This magnificent itinerary is a showcase of Italy’s grand past, romantic cities and exquisite natural wonders. Discover the gems of Venice and Northern Italy on your all-inclusive, luxury river cruise, before continuing in elegance by rail and road across the Italian peninsula.
Personalize your trip with a selection of included experiences. Whether you prefer to admire the art scene in Ferrara, or try your hand at making pasta in Bologna, this journey brings la dolce vita to life for the ultimate Italian vacation. After your journey ends in Venice, why not choose to extend your luxurious travels there and step onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for an overnight journey to Paris?
VIP Experiences
- Venice: Enjoy a walking discovery tour of the city and an exclusive after-hours visit within St. Mark's Basilica.
- Vatican City: Enter the Sistine Chapel for a private tour with a Local Expert, before it opens to the public. Luxury Gold’s fast-tracked entry into the Vatican Museums ensures optimal enjoyment of the timeless Papal art collection.
- Venice: Discover the secrets of the Venetian Republic on a private evening tour of the Doge's Palace with your Local Expert.
Highlights
- Milan: Led by your Local Expert, experience the Gothic cathedral and see Da Vinci's astounding 'The Last Supper.'
- Venice: Explore the backstreets with your Local Expert and see the Doge's Palace and the Rialto Bridge.
- Chioggia: Explore the delights of this picturesque fishing village Your Way with the choice of a discovery tour along the canals with a Local Expert or a guided bicycle tour along the beaches.
- Ferrara: For lovers of art, spend a half day in Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a hidden Renaissance treasure, with a long history of art founded on the sponsorship of the noble Renaissance family of d’Este.
- Chioggia: Stroll through the town's bustling fish market guided by your onboard chef.
- Burano: Learn about lace-making when you visit this Venetian island.
- Torcello: Discover the Byzantine mosaics of this island.
- Venice: Explore Your Way, choose from a 'Do as the Locals Do' exploration of the city, visit the Accademia with an art historian or visit Fondaco dei Tedeschi.
- Venice: Experience the Italian countryside as you travel in business class comfort from Venice to Rome by high-speed train.
- Rome: Your Travelling Concierge welcomes you to Rome with a traditional passeggiata to the Trevi Fountain.
- Vatican City: With your Local Expert, see Rome’s most revered treasures when you visit St. Peter's Basilica and see Michelangelo's 'Pietà.'
- Rome: Learn of the city's iconic history when you visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
- Rome: During your orientation with your Travelling Concierge see medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
- Isle of Capri: Cruise between the island and mainland by hydrofoil and enjoy two nights on this famous isle.
- Isle of Capri: Travel in style by open-top taxi as you get a flavour of the jet-set lifestyle.
- Isle of Capri: Enjoy a private cruise around the island to see its hidden coves and grottos.
- Isle of Capri: Admire the famous Faraglioni Rocks from the gardens of Caesar Augustus as you explore with your Local Expert.
- Assisi: Join your Local Expert and find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of medieval Europe.
- Assisi: Explore the town during sightseeing with your Local Expert.
- Perugia: Join your Local Expert for a guided exploration through history, as you walk along Perugia's Corso Vannucci to the main square where you’ll see the Great Fountain, Collegio del Cambio and the splendid Prior's Palace.
- Perugia: Meet Marta, recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant, and discover how she and her weavers are preserving the medieval tradition of loom-weaving at their artisanal workshop.
- San Gimignano: Visit the medieval Manhattan of Italy!
- Tuscany: During your visit to Machiavelli's former home with a Local Expert, explore the Italian gardens and be privy to a private opening of the office where he wrote 'The Prince.'
- Florence: Experience Florence Your Way with the choice to join a local art historian for an insightful walk, as you admire Michelangelo's masterpiece, the marble statue of David, in the Accademia Museum. Continue your guided walk to see the cathedral, bell tower and Gates of Paradise on the baptistery and visit the political heart of the city, Piazza della Signoria. Alternatively, choose to join a local foodie on a walking tour of the best gastronomic treats in this Tuscan town.
- Pisa: Accompanied by your Local expert, marvel at the gravity-defying Leaning Tower of Pisa, alongside a Local Expert, and see the Duomo and baptistery.
- Cinque Terre: Experience some of the most awe-inspiring coastal scenery on earth at the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre. Join your Local Expert and discover charming Manarola, a picturesque fishing village, before travelling by train to the resort town of Rapallo.
- Rome: Learn of the city's iconic history when you visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
- Verona: During your orientation with your Travelling Concierge, walk past the well preserved Roman Arena to Juliet's balcony in the courtyard of a Renaissance villa.
- Venice: Guided by your Local Expert, view the sights of Venice including St. Mark's Basilica and the Bridge of Sighs.
- Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing as you watch artisans create delicate works of art.
- Venice: Take your seat in a traditional gondola for a serenade through the romantic Venetian canals.
Exceptional Dining
- Valpolicella: Enjoy a multi-course lunch paired with Valpolicella wines at the Serego Alighieri estate, which belongs to descendants of Dante Alighieri, one of Italy’s most famous poets.
- Marzzorbo: Learn about the Dorona grape and taste its luscious golden wine.
- Isle of Capri: Take in exclusive views of the Gulf of Naples from the privileged perch of Michelin-starred Mammà. Savour a delectable meal of Mediterranean flavours in perfect Caprese style, created with passion from fresh, local produce by chef Salvatore La Ragione.
- Isle of Capri: A refreshing lemon granita is the perfect way to cool down in the Mediterranean.
- Tuscany: Enjoy a tasting of rare Super Tuscan wines in the underground cellar of Machiavelli's home before enjoying a light Farm-to-Table lunch.
- San Gimignano: Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan ice-cream parlour of World Champion gelato Maestro, Sergio Dondoli, for a taste of his creamiest treats.
- Florence: Dine out in delightful Barberino di Mugello, at a family-run restaurant where Nonna makes delicious desserts! Enjoy a four-course menu with wine that pays homage to Tuscany’s most famous flavours.
- Tuscany: Join a qualified chef to experience authentic Italian cooking at a hands-on culinary masterclass, followed by lunch.
- Burano: Cruise to this charming fisherman's island to enjoy a Celebration Dinner with wine and newfound friends.
- Dining Summary: 25 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 9 Lunches with Wine (LW) and 15 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee. While Cruising: You can enjoy unlimited beverages on-board, including fine wines, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water.
Planning your holiday with Fine Travel
We aim to give our clients the comfort that all aspects of their holiday are organised. When you book your Insight Vacations tour through us, you can also take advantage of:
- “Earlybird” and repeat client discounts that Insight Vacations offers.
- Our experience working with the various airlines that fly between New Zealand and the UK / Europe to help you find suitable flights.
- Our ability to book accommodation through New Zealand’s largest travel wholesale companies and international brands such as Expedia and Bookings.com).
- Our role as a single point of contact for the different suppliers involved in your holiday. We can deal with the airlines, hotels, tour companies, insurance companies etc. on your behalf.