Country Roads of Italy, a Women-Only Tour
Country Roads of Italy, a Women-Only Tour
Country Roads of Italy, a Women-Only Tour
16 Days Starting in Rome and ending in Venice
Visiting: Rome, Vatican City, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, Todi, Torgiano, Assisi, Perugia, Florence, Rapolano Terme, Monteriggioni, Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Parma, Modena, Venice
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XE722M20
Specialist Group:
Women Only
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Journey across the Italian peninsula on this 16-day women-only tour that stretches from the sapphire waters of the Amalfi Coast to the calming canals of Venice. On this small group tour, visit a winery run by the matriarchs of the family who are leading the way in making incredible wine and olive oil. Sail to the rock isle of Capri, where you can climb nearly 2,000 feet for unrivalled views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In Perugia, learn the art of loom-weaving from a women-owned and -run weaving association and join a cocktail-making class in Florence. Conclude in Venice, cruising the canals to Burano, an idyllic, colourful island in the Venetian Lagoon where you’ll toast to a fantastic trip with artist and environmentalist Allison Zurfluh.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To The Eternal City Of Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Room 007 Select Rome.
Accommodation Name: Room 007 Select, 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. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Vatican And Rome A Local
Location: Rome, Vatican City, Rome
Accommodation: Room 007 Select, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Room 007 Select, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is devoted to The Eternal City. Join a Local Expert to discover the modern-day city and how people lived in Ancient Rome. See St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Then cross the Tiber river to see the Circus Maximus and learn about the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum on a guided visit. Imagine the roar of the spectators as you enter the arena and stroll around picturing the gladiators and their adoring fans.
Day 3: Sorrento
Location: Rome, Sorrento
Accommodation: Majestic Palace Hotel, Sorrento.
Accommodation Name: Majestic Palace Hotel, Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast
Venture south leaving the region of Lazio for Campania. Drink in the views of the Bay of Naples and the distinctive outline of Mount Vesuvius as you reach the resort town of Sorrento.
Day 4: Capri, The Isle Of Dreams
Location: Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento
Accommodation: Majestic Palace Hotel, Sorrento.
Accommodation Name: Majestic Palace Hotel, Sorrento
Meals Included: Breakfast
Meet your Local Expert and cross the Bay of Naples to reach the beautiful Isle of Capri, a rock rising sheer from the Mediterranean. For 2,000 years, Capri has beckoned visitors from Tiberius Caesar to Gracie Fields. Arrive at the Marina Grande by boat and ascend to Capri town. Explore the narrow alleyways, browse in exclusive boutiques and wonder at the views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Descend to the port by funicular railway and return to Sorrento. Travel along Italy’s finest coastline, the Amalfi Coast. Stop for a bird’s-eye view of the terraced houses of Positano.
Day 5: Pompeii And Todi
Location: Sorrento, Pompeii, Todi
Accommodation: Hotel Fonte Cesia
Accommodation Name: Fonte Cesia, Todi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii to explore this extraordinary site with your Local Expert. Travel into the heart of Italy to enjoy free time in Todi, located on a hilltop pedestal overlooking a vineyard-covered plain. Savour the distinctly medieval ambiance during your orientation and admire the Piazza del Popolo where locals take their evening 'passeggiata'. Cap off the day dining at a local restaurant with a glass of Orvieto Classico wine - a magical culinary experience.
Day 6: Todi
Location: Todi, Torgiano, Todi
Accommodation: Hotel Fonte Cesia
Accommodation Name: Fonte Cesia, Todi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through the undulating splendour of the Umbrian hills where the glossy green vine leaves reflect the warm sunshine of the region. Nestled in this glorious scenery is a family-owned business run by the females of the family. Taste the flavours of the region including Umbrian wine and olive oil. Learn how they have developed their business and produced award-winning wines before tasting the results of their work.
Day 7: Assisi And On To Perugia Relaxed Start
Location: Todi, Assisi, Perugia
Accommodation: Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.
Accommodation Name: Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia
Meals Included: Breakfast
In Assisi see St. Clare’s Church and the cathedral. Continue to walk down the Via San Francesco and visit the huge Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert. Journey to beautiful Perugia - the jewel of Umbria. Your guided walking exploration begins in the main street of Perugia's Old Town. See the Collegio del Cambio, the splendid Priors' Palace, the Cathedral and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the magnificent main square. In the evening there is the option to discover the edible treasures of a traditional Umbrian kitchen, accompanied with wines of the region.
Day 8: Perugia, The Jewel Of Umbria Relaxed Start
Location: Perugia
Accommodation: Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia.
Accommodation Name: Sangallo Palace Hotel, Perugia
Meals Included: Breakfast
In Perugia, explore more of this gem of a town. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit a women-run artisanal workshop and meet Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Learn how Marta and her weavers are preserving the ancient craft of loom-weaving. With the rest of your day at leisure, perhaps visit Cortona, one of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany. On this Optional Experience, journey to a recently unearthed Etruscan Temple before a guided exploration through the town's historic centre with views of Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana.
Day 9: Florence Relaxed Start
Location: Perugia, Florence, Rapolano Terme, Monteriggioni
Accommodation Name: Relais Certosa, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embark on your journey passing Lake Trasimeno to renaissance Florence. Join a Local Expert to see the marble-clad cathedral, bell tower and Gates of Paradise on the baptistery. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Spend time gazing at the fountains and sculptures along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Wander the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods of gold and leather. This afternoon, learn the art of cocktail-making from a local mixologist during a tasty cocktail class. Later, soak up the waters of a natural thermal spa, renowned through the centuries for the beneficial effects on the body, delighting the Etruscans, Romans and modern-day visitors before arriving at your elegant hotel.
Day 10: Siena And San Gimignano
Location: Monteriggioni, Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni
Accommodation Name: Relais Certosa, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Basilica of St. Catherine or alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Continue to the hilltop town of San Gimignano strikingly visible from every angle with its towers dominating the skyline and giving it the nickname the Medieval Manhattan of Tuscany. Enjoy tasting the award-winning frozen delights of master gelato maker, Sergio Dondoli, whose great inventions include innovative and mouth-watering flavour combinations. Journey through the rolling, cypress-clad hills and vineyards of Tuscany as you return to your hotel.
Day 11: On To Lucca Relaxed Start
Location: Monteriggioni, Lucca
Accommodation: Hotel Villa La Principessa, Lucca.
Accommodation Name: Villa La Principessa, Lucca
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Lucca to view the churches, squares and palaces, perfectly preserved within encircling medieval ramparts. Pause a while and taste the lavish loaves of buccellato, Lucca's sweet raisin anise bread, said to be a favourite of the ancient Roman army. Later, you could take the opportunity to explore Pisa.
Day 12: Exploring The Cinque Terre
Location: Lucca, Cinque Terre, Lucca
Accommodation: Hotel Villa La Principessa, Lucca.
Accommodation Name: Villa La Principessa, Lucca
Meals Included: Breakfast
Get ready to explore the Cinque Terre, or five villages, which for years were only accessible by foot. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. Join a Local Expert in one of the picturesque fishing villages, before cruising along the rugged coastline (weather permitting). There is plenty of time to explore the old medieval quarter and popular sandy beach before returning to your hotel in Lucca.
Day 13: On To Parma
Location: Lucca, Parma
Accommodation: Starhotels Du Parc, Parma.
Accommodation Name: Starhotels Du Parc, Parma
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey to the beautiful university town of Parma, world-famous for its local ham and cheese. Meet one of the locals, Paolo. Learn about the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano as Signor Paolo shares with you his passions for Italian food, especially excellent quality Parmesan cheese. Taste samples of the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano, accompanied by a glass of wine.
Day 14: Modena And On To Venice
Location: Parma, Modena, Venice
Accommodation: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice
Accommodation Name: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit one of Modena's top producers of authentic, traditional, artisan balsamic vinegar and take a master class to understand what makes this vinegar as expensive as top-rated wines. Continue through the Soave vineyards past Padua to Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. To the tune of accompanying musicians, you will be serenaded through the atmospheric canals as you glide by gondola past water-lapped doorways and rococo palaces.
Day 15: The Magic Of La Serenissima
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice
Accommodation Name: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. Visit St. Mark’s Square where the city’s former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark’s Basilica and admire the Doge's Palace with its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Cruise the islands of the Venetian Lagoon to arrive at Burano, famous for its candy coloured houses. Over another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet artist and environmentalist Allison Zurfluh for a boat ride and art show over a glass of Prosecco. Conclude your women-only tour over a sumptuous celebration dinner with wine, sampling the local specialties.
Day 16: Arrivederci Venice
Location: Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport.
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 5 dinners with wine and 15 breakfasts.
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Local Expert Guides
Guided tours and local expert insights are provided in various locations including Siena, Rome, San Gimignano, Parma, Modena, Burano, Perugia, Assisi, Florence, and Venice.
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Unique Experiences
The tour offers unique experiences such as a gelato tasting in San Gimignano, a Parmesan cheese-making demonstration in Parma, a balsamic vinegar visit in Modena, and a glassblowing demonstration in Venice.
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Transportation
Transportation is provided throughout the tour, including transfers from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport and a jetfoil cruise to Capri.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in various hotels including Room 007 Select in Rome, Majestic Palace Hotel in Sorrento, Fonte Cesia in Todi, Sangallo Palace Hotel in Perugia, Relais Certosa in Florence, Villa La Principessa in Lucca, Starhotels Du Parc in Parma, and Hilton Molino Stucky in Venice.
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Cultural and Historical Visits
Visits to significant cultural and historical sites such as the Colosseum, Vatican City, Pompeii, Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice are included.
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MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
The tour includes MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences such as visiting a women-run artisanal workshop in Perugia and meeting an artist and environmentalist in Burano.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as visiting Cortona and exploring Pisa are not included in the tour price.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks outside of the included meals are not covered.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and other service providers are not included.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the tour starting and ending points are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with transfers from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, jetfoil cruises to Capri, funicular railways, and gondola rides in Venice, ensuring a seamless and scenic journey through Italy.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at a variety of accommodations including Room 007 Select in Rome, Majestic Palace Hotel in Sorrento, Fonte Cesia in Todi, Sangallo Palace Hotel in Perugia, Relais Certosa in Florence, Villa La Principessa in Lucca, Starhotels Du Parc in Parma, and Hilton Molino Stucky in Venice.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 15 Breakfast (B)
Women-Only
- Rapolano Terme: Attracting health-seekers since the Etruscans, these hot springs offer healing and relaxation to countless guests. You’ll savour every moment of this opportunity to experience the therapeutic waters of the natural thermal spa reputed to restore both harmony and vitality to the body.
- Florence: In Florence, discover the art of creating your own cocktail, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with a master mixologist. Learn the tools of the trade and shake or stir your way to successful cocktail-making. Your creation is a rewarding and delicious end to this experience.
- Torgiano: Visit an Umbrian winery where two sisters create outstanding wines. Founded by Giorgio Lungarotti, pioneer of modern Italian oenology, this winery supports quality production and sustainability. Today, the family legacy is carried on through the passion and skill of sisters Chiara and Teresa, their mother Maria Grazia and Teresa’s sons.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several unique experiences such as a visit to the Basilica of St. Catherine in Siena, a tasting of Panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert, a gelato tasting at the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro Sergio Dondoli in San Gimignano, witnessing the cheese-making process of Parmigiano-Reggiano in Parma, and a visit to a producer of authentic balsamic vinegar in Modena. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to meet local artisans and environmentalists, such as Allison Zurfluh in Burano, and participate in a cocktail-making class in Florence.
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What kind of culinary experiences can I expect on this tour?
The tour offers a variety of culinary experiences including a Welcome Dinner with wine in Rome, a tasting of Panforte in Siena, a gelato tasting in San Gimignano, a dinner with wine in Burano, a sampling of Buccellato in Lucca, and a glass of Orvieto Classico wine in Todi. You will also taste Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in Parma, enjoy a master class on balsamic vinegar in Modena, and participate in a cocktail-making class in Florence.
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Are there any activities focused on local crafts and traditions?
Yes, the tour includes several activities focused on local crafts and traditions. You will visit a traditional steam bakery in Lucca, a weaving association in Perugia, and a glassblowing workshop in Venice. These experiences not only showcase traditional crafts but also support local artisans and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage.
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What kind of guided tours are included?
The tour includes guided tours with Local Experts in various locations such as the Colosseum in Rome, the Isle of Capri, Pompeii, Assisi, Perugia, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, and the Cinque Terre. These guided tours provide in-depth insights into the history, culture, and significance of each location.
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Will there be any opportunities to meet local people?
Yes, the tour provides several opportunities to meet local people. You will meet Signor Paolo in Parma, who is passionate about Italian food and quality cheese, and Marta in Perugia, who runs a weaving association. Additionally, you will meet local artist and environmentalist Allison Zurfluh in Burano and participate in a boat ride and art show with her.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes various modes of transportation such as transfers from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, a jetfoil cruise to the Isle of Capri, a funicular railway in Capri, and a gondola ride in Venice. Additionally, you will travel by boat to Burano and cruise along the rugged coastline of the Cinque Terre.
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Are there any activities that support sustainable tourism?
Yes, the tour includes several activities that support sustainable tourism. For example, the visit to the weaving association in Perugia supports Global Goal 5: Gender Equality and 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. The glassblowing workshop in Venice supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Additionally, the visit to Burano with Allison Zurfluh addresses United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5: Gender Equality, 14: Life Below Water, and 13: Climate Action.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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