Globus > THE BEST OF ITALY and FRANCE

THE BEST OF ITALY and FRANCE
12 Days starting from $2,739

Countries Visited:
France, Italy

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Length: 12 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: EUROPEAN PANORAMA
Operator: Globus
Tour Code: HH-2008
   
 
About This Tour


A leisurely vacation with two-night stays in Rome, Venice, Florence, Nice, and Paris. Enjoy a special welcome dinner in Rome with wine in a local restaurant, and sightseeing including St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Continue via St. Mark’s Square, its Basilica, and the Doges’ Palace in Venice to Tuscany and Michelangelo’s David in Florence. Next, enjoy a scenic drive along the Mediterranean via Pisa and its Leaning Tower, to Nice on the French Riviera for a relaxing 2-night stay. An exciting ride on the fastest “TGV” train to Paris follows. And of course in Paris a visit to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower has been included.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • SPECIALS

City Highlights
ROME
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant, guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter''s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum

ASSISI
Visit the Basilica of St. Francis

VENICE
Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration

FERRARA
Orientation, visit the cathedral

FLORENCE
Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square

PISA
Picture stop at the Leaning Tower

NICE
Visit a perfume factory; excursion to St. Paul de Vence

NICE-PARIS
By high-speed “TGV” train (first-class)

PARIS
Guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower

Meals
10 buffet breakfasts (BB); 2 three-course dinners (D), including a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome

Hotels:
ROME Jolly Villa Carpegna (F), VENICE Carlton & Grand Canal (F), FLORENCE Starhotels Michelangelo (SF), NICE Boscolo Plaza (SF), PARIS Concorde St. Lazare (SF)
Day 1:
(Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Rome, Italy. (Mon.) Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)

Day 3:
Rome. (Tue.) Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (BB)

Day 4:
Rome–Assisi–Venice. (Wed.) Morning break in peaceful Assisi. Visit the massive 13th-century BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS built above the saint’s grave. A kaleidoscope of Italian landscapes parades past the coach windows on the way to the Adriatic coast and across the Po Delta to Venice. Why not join an optional dinner Venetian-style tonight? (BB)

Day 5:
Venice. (Thu.) Start morning sightseeing in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the Byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Then enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional cruise to Burano Island. (BB)

Day 6:
Venice–Ferrara–Florence. (Fri.) First stop this morning is Ferrara. Stroll past the imposing Este Castle and visit the marble CATHEDRAL before continuing through the wooded Apennine Mountains into Tuscany to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Time to wander at whim or to check out the enticing shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry. You may want to join one of the exciting evening optionals. (BB)

Day 7:
Florence. (Sat.) Follow your Local Guide to visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo''s celebrated David, the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and the sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Afternoon at leisure. (BB,D)

Day 8:
Florence–Pisa–Nice, France. (Sun.) Focus on Pisa this morning for pictures of its amazing Leaning Tower, 180 feet high and 12 feet out of the perpendicular. Then a scenic drive past a string of Italian and French Riviera resorts towards the Principality of Monaco. Here leave the highway for the panoramic Moyenne Corniche. Before arriving in Nice, visit one of the PERFUME FACTORIES for which the area is famous. (BB)

Day 9:
Nice. Excursion to St. Paul de Vence. (Mon.) This morning enjoy an included visit to the picturesque hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. Then a lazy afternoon to dabble in the blue Mediterranean or stroll along the elegant Promenade des Anglais. An optional outing is available tonight to Monte Carlo. (BB)

Day 10:
Nice–Paris. (Tue.) Transfer to the railway station and board the high-speed “TGV” TRAIN to Paris. You may wish to try out one of Paris’ fine restaurants and to explore the City of Light! (BB)

Day 11:
Paris. (Wed.) Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opéra, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. For a bird’s-eye view take the elevator to the second floor of Paris’ most famous landmark, the EIFFEL TOWER. An optional excursion to the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles is available. Tonight a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket. (BB)

Day 12:
(Thu.) Your homebound flight from Paris arrives the same day. (BB)


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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
7/6/2008 - 7/17/2008
$2,769
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7/13/2008 - 7/24/2008
$2,769
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7/20/2008 - 7/31/2008
$2,769
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7/27/2008 - 8/7/2008
$2,769
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8/3/2008 - 8/14/2008
$2,769
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8/10/2008 - 8/21/2008
$2,769
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8/17/2008 - 8/28/2008
$2,769
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8/24/2008 - 9/4/2008
$2,769
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8/31/2008 - 9/11/2008
$2,789
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9/7/2008 - 9/18/2008
$2,789
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9/14/2008 - 9/25/2008
$2,789
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9/21/2008 - 10/2/2008
$2,769
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9/28/2008 - 10/9/2008
$2,769
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10/5/2008 - 10/16/2008
$2,769
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10/12/2008 - 10/23/2008
$2,769
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10/19/2008 - 10/30/2008
$2,769
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10/26/2008 - 11/6/2008
$2,739
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ROME
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant, guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter''s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum

ASSISI
Visit the Basilica of St. Francis

VENICE
Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration

FERRARA
Orientation, visit the cathedral

FLORENCE
Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square

PISA
Picture stop at the Leaning Tower

NICE
Visit a perfume factory; excursion to St. Paul de Vence

NICE-PARIS
By high-speed “TGV” train (first-class)

PARIS
Guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Book now and take $200 off per couple on any air-inclusive European Low Season Vacations.*

* Book a 2008/2009 Globus Europe Winter air-inclusive vacation on select carriers to receive the $100 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between June 4 and August 31, 2008 for travel commencing between October 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one another or any offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Save up to $600 per stateroom on 2009 Globus River and Small Ship Cruises

Discover an entirely new way to uncover the wonders of the world with river and small ship cruises. From a wine tasting adventure through the vineyards of France to island hopping in the Galapagos Islands, you’re sure to find a Globus river or small ship cruise that speaks to your heart. There’s simply no more peaceful way to sample the charming cities and awe-inspiring sights of Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos Islands.

*Book a 2009 Globus River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $300 off per person offer. Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $125 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between May 14 and August 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.

Pay less for your second vacation

We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.

Triple room reduction

On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.

Avoid the single room supplement

We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!


Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel?

Right now when you book between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


   
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