Duration: 9 Days
What do you want from your Italy tour—amazing architecture, sumptuous food, delicious wine, breathtaking art, historical treasures, and scenic beauty? Whatever it is, this Italy vacation offers it to you! You’ve seen photos of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square—now’s your chance to stand in this square, where people gather to hear the Pope. You’ve heard about gladiator contests in ancient Rome—now’s your chance to visit the Colosseum, where the contests took place. You know the most popular saint in Italy, St. Francis—now’s your chance to visit his basilica, built over his tomb. You’ve seen photos of Michelangelo’s famous David—now’s your chance to see it yourself. You’ve heard of the famous Venetian glass—now’s your chance to watch a skilled glassblower fashion it in an age-old, traditional manner. You’ve seen photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa—now’s your chance to take a photo of yourself pushing back at it. And you may have heard about the world-famous Palio in Siena—now you will visit the Piazza del Campo where it is held. And a unique guided visit to the Papal Palace and Barberini Gardens in Castel Gandolfo has been included as well.
But that’s not all…on this Italy tour, scenic rides between cities will show you some of the country’s most beautiful scenery: the flat Po area, the wooded Apennine mountain range, and Tuscany’s Chianti wine country, with its vine- and olive-clad hills. Plus, Globus has arranged special experiences to give you a true local perspective, such as welcome and farewell dinners at local restaurants in Rome, and a taste of panforte and ricciarelli (local specialties) in Siena. These are just a few of the many highlights offered on this tour through Italy’s great cities. It’s the vacation of a lifetime!
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)
Start with a guided visit to the amazing COLOSSEUM, where gladiators once fought. Continue to the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph, and walk through the ruins of important government buildings from Roman times. Leave the ‟Eternal Cityˮ and enter the green province of Umbria, for dinner and overnight in San Martino in Campo. Explore the botanical park and gardens of your hotel which dates back to the 17th century. (B,D)
Arrive in peaceful Assisi and visit ST. FRANCIS' BASILICA, the hub of a religious order devoted to the ideals of humanity, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God's creatures. Next is Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT! (B)
Your guided walking tour features a visit to ST. MARK'S SQUARE and its byzantine BASILICA, and lavish DOGES' PALACE with the famous BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER fashion delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Afterward, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional cruise to the charming island of Burano. (B)
Drive through the Apennine Mountains to Pisa and marvel at the Leaning Tower on your way to Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance." Tonight is your chance to try out local specialties on an optional dinner outing to a fine Tuscan restaurant. (B)
Meet your Local Guide, and visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo's celebrated David. Continue your walking tour through the historic centre and stand in awe in front of the magnificent cathedral, admire Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gates of Paradise," and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Afterwards, you may wish to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewellery, sold by the ounce. (B)
Enter the impressive walls that surround the city of Siena for an orientation walk through ancient, narrow lanes to PIAZZA DEL CAMPO. See the square where the biannual Palio, Siena's spectacular medieval-style horse race, is held and taste traditional panforte and ricciarelli (local specialties). Return to the "Eternal City." (B)
Look forward to a unique experience: enjoy a guided visit of the impressive PAPAL PALACE in Castel Gandolfo, former summer residence of the popes and, since 2016, a museum that is open to the public. Also visit the magnificent BARBERINI GARDENS, where ruins of the residence of Roman Emperor Domitian are still visible. Then, return to Rome, and visit the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL with Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. Visit monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA to admire Michelangelo's Pietà with a Local Guide. This evening, a farewell dinner at a local restaurant is the proper way to say arrivederci Roma. (B,D)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
