TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Insight Vacations (www.insightvacations.com), the leader of premium and luxury escorted journeys, takes culinary lovers and wine enthusiasts to Rome, Florence and Venice on the 16-day Country Roads & Vineyards of Italy special interest program, departing September 21, 2014. The trip explores the cultural destinations of Rome, Umbria, Sienna, Assisi, Florence and the scenic Cinque Terre coastline.

"For many Canadian travellers and gourmands, Italy is the ultimate region for outstanding food and wine in Europe and September is a beautiful time to visit our top-selling destination," said Cris David, president, Insight Vacations Canada. "Our guests will discover our exclusive Signature Experiences with visits to the wine-growing regions and enjoy their stay at a stunning villa in the heart of the Tuscan countryside."

Country Roads & the Vineyards of Italy

Beginning in Rome, Insight Vacations guests will get their first taste of Italy visiting the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum. In the Umbrian countryside, guests will stroll around Orvieto, savouring its distinctly medieval ambiance and admiring the decorated façade of the Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo. Tuscany offers Insight guests with picturesque views of the rolling hillsides and lush vineyards, and they will stay there for four nights at the elegant Borgo San Luigi villa. They will visit Montalcino to taste the Brunello wines, learn about the viticulture and witness the wine making process while the Tour Director arranges for a delicious lunch of local specialties. In the town of Parma, travellers learn the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano. They then drive to nearby Modena for a Signature Experience, meeting with an authentic traditional artisan who will lead them through a master class to understand what makes balsamic vinegar, their local specialty, as expensive as top-rated wines. A Celebration Dinner with wine sums up the trip at a Venetian restaurant, incorporating classic cooking with the freshest produce.

To explore other Country Roads trips with Insight Vacations: http://bit.ly/IVcountryroads.

For more information, please visit www.insightvacations.com or contact your local travel agent.

About Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations (www.insightvacations.com) is the expert for Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, visiting all but one of the independent states in these regions and covering more of Europe than any other tour operator. Insight Vacations also offers the same legendary high standards and carefully curated itineraries in North America, India, Bhutan, Nepal and Morocco. Insight guests enjoy more intimate groups limited to just 40 passengers, the services of an experienced Tour Director who acts as 'travelling concierge,' and expertly planned itineraries offering a range of Signature Experiences that provide a unique and revealing look into the history and culture of each destination. Guests also enjoy Signature Dining and Dine-Around Evenings and stay in select hotels that are centrally or scenically located.

About The TreadRight Foundation

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has donated more than USD 2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders like Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ.

TreadRight's past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society's inaugural "World Legacy Awards," WildAid and inspiring wildlife advocates like Terri Irwin. 

To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org.

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*Terms & Conditions: All prices are in Canadian Dollars. Early Payment and Small Group Discounts do not apply to this itinerary. Please refer to www.insightvacations.com or Insight's Europe & Britain brochure for full terms and conditions.

Media Contacts:
Michelle Lee Hoy
PR & Digital Media Specialist
The Travel Corporation | 33 Kern Rd., Toronto, ON, M3B 1S9
(416) 322-8468 ext. 7295 | michelle.leehoy@travcorp.ca

Marie Anne MacRae
Global VP, Strategic Partnerships
The Travel Corporation | 33 Kern Rd., Toronto, ON, M3B 1S9
(416) 915-7016 | marieanne.macrae@travcorp.ca

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