2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Essential Europe (HF)

9 days from Rome to Paris

2025 Tour Details View 2024 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.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Select Globus 2021 Europe tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus European tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

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

Essential Europe map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 light lunch; 3 three-course dinners

 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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DinnerDinner

Day 2 ROME

When in Rome ROME Guided sightseeing includes the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Colosseum. Free afternoon.*

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

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Stand in awe and wonder amid one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements in the Sistine Chapel. Hear how in 1508, a young Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to decorate the chapel’s ceiling – a request not welcomed by the 33-year-old sculptor. Michelangelo’s 4-year project was indeed one of physical pain and psychological distress, while painting from scaffolds high above the sanctuary floor. Nevertheless, he created what is considered the most famous ceiling in the world, depicting the Creation of Adam in striking fresco style.


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 ROME–FLORENCE

Fine Art in Firenze FLORENCE Guided sightseeing includes Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, at the Academy of Fine Arts. See Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze Gates of Paradise, and Signoria Square. Free time to browse.
174 mi / 280 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 Breakfast

Day 4 FLORENCE–VENICE

Benvenuti a Venezia VENICE Take a private boat ride, followed by an orientation walk, including, St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and a glassblowing demonstration. Free time to browse before Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite dinner at a local restaurant followed by a private water-taxi ride through the Grand Canal.
174 mi / 280 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 Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 5 VENICE–BELLINZONA, SWITZERLAND–LUCERNE

Spectacular Switzerland BELLINZONA Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Take the elevator to the Courtyard of Castelgrande and enjoy a light lunch with local specialties and Merlot wine for which the Ticino area is famous. Scenic drive through the Swiss Alps and St. Gotthard en route to Lucerne.
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 and it is today 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 Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 6 LUCERNE

Sweet Sights of Switzerland LUCERNE Walking tour includes the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge. Free time this afternoon and evening.

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 Breakfast

Day 7 LUCERNE–BASEL–PARIS, FRANCE

French Connection BASEL Board the high-speed TGV train to Paris. Free time this afternoon and evening.
404 mi / 650 km

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 Breakfast

Day 8 PARIS

C’est Magnifique in the City of Light PARIS Free time this morning. Guided sightseeing this afternoon includes orientation drive and Seine River cruise. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

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 Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 9 PARIS

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

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Breakfast 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.

Tour Director - CHRIS HEATHERLEY

 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
Florence
Venice
Lucerne
Paris

Rome

Roman Highlights

Roman Highlights

Join your Local Guide for a tailor-made itinerary featuring some of the city's authentic jewels. A lifetime experience!

Price Range: $$

Florence

Tuscan Dinner

Tuscan Dinner

Enjoy a wonderful dinner in the delightful Tuscan countryside, featuring authentic traditional dishes using the finest local ingredients.

Price Range: $$$

Venice

Gondola

Gondola

When in Rome, do as the Romans -- and when in Venice, head right for the gondolas! Hop aboard a traditional gondola for a ride through the magical Venetian canals

Price Range: $$

Lucerne

Swiss Folklore

Swiss Folklore

Raise a glass and toast an unforgettable evening of traditional entertainment during this excursion featuring a 3-course feast of local specialties, alphorns, yodeling, and festive Swiss music and dancing.

Price Range: $$$

Lake Lucerne Cruise

Lake Lucerne Cruise

Experience the hypnotic beauty of sparkling Lake Lucerne on this enjoyable 1-hour sightseeing cruise.

Price Range: $$

Mount Pilatus

Mount Pilatus

Grab your camera and prepare for indescribable panoramic views on this thrilling ascent up Mount Pilatus.

Price Range: $$$

Paris

An Evening at the Moulin Rouge

An Evening at the Moulin Rouge

Enter the exhilarating Belle Époque world of champagne, fine French cuisine, music, lights, thousands of glittering costumes, and an evening of Moulin Rouge cabaret you will never forget!

Price Range: $$$$

Mona Lisa's Smile & the Louvre Museum

Mona Lisa's Smile & the Louvre Museum

Once a royal palace and now a museum housing one of the most famous art collections in the world, the Louvre is yours on a guided tour.

Price Range: $$

Versailles, Palace of the Sun King

Versailles, Palace of the Sun King

Spend part of your day like a French aristocrat, strolling through the halls and gardens of Louis XIV's opulent Palace of Versailles.

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: $3,417*
18 guests in a party: $994*

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.