2 COUNTRIES | 16 BREAKFASTS | 8 DINNERS | 26 INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
DAY 9 · RELAXED START
FLORENCE, BIRTHPLACE OF THE
RENAISSANCE.
Start the day with a traditional Florentine
leatherwork demonstration and enjoy the rest
of the day at leisure.
Perhaps join an Optional Experience to
explore the hilltop town of San Gimignano?
(B)
DAY 10
ILL-FATED POMPEII AND ON TO
SORRENTO.
Journey south through the volcanic hills of
Frascati to Pompeii.
Walk with a Local Expert through the
preserved cobbled streets for a glimpse into
the daily life of civilisation during the Roman
Empire.
Follow the cli%top road to the resort of
Sorrento. (B)
Hotel Regina, Sorrento.
DAY 11
CAPRI, THE ISLE OF DREAMS.
Cruise to Capri and on arrival step into one
of the island's iconic open-top taxis for a drive
up the steep, winding roads while a symphony
of cicadas chirp away in the pines.
Your Local Expert leads you through the
narrow alleyways of Capri town before you
descend to the port by funicular and return to
Sorrento for some relaxation time. (B)
DAY 12
SASSI DI MATERA AND ALBEROBELLO.
After breakfast, discover two UNESCO
World Heritage Sites. First you will visit
Matera for an in-depth guided exploration of
the extraordinary Sassi which are troglodyte
dwellings and churches dug out of the rock.
Here is the most extensive example of their
kind in the Mediterranean and were inhabited
by about 20,000 people up until 1950. Matera
was also used as the setting for '#e Passion of
the Christ.'
Continue to Alberobello, the second
UNESCO World Heritage Site and your
home for the next two nights. (B) (DW)
Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri, Alberobello.
DAY 13 · RELAXED START
ALBEROBELLO.
Join your Local Expert to admire the Trulli
before venturing into the surrounding region,
a paradise for wine-lovers.
Join an expert vintner for a tasting of Puglia's
most robust and structured red wines.
For your Dine-at-Home experience, you are
invited to join a local and their family. See
Nonna making pasta and enjoy a freshly
prepared meal together, traditional of southern
Italy. (B) (DW)
DAY 14
SICILY AND THE TAORMINA RIVIERA.
Follow the shores of the Gulf of Taranto to
the mountainous Calabria region.
Travel along the Purple Coast and board
your ferry bound for Sicily, continue to the
Taormina Riviera. (B) (DW)
Hilton Giardini Naxos, Taormina Riviera.
DAY 15 · RELAXED START
TAORMINA AND THE DAWN COAST OF
EUROPE.
Join a Local Expert for a visit to the Greek
theatre, graced with the most spectacular of
backdrops. Stroll on to the tiny courtyard
of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina's grandest
building. Further along the elegant Corso
Umberto, the Piazza IX Aprile o%ers
panoramic views.
#e remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at
your own pace. (B)
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. Pass the huge
Teatro Massimo to the Baroque Quattro
Canti Square and glimpse the beauties of
the Fountain of Shame. 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 amazing Palatine Chapel in
the Palace of the Normans. With the outside
completely covered in glittering 12th century
mosaics, it provides an insight to what's
within.
Join your travelling companions and
Travel Director at a local restaurant for an
unforgettable Celebration Dinner of delicious
local cuisine and wine. (B) (DW)
Best Western Ai Cavalieri Hotel, Palermo.
DAY 17
DEPART PALERMO.
Your journey draws to an end with departure
transfers arriving at Palermo's Falcone–
Borsellino Airport at 06:00 and 08:00. (B)
For information on this trip, or to book, go to insightvacations.com, call (65) 6922 5950/6299 3382 or speak to your travel agent.