Best of Italy - Small Group

Insight Vacations (AU) · 11 days
Best of Italy - Small Group
11 Days
From AUD $10125
Trip Type
Group Tour
Activity Level
Easy

Rating

Best of Italy - Small Group

Best of Italy - Small Group

Insight Vacations (AU) · 11 days
Duration

11 days

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodations

Deluxe

Physical Rating

Easy

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Experience the very best of Italy with your Small Group - from ancient ruins to Renaissance masterpieces and sun-soaked coastlines.

Highlights

Dining Summary

  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 10 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)

Authentic Dining

  • Rome: Savour dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, offering a perfect exploration of Lazio's typical flavours.
  • Florence: Savour authentic Tuscan delights as you relax over a leisurely dinner paired with local wine in the heart of the city.
  • Rome: Enjoy a dinner of delicious Italian cuisine and wine, accompanied by the rich tremolo of some of Italy’s best-loved songs.

Insight Experiences

  • Vatican City: Visit the Vatican Museums and witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.

Top Rated Highlights

  • Rome: Explore Rome’s storied past as you see the sweeping Circus Maximus, once the largest stadium in ancient Rome and host to thrilling chariot races. Admire the Arch of Constantine, a triumphal monument built to celebrate Emperor Constantine’s victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge and gaze up at the Palatine Hill, the most central of Rome’s seven hills and the site where, according to legend, Romulus founded the city.
  • Florence: Enjoy a stroll through Renaissance Florence and admire the medieval buildings that gave birth to this new style of architecture.
  • Pisa: During your orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery bristling with marble spines, and the colonnaded bell tower lurching behind the 11th-century cathedral - the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
  • Venice: Join your Travel Director for an introduction to Venice, exploring its canals, lively squares, and historic landmarks. Discover the city’s unique charm as you navigate its maze of streets and take in iconic sights like St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
  • Venice: Glide through Venice’s canals on an iconic gondola ride, passing beneath historic bridges and past elegant palaces. Soak up the city’s romantic atmosphere as your gondolier navigates the tranquil waterways, offering a unique perspective of this timeless floating city.
  • Assisi: See St. Mary of the Angels Church and join your Local Expert to walk through the cobbled streets and beautifully preserved medieval laneways of this quaint town.
  • Assisi: With a Local Expert, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered one of the crowning achievements of Europe.
  • Capri: Cruise by jetfoil to this famous isle through beautiful blue Mediterranean waters.
  • Capri: Explore Capri town with your Local Expert and see the whitewashed houses, winding alleyways, small cafes, fashionable boutiques and artisans studios.
  • Pompeii: Walk with a Local Expert through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the first century.

Insight Choice

  • Florence: Join your Travel Director on a short walk to a local spot loved by residents. Sample a classic Italian treat and hear how it became a staple of the area. It’s a chance to experience the flavours locals grow up with and return to time and again.
  • Florence: Stand beside Michelangelo's monumental statue, 'David', in the Accademia Gallery, and admire the exquisite technique and absorbing history behind the world's most famous sculpture.

Make Travel Matter

  • Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's artisans teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft. This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
  • Vesuvius National Park: Visit Casa Barone, a small family-run farm on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius and one of the world’s only producers of Piennolo tomatoes. Learn about their commitment to sustainability and taste the flavours of this special tomato during your Farm-to-Table lunch. Casa Barone cultivates the endangered endemic food species of Piennolo tomato as well as other traditional elements of the classic Vesuvian Countryside, using cultivation methods with low environmental impact. Through their production the farm prevents the local biodiversity from disappearing. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

Choice Highlights

    Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Florence: Join your Travel Director on a short walk to a local spot loved by residents. Sample a classic Italian treat and hear how it became a staple of the area. It’s a chance to experience the flavours locals grow up with and return to time and again.
  • Florence: Stand beside Michelangelo's monumental statue, 'David', in the Accademia Gallery, and admire the exquisite technique and absorbing history behind the world's most famous sculpture.
Best of Italy - Small Group

Trip Details

Duration

11 days

Transportation

Private

Guide Language

English

Starts

Rome, Italy

Finishes

Rome, Italy

Accommodations

Deluxe

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Easy

Itinerary

1
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. get to know your Travel Director and small group over dinner of Roman specialities during dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Golden Tulip Rome Piram
Meals: Dinner
2
Day 2: Vatican City and Rome with a Local
Step into the Eternal City with a Local Expert who will guide you through the Vatican museums, moving through galleries filled with centuries of craft. You’ll visit the Sistine Chapel, where Popes are elected, to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling, and see the beautiful exterior of St. Peter's Basilica. Next, cross the Tiber River and continue through Rome’s archaeological heart where you'll hear about the legends of the Circus Maximus and Arch of Constantine, then visit the Colosseum with your Local Specialist. The afternoon and evening remain open to wander Rome’s bustling squares and quiet corners at your own pace.

Accommodation: Golden Tulip Rome Piram
Meals: Breakfast
3
Day 3: The Chianti Hills to Florence
Travel north through the Tuscan countryside, where the lush Chianti Hills rise gently on either side of the road. You’ll pass by vineyards, stone farmhouses and rows of cypress trees before arriving in Florence, the Renaissance city. This evening, gather with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant for a dinner full of Florentine flavours as the city’s warm light fades.

Accommodation: Starhotels Tuscany, Columbus Urban Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
4
Day 4: Florence, Birthplace of the Renaissance
Explore Florence with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Accademia Museum and see Michelangelo’s David. After, continue on foot to admire the multicoloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. Continue into the 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 and Hercules and Cacus along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Alternatively, take a stroll with your Travel Director to enjoy a typical Italian treat in a local cafe.

Accommodation: Starhotels Tuscany, Columbus Urban Resort
Meals: Breakfast
5
Day 5: Pisa to Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic
Journey to the coastal town of Pisa and see the famous Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles, as well as the baptistery behind the cathedral. Relax and enjoy the scenery as you cross the spectacular Apennine Mountains, passing through the Emilia-Romagna region, one of Europe's most intensely farmed and fertile plains. Continue through the marshes of the Venetian Lagoon before crossing the causeway into the enchanting floating city of Venice. As evening falls, day-trippers leave the city to return to the mainland, allowing you to appreciate the peace and tranquillity of Venice from your centrally located hotel. Tonight, indulge in a delicious dinner, savouring the unique flavours of Venetian cuisine.

Accommodation: NH Venezia Santa Lucia, Venice, Avani Rio Novo Venice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
6
Day 6: Venice and the Magic of La Serenissima
Glide through Venice by private boat, passing centuries-old churches and palaces that showcase the city’s rich architectural legacy. Arrive near St. Mark’s Square and admire the exterior splendour of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs — once the path of Casanova’s daring escape from Venice’s most secure prison. Then, enjoy a romantic gondola ride through the canals. Later, you’ll take part in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as master glassblowers demonstrate their age-old craft, preserving Venetian tradition with every piece they create.

Accommodation: NH Venezia Santa Lucia, Venice, Avani Rio Novo Venice
Meals: Breakfast
7
Day 7: Venice to Assisi
Today, you’ll leave the lagoon behind and travel through the Veneto and into the green folds of Umbria. The road rises toward the peaceful town of Assisi, nestled on the slopes of Mount Subasio and renowned for its medieval churches, vibrant frescoes and sun-dappled courtyards. In the valley, see the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, revered as the place of St. Francis’ passing. Then meet your Local Expert at the upper town and step inside the monumental Basilica of St. Francis - a 13th-century marvel whose frescoes by Giotto marked a turning point in European art. Afterwards, enjoy free time to stroll along Via San Francesco, lined with quaint stone buildings offering artisan foods, devotional keepsakes and locally crafted wares.

Accommodation: Giotto, Assisi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
8
Day 8: Sorrento on the coast
Travel south, passing Cassino, the site of a fierce and pivotal battle during World War II. Continue your journey along the spectacular clifftop road, offering breathtaking views, to reach the resort of the Sorrento coast. This charming area overlooks the Bay of Naples and provides stunning vistas of Mount Vesuvius. After checking in to your hotel, spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring the beautiful surroundings or spending time relaxing and connecting with your group.

Accommodation: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast
9
Day 9: Capri, the Isle of Dreams
Cross the Bay of Naples to the stunning Isle of Capri, a dramatic rock rising from the Mediterranean. For over 2,000 years, Capri has drawn visitors from Emperor Tiberius to Gracie Fields. Arrive by boat at Marina Grande, then ascend to Capri town, where a Local Expert will guide you through its charming alleyways. Browse elegant boutiques and take in sweeping views over the Tyrrhenian Sea before descending by funicular railway and returning to Sorrento. The rest of the day is yours — perhaps explore the pastel-hued beauty of Positano along the Amalfi Coast.

Accommodation: Isabella, Sorrento
Meals: Breakfast
10
Day 10: Pompeii and Rome
Continue to Pompeii, the once-opulent Roman town frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Walk with a Local Expert through its ancient streets to see villas, shops and the Forum, bringing Roman daily life vividly to light. In Vesuvius National Park, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Casa Barone, a family-run farm cultivating rare Piennolo tomatoes in rich volcanic soil. Next, you’ll enjoy a flavour-packed farm-to-table lunch before continuing to Rome. This evening, dine with wine in a Roman restaurant as you're treated to a private performance of beloved Italian opera classics.

Accommodation: NH Roma Centro, Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11
Day 11: Arrivederci Roma
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy, savouring the memories of its enchanting cities, historic landmarks and stunning landscapes. Italy's unique allure will linger in your heart long after you leave.

Meals: Breakfast
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $10,125
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin

Duration: 11 days

Trip Type: Group Tour

Activity Level: Easy

Experience the very best of Italy with your Small Group - from ancient ruins to Renaissance masterpieces and sun-soaked coastlines.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 28 Oct 2027

Tour Operator

Insight Vacations is a premium guided tour operator specializing in immersive, luxury travel experiences across Europe, North America, and beyond. Part of The Travel Corporation (TTC), Insight offers carefully curated itineraries that combine high-quality accommodations, exclusive experiences, and expert Travel Directors who bring destinations to life. With a focus on comfort, cultural authenticity, and personalization, Insight emphasizes “premium escorted journeys,” featuring small group sizes, luxury coaches with extra legroom, and insider access to local traditions, cuisine, and people. Their philosophy is to transform trips into meaningful travel experiences that leave lasting connections with the destinations and cultures visited.

In Business Since 1978