SMALL GROUP DISCOVERY ON SELECT DEPARTURES
If you could weave together the perfect Italy holiday, what would you bring to the loom? The pastel palaces of Venice? The muted frescoes of Florence? The ornate piazzas of Rome? The azure waters of Capri? We’ve selected the most stunning scenes across the country to create a rich and rewarding tapestry of experiences on this visual and tactile tour of Italy. A gondola serenade in romantic Venice, a balsamic vinegar tasting in culinary Modena, a walking tour of Pompeii’s excavations, a Limoncello sampling in sunny Sorrento—they’re all part of a perfectly woven itinerary that starts in the “Floating City,” coasts through the rolling green Tuscan Hills, explores the “Eternal City” and then saunters south to the fashionable resort of Capri. In true Italian fashion, this vibrant and vivid tour of Italy is a work of art.
Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
ITINERARY
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DAY 1: ARRIVE ON VENICE ISLAND, ITALYWelcome to Venice! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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DAY 2: VENICE ISLANDItalian Beauties VENICE Take a private boat ride on the canals. Guided walking tour includes St. Mark’s Square and views of the Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Glassblowing demonstration followed by a [LF] Gondola ride with music and free time. (B) LOCAL FAVOURITE EPIC RIDE Centuries ago, gondolas were the main form of transportation in Venice, powered by a gondolier with a single paddle to navigate the canals of this historic city. Today, Venetian gondoliers continue generations of family tradition to squire visitors through the iconic waterways while serenading passengers with romantic Italian ballads.
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DAY 3: VENICE ISLAND-MODENA-FLORENCESweet & Sour in Modena MODENA Enjoy a [LF] balsamic vinegar tasting at the renowned Acetaia Leonardi en route to Florence. (B) 205 mi / 330 km LOCAL FAVOURITE CULTURE & TRADITION Creating classic Balsamic Vinegard requires the patience learned through four generations of devotion and respect for the 18th-century traditions at Acetaia Leonardi farm. The farm sits on 27 acres of vineyards where Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes are grown to produce this delicate balance of sweet and sour Modena specialty.
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DAY 4: FLORENCE-SIENAFine Art in Firenze FLORENCE Guided sightseeing includes Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, at the Academy of Fine Arts, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gates of Paradise,” and Signoria Square. Free time before departing for Siena. (B) 62 mi / 100 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 5: SIENA-PIENZA-ROMEHeart & Soul in Siena SIENA Guided walking tour includes sights of the Duomo and Piazza del Campo. PIENZA Enjoy an orientation walk and free time for lunch en route to Rome. (B) 155 mi / 250 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CITY SIGHTS Perched within Italy’s stunning Tuscany region, the medieval city of Siena is a treasure trove of medieval architecture. The 13th-century Piazza del Campo remains the heart of Siena, where locals stroll and socialise as they have done for centuries. The Duomo di Siena stands majestically with its black and white marble facade amid the serenity of Siena’s streets and squares.
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DAY 6: ROMEWhen In Rome ROME Guided sightseeing includes the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Colosseum. Free time late afternoon and evening. (B) 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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DAY 7: ROME-POMPEII-SORRENTOTime Stands Still in Pompeii Scenic drive en route to Sorrento. POMPEII Take a guided walking tour of the excavations, followed by free time for lunch. (B) 174 mi / 280 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS & LORE The fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii is a treasured glimpse into Roman life near the Bay of Naples. This once thriving and sophisticated Roman city was consumed by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., with its residents and structures buried beneath inescapable ash and stone. See the preserved site of excavated ruins that reveal remarkable frescoes, artwork, and artifacts within its streets and dwellings of the people who perished here.
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DAY 8: SORRENTO. EXCURSION TO CAPRISORRENTO Jetfoil ride to Capri. CAPRI Take a funicular ride from the harbour to the village. Guided sightseeing includes the Augustus Gardens with free time for lunch before returning to Sorrento. SORRENTO Enjoy free time this afternoon before a farewell dinner with Limoncello at a local restaurant. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Nestled high above the sea on the island of Capri lie the exquisite Gardens of Augustus. This natural paradise promises 180-degree panoramic views and a kaleidoscope of botanical beauty on the cliffs overlooking the island and the sapphire sea below. Toast the view with a glass of granita for a frozen treat amid the sun-washed monuments and mesmerising vistas.
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DAY 9: SORRENTOSafe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. The nearest airport is Naples. (B)
INCLUSIONS
- Venice
- Modena
- Florence
- Siena
- Pienza
- Rome
Images courtesy of Globus Tours and Globus Family of Brands
GBS – LS