Duration: 11 Days
On this Best of Italy tour, visit some of Italy’s most popular cities, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, Capri, and Assisi. Visit the must-see sights, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum in Rome; St. Mark’s Square and Basilica in Venice; Michelangelo’s David in Florence; and the church where St. Francis is buried—St. Francis’ Basilica—in Assisi. In Orvieto, situated high atop a volcanic rock, visit the gothic cathedral, dating to the 13th century and home to one of the best examples of Italian Renaissance painting.
One tour highlight is Pompeii, which was completely buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Imagine what life was like some 2,000 years ago; this preserved town gives you an amazingly detailed look into life at the peak of the Roman Empire. Admire the paintings still on the walls, and look for the early fast-food restaurants beloved by ancient Romans. Another highlight on this Italy tour is the picturesque Isle of Capri, where during your two-night stay you’ll ride the funicular to Capri village and have time to shop at its designer boutiques, savor the sumptuous cuisine at a bistro, and enjoy the amazing views of the breathtaking azure sea. Globus has even arranged a special Capri experience that includes a boat cruise around the island (weather permitting) and an open-taxi ride to Anacapri to visit the famous Villa San Michele, a villa with works of art from Antiquity to the early 20th century.
Italy can satisfy even the most discerning traveler, and this tour allows you to experience its stunning beauty, ancient ruins, amazing sculptures, exquisite art, tasty cuisine, fine wines, and so much more. So grab your camera and leave all the details to Globus, so you can just enjoy yourself on this memorable holiday!
Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions, and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Guided sightseeing of the ‟Eternal Cityˮ 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 and 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)
Following the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto, perched high atop a volcanic rock. Time to browse through tempting shops in the lanes off Piazza del Duomo and to visit the gothic CATHEDRAL with its San Brizio Chapel. Enter Tuscany, Italy's most famous and popular province, and drive through the Chianti wine area to the spa resort of Montecatini in Tuscany. (B)
Look forward to a full day in Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance." 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. For art lovers, an optional excursion to the Uffizi Gallery is available. (B,D)
Drive towards the Mediterranean coast following the valley of the Arno to Pisa. Take the traditional picture pushing back the amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet (55 metres) high and at least 12 feet (3.6 metres) out of the perpendicular. Next is Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the world. Board your PRIVATE BOAT to Lido Island. Later, ride in style by PRIVATE WATER-TAXI to ST. MARK'S SQUARE to discover Venice by night, and to maybe join a traditional optional gondola serenade. (B)
Follow your Local Guide for a walking tour and visit the byzantine ST. MARK'S BASILICA, lavish DOGES' PALACE, and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch a skilled GLASSBLOWER fashion delicate objects in an age-old tradition. Time to wander through narrow streets and explore the various shops, and you may wish to join an exciting optional excursion to the island of Burano. (B)
Sit back and relax during a scenic drive through the Apennine Mountains to peaceful Assisi, where your Local Guide will take you for a visit to ST. CLARE'S CHURCH and ST. FRANCIS' BASILICA built above the Saint's grave and the hub of a religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity, and love for all God's creatures. Hear about monastic life and admire the priceless frescoes adorning the walls of the church. (B,D)
South along the Highway of the Sun to fascinating POMPEII. Join your Local Guide for a highlight visit of this Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. See a patrician home, public baths, and shops that give a striking picture of what day-to-day life was like in Rome at its apex of power. In Naples, cross the blue bay by JETFOIL to the Isle of Capri for your 2-night stay, and ride the FUNICULAR to Capri village. (B,D)
Look forward to your Capri experience: sightseeing with a Local Guide, an OPEN-TAXI RIDE to Anacapri to visit famous VILLA SAN MICHELE, and a relaxing BOAT CRUISE (weather permitting) around the island. Balance of the day is at leisure, to immerse yourself in the wonderful atmosphere of this beautiful island, to browse through the little shops on the piazzetta, or to just relax. (B)
Speed across the glittering bay to the charming resort of Sorrento. Enjoy time to stroll around and check out the local shops before returning to Rome. This evening, farewell dinner at a local restaurant has been prepared to say arrivederci Italia. (B,D)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
