These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.
✓ Small group tour up to 26 guests only
✓ Incredible sightseeing including stunning rail journeys across Italy from the magical Lake Como to postcard-perfect Sorrento. Marvel at St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with skip-the-queue access to the Vatican City, explore the ruins of Pompeii, cruise to the island of Capri, wind through the canals of Venice and taste your way through the Tuscan countryside
✓ 16 nights in central 4-star accommodation, including waterfront properties on Lake Maggiore and Lake Como
✓ First class rail travel through Italy for a premium, comfortable experience
✓ Luggage porterage from train to hotel for the entire tour
✓ Breakfast daily and four dinners
✓ Fully escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Ciao and welcome to Italy! After you pass through customs at Malpensa Airport, you will need to make your own way to Stresa. The fastest and cheapest way to get to Stresa is by using the trains from the airport, the journey should take about an hour and cost around AUD $18. Once you’ve arrived into Stresa, a holiday village perched on the banks of Lake Maggior, check into your waterfront hotel and this evening, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner.
If you don’t wish to make your own way to Stresa, you can add a transfer at the time of booking.
After breakfast, you will have some time to enjoy the serenity of your surroundings and the pristine fresh air of the Italian Lakes District. Then, embark on a full day tour of Lake Maggiore including stops at its three islands — Isola Bella with its stunning gardens of the Palazzo Borromeo, considered one of the greatest gardens in the world, Isola Madre, also famous for its palazzo, and Isola Superiore with its waterfront cafes. We return to our hotel where you will have time in the evening to explore the town centre for local cuisine.
Many of the trains we will be catching over the next couple of weeks will be trains that the locals use to commute. Some will span the vast plains of central Italy while others, like today, will be particularly special.
Today we embark on the Centovalli Railway, known in English as ‘Hundred Valleys’, a rail journey that traverses the dramatic mountainous scenery between Domodossia in Italy and the village of Locarno in the Italian speaking region of Switzerland. Along the way, you will pass 83 bridges, 31 tunnels and numerous waterfalls before arriving at the lakeside village of Locarno, where we will have some free time to explore before continuing our journey to another lakeside location, the city of Como. Sharing the town’s namesake, Lake Como is by far the most famous lake in the region and the quaint city of Como is the perfect place to explore. Your centrally located waterfront hotel mean
The town of Como is known for more than sharing the name of the worlds famous lake, in fact, the lake takes its name from the town, and it is a town worth discovering. Before we hit the waters, we have a guided tour of Como. Home to an impressive cathedral, some great museums and cafe lined piazzas alongside remnants of the medieval era, you will be just as impressed with the town the lake was named after. However, we are not forgetting about the lake itself, as we enjoy a boat cruise of Lake Como which will include a stop at the famous village of Bellagio, easily one of the prettiest villages on the lake. Take some time to explore Bellagio on foot before returning back to Como for an evening at your own leisure.
We depart early this morning from the pristine waters of Como to make our way to Verona. However, on our way we will be stopping in the largest city in the region, and considered the economic centre of the country, Milan. Home to some of the most famous fashion houses in the world, Milan is the centre of business, trade and commerce for one of the largest economies in the world. Today we take in the city's most famous attractions including the incredible Duomo, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, as well as the Sforzesco Castle and the Quadrilatero della Moda, the upscale shopping district. We will also have the opportunity to travel on an historic tram. Afterwards, we depart by train for Verona, where you will have the opportunity to explore the city on foot if you wish.
One might sense that Verona is a very romantic place, an easy conclusion considering the world’s romantic story was set in the city. William Shakespeare set approximately a third of his plays in Italy, and easily one of his most famous stories was set in Verona, Romeo & Juliet. Today, this city is adorned with references to the famous couple and on this morning’s walking tour you will visit the house of Juliet, dressed to reenact the era the play is set in, balcony and all. This afternoon, we will be visiting one more lake in the region - Lake Garda. Enjoy an excursion on the lake and see the striking Sirmione and its fortress. To put it simply, there is nothing else like it, literally. The fortress itself is the only example of a medieval port in the world. Afterwards, we return to romantic Verona. Continue to explore this beautiful city on foot as you head out for the evening for dinner.
After breakfast, we depart Verona on a high speed train over to Venice. Easily the most famous city on water in the world, Venice was founded by fleeing citizens of the Roman Empire when the Lombards sacked Italy from the north when the empire fell. They began building houses on stilts to seek refuge and over centuries, the magnificent Venice was created. The metropolitan area itself is made up of several islands, and we are going to stay on Venice’s little neighbour, Murano. Home to the region's famous glass blowing industry, Murano is a mini Venice complete with colourful houses. We enjoy a short tour of Murano this evening before time to explore the many local restaurants for some incredible food.
Today, we explore Venice! We’ll catch the Vaporetto (a Venetian public waterbus) to the historical centre of Venice. Enjoy a guided tour as you navigate through narrow alleys, canals and small bridges to discover the main attractions including the Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Square and its Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. This afternoon, the city is yours to explore in your own time to discover the wonders of Venice. This evening, you will meet your new group of travellers as you join the next segment of your tour which takes you down to Sorrento, over a dinner.
Another day of exploring in Venice. Catch the Vaporetto over and enjoy a full day of exploration in your own time. With yesterday spent walking around and discovering sites from the outside, spend today going into some of the spectacular attractions in the city. The Doge’s Palace is a particular highlight, encompassing the history of the mighty Republic of Venice. Or the Academia, the museum gallery of pre-19th century art, founded by Napoleon himself, is another particular highlight. Otherwise, get lost, roam the streets and discover many of the city's fantastic shops.
We say arrivederci to Venice and catch another high speed train which gets us to the Tuscan city of Florence within just two hours. Florence is most famous for being the birthplace of the Renaissance, considered one of the greatest waves of culture to have ever been experienced. There are many theories about how and why it happened in Florence and the city itself is teeming with references to its famous inhabitants of that time including Michelangelo, Da Vinci and the famous ruling dynasty and patron of the arts, the Medicis. You will learn all about them on today's walking tour as you walk the streets until you get to the Duomo, the stunning cathedral in the heart of the city.
Florence is also the capital of Tuscany, famous world over for its quaint villages and produce. We will be exploring the region more on a full day Siena and Chianti Countryside tour. Upon arrival in Siena, you will enjoy a tour of the incredible medieval city before you will explore the Chianti region, the most beautiful part of Tuscany. We will stop in the famous Chianti villages to enjoy wine and local product tastings before returning to Florence. This evening will be spent at leisure.
We travel south to the epicentre of Italy and the Roman Empire, Rome itself. A city that has defined the world, there will be much to take in over the next couple of days. Upon arrival, we will meet for a guided walking tour of the city where you will take in the sites such as Piazza Navona and the world famous Pantheon, one of the only few examples of a Roman building that stands intact as it did back at the time of the empire. Tonight is yours to explore Rome in your own time to discover many of its famous restaurants and nightlife.
After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to use the hop-on hop-off bus to get a panoramic tour of the city until you reach the Vatican. Today, we will skip the queue to the Vatican Museum and have direct access to St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the museum itself as you enjoy a guided tour. Inside, you will discover an abundance of breathtaking masterpieces that cannot be matched by any other museum. Be in awe as you take in the galleries, ancient sculptures, tapestries, middle-age maps, paintings and stunning relics. In the basilica itself you will see Pietà by Michelangelo and the colossal bronze altar. In the Sistine Chapel, you will see first hand the greatest work of Michelangelo, where he painted the ceiling, by hand, in what is considered one of the greatest works of the Renaissance.
We depart Rome to go further south towards Naples. Upon arrival, we will begin a day tour of the Sorrentine Peninsula, which includes the extraordinary Pompeii. Once a major Roman city, the city was completely destroyed in AD 79 after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a major event of the ancient world. For centuries, Pompeii was lost, buried under volcanic ash and many thought lost forever. It became world famous again for its rediscovery in the 1920’s when the site was excavated to discover that the volcanic ash has pristinely preserved the city, giving us a wealth of knowledge about life in ancient Rome. Afterwards, you will continue to one of the most beautiful coastal cities in the country, Sorrento, where you will check into your seafront hotel for the next three nights and enjoy an included dinner.
There is time to enjoy breakfast this morning before we enjoy a full day on the island of Capri, famous since ancient times for its beauty. Capri was where the Roman Emperors themselves had villas to escape the madness of Rome. Today, it is a fascinating oasis for artists, writers and celebrities and home to high end fashion and local hand-crafted shops. First, we visit Anacapri before going to the famous Piazzetta, where you can get incredible views over the gulf. We go back to Sorrento in the afternoon. Dinner is included in the hotel tonight
A day to relax by the sea. You are within walking distance to the centre of Sorrento and its beaches, and today is yours to unwind. Enjoy the serene surroundings of Sorrento or perhaps take a ferry to continue exploring this iconic coastline.
After breakfast, your journey from north to south of Italy concludes.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognized and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated
We are proudly 100% Australian-owned and now operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Our head office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices around the globe to provide you with 24/7 support while you travel. When you book with Inspiring Vacations, you'll receive the support of travel professionals who are committed to the mission of inspiring people everywhere to experience the world.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling-off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
We offer two payment options – the choice is yours. Our advertised price is based on our 'Pay in Full' option, which includes a discount by making full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively, choose our 'Installment Payment Plan' option for the flexibility of incremental payments, beginning with a low deposit.
Please click 'Book Now' and proceed to the payment page to select your preferred option under the heading ‘Choose how to pay’. The total due will be reflected accordingly.
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Booking Process
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”2”
2- Leisurely Paced Tour: This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $4,178.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Visa & Passport Information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Minmum 2 & maximum 18 guests from Lake Maggiore to Venice & up to 26 guests only from Venice to Sorrento
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding domestic & international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades , you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”. By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can then assist with turning your booking into a flight inclusive package.
Upon completing the purchase of your package and fulfilling the following booking requirements, you will be granted access to our flight portal via your Traveller Hub.
Once these criteria have been met, access will be made available to you via Traveller Hub to book your flights via our flight portal.
The following requests are able to be processed through the online flight portal:
The online flight portal is unable to process the following requests and you must book these yourself independently:
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers
Click HERE for more information on weather in Italy.
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