Essential Europe with London (HFT)

11 days from Rome to London

2027 Tour Details View 2025 Tour Details » View 2026 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.

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.

Special Features included in this Tour:
• Globus Choice excursions in Rome – included in your tour with your choice of a of a 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

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinner

Notes:

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.

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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Dinner

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.

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 for the Rome program cannot be excluded.

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Breakfast

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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Breakfast

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 breath taking 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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Breakfast

Dinner

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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Breakfast

Lunch

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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Breakfast

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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Breakfast

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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Breakfast

Dinner

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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Breakfast

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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Breakfast

Day 11 LONDON

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

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Breakfast

Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

CHRIS HEATHERLEY

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.”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

Rome

The Papal City

Price Range: $

Rome of the Caesars

Price Range: $

Private Touring

Private Touring: Globus European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Globus tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience.

For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party.

Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $4,579*
18 guests in a party: $1,236*

Contact Globus or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Globus Private Touring.

* Supplement pricing is per person (CA) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2020 and 2021 travel years. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.

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.

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