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2024 Tour Details »2023 Tour Details
Basilicas, boutiques, and bistros. Cathedrals, canals, and cafés. Peaks, pasta, and pastries. This tour of Essential Europe goes beyond the “must-sees” to include the “must-dos,” the “must-discovers,” and the “must-devours.” As you travel and taste your way through Italy, Switzerland, and France, you’ll delightfully take a big bite out of your bucket list. The rolling Tuscan hills, the soaring Swiss Alps, plus mind-boggling mounds of Italian gelato, Swiss chocolate, and French éclairs are all awaiting from Rome to Paris on this delectable tour of Europe’s most popular destinations. Cruising through Europe’s breathtaking scenery, captivating architecture, and greatest chapters of history has never been easier as you motor by private water taxi through the Grand Canal of Venice, ride an elevator to the courtyard of a medieval Swiss castle, and board a high-speed train for a scenic journey through the French countryside from Basel to Paris.
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ROME Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the ColosseumFLORENCE Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David and Signoria Square; pizza party at Finisterrae restaurantVENICE Private boat ride; visit St. Mark’s Square; glassblower demonstration; pasta dinner at local restaurant;
private water-taxi ride through the Grand Canal BELLINZONA
Visit the Castelgrande courtyard and enjoy a light lunch with wineLUCERNE Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel BridgePARIS Guided sightseeing, enjoy a Seine cruisePARIS–LONDON By high-speed Eurostar trainLONDONGuided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral
Motorcoach; private water-taxi in Venice; high-speed Eurostar train. Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.
Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 light lunch; 3 three-course dinners
ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner
ROME When in Rome ROME Guided sightseeing includes the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Colosseum. Free afternoon. BreakfastTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDARY LIVES Stand in awe and wonder amid one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements in the Sistine Chapel. Hear how in 1508, a young Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to decorate the chapel’s ceiling – a request not welcomed by the 33-year-old sculptor. Michelangelo’s 4-year project was indeed one of physical pain and psychological distress, while painting from scaffolds high above the sanctuary floor. Nevertheless, he created what is considered the most famous ceiling in the world, depicting the Creation of Adam in striking fresco style.
ROME–FLORENCE Fine Art in Firenze FLORENCE Guided sightseeing includes Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, at the Academy of Fine Arts. See Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze Gates of Paradise, and Signoria Square. Free time to browse. Breakfast 174 mi / 280 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTART & ARCHITECTURE Those lucky enough to visit the Tuscan capital are witness to some of the world’s most magnificent art Home to a wealth of Rennaissance masterpieces, Florence is famous for Michelangelo’s Marble Masterpiece, David, standing ready for battle in the Academy of Fine Arts. Outside, the Piazza del Duomo and Signoria Square offer spectacular sights of Florentine Gothic and Renaissance art, architecture, and monuments.
FLORENCE–VENICE Benvenuti a Venezia VENICE Take a private boat ride, followed by an orientation walk, including, St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and a glassblowing demonstration. Free time to browse before dinner at a local restaurant followed by a private water-taxi ride through the Grand Canal.
Breakfast
Dinner 174 mi / 280 kmLOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Indulge in the tastes and traditions of true Italian cuisine in the home of seafood, pasta, and wine in Venice. A cruise on the Grand Canal is the perfect grand finale! Buon appetito!
VENICE–BELLINZONA, SWITZERLAND–LUCERNE Spectacular Switzerland BELLINZONA Take the elevator to the Courtyard of Castelgrande and enjoy a light lunch with local specialties and Merlot wine for which the Ticino area is famous. Scenic drive through the Swiss Alps and St. Gotthard en route to Lucerne.
Breakfast
Lunch 342 mi / 550 kmLOCAL FAVORITE HISTORIC SPOTS Ride the elevator to the Courtyard of Castelgrande, high on the hills above Bellinzona. Part of the fortification dates back to the Middle Ages and it is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views and try out local specialties and the delicious Merlot wine for which the area is famous.
LUCERNE Sweet Sights of Switzerland LUCERNE Walking tour includes the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge. Free time this afternoon and evening. BreakfastTOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Serenity is found in a gaze across the stunning panoramas of the Swiss Alps above the lovely city of Lucerne. Spend time at leisure with a stroll through its magnificent medieval architecture and peaceful alpine lake.
LUCERNE–BASEL–PARIS, FRANCE French Connection BASEL Board the high-speed TGV train to Paris. Free time this afternoon and evening. Breakfast 404 mi / 650 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT PICTURE PERFECT Gliding across the French countryside at warp speed is an experience to write home about. Pass by the rows of vineyards on your way from Basel to Paris and get in the mood for the wine and song awaiting in the City of Light.
PARIS C’est Magnifique in the City of Light PARIS Free time this morning. Guided sightseeing this afternoon includes orientation drive and Seine River cruise. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Breakfast
DinnerTOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS As the song goes, we love Paris in the springtime; we love Paris in the fall - but no matter the season, we fall in love anytime we visit the most romantic city in the world. From the tranquility of the Seine River to the tempting treats in a corner café, your hearts are set on sharing France’s captivating City of Light any time you please.
PARIS Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Breakfast
With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
"Even though I have been directing tours for many years, I am still passionate about sharing my knowledge and love for European culture and history with my guests. Each tour is a personal challenge as I strive to make everybody feel special, and to create a lasting memory of their journey through our continent's colorful and rich diversity, in the hope they return home inspired and stimulated."
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
"After a brief foray into teaching, my love of travel coupled with a keen interest in history and languages drew me to the role of Tour Director. I find it immensely satisfying to see each individual traveler come to his or her own understanding of the European scene, whilst enjoying the camaraderie of the group experience. Don't forget, travel is one of the few things you buy that makes you richer, with new experiences, insights, understandings and fresh perspectives. As members of the tour, not only do we discover the traditions of the countries we travel through, yet also we learn more about ourselves and our common humanity."