Duration: 8 Days
On this Italy tour—Italian Vista—you’ll travel from Rome to Milan with overnights also in Assisi and Padua. Along the way, you’ll visit some of the country’s most famous sights, including the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Colosseum in Rome; Signoria Square in Florence; St. Francis’ Basilica in Assisi, where the saint is buried; Juliet’s balcony in Verona; and the glass-domed Galleria in Milan, filled with designer shops and famous cafés.
From Padua, you’ll have an excursion to the romantic city of Venice, where your walking tour includes the must-see sights, such as famous St. Mark’s Square and the byzantine Basilica. On another excursion, you’ll travel from Milan to Lake Como, regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes. Here, Globus has arranged a special treat for you: a private boat ride to Bellagio, the "Pearl of Lake Como." Globus has also arranged for you to taste local pastries at a historic bakery that has been in Orvieto for more than 100 years—just another example of the out-of-the-ordinary experiences offered on this tour! Round it all out with a special farewell risotto dinner in Milan.
From the authentic, tasty food to the historic sights and from the magnificent cathedrals to the beautiful scenery, this Italy tour is sure to delight.
Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions, and leave the hotel for a welcome dinner at one of Rome's lively restaurants. (D)
Guided sightseeing of the Eternal City starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL with Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, followed by a visit to monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA to admire Michelangelo's Pietà. Then, enjoy views of other major sites as you drive to the Roman Forum to visit the ancient COLOSSEUM, where gladiators once fought. An optional walking tour with a Local Guide is available to further explore Rome's famous sites. (B)
Stop in Orvieto, perched high atop a volcanic rock. Browse through tempting shops in the lanes off Piazza del Duomo, and admire the fabulous gothic cathedral. Taste local pastries at Caffè Montanucci, a historic pasticceria (bakery) for more than 100 years, before continuing to Assisi. Walk along narrow steep lanes and visit ST. FRANCIS' BASILICA, the hub of a religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God's creatures. (B)
In Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance," meet your Local Guide for a walking tour through the historic centre. Stand in awe in front of the magnificent cathedral, admire Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gates of Paradise," and visit sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Afterwards, you may wish to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewellery, sold by the ounce. Continue through the Apennine Mountains and the flat Po area to Padua for an orientation of St. Anthony's city and your overnight stay. (B)
Enter Venice in style by PRIVATE BOAT and meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK'S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES' PALACE, and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER fashion delicate objects in an age-old tradition. Explore Venice at your own pace or join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano. (B)
Arrive in Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Take pictures of Juliet's balcony and rub the shining breast of her statue for good luck. Next, the Arena, an incredibly well-preserved pink marble Roman amphitheatre, where gladiators once fought. Built in the 1st century AD, it is now the magical venue for world-famous opera performances. Continue to the dynamic city of Milan, where your Tour Director will take you for a pleasant walk to see La Scala Opera House, the glass-domed GALLERIA, and the magnificent gothic Duomo. (B)
Lake Como is regarded as one of Europe's most beautiful lakes and has attracted many aristocrats and celebrities to reside in one of the many villas that line the lakeshore. Enjoy a PRIVATE BOAT RIDE and visit picturesque Bellagio, the "Pearl of Lake Como," a popular destination since Roman times. This evening, back in Milan, a farewell risotto dinner has been prepared at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
