An Italian affair to remember

Italy is synonymous with love, passion and romance and travellers are invited to see Italy with Insight Vacations and follow in the footsteps of some of the world most famous lovers such as Paolo and Francesca, the ill-fated twosome described in Dante’s La Divina Commedia, Shakespeare’s star-crossed Romeo and Juliet and serial romancer, Casanova.  

Guests will soak up Italy’s romantic, timeless atmosphere as they glide down the canals of Venice in a gondola, see the grand Roman Forum and Colosseum in Rome and visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.

L’amore can be discovered in Italy with one of three styles of escorted tours offered by Insight Vacations.

The eight-day Italian Intermezzo from $2450 per person, twin share, land only.

Featuring a well paced itinerary with two night stays in each city, leaving plenty of time to explore independently, this tour appeals to lovers of art, history and architecture. Highlights include: a visit to the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Forum and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Orvieto cathedral, Piazzale Michelangelo, Michelangelo’s tomb, the Duomo, Gates of Paradise and a Florentine leatherwork demonstration in Florence, a cruise to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Basilica and Bridge of Sighs in Venice.

The 13-day Easy Pace Italy from $3825 per person, twin share, land only.

For travellers who want to discover the magic of Italy with plenty of time to uncover each region. Every place is a new discovery, with three nights in the Italian Lakes District, Venice, Florence and Rome.

Highlights include: visit the lakeside resort of Como on Lake Como, see Milan’s Gothic Cathedral, Sforza Castle and La Scala Opera House, see Juliet’s Balcony and the ancient Roman arena in Verona, cruise to St Mark’s Square in Venice by private launch, see St Mark’s Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, see the Duomo, Gates of Paradise and visit Signoria Square in Florence, visit the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi with its amazing frescos by Giotto, enjoy a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City seeing Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ as well as Florentine leatherwork and Venetian glass-blowing demonstrations.

The 13-day Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily from $3299 per person twin share, land only.

This is an evenly paced tour with three nights in Alberobello and two nights in Giardini Naxos, Palermo and the Bay of Naples. This itinerary is perfect for those who want to explore some of the lesser known regions of Southern Italy.

Highlights of the tour include: the fascinating Trulli dwellings of Alberobello, the town of Lecce with its baroque basilica and fine Piazza del Duomo, the Taormina’s Greek theatre, dating back to the 3rd century BC, the sub-tropical terraced gardens in Taormina, time to stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 for panoramic views, a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento to see the Temple of Concord, the beautifully decorated Cathedral of Monreale, the Palatine Chapel in Palermo, the cobbled streets of Pompeii, cruising to the Isle of Capri and the funicular to Capri Town, an ‘Intarsio’ inlay woodworking demonstration in Sorrento, the beautifully illuminated Trevi Fountain in Rome, St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City and the Colosseum and Forum.

All Insight’s escorted tours include premium highlights worth hundreds of dollars, ensuring holiday budgets go further. With so many included meals, quality hotels and sightseeing experiences, guests will be astounded at the value of an Insight holiday.

The exceptional quality, unrivalled value and impeccable service provided by Insight Vacations will create holiday memories that last a lifetime. For more information see www.insightvacations.com.

by: The Mole