Road to Rome - Start London, Classic Group
Road to Rome - Start London, Classic Group
Road to Rome - Start London, Classic Group
13 Days Starting in London, England and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: London, Paris, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Venice, Tuscany, Florence, Rome
Tour operator:
Tour code:
E924N26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Road to Rome - Start London, Classic Group" tour, traversing through the heart of Europe. Begin in the vibrant city of London before whisking away on the high-speed Eurostar to the romantic streets of Paris. Experience the serene beauty of Lucerne and the majestic Alps, explore the charming towns of Innsbruck and Venice, and savor the rich flavors of Tuscany. Discover iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Colosseum, while enjoying exclusive experiences like wine tastings, glassblowing demonstrations, and a private visit to Europe's oldest pharmacy. Conclude your adventure in the eternal city of Rome, enriched with history and culture.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation Name: Thistle Marble Arch, 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
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Meet your Travel Director 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 center of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. In the evening, join your Travel Director for a fabulous dinner at a local brasserie.
Day 3: Paris, The 'City Of Light'
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 rest of 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
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation Name: Astoria, Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through the rural French countryside of Burgundy, famous for its vineyards and wines, pass the Jura Mountains 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
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation Name: Astoria, Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels take you up the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. 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
Location: Innsbruck
Accommodation Name: AC, Innsbruck
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 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
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. Savor 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
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 center. 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
Location: Tuscany
Accommodation Name: Ambasciatori, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
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
Location: Florence
Accommodation Name: Indigo, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
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
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. Enjoy a private visit to Farmacia of Santa Maria della Scala, the oldest pharmacy in Europe. Gain historic insights from a Carmelite friar as you admire the Farmacia and explore the adjoining 16th-century church. 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
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Kolbe, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. 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. Gain historic insights from a Carmelite friar as you admire the Farmacia and explore the adjoining 16th-century church. Take in the vibrant atmosphere of this charming neighborhood as you indulge in dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 13: Arrivederci Roma
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy, savoring the memories of its enchanting cities, historic landmarks and stunning landscapes. Italy's unique allure will linger in your heart long after you leave.
What's Included
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Meals
12 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners with Wine, and 1 Lunch with Wine are included.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, along with all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
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Luggage Handling
Your bags are carried for you and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected with friends and family with complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Eurostar Train
Relax on the smooth, high-speed Eurostar train as you journey from London to Europe via the Channel Tunnel.
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Luxury Coach
Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as seeing the Paris cabaret are not included.
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Additional Transfers
If your flights are outside the scheduled times, or you have booked additional nights' accommodation, you may need to purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with high-speed Eurostar from London to Paris, and enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom for the rest of the journey.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Thistle Marble Arch in London, Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris, Astoria in Lucerne, AC in Innsbruck, BW Premier Collection CHC Continental in Venice, Ambasciatori in Florence, and Radisson Blu GHR in Rome.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes a high-speed Eurostar train journey from London to Paris and travel on Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. The coach is sanitized before the start of the tour and maintained to very high standards, with physical distancing measures implemented.
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Are there any special experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes several special experiences such as a visit to a local winery in Veneto for a prosecco tasting, a guided walk and tasting at Il Poggio organic farm in Tuscany, and an exclusive visit to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, Rome’s Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala. Additionally, there are MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences like the open-top cable car ride to Mount Stanserhorn and a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop in Venice.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 12 breakfasts, 4 dinners with wine, and 1 lunch with wine. Specific meals include a delightful dinner in Paris, a Dine-Around Evening in Lucerne, a dinner at a local restaurant in Venice, and a four-course Celebration Dinner in Rome.
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What kind of accommodations can I expect during the tour?
Accommodations include stays at Thistle Marble Arch in London, Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris, Astoria in Lucerne, AC in Innsbruck, BW Premier Collection CHC Continental in Venice, Ambasciatori in Florence, and Radisson Blu GHR and Kolbe in Rome.
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Are there any guided tours included in the itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes guided tours with Local Experts in various locations such as the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, and the multi-colored marble cathedral in Florence. Additionally, there are guided visits to the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum in Rome.
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Is there any free time during the tour for personal exploration?
Yes, there is free time allocated in several cities including London, Paris, Lucerne, Venice, and Florence, allowing you to explore at your own pace or join optional experiences.
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What kind of activities are available in Lucerne?
In Lucerne, you can explore Mount Stanserhorn via an open-top cable car, see the Lion Monument, stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the Jesuit Church, and shop for chocolate and Swiss watches in the traffic-free Old Town.
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What unique experiences are offered in Venice?
In Venice, you will witness the skill of glassblowers at a traditional arts center, see the Campanile and Doge’s Palace on St. Mark’s Square, and have the option to cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine.
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What can I expect during the visit to the Vatican?
During the visit to the Vatican, you will see the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. You will also cross the River Tiber to see the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, and enjoy dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour?
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights' accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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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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Terms and Conditions