Compare Road to Rome - Start London, Small Group Start London Small Group by Insight Vacations vs European Tapestry With London by Tours4Fun
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 16 days |
| Price From | $ 5,885 | $ 4,469 |
| Price Per Day | $ 453 | $ 279 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Take the road to Rome from the iconic West End of London, through the cobbled streets of Paris and across the Alps of Innsbruck, to the Italian capital. Journey through the vineyards of Burgundy and slip across the Swiss border for an indulgent Dine Around meal in Lucerne. Enjoy a feast of local delicacies at a selection of hand-picked restaurants, set along the beautiful lakeside vistas. Voyage across the Dolomites to Venice and bear witness to the ancient skill of glassblowing. Practiced by precious few, this almost extinct artform is led by local craftsmen, intent on keeping the fifteenth century tradition alive. In ancient Rome, enjoy exclusive fast track access to the Vatican Museums and see Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. | Explore the highlights of following cities: Paris, Amsterdam, Nice, Venice, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Vatican City, London, Vaduz, Heidelberg, St.-Paul-De-Vence |
Day 1: Welcome to London
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge. Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
Day 2: London to Paris by Eurostar
Meet your Travel Director at 07:30 and transfer to London’s St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar. Your comfortable rail journey takes you via the Channel Tunnel to Paris where you can spend the afternoon as you please.During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the River Seine with its many romantic bridges. See the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. At 17:00 join your Travel Director for a fabulous Welcome Dinner at a local brasserie.
Day 3: Paris, the 'City of Light'
Start your day with an Insight Choice. Choose to shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian for fashion, perfume or cosmetics with your Local Expert. Alternatively, join an avid foodie, as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. With the afternoon free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city, perhaps join an Optional Experience to see the Paris cabaret?
Day 4: Burgundy and Lucerne
Journey through the Burgundy wine region and pass the Jura Mountains and crossing into Switzerland. Arrive in glorious lakeside Lucerne. A range of enticing options are available for your Dine-Around Evening. Choose from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants.
Day 5: Lucerne & Mount Stanserhorn
In the morning, embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and open-top cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Stanserhorn. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Explore Mount Stanserhorn with Insight Choice. Choose to walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see marmots and other native animals. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Upon return to Lucerne, see the town's proud Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Then, take some time to stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge to the baroque Jesuit Church. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop for delectable chocolate and glamorous Swiss watches in the traffic-free Old Town.
Day 6: Lucerne to Innsbruck Relaxed Start
Start the day with a journey to the heart of the Alps passing through the Principality of Liechtenstein. See its tiny capital, Vaduz, with its castle located on a hillside overlooking the city. Drive into Austria and continue through the Arlberg Tunnel to mountain-ringed Innsbruck. Your Travel Director will show you the 14th century houses of the old town, the impressive Imperial Palace and the delightful Golden Roof.
Day 7: The Dolomites to Venice
Leave Innsbruck to travel across the impressive Europa Bridge and through the Dolomites. Cross into Italy and stop at a local family winery in Veneto to discover the art of prosecco production. Savour a tasting of these luxurious sparkling wines and discover how to make the perfect Bellini. Continue to the romantic city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic.Long after the day-trippers have returned to their mainland hotels, enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the islands with dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8: The Magic of 'La Serenissima' Relaxed Start
In the morning, prepare to embrace this most romantic city. See the immense Campanile and Doge's Palace on St. Mark's Square, connected to the ancient prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional arts centre. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps shop in the small arcades or why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?
Day 9: Tuscany, Pisa and Florence
Visit Il Poggio organic farm for a guided walk and learn about organic food and wine production. On the veranda, take in beautiful views of the rolling Tuscan hills, as you taste the farm's wines and freshly produced olive oil. Enjoy an authentic Italian meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Explore the nearby town of Pisa with a Local Expert and see the baptistery with its intricate marble facade, the colonnaded bell tower lurching behind the cathedral and of course the famous Leaning Tower. Afterwards, travel to Florence.
Day 10: Florence Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Walk with your Local Expert to the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. The next stop is 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 David along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. The area around Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the quality of its luxury goods of gold and leather and there's free time to shop or continue exploring.
Day 11: Chianti Country to Assisi and onto Rome
Journey through the vineyards of the Chianti region passing Lake Trasimeno, one of the Italian Peninsula’s largest lakes and site of a great battle in ancient times against Hannibal and his war elephants. Continue up the foothills of the Apennine Mountains to reach delightful Assisi, a stone-built town spilling over the steep hillside. With a Local Expert, visit the tomb of St. Francis and see the beautiful frescoes by Giotto in the great basilica, before continuing along the valley of the River Tiber towards the Eternal City of Rome. In the evening, why not throw your coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to the city?
Day 12: Papal and Imperial Rome
Join a Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Vatican Museums, full of priceless art collected over the ages by the Popes. To avoid the crowds and maximise your time, Insight has arranged special priority access to the Vatican Museums. Your Local Expert will guide you through the halls of artwork and take you behind the scenes to view the Bramante Staircase, a marvel of Renaissance architecture normally not open to the public. Next, visit the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. Next door in St. Peter’s Basilica, view another masterpiece by Michelangelo, the Pietà, as well as the splendid dome, completed after his death. Cross the River Tiber to see the Colosseum, still echoing with the ghostly cries of gladiatorial combat and see Circus Maximus, the ancient chariot-racing stadium. Later, there is time for last-minute shopping or exploring at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy an elegant four-course Celebration Dinner with local wine at a Roman restaurant. As you dine, you'll be serenaded with a private performance of popular songs and arias from some of Italy's best-loved operas.
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.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Welcome to Amsterdam! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2 AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM Guided canal cruise. Visit a Diamond Centre. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
Day 3 AMSTERDAM - HEIDELBERG, GERMANY - RHINELAND
RHINE RIVER Scenic cruise.HEIDELBERG Take pictures of the red-walled castle ruins. [LF] Enjoy a beer at the Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg before driving to Karlsruhe. (B,D) 348 mi / 560 km
Day 4 RHINELAND - BLACK FOREST - RHINE FALLS, SWITZERLAND - LUCERNE
BLACK FOREST [LF] Woodcarving demonstration followed by Kaffee und Schwarzwaldkuchen (coffee and Black Forest Cake).RHINE FALLS Take pictures of the waterfalls before continuing to Lucerne.LUCERNE Free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 211 mi / 340 km
Day 5 LUCERNE - VADUZ, LIECHTENSTEIN - INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA
LUCERNE Walking tour includes the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge.VADUZ Orientation walk and free time to browse.INNSBRUCK Walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof. (B,D) 205 mi / 330 km
Day 6 INNSBRUCK - VENICE, ITALY
VENICE Private Boat Ride. Orientation includes St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and a glassblower demonstration. [LF] Special dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 261 mi / 420 km
Day 7 VENICE - ROME
A scenic drive across the Apennine Hills and through vine- and olive-clad Tuscany to Rome. (B) 354 mi / 570 km
Day 8 ROME
ROME Guided sightseeing includes the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square and Basilica, and the Colosseum. Free time this afternoon. (B)ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Rome with an excursion to discover the city's best hidden secrets. This and many more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.
Day 9 ROME - FLORENCE
FLORENCE Guided sightseeing includes Michelangelo's masterpiece, David, at the Academy of Fine Arts. See Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry's heavy bronze Gates of Paradise, and Signoria Square. Free time this afternoon. (B) 193 mi / 310 km
Day 10 FLORENCE - PISA - MONTE CARLO, MONACO
PISA Take pictures of the Leaning Tower en route to Monte Carlo. (B) 280 mi / 450 km
Day 11 MONTE CARLO - NICE, FRANCE - LYON
NICE Drive along the Promenade des Anglais.LYON Old Town walking tour. Free time to browse before dinner at the hotel. (B,D) 311 mi / 500 km
Day 12 LYON - PARIS
Scenic drive through Burgundy with its vineyards and chateaux en route to Paris. (B) 292 mi / 470 km
Day 13 PARIS
PARIS Guided sightseeing includes sights of the Opera, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, and a Seine cruise. (B)
Day 14 PARIS - LONDON, ENGLAND
Travel by high-speed Eurostar Train to London, arriving in the afternoon. 305 mi / 492 km (B)
Day 15 LONDON
Guided sightseeing includes St. Paul's Cathedral. (B)
Day 16 LONDON
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
