Todays Specials
ITALIAN INTERMEZZO FLY/COACH TOUR 2012
28 July departure
8 day tour from €1999.00* sharing twin or from €2369 single accommodation
Tour Type: Regional Tour
Italy’s three most famous and best loved cities reveal a treasure-trove of riches on this concise yet surprisingly diverse and delightful itinerary.
Tour Pace: This is an evenly paced tour with two-night stays in Rome, Venice and Florence, allowing time for sightseeing and people-watching from the comfort of sidewalk cafés. The driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent stops for rest and photo opportunities.
Hotels: The Romanico in Rome is traditional in style and just a short walk to the ‘Dolce Vita’ of Via Veneto, while on the last night, the Sheraton has been selected for its easy access to the airport. Hotel Sant’Elena is found in the greenest part of Venice, yet still within walking distance to St Marks Square and the deluxe four star Hotel Londra is the ideal starting point for discovering Florence.
Day 1 - ROME AT LEISURE
Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport transfers leave for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Then this historic city is yours to discover - stroll down the Via Veneto for a taste of ‘la dolce vita’. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome reception with drink and a light meal, followed by time to relax.
Hotel: Romanico Palace
Meals: Welcome Reception
Day 2 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
A local guide introduces the grandeur of the city! Start off in the independent Vatican State, the richest community in the world. Visit St Peter’s Basilica housing one of Michelangelo’s early works, the Pieta, and see the splendid dome completed after his death. Now relive the glory of ancient Rome as you cross the River Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum. Finally, look out over the site of the Roman Forum, once the bustling centre of commerce, law and religion. The afternoon is entirely at leisure - enjoy Rome at your own pace or check with your Tour Director about additional sightseeing options.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 3 - ROME – VENICE
Depart the ‘Eternal City’ and follow the course of the River Tiber north. Tuscan gastronomy is celebrated world wide, so a glass of wine and a two-course lunch has been arranged in this rustic and beautiful region. Descend to the fertile Po Valley and continue to the glorious city of Venice with its quaint bridges, ornate palaces and romantic gondolas. Your hotel is a former Venetian convent with well-kept cloister grounds.
Hotel: Sant’Elena
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch
Day 4 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Appreciate the splendour of Venice as you cruise by Palladio’s San Giorgio Maggiore to St Mark’s Square. Your Tour Director will explain the glorious history of ‘La Serenissima’, once one of the greatest trading centres of the world – its wealth and power is echoed by the riches of St Mark’s Basilica. See the Doges’ Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs, then visit one of the glass showrooms for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship, unchanged for centuries. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere and music and songs as you cruise along the Venetian canals by gondola. There is time to explore or browse through the shops on the Rialto Bridge in the afternoon. Don’t miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 5 -VENICE - FLORENCE
Bid farewell to the unique islands of Venice this morning and re-join your coach. Cross the fertile plains then follow the river Reno high into the Apennines to the Renaissance city of Florence. This is where Italian cooking was born, at the court of the Medici, so reservations have been made for an authentic Florentine lunch; two courses and a glass of wine, the perfect introduction to the city. A pleasant walk is always beneficial after a good meal, so meet with your local guide for a walking tour of the historic centre. Visit the Academy Museum to see Michelangelo’s original ‘Statue of David’. Admire the marble clad Cathedral and Baptistery, where Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. Next stop is Signoria Square filled with Renaissance masterpieces. Finally, visit the church of Santa Croce to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo and learn the secrets of traditional Florentine leather-work. Tonight, there is a wonderful selection of local restaurants to choose from on your Florentine Dine-around evening.
Hotel: Londra
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch / Dine Around
Day 6 - FLORENCE AT LEISURE
Maybe treat yourself to a late breakfast this morning because you have the whole day at leisure; don’t miss the magnificent museums and galleries or the chance to browse in the fashionable boutiques. Perhaps consider an optional excursion into the undulating hills of Tuscany and medieval San Gimignano before sampling some fine Florentine cuisine and Chianti wine?
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 7 -FLORENCE - ROME
As you drive through the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany, there is an informative tutorial about the Chianti wines that make this region so famous: continue along the smooth autostrada back to Rome. Your Intermezzo reaches its crescendo at the Vatican Museums. Wonder at the collection of ancient and Renaissance art gathered by Popes over the ages, then enter the Sistine Chapel, where the Popes are elected. This is where your audio headset comes into its own, providing clear, expert commentary from your local guide. Gaze up now and truly appreciate the significance of Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling. To round off your tour, a Celebration Dinner at a Roman restaurant is included this evening, complete with vino and good cheer.
Hotel: Sheraton Roma
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner
Day 8 - DEPART ROME
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller Welcome pack
• Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 8 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)
INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
• Venice: Cruise to St Mark’s Square by private launch. See St Mark’s Basilica, bell tower, the ornate Doges’ Palace and the adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Drift through the canals on a traditional gondola serenade. Venetian glass-blowing demonstration.
• Florence: During your guided walking tour, visit the Academy Gallery to admire Michelangelo’s original “Statue of David”. See the Cathedral, belltower, ‘Gates of Paradise’ on the Baptistery and visit Signoria Square, political heart of the city. Visit Santa Croce Church housing the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. Witness a traditional Florence leather-work demonstration
INCLUDED QUALITY DINING
• A Welcome Reception with a light meal (WR)
• Stop in the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany for a highlight lunch consisting of two-courses and a glass of wine. (HL)
• Enjoy an authentic two-course Florentine lunch with a glass of wine (HL)
• Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Florence (DA)
• Enjoy an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner with wine at a lively local restaurant in Rome (CD)
• 7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB)
BOOK YOUR ITALIAN INTERMEZZO COACH TOUR WITH
RORY MC DYER TRAVEL CLONTARF rory@rorymcdyertravel.ie
01-8335100
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