4.0 rating based on 1 rating Travel date: 25 Mar to 02 Apr 2019
Flew return to Rome on Air Canada.
Explored Italy with Insight Vacations.
Insight Vacations coach are very comfortable, with lots of leg room and all the aisle seat can be move slightly to give a little more elbow room.
Large window to see the sights as we drive past the country sides and towns.
extra touches like VIP passes and skip the line is a plus.
When we arrived we found our guide Jackie waiting for us and she escorted us to the baggage area then to our coach.
During the transfer time she gave us a brief safety and information session. and she had arranged all our check-in at all the hotels in advance for our tour.
We did arrived at the hotel before 3pm and the hotel did try to have the room ready for us, if not we could leave our carry-on bags in a locked room and head off for some free time to explore.
Our group opted to walk down to the Spanish Steps and explore some of the area. Had a lovely Pizza lunch at a local restaurant we spotted. Lots of restaurants to choose from that is for sure. Then a leisure stroll back to the hotel to get ready for our group dinner that night.
Day 2
A local expert did a walking tour of room, we tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain, I had my first Gelato and not my last. Saw the Pantheon, was an amazing building and history. Then we headed to the Colosseum. Our guide gave us a great tour and history lessons.
Day 3 - Vatican and then off to Orvieto
The only way to see the Vatican is with a VIP skip the line pass. Spent about 2.5 hours and still did not see everything. Saw the Sistine Chapel, with Insight and our passes they got we had the chance to walk up the Bramante Staircase this is closed to the general public, what a view from the top. Then off to St Peter's Basilica.
Orvieto, what a great hill top town. We had the opportunity to dine at Zeppelin Restaurants, where Chef Lorenzo did a cooking demonstration of pasta. Not sure if I could do it but who knows one day I juts may try making my own.
Day 4- Off to Assis and Perugia.
Assis was so peaceful, our local guide walk us around and pointed out where St Francis Dies and we finished our tour at the Basilica of St Francis.
In Perugia, we visited an artisanal workshop. The artisan Marta is a recipient of the TreadRight Foundation grant. We learn and she and her weavers are preserving the ancient craft of loom-weaving.
Day 5 - Siena
Our local expert guided us through narrow cobbled streets to the Piazza De Camp, where the bi-annual Palio Horse race take place. Had some free time to shop and eat.
Day 6 - San Gimignano
here we explored on our own then we head off to the Chianti region and a local expert guides through the former house and garden's of Nicola Machiavelli where he wrote the "The Prince" and then we did a wine twisting and enjoyed a Farm to Table fare. - What better way to spend some time in Tuscany.
Day 7 - travel back to Rome
for some free time and a farewell dinner
Day 8 - back to Canada
Would I return to Italy, yes and would I do an other but tour - oh yes for sure.
great way to explore, no worries with finding hotels or get ticket etc...