Road to Rome - Start London, Small Group
Road to Rome - Start London, Small Group
13 Days Starting in London, England and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: London, Paris, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Venice, Florence, Rome
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE924ZN20
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Road to Rome - Start London, Small Group" tour, traversing through the heart of Europe. Begin your adventure in London, traveling via the high-speed Eurostar to the enchanting city of Paris. Experience the magic of Parisian landmarks before heading to the serene landscapes of Switzerland, where you'll ascend Mount Stanserhorn on a solar-powered cable car. Continue through the picturesque regions of Liechtenstein and Austria, exploring the charming streets of Innsbruck. In Italy, discover the romantic allure of Venice, the artistic treasures of Florence, and the historic wonders of Rome. Along the way, indulge in authentic dining experiences, from Parisian delicacies to Tuscan wines, and engage in sustainable travel initiatives. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration, scenic beauty, and culinary delights, ensuring a memorable European adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation: Park Plaza Victoria, 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: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Accommodation Name: Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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: Le Méridien Etoile, 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: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Accommodation Name: Astoria Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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: Hotel Astoria, 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 takes you up to 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: AC Hotel 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: Hotel Continental Venice.
Accommodation Name: BW Premier Collection CHC Continental, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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: Hotel Continental 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: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence.
Accommodation Name: Ambasciatori, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Take in beautiful views of the rolling Tuscan hills, as you enjoy lunch on the veranda when you visit Il Poggio for lunch. 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: Hotel Adler Cavalieri, 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: Kolbe Hotel Rome.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center of celebration. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City. Journey through the vineyards of the Chianti region, passing Lake Trasimeno, one of the Italian Peninsula’s largest lakes and the site of a great battle in ancient times against Hannibal and his war elephants. Continue up the foothills of the Apennine Mountains to reach the delightful town of Assisi, built from stone and spilling over the steep hillside. With a Local Expert, visit the tomb of St. Francis and admire the beautiful frescoes by Giotto in the great basilica, before continuing along the valley of the River Tiber towards the Eternal City of Rome. In the evening, why not throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to the city?
Day 12: Papal And Imperial Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Kolbe Hotel Rome.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu GHR, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 view the 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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Eurostar Train Journey
Relax on the smooth, high-speed Eurostar train as you journey from London to Europe via the revolutionary Channel Tunnel.
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Top Rated Highlights
Experience the magic of Paris, journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn, see the emotive Lion Monument in Lucerne, admire Vaduz Castle, explore Innsbruck, cruise to St. Mark's Square in Venice, and visit the Leaning Tower in Pisa.
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Make Travel Matter Experiences
Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a solar-powered cable car and witness the ancient skill of glassblowing in Venice.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency.
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Luggage Handling
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times.
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Exclusive Access
Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes and the oldest pharmacy in Europe, Rome’s Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala.
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Well-being Measures
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International airfare to and from the start and end points of the tour is not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included but is highly recommended.
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Optional Excursions
Costs for optional excursions available during the tour are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, minibar, and room service are not included.
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Meals not mentioned
Any meals not specifically mentioned in the inclusions are not covered.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for tour director, driver, and local guides are not included.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers outside of the designated tour dates are not included.
Mode of Transport
Relax on the smooth, high-speed Eurostar train as you journey from London to Europe via the revolutionary Channel Tunnel.
Accommodation
Stay at the following or similar: Park Plaza Victoria - London, Le Méridien Etoile - Paris, Hotel Astoria - Lucerne, AC Hotel Innsbruck - Innsbruck, BW Premier Collection CHC Continental - Venice, Hotel Indigo Florence - Florence, Kolbe Hotel Rome - Rome.
Dining Summary
12 Breakfast (B)4 Dinner with Wine (DW)1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
Additional Included Highlights
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).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.
Insight Experiences
Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.Rome: Enjoy an exclusive visit to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, Rome’s Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala, also known as the ‘Pharmacy of the Popes.’ Discover this hidden gem during a private audience with a friar of the Carmelite order, who reveals the historic curiosities of this 16th-century pharmacy.
Summary
Visit the Basilica of St. Francis with a Local Expert in Assisi.
Well-being
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes unique experiences such as a journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a solar-powered open-top cable car, a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop in Venice, and an exclusive after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes in Rome.
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Are there any special dining experiences during the tour?
Yes, the tour offers several special dining experiences, including a dinner with wine in Paris, a Dine-Around Evening in Lucerne, a prosecco tasting at a local winery in Veneto, and a four-course dinner with wine accompanied by opera in Rome.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour in Paris?
In Paris, highlights include exploring iconic sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe. You will also have the opportunity to join a local food lover on a walk through the streets to sample local treats and delicacies.
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What activities are planned in Venice?
In Venice, you will cruise to St. Mark's Square, see the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, and visit a traditional arts center to witness the skill of glassblowers. There is also leisure time to explore or take an optional cruise to the island of Burano.
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What can I expect during the visit to Florence?
In Florence, you will walk with a Local Expert to see the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, visit Piazza della Signoria, and explore the area around Santa Croce Basilica, known for its luxury goods. There is also free time for shopping or further exploration.
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How does the tour support sustainable practices?
The tour supports sustainable practices through experiences like the solar-powered cable car ride to Mount Stanserhorn and the visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop in Venice, which supports the survival of this craft. These activities align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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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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Monday - Saturday
Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025Book with Confidence
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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