Vacation Overview

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Essential Europe with London

11 days from Rome to London

Vacation overview

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.

PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Rome so you can plan your day your way.

Hungry for more of Europe’s essentials? Board the high-speed Eurostar Train to London for fish ’n chips, bangers and mash, and a heaping serving of art, architecture, and fascinating history. When you add a 2-day London extension to your tour of Europe, we’ll also serve up guided sightseeing and plenty of optional excursions to make the most of your visit.

Itinerary

Day 1 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.

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Day 2 ROME

Spend your day your way in Rome Explore more of Rome with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.

Rome of the Caesars

Time travel to ancient Rome! Stand in the Colosseum and let your imagination be captured by stories of gladiator games and emperor reigns. Delve deeper into the Rome of the Caesars with a guided walk through the Roman Forum, once the beating heart of the Roman Empire; see the Palatine Hill considered to be the birthplace of Rome.

Historic Faith: Rome Jewish Ghetto and Saint Mary Major Basilica

Follow your guide on to the Jewish Ghetto to hear of its long and storied history-from the ruins of Republican and Imperial Rome to the medieval age; from the Renaissance Ghetto to the construction of the Synagogue and the ultimate tragic affront of Nazi deportation suffered by the oldest Jewish community in Europe. Taste a traditional Kosher pastry, then continue on to magnificent Basilica of Saint Mary the Major. Built in the 4th century to celebrate a miraculous August snowfall, the basilica was rebuilt in the 5th century with continued embellishments ever since. See the papal basilica's Room of the Popes and the famed five-story so called "Bernini staircase".

The Papal City

Explore the Papal City for a guided visit of the extensive Vatican Museums. Lift your eyes to the heavens in the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece ceiling fresco, then continue to St. Peter's Square to see the breathtaking St. Peter's Basilica. Stroll along the Via della Conciliazione to admire Castel Sant'Angelo, the former Papal Fortress.

Free time this afternoon and evening to explore more.

* For operational reasons, schedule changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
* When either the “Papal City” or “Rome of the Caesars” excursions are not available, the excursion “Historic Faith Rome Jewish Ghetto and Saint Mary Major Basilica” will be offered as an alternative.

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Day 3 ROME–FLORENCE

Fine Art in Firenze Leave the hustle and bustle of Rome behind as you relax for a scenic drive past the olive groves and vineyards that extend over the rolling green hills of Umbria and Tuscany. Arrive in Florence, one of Italy’s most celebrated cities. Meet your Local Guide for a visit of the Academy of Fine Arts, to see Michelangelo’s David statue, followed by a walk through the historic center, stopping to admire and learn more about the cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the massive bronze doors of the Baptistry’s “Gates of Paradise,” and the sculptures of Signoria Square. This afternoon free time to explore more of Florence “La bella.”
186 mi / 300 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & 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.

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Day 4 FLORENCE–VENICE

Benvenuti a Venezia Today cross the Apennine Mountains and River Po to reach Venice. On arrival take a private boat ride along the Giudecca Canal. Prepare for breathtaking views as you sail in front of the entrance to St Mark’s Square. Disembark for an orientation walk to St. Mark’s Square and a noted vetreria to meet a local glassblower and learn how the world-famous Murano glass is created. After some free time to explore independently, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before traveling like a VIP with a private water taxi ride along the Grand Canal.
162 mi / 260 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL 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!

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Day 5 VENICE–BELLINZONA, SWITZERLAND–LUCERNE

Spectacular Switzerland Today leave Italy and cross the border into Switzerland. Arrive in Bellinzona and take the elevator to the Courtyard of Castelgrande where you will savor a light lunch of local specialties accompanied by the Merlot wine for which the Ticino area is famous. Later, en route to Lucerne, enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of the Swiss Alps interrupted only by the St. Gotthard Road tunnel.
342 mi / 550 km

LOCAL 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; today it is 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.

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Day 6 LUCERNE

Sweet Sights of Switzerland This morning, join a walking tour to see the highlights of Lucerne. Stop to admire the Lion Monument, a moving rock relief that Mark Twain called the “saddest sculpture in the world,” and the 14th century Chapel Bridge that crosses the River Reuss from the Altstadt (old town). The rest of the day and evening are free for you to get better acquainted with this alpine gem.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE 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.

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Day 7 LUCERNE–BASEL–PARIS, FRANCE

French Connection Drive to the medieval city of Basel, the Swiss city located on the French and German borders and straddling the River Rhine. Board a high-speed TGV train to Paris. Relax and watch the French countryside pass by. Arrive in Paris this afternoon giving you plenty of time to get acquainted with this iconic city.*
404 mi / 650 km

* For operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded.

TOUR 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.

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Day 8 PARIS

C’est Magnifique in the City of Light The morning is yours to either explore independently or join an optional excursion. Your sightseeing this afternoon is composed of a guided walk to discover one of Paris’s iconic quarters. Later, enjoy dinner cruise on the River Seine, with incredible sights of celebrated landmarks.*

* For operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY 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.

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Day 9 PARIS–LONDON, ENGLAND

Just in Time for Tea Say au revoir to Paris as you board the high-speed Eurostar Train to London, arriving in the afternoon. Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon and evening to start discovering some of London’s many attractions.
305 mi / 492 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Take the fast train to London on the Eurostar - the only high-speed rail directly linking the UK to France. Since 1994, passengers have been whisked through the longest section of underwater tunnel in the world in comfort with speeds up to 200 mph.

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Day 10 LONDON

London Calling Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes sights of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Free time this afternoon and evening, why not try a typical pub lunch or take a stroll along the Thames or in one of the Royal Parks.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS England’s national treasure of St. Paul’s Cathedral is home to a spectacular array of art – from delicate carvings to gilded dome murals and modern works of art. As the seat of the Bishop of London, the cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London, where notable remembrances have been served here, including Queen Victoria’s jubilee, birthdays of Queen Elizabeth II, and funerals of luminaries like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

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Day 11 LONDON

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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Vacation Highlights

Special Features included in this Tour:
• Globus Choice excursions in Rome – included in your tour with your choice of guided walking tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel or a guided walking tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum
• Guided walking tour in Florence includes a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo’s David statue
• Private Venice Canal boat ride, orientation walk, and glass blowing demonstration
• [LF] Dinner at a local Venice restaurant followed by a private water-taxi ride along the Grand Canal
• Visit the [LF] Courtyard of Castelgrande for a light lunch paired with wine
• Walking tour of Lucerne, see the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
• Guided walking tour in Paris to discover one of Paris’s iconic quarters
• Scenic dinner cruise on the Seine River
• Guided sightseeing of London includes St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Ride high speed trains from Basel to Paris, and from Paris to London

For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.

For operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded.

For small group departures (HF-K), Paris city sightseeing is on Day 7 instead of Day 2.

Services of the Tour Director end on Day 9. London portion includes services of a local host.

To make your Eurostar train journey more comfortable between Paris and London, one piece of luggage per person will be transferred between one hotel and another, to your destination hotel using a luggage transfer service. We cannot guarantee that this luggage will arrive at the hotel at the same time as you; traffic, the border crossing, and other logistical issues can delay it. On occasions this luggage may arrive in the evening, we therefore suggest keeping a few essential personal items in your hand luggage. Conditions apply.

No Excursions are available at this time.

Dates & Prices do not include international air travel.

Travel Terms & Conditions

The purchase of any travel services offered by Globus, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you and Globus, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travellers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travellers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.
View full Terms & Conditions

Important Notes

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.
Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $250 per person per vacation is required for Globus to reserve space for you. View full Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions.
Charges not included in the land vacation price: airfare to/from the start/end of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal Customs and Immigrations; agricultural tax; GST/HST/PST or other per person taxes imposed by government entities; passports; visas and vaccinations; transfers; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary; porterage at airports or train stations; Travel Insurance premiums; and all other items of a personal nature.

Booking your Vacation with Air

For air departure dates within 331 days, you'll be offered a choice of carriers and flight schedules as well as price points to choose from when selecting your flights. Your schedule will be provided to you at the time of booking (schedules are subject to change by carriers). Globus offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Flex Air allows flexibility if you want to make changes to your vacation schedule. Instant Purchase Air may offer additional airline options but has more restrictions. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option.

Guaranteed air-inclusive prices: air is only available to passengers travelling from Canada (with some exceptions from the United States, depending on the selected itinerary). An additional $300 per person non-refundable air deposit is required for Flex Air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e. air-inclusive vacation). Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a vacation package. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus a non-refundable service fee of $80 per person. Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Once your airfare is confirmed and Globus has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.

Air-Inclusive Vacations — Applicable Taxes & Fees

Air inclusive price quotes will include all government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees, or you can visit www.iflybags.com for up-to-date baggage pricing/restrictions. The total airfare price, the base airfare price, and the applicable government taxes and fees are broken-out line-by-line and shown while booking online and on the invoice after your travel is booked. For return travel from some countries, international travellers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the traveller at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.