One of our best-selling itineraries, Road to Rome is an iconic journey of Europe's bucket-list favourites: Paris, Swiss mountains and lakes, Venice and Rome. You'll return home with little doubt of Europe's almighty magnificence. As any good traveller knows, meeting the locals along the way is what makes for great stories, which is why we've packed the itinerary with plenty of interpersonal experiences.

Adventurers from across the world have fallen in love with the Amalfi and Dalmatian coasts, and you’ll see why with Azamara©. Your journey begins in Rome, the Capital of the World, where infinite wells of culture and history await at every turn. Then, it’s off to Sorrento, a cliff-side city home to the archeological ruins of Pompeii.

From here, enjoy a day of relaxation on your boutique hotel at sea as we make our way to the Kotor, Montenegro, an atmospheric medieval town where cobblestone streets and marble laneways bustle with boutiques, cafes and—often—dozens of cats.

Next stop is Split, Croatia. Nestled in the shadows of Mount Mosor, where the old world collides with modern life and makes up for Croatia’s second-largest city. During your visit, don’t miss the breathtaking Diocletian’s Palace—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then we’re off to Koper, Slovenia. Because this is a late night stay, it’s a perfect opportunity to ride the rails to the capital city of Ljubljana, the 2016 winner of the Green Capital of Europe, where cars are restricted in the city’s heart—making it a cyclist and pedestrian paradise.

Your voyage concludes in iconic Venice, where Venetian architecture lines the banks of the Grand Canal—the perfect spot for a romantic gondola ride. Dolce Vita indeed!

Your Fly, Stay, Tour & Cruise Package Includes:

• Economy class flights from Sydney to London, returning from Venice
• 1 night’s accommodation in London including breakfast
• 12 day Road to Rome guided holiday with Insight Vacations, London to Rome
• Includes 11 nights accommodation, 17 meals, luxury air-conditioned coach, highly-skilled Travel Director + more
• 7 night Amalfi to Dalmatian Voyage onboard Azamara Pursuit, Rome to Venice
• All onboard meals in complimentary dining venues plus select standard drinks, beers & wines, bottled water, soft drinks, gratuities + more
• Private transfers throughout
• Port charges, fees, gratuities onboard your cruise & airline taxes

Extend your flights and stay longer - talk to our travel experts about more options!

Tour Highlights:

Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing and watch artisans create delicate works of art.

Vatican City: Enjoy VIP fast-track entry into the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, as well as exclusive access to the Bramante Staircase that is usually not open to the public. During your visit to St Peter's Basilica, see Michelangelo's 'Pieta' and Bernini's intricately carved Papal Altar.

Paris: See the many attractions Paris has to offer such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, facades of the Louvre, the River Seine and its romantic bridges, the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe.

Tuscany: Visit Il Poggio to learn about organic olive and grape farming as you enjoy a tasting, complimented by stunning views.

Orvieto: At a restaurant in the medieval heart of Orvieto, explore the secrets of Italian cooking with Chef Lorenzo and master the art of making fresh pasta by hand. Follow this with lunch and a glass of Orvieto Classico wine.

Tour Itinerary:

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS BY EUROSTAR.

Meet your Travel Director at 07:30 and after a warm welcome, 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 centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Later, join your Travel Director at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris for a fabulous Welcome Dinner.

Hotel: Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel.

Meals: Dinner with Wine

DAY 2 PARIS, THE 'CITY OF LIGHT'.

Start your day with an Insight Choice. Choose between shopping at Galeries Lafayette and a guided tour around the Right Bank led by a Local Expert. Alternatively, join a Local Expert, 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 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?

Hotel: Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3 BURGUNDY AND LUCERNE.

Journey through the Burgundy wine region and pass the Jura Mountains and crossing into Switzerland. Arrive in glorious lakeside Lucerne. There is a variety of restaurant options for your Dine-Around Evening. Choose your dining experience from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, each offering its own unique cuisine and ambiance.

Hotel: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

DAY 4 LUCERNE.

In the morning, embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and open-top cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Stanserhorn. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Explore Stanserhorn with Insight Choice. Choose between taking a walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see marmots and other native animals. Alternatively, join a Swiss ranger and hear a talk to learn about local wildlife and flora in the area. 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 and see 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.

Hotel: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 - RELAXED START - LUCERNE TO INNSBRUCK.

Start the day with a journey to the heart of the Alps to visit the Principality of Liechtenstein. Spend some time in its tiny capital, Vaduz, with its castle located on a hillside overlooking the city. Drive into Austria and continue through the Arlberg Tunnel 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.

Hotel: AC Hotel Innsbruck.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 THE DOLOMITES TO VENICE.

Leave Innsbruck to travel across the impressive Europa Bridge and through the Dolomites into Italy to the romantic city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. In the evening, long after the day-trippers have returned to their mainland hotels, enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the islands with dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel: BW Premier Collection Venice.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

DAY 7 - RELAXED STARTTHE MAGIC OF 'LA SERENISSIMA'.

In the morning, prepare to embrace this most romantic city. Your hotel is only steps away from St. Mark's Square, dominated by its magnificent basilica and overlooked by the great Clock Tower. Also in the square stands the immense Campanile and Doge's Palace which is connected to the ancient prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. Witness the skill of glassblowers and learn how the Venetian gondola is made on a visit to a traditional arts centre. The rest of the day is free, perhaps shop in the small arcades?

Hotel: BW Premier Collection Venice.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 TUSCANY, PISA AND FLORENCE.

Stop at the Il Poggio organic farm for a guided walk through the vineyards and olive trees, learning about the production of olive oil and wine. On the veranda, take in beautiful views of the rolling Tuscan hills as you taste the farm's freshly produced wines and olive oil, in addition to 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.

Hotel: Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

DAY 9 FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING.

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.

Hotel: Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10 HILLTOP ORVIETO AND ROME.

Stop in the Umbrian hilltop town of Orvieto, located on a rock pedestal overlooking a vineyard-covered plain; its cathedral is one of Italy’s most celebrated buildings. Immerse yourself in the flavours and culture of the region and learn about the secrets of Italian food culture as you join chef Lorenzo for a fascinating live pasta-making demonstration. Your magical culinary experience ends with a delicious Highlight Lunch accompanied by Orvieto Classico wine. Once in Rome, perhaps start the evening with a 'passeggiata' - a traditional evening stroll.

Hotel: Kolbe Hotel Rome.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

DAY 11 PAPAL AND IMPERIAL ROME.

Join a Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Vatican Museums, full of priceless art collected over the ages by the Popes. To avoid the crowds and maximise your time, Insight has arranged special VIP access to the Vatican Museums. Your Local Expert will guide you through the halls of artwork and take you behind the scenes to view the Bramante Staircase, a marvel of Renaissance architecture normally not open to the public. Next, visit 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. Cross the River Tiber to see the Colosseum, still echoing with the ghostly cries of gladiatorial combat and overlook the Forum. Later, there is time for last-minute shopping or exploring at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy an elegant four-course Celebration Dinner with local wine at a Roman restaurant. As you dine, you'll be serenaded with a private performance of popular songs and arias from some of Italy's best-loved operas.

Hotel: Kolbe Hotel Rome.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

DAY 12 ARRIVEDERCI ROMA.

Departure transfers arrive at Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 07:00 and 09:30.

Meals: Breakfast

Cruise Itinerary: