Chesterfield Travel Leader’s newest addition to our travel agents in St Louis MO, Beth Katzfey, recently returned from an 11-day Globus tour of Italy. Beth has provided us with an amazing travelogue of her experience. If you want to put yourself in the middle of the finest Globus has to offer in Italy, read on. There are many affordable tours to Italy. We can help you choose the best for you. Ciao Bella!
Globus~The Best of Italy~11 Days
This 11-day trip gives travelers a taste of the Italian lifestyle. Guests will visit some of the major cities in Italy including Rome, Florence, and Venice. In addition, they will also get a chance to explore unfamiliar locations like Orvieto, Assisi, and Capri. Globus provides travelers with a well-organized itinerary filled with a number of activities and optional excursions each day. Breakfast buffets are provided every day as well as five dinners. Onboard the most comfortable bus, the tour group can watch the exquisite landscape while journeying between destinations. A Globus Tour is a safe, comfortable, and carefree way to travel! Warning: prepare for lots of pasta, pizza, and bread.
DAY 1 – Arrival
Day 1 is arrival day. English speaking travelers from around the world fly into Rome to start their Best of Italy Globus tour. After reaching Fiumicino – Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, guests take a complimentary shuttle to the hotel. The toughest part of Day 1 is adjusting to the time change. Sadly, sleeping on the airplane proves to be quite difficult. There are two options for acclimating to the new time: 1) take a short nap after arriving at the hotel or 2) stay up all day. In the evening, guests participate in an orientation dinner. The tour guide gives an explanation of how the tour will progress and answers questions. During the five-course dinner, guests experience the many flavors of Roman cuisine while listening to local musicians. The best part of the meal is the gelato! At the end of the evening, one of the waiters distributes a rose and a kiss to each woman in the room. Italy has always been known for being romantic after all. Finally, it is time to sleep or at least try to.
DAY 2 – Rome and Vatican City
Day 2 consists of touring Vatican City and Rome. A local guide shows the tour group many places including the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Cathedrals require appropriate attire, which means that shoulders and knees should be covered. The tour group also visits the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Guests can choose an optional excursion (extra cost) called Roman Highlights where they visit the Trevi fountain and Pantheon. As a side note, guests should be mindful of pick pocketing and keep valuables in a safe place. After a day full of walking, everyone has downtime to relax or explore independently.
DAY 3 – Tuscany
Day 3 is the first day of long-distance driving. The tour leaves Rome for Montecatini, Tuscany. On the way, they stop at Orvieto, a medieval town at the top of a hill. Guests can experience riding a funicular and minibus to reach the San Brizio Chapel. Afterwards, everyone can explore the little shops around town. Pottery is a must buy here! Around lunch, the tour stops at a rest stop, which is large shopping complex with a deli. Luckily, the long bus rides are broken up by many stops. Driving never lasts for more than two hours. Finally, the tour group reaches Montecatini. Guests can participate in another optional excursion called Tuscan Dinner. The restaurant is located at the top of a hill in Montecatini and has one of the most breathtaking views. The wine and food are both exceptional reasons to eat here!
DAY 4 – Florence
During Day 4, guests take a day trip to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. They join a walking tour with a local guide where they visit the Academy of Fine Arts, home of Michelangelo’s David. Later, the tour group visits Giotto’s Bell Tower and Signoria Square. Guests can take an optional excursion in visiting the Uffizi Gallery. At the end of the day, guests return to the hotel in Montecatini for another elegant dinner.
DAY 5 – Venice
On Day 5, the tour group leaves Montecatini for Venice. It is a bit of a drive, but there is Wi-Fi onboard the bus. On the way, the tour group stops at Pisa for a photo opportunity with the famous Leaning Tower. Make sure to have some spare change since bathrooms cost money in various parts of Italy. After leaving the city, the group continues driving through the beautiful mountains; aqueducts can be seen along the picturesque drive. To get to the island of Venice, the group must take a short boat ride across the Mediterranean. Venice is a unique city full of winding streets and alleys. The city is famous for its canals and gondolas. Guests can choose from two optional excursions: the Venetian Dinner or Gondola Ride. They can even do both!
DAY 6 – St. Mark’s Square
Day 6 focuses on St. Mark’s Square. The local guide leads the tour through the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Bridge of Sighs. In the end, everyone gets a chance to watch a skilled glassblower at work. Because Venice is on an island, shops have to ship their inventory by boat. Thus, everything is more expensive for locals and tourists. Venice is a touristy destination, which can be good and bad. Prepare for lots of people during the day. However, the early morning and late afternoons are quite pleasant. The tour group can take an optional excursion to Burano, a little island filled with colorful houses. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. In addition, guests have time to shop around for souvenirs like lace and kitchen towels. In the evening, everyone is on their own to explore Venice. The tour guide explained that you should get lost in the little streets to understand the mystery of the city.
DAY 7 – Assissi
Day 7 means leaving Venice and heading to Assisi. Assisi is a medieval town in the rolling hills of Perugia. Once there, the tour group gets a chance to visit St. Clare’s Church and St. Francis’ Basilica with the local guide. The cathedrals are quite fascinating, as they are built on top of each other. Later, the group returns to the hotel for a dinner buffet and a quiet evening.
DAY 8 – Pompeii
Day 8 is very eventful! The tour hops on the bus, heading towards Pompeii. This city is famous for the volcanic eruption that took place in 79 AD. The entire city was buried under around 20 feet of ash, which mummified both architecture and people. Today, Pompeii is open to the public. The tour group walks around the ruins, learning about the history of the city from the local guide. Be prepared to wear sunscreen, as there is little shade in this city! Afterwards, the group heads to Naples to hop on a boat heading to Capri. The evening is free for guests to explore the little island.
DAY 9 – Capri
Day 9 is all about touring the island of Capri. After an early start, the tour takes an open taxi ride to the top of the mountain. It is quite a thrill! At the top, guests can explore the Villa San Michele as well as the various boutique shops. Later, everyone takes a relaxing boat cruise around the island. I must say, the water is as blue as sapphires. It is one of the most breathtaking things I have ever seen. The day ends with a special evening dinner that looks out across the ocean.
DAY 10 – Positano / Amalfi Coast
Day 10 is the last full day of the trip. After saying goodbye to the beautiful Capri, the tour heads to Sorrento by boat. The optional excursion is a trip to Positano and drive along the Amalfi Coast. I recommend this excursion because it is the most scenic part of the whole tour! Positano is a quiet little town built into the side of a mountain. At the bottom of the mountain, guests can relax at the beach or eat at one of the many restaurants. Finally, the tour hops back on the bus for the ride back to Rome. During the farewell dinner, guests are treated to an opera. While dining on risotto and pasta, everyone watches as three talented musicians sing a number of different songs. It is a great way to end the Italy trip!
DAY 11 – Departure
On Day 11, everyone eats their last breakfast buffet, says goodbye to their friends, and heads to the airport. These past 11 days have been adventurous, insightful, and truly inspiring.
Conclusion
The top travel agents have personal experience and specialization in destinations that interest you. If you’re ready to take an unforgettable journey to explore Italy and all Globus has to offer, give Beth, one of our many top travel agents in St. Louis, a call today at 636.778.1081 or complete the form below and she will contact you with more information.
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