Mediterranean Escapade

Let southern Europe seduce you with her springtime charms on this voyage! Starting with a leisurely overnight in Lisbon, hop over to the souks and safaris of north Africa by way of Cadiz and Tangier. Malaga is next before a well-timed day at sea and some hard-earnt R&R! Valencia, Palma and Barcelona are the last Spanish stops before it’s bonjour Marseille and Monte-Carlo. The rolling Tuscan hills and Rome’s mighty Colosseum are last.

Travel from Rome to Venice during this 13-day guided tour of Italy. Experience ancient Rome: See the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought, and Circus Maximus, where chariots raced for sport. Cruise around Venice in a private boat, then step onto St. Mark’s Square and stand in awe of its gothic-style Doge’s Palace. Sail to Murano Island, where a glassblower will manipulate molten glass into a work of art in front of your eyes. View the southern cliffs of Sorrento and see majestic Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Travel by open-top taxi with a Local Expert to the top of the island of Capri, then explore its charming alleyways — and duck into a shop to purchase a memento. Celebrate a spectacular vacation with an equally spectacular experience: a private operetta performed during a final feast in Rome.

Your Fly, Cruise & Tour Package Includes:

• Economy class flight from Sydney to Lisbon, returning from Rome
• 1 night 4+ star accommodation in Lisbon
• 12 night Mediterranean cruise onboard Silver Dawn in a Vista Suite, Lisbon to Rome
• Includes gourmet dining in multiple restaurants, beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, butler service in every suite, unlimited free wifi plus more
• 2 nights 4+ star accommodation in Rome
• 12 night Italian Escapade guided holiday with Insight Vacations, Rome return
• Includes hand-picked accommodation, authentic dining, unique experiences, top rated highlights plus more
• Select private transfers
• Port charges, prepaid gratuities onboard your cruise & airline taxes

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 03 – 30 April 2023

Single traveller pricing available, speak with your travel consultant

Cruise Itinerary:

Italian Escapade Tour 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 your Travel Director at 17:30, and get to know your fellow travellers over a delicious Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

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 Staircase. Later, continue to St. Peter’s Basilica. Cross the Tiber river to enjoy ancient Rome. See the incredible Circus Maximus. Come up close and personal with the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine, walking on the ancient pavement. Discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum as you stroll around the exterior of this amazing structure.

Day 3: Siena and Medieval Florence

Travel north to medieval Siena and stroll through the winding stone-paved streets to the vast Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race takes place amid great festivities. See the Fountain of Joy and then walk up to the hilltop cathedral, striped with marble. Continue through the cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany to Florence. Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak dinner paired with delicious local wine, a speciality not to be missed.

Day 4: Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance

Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo's David. Alternatively, wander through the market stalls on a shopping tour, enjoying all the Italian treats and finery on offer. Walk on to the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Visit Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune as well as Hercules and Cacus, along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Famous for the quality of its luxury goods like gold and leather, Piazza Santa Croce is also the perfect spot to see the basilica. Later, use your free time to shop or continue exploring at your leisure.

Day 5: Pisa and the Italian Lakes

Stop in Pisa, to see the incredible Leaning Tower from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity, as well as the splendid cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble. Your journey continues, past the marble quarries at Carrara, used since the time of Ancient Rome, through the dramatic Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po. Continue to your lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore. As night time draws in, why not work up an appetite before dinner with a traditional evening stroll, or passeggiata as they say in Italy?

Day 6: The Italian Lake District Relaxed Start

Today is set aside for you to relax and enjoy all the fantastic sights of this beautiful lakeland area.For your Dine-Around Evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked restaurants for your dining pleasure.

Day 7: To Venice With Wine Along the Way Relaxed Start

Follow the southern fringes of the European Alps to the vineyards by the shores of Lake Iseo. Here, winemaking traditions run deep. Taste the delicious vintages produced with a master vintner at a family-owned estate. Continue to the unique city of Venice and step back in time to the 16th century.

Day 8: The Magic of La Serenissima

A private boat ferries you to St. Mark’s Square. See the basilica, Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a visit to a traditional arts centre, where you can see how beautiful handcrafted glass is made by expert glassblowers, safeguarding traditional skills. Enjoy being serenaded with traditional songs on a gondola ride, gliding through the city canals in romantic awe. Spend the afternoon as you wish. As night falls, why not savour the magic of St. Mark’s square with its orchestras and al-fresco cafes?

Day 9: Hilltop Assisi

Skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy’s most important rivers, the Adige and Po. The scenery will then change dramatically as you drive through the wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone-built, hilltop town of Assisi, home of St. Francis. See the Church of St. Mary of the Angels before continuing up Mount Subasio. Then with our Local Expert we visit the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis.

Day 10: Sorrento on the coast

Journey along the clifftop road to the picturesque resort of Sorrento, perched upon the southern cliffs of the Bay of Naples and looking out to Mount Vesuvius. With the evening at leisure, why not try some of the local specialities during a regional dining experience?

Day 11: Capri, the Isle of Dreams

In the morning, cruise to Capri, known as the Isle of Dreams. In one of the island's iconic open-top taxis, head up the steep, winding roads while a symphony of cicadas sing away in the pines. With your Local Expert, explore the narrow alleyways of Capri town, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento for some relaxation time. Perhaps join an optional visit to Positano and the Amalfi Coast?

Day 12: On to ill-fated Pompeii and Rome

Journey north to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, eerily preserved by the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Your Local Expert walks you through cobbled streets to explore some of the shops, villas and temples. Witness the colourful frescoes that were hidden for centuries. Continue beneath the striking hilltop monastery of Monte Cassino and back to Rome where your journey reaches its zenith in the evening. In the heart of The Eternal City, you are treated to a quintessential Italian experience. Fine food, wine, music and a private performance of enchanting operetta for your Celebration Dinner.

Day 13: Arrivederci Roma

Bid farewell to the glories of Italy. Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 and 09:30.

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on a vista suite cabin.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 05 May 2022 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included. Airfares are based on economy class flights from Sydney and are subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions, please call us for prices from other cities. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. 241xtra pricing does not require a 241 certificate.