Easy Pace France

Across the Alps to Lucerne
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 and continue to lovely Lucerne. This evening, your hotel’s
renowned restaurant is the gastronomic stage for a delightful three-course menu featuring both local Swiss and international
flavours.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Lucerne’s Lakes and Lions
After a restful night’s sleep, a sightseeing tour shows you the stirring Lion Monument, Old Town Hall, the Weinmarkt (a quaint
square with a Renaissance fountain), the covered bridge Spreuerbrücke with its paintings under the roof, and the Kapellbrücke.
Then ascend by the steepest cogwheel railway in the world to the summit of Mount Pilatus, offering a shining view of Lucerne,
the lake and surrounding peaks. Descend by cable car over mountain crags and pine forests back to terra firma, where there
is time set aside to shop for prestigious watches, stylish accessories or delicious chocolate. Tonight, enjoy a selection of
ambience and local cuisine offered on your Dine-Around evening.(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Through the St. Gotthard Tunnel on the way to Venice
Magnificent Alpine scenery surrounds you today as you cross from Germanic speaking Europe to the Latin realm. Pass through
the magnificent St. Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest in the world, to the Italian Lake District and the fertile valley of the
River Po. Continue through the Soave vineyards and past Padua to the unique city of Venice, where you step back in in time
to the 16th century.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

St. Mark’s, Gondolas, Hidden Venice and Burano
Wake up refreshed and ready to embrace the world’s most romantic city. Start with a fascinating walk through some of the
lesser-known quarters of Venice. A local expert introduces you to the back lanes and ‘campi’, small squares, where tourists
seldom tread. You also explore the bustling Rialto markets, a great place to sample local life. Now on to 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 lofty Campanile and Doges’ Palace, connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs.
A visit to Venice would be incomplete without a gondola serenade. Glide along the atmospheric canals exploring the intimate
parts of this unique city while musicians set the mood with traditional songs. Tonight, take to the water once more to visit
the idyllic island of Burano, with its bright, pastel-hued houses and leaning tower to rival Pisa! Meet a local fisherman before
enjoying dinner in a restaurant specializing in fresh seafood. After a rousing evening, cruise home with the wind in your hair
and the distant lights dancing on the waters of the lagoon.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Bid farewell to Venice and follow the highway past the university city of Bologna, into the wild Apennines, to the Renaissance
city of Florence. Meet an expert local historian for an insider’s guide to Florence. Visit the Academy Museum to admire
Michelangelo’s original ‘Statue of David’ and stroll through the ancient streets 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. Round off the afternoon with an exploration of some of
Tuscany’s most famous wines, under the expert guidance of a local vintner.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Lucca and Pisa Experience
This morning, head to the delightful town of Lucca – join a local expert to view it’s churches, squares and palaces perfectly
preserved within encircling medieval ramparts. Meet the artisan bakers of a traditional bakery, where goods are still made by
hand using methods passed down from generation to generation. Taste the history in the lavish loaves of buccellato, Lucca’s
sweet raisin anise bread. Now on to Pisa, stop to see the extraordinary Leaning Tower and the magnificent marble cathedral.
This evening, sample the true essence of Tuscany during a fabulous Highlight Dinner served with wine at a local restaurant.
(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Leave Florence and follow the course of the River Tiber, passing the Umbrian hilltop town of Orvieto, whose cathedral houses
the relics of the ‘Miracle of Bolsena’. You soon reach the province of Lazio and drive on to Rome, the ‘Eternal City’. Join a
local expert for an in-depth 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 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.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

This morning, explore the secrets of ancient Rome with an expert historian. Ascend the Capitoline Hill (where guardian geese
once warned of Gaullish attack) to reach the beautiful Piazza del Campidoglio, masterfully designed by Michelangelo. Then a
highlight visit inside the massive Colosseum, scene of great spectacle and occasional martyrdoms in imperial times. Tonight
your tour reaches it’s zenith with a quintessential Italian experience! Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, before enjoying an
elegant four-course dinner with unlimited local wine at a Roman restaurant. As you dine, you are serenaded with a private
performance of popular songs and arias from some of Italy’s best-loved operas.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Departure transfers arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 & 09:30.(Buffet Breakfast)

Au revoir Nice
Bid au revoir to the sunny French Riviera this morning. Insight’s airport transfers arrive at Nice Airport at 06:15 & 09:00.(Buffet
Breakfast)