Road to Rome - Harpers Travel

Road to Rome
PRICE NOW INCLUDES
Eurostar from London and
cooking demonstration
in Umbria
Proverbially, all roads lead to Rome, but this one includes grand views from the Eiffel Tower
and Mount Pilatus, the atmospheric canals of Venice and the art of Renaissance Florence.
Enjoy an included Celebration Dinner with a private operetta performance in a 17th century restaurant near Piazza Navona. Pictured above, Fountain of Neptune
D Bonus Day - Relax in London before your Tour.
Why not add a special priced London Bonus Day and stay at the Victoria Park Plaza
Hotel the night before your tour departs. You’ll meet your Tour Director and be relaxed
and ready for departure on Day 1, for prices see date chart.
D Day 1 & 2 – Eurostar to Paris. After a warm welcome from your Tour Director, transfer
to London’s St Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar. Your
comfortable two hour rail journey takes you via the historic Channel Tunnel to Paris
where you enjoy free time to explore. a
D Alternatively, join at the Paris hotel. (For reduction, see date chart). Later, join your
Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and an opportunity to mingle and get to
know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine. g
After a restful night’s sleep, sightseeing with a local expert takes you by the Île de la
Cité to see Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous tale of Quasimodo. Then around the
imposing façades of the Louvre and Garnier’s splendid Opera House. See the obelisk in
the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the grand Champs Élysées to
the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower
for spectacular views of the city. a The rest of the day is at leisure. (WD/BB)
Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Day 3 & 4 – Lucerne’s Lions & Dragons. After an early breakfast, follow the autoroute
across France’s great agricultural lands and on through the Burgundy wine region. After
passing the Jura Mountains, cross into Switzerland at Basel before ending the day in
lovely Lucerne. Tonight, enjoy a selection of ambience and local cuisine offered on your
Dine-Around evening. g
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In the morning, join your Tour Director to see the covered Chapel Bridge and stirring
Lion Monument. Then embark on an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train to
the summit of Mount Pilatus. Admire the panorama of snow-capped peaks,
before descending by cable-car over mountain crags and pine forests back to terra
firma. a There is time set aside to shop for fine watches and delicious chocolate in
Lucerne. (BB,DA/BB) Hotel: Astoria, Lucerne.
Day 5 – Innsbruck & Salzburg, City of Mozart. Drive into Austria and continue
through the Arlberg Tunnel to mountain-ringed, Innsbruck. See the Golden Roof and
Imperial Palace in the old town before following the Inn Valley, past the Wilder Kaiser
mountain range to Salzburg, setting for the film, The Sound of Music. On arrival,
photograph the city skyline from the Mirabell Gardens, then cross the river with your
local expert to see Mozart’s birthplace. Take a stroll through the Old Town’s narrow
lanes to the domed cathedral and Residenz Fountain. Spend some time in the
Grünmarkt in front of the University Church, where you'll find fruit, vegetables, fresh
cheese, Mozart chocolates and bratwurst. a (BB) Hotel: Castellani Park, Salzburg.
Day 6 & 7 – Venice & the Magic of La Serenissima. A morning at leisure and a chance
to explore further this beautiful Austrian gem. Then a scenic drive through the Tauern
Mountains brings you down to the Carinthian Lake District and across the Italian
border to Venice.
Wake up refreshed and ready to embrace this most romantic city. Your hotel is only
steps away from St Mark's Square, dominated by its magnificent Basilica and
overlooked by the great Clock Tower where bronze Moors beat out the hours on a
huge bell. Also in the square stands the immense Campanile and Doges’ Palace which
is connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. While here, visit an arts centre
to watch one of the few remaining craftsmen hand-blow Venetian glass. a A visit to
France, Switzerland, Austria & Italy - 12 Days Premium touring from $350 per day
Signature Experiences a, Dining g & Hotels s
aEurostar: Relax on the smooth high-speed Eurostar train
from London via the historic Channel Tunnel to Paris.
aParis: Skip the queues and enjoy the views! Your tickets to
the Eiffel Tower have been arranged in advance.
aLucerne: Ascend Mt Pilatus by cog wheel rail for amazing
views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks.
aSalzburg: Explore one of Salzburg's long-standing
institutions, the Grünmarkt in the Universitätsplatz.
aVenice: Visit an artisan showroom and workshop to see
master craftsmen honouring ancient Venetian crafts.
a Venice: To the tune of accompanying musicians, you are
serenaded through the atmospheric canals by gondola,
past water-lapped doorways and rococo palaces.
aFlorence: Visit the Accademia Museum with an art expert
to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Statue of David.
aOrvieto: At a restaurant in the medieval heart of Orvieto,
Explore the art of Italian cooking with a qualified chef
and master the art of making fresh pasta by hand. This is
followed by lunch and a glass of Orvieto Classico wine.
aRome: After VIP fast-track entry into the Vatican Museum
and privileged access to the Bramante staircase you’re
witness to Michelangelo's genius in the Sistine Chapel.
gLucerne: You are offered a selection of restaurants on
your Dine-Around evening. Choose your own ambience,
cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
gOrvieto: Lunch at Zeppelin Restaurant is a memorable
experience taking in the flavours of the region.
gRome: Dine with the tenors in an evening of food and
fun! Enjoy a four-course menu complete with wine, to
the rich tremolo of some of Italy’s best loved songs.
-Cavalletto E Doge Orseolo is located 50 meters from
Piazza San Marco, facing the romantic Orseolo Basin.
-A few minutes from the legendary Champs Elysées, rooms
at the stylish Le Méridien Etoile feature modern decor
overlooking a peaceful interior garden and courtyard.
Venice would be incomplete without a gondola
serenade. Glide along the atmospheric canals
exploring the intimate and hidden parts of this unique
city while musicians set the mood with traditional songs.
a The afternoon is at leisure. (BB,D/BB) Hotel:
Cavalletto E Doge Orseolo, Venice.
Day 8 & 9 – Exploring Renaissance Florence. Bid
farewell to Venice and follow the highway past the
university city of Bologna, into the wild Apennines and
on to the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. On arrival in
Florence, visit the Academy Museum to see
Michelangelo’s original ‘Statue of David’. a
Afterwards, walk with your guide to the marble clad
Cathedral and Baptistery, where Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of
Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. Next
stop is Signoria Square, political heart of the city and
still an open air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces.
The next day is completely at leisure in this remarkable
city, treasure-house of the Italian Renaissance. At night,
why not make the most of warm summer evenings and
venture into the Tuscan countryside to taste the fine
rustic dishes with some local Chianti wine. (BB,D/BB)
Hotel: NH Firenze, Florence.
Day 10 & 11 – Orvieto, Papal & Imperial Rome. En
route south, hear an informative tutorial about the
great Chianti wines that make this region so famous.
Stop in the Umbrian hilltop town of Orvieto; its
Cathedral is one of Italy’s most celebrated buildings.
Take in the flavours of the region, learn about the
ingredients and Italian food culture at Zeppelin
Restaurant. Join a master chef for a fascinating
live cooking demonstration, a followed by
DISCOVERY
JOURNEY
H
England
Channel
Tunnel
LONDON
Germany
Belgium
Czech
Republic
English
Channel
k
SALZBURG
k
PARIS
France
(Day 1 and 2)
(Day 5)
Black
Forest
Basel LUCERNE
Innsbruck
(Day 3 and 4)
Burgundy
Tyrol
Italian
Lake District
A JOIN/LEAVE OPTIONS
k UNESCO HERITAGE SITE
2 CENTRAL HOTELS + NTS
See page 189
k
Lake
Garda
Italy
KEY
High Tauern
Carnic Alps
Mt Pilatus Switzerland
Gentle JOURNEY PACE Lively
Austria See page 188
VENICE
(Day 6 and 7)
Bologna
k
FLORENCE
EUROPE
Adriatic
Sea
(Day 8 and 9)
Ligurian
Sea
Tuscany
Orvieto
k
Corsica
ROME
Spain
(Day 10, 11 and 12)
Tyrrhenian
Sea
lunch and a glass of the Orvieto Classico wine - a
magical culinary experience! g Once in Rome,
perhaps start the evening with a ‘passeggiata’
(traditional evening stroll).
In the morning join a local expert for an indepth visit to the Vatican Museums, full of
priceless art collected over the ages by the Popes. In
order to avoid the crowds, Insight has arranged special
VIP entrance together with behind the scenes access
to the Bramante Staircase - a marvel of Renaissance
architecture, normally off-limits to the general public.
Now to the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy clear commentary via
your audio headset as you admire Michelangelo’s famous
ceiling. a Next door in St Peter’s Basilica, view another
masterpiece by Michelangelo, the Pieta, 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 overlook the Forum.
Later, there is time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing
at your leisure. Tonight your tour reaches its zenith with a
quintessential Italian experience! Enjoy an elegant
four-course dinner with unlimited local wine at a
Roman restaurant on the famous Piazza Navona. As you
dine, you are serenaded with a private performance of
popular songs and arias from some of Italy's best-loved
operas. g (BB,HL/BB,CD) Hotel: Mediterraneo, Rome.
B Day 12 – Arrivederci Roma. Departure transfers arrive
at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00
& 09:30. (BB)
N
JOI IN
Your Signature Experiences and Dining are worth approximately US$822
Starts
Tue 08 Apr
Tue 15 Apr
Tue 22 Apr
Tue 29 Apr
Tue 06 May
Twin
- $4399
- $4399
- $4399
- $4399
- $4399
Starts
Tue 13 May
Tue 20 May
Tue 27 May
Tue 03 Jun
Tue 10 Jun
Twin
- $4399
- $4399
- $4399
- $4399
- $4399
Starts
Tue 17 Jun
Tue 24 Jun
Tue 01 Jul
Tue 08 Jul
Tue 15 Jul
Twin
- $4399
- $4225
- $4199
- $4199
- $4225
Starts
Tue 22 Jul
Tue 29 Jul
Tue 05 Aug
Tue 12 Aug
Tue 19 Aug
Twin
- $4225
- $4225
- $4225
- $4225
- $4225
Tour Code: E924B
Starts
Tue 26 Aug
Tue 02 Sep
Tue 09 Sep
Tue 16 Sep
Tue 23 Sep
Twin
- $4399
- $4399
- $4550
- $4550
- $4550
SAVE
$165
PA RI S
Starts
Twin
Tue 30 Sep - $4399
Tue 07 Oct - $4399
Notes: Twin prices are per person. All prices are in US$
Rooming Options: Single Supplement from $1050 p.p. ~ Triple Reduction Save $10 p.p.
Reductions Save up to: Young Traveller $430 ~ 2nd Trip $114 p.p. ~ Frequent Traveller $228 p.p.
Bonus Night Option: One night pre tour in London Twin $140 Single $246 Triple $136. For details & London sightseeing, see page 26
Joining Options: Join at Paris hotel and SAVE $165 p.p.
Extra Nights p.p.: L ondon: Victoria Park Plaza Twin $187 Single $327 Triple $182 ~ Paris: Le Méridien Etoile Twin $221 Single $390 Triple n/a
Rome: Mediterraneo Twin $208 Single $315 Triple $183 Seasonal adjustments and/or black out dates apply
One way car/mini bus transfers outside scheduled times: Paris $75 p.p., Rome $50 p.p. ~ London Heathrow Transfer: Price one way $38 p.p.
USA - tripadvisor.com
Early Payment Discount | Pay by Feb 12th & save up to $455 p.p. | Pay by Apr 30th & save up to $341 p.p.
Visit our website to see if your departure qualifies for this great offer as discount is limited and subject to change.
For guest tour reviews, to book or for more information, visit insightvacations.com or speak to your local travel agent
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