Tour Overview
Embark on "The Best of Italy" tour and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Italy. This journey takes you through iconic cities and landmarks, starting with a welcome dinner in Rome. Explore the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum, then travel to Orvieto and Montecatini. Discover Florence's artistic treasures, see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and enjoy a private boat ride in Venice. Experience the serene beauty of Assisi, the ancient ruins of Pompeii, and the charm of Capri. Conclude your adventure with a farewell dinner in Rome, staying in luxurious accommodations throughout. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Rome,Italy
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Degli Aranci
Meals Included: Dinner
At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Degli Aranci
Meals Included: Breakfast
ROME When in Rome ROME Guided sightseeing includes a visit of the Colosseum and views of the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum. Free time this evening.* (B)* For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded. TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOTS Rome is a vibrant city with a strong character and overflowing with art, culture, history, gastronomy, monuments, fascinating stories, and much more. Built on 7 hills and considered to be the “Cradle of Western Civilisation”, it is the city with the most churches and fountains in the world. When you stand in the heart of Ancient Rome, discovering stories about the Roman Empire whilst admiring the Colosseum and Roman Forum, it becomes easy to understand the origins of the saying “All roads lead to Rome”.
Day 3: Rome,Orvieto,Montecatini
Location: Rome, Orvieto, Montecatini
Accommodation Name: Croce Di Malta
Meals Included: Breakfast
ROME–MONTECATINI Views & Vistas ROME Enter the Vatican City State for a guided sightseeing of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and the spectacular St.Peter’s Basilica. Later, relax during a scenic drive through Umbria and Tuscany en route to Montecatini.* (B) 199 mi / 320 km* For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded. TOUR HIGHLIGHTOne of Italy’s most recognized regions, Tuscany has so much to offer. It has an artistic and cultural heritage that is difficult to surpass. Birthplace to pioneers such as Dante, Gallileo, Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to name just a few; and home to historic towns and cities that flourished under important families such as the Medici. Today enjoy views of the Tuscan countryside, as you drive by rolling green hills, lush vineyards, towering Cypress trees and olive groves.
Day 4: Montecatini. Excursion To Florence
Location: Montecatini, Florence
Accommodation Name: Croce Di Malta
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
MONTECATINI. EXCURSION TO FLORENCE Italian Beauties 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. [LF] Taste a traditional gelato. Free time this afternoon. (B,D) 81 mi / 130 kmLOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES After seeing some of the world’s most magnificent architecture and Rennaissance masterpieces in Florence, your day gets even sweeter with a mouth-watering masterpiece in the birthplace of Italian gelato. We can thank the actual Renaissance man - designer and architect Bernardo Buontalenti - who invented gelato in 16th-century Florence. Created with less fat and less air than commercial ice cream, gelato is a dense, creamy, frozen confection served in a multitude of tastes. Not an easy decision in how you’ll fill your cup or cone!
Day 5: Montecatini,Pisa,Venice Island
Location: Montecatini, Pisa, Venice
Accommodation Name: Carlton on the Grand Canal
Meals Included: Breakfast
MONTECATINI–PISA–VENICE ISLAND The Tilted Tower PISA See the Leaning Tower en route to Venice. Free time for dinner. (B) 249 mi / 400 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE See architecture gone askew from the viewpoint of the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. Take the ultimate selfie in front of the Leaning Tower with a tilt of the head or other popular poses to commemorate your visit to this hub of European medieval art in Pisa’s beautiful piazza.
Day 6: Venice Island
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Carlton on the Grand Canal
Meals Included: Breakfast
VENICE ISLAND Benvenuti a Venezia VENICE ISLAND Take a private boat ride on the canals. Guided walking tour to see St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs followed by a glassblowing demonstration. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Locals simply call Piazza San Marco “la piazza.” As paired with the smaller Piazzetta, it forms the social, religious, and political hub of Venice, which Napoleon called “the drawing room of Europe.” St. Mark’s Basilica dominates the square, offering visitors a spectacular view of the great arches, marble embellishments, and the Romanesque carvings of its façade. Also gracing the square is Doge’s Palace – a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. The enclosed Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace with the prison, is named for the prisoners breathing in their last view of the Rio di Palazzo on their walk to the prison’s interrogation rooms.
Day 7: Venice Island,Assisi
Location: Venice, Assisi
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Assisi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
VENICE ISLAND–ASSISI Medieval Marvels Scenic drive through the Apennine Mountains en route to Assisi.ASSISI Guided walking tour includes St. Clare’s Church and St. Francis’ Basilica. (B,D) 267 mi / 430 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi with a visit to the Basilica named after the deacon, friar, and mystic, who became one of the most venerated religious figures in Christianity. Revered for his love of the Eucharist and the Earth, Francis found communion with God through nature here in this Italian village where he lived and died. Marvel at the magnificent frescoes by Italian master Giotto that adorn the Basilica where the Saint is buried.
Day 8: Assisi,Pompeii,Naples,Capri
Location: Assisi, Pompeii, Naples, Capri
Accommodation Name: San Michele
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
ASSISI–POMPEII–NAPLES–CAPRI Time Standing Still in Pompeii POMPEII Join a guided walking tour of the excavations.NAPLES Embark on a jetfoil ride to the island of Capri.CAPRI Take a funicular ride from the harbor to Capri village. (B,D) 292 mi / 470 kmTOUR 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 the dwellings of the people who perished here.
Day 9: Capri
Location: Capri
Accommodation Name: Weber Ambassador
Meals Included: Breakfast
CAPRI Coves & Cliffs on the Clear Blue Sea CAPRI Guided sightseeing includes [LF] a visit famous Villa San Michele. [LF] Take a scenic cruise (weather permitting) around the island. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B)LOCAL FAVORITE PICTURE PERFECT Visit stunning Villa San Michele perched high above the breathtaking Bay of Naples. Swedish physician Axel Munthe dedicated much of his life to the construction of the villa and surrounding gardens. His masterpiece, the Story of San Michele, recounts of his wish for a “house open to the sun and wind and the voice of the sea, like a Greek temple, and light, light, light everywhere!” Follow your visit to the villa with a spectacular cruise around the isle of Capri.
Day 10: Capri,Sorrento,Rome
Location: Capri, Sorrento, Rome
Accommodation Name: Albani
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
CAPRI–SORRENTO–ROME Arrivederci, Roma CAPRI Embark on a jetfoil ride to Sorrento.SORRENTO Enjoy free time.ROME Join a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 174 mi / 280 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEMS Just as the sirens of Greek mythology lured sailors to the rocky shores of Sorrento, we are drawn to its alluring panoramas, bistros, and boutiques. Take a seat in a sidewalk cafe to peruse the picturesque panoramas on the Bay of Naples.
Day 11: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Albani
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation in Rome, Montecatini, Venice Island, Assisi, and Capri.
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Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily, 5 three-course dinners.
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Guided Tours
Guided sightseeing in Rome, Florence, Venice Island, Assisi, Pompeii, and Capri.
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Transportation
Private boat ride on the canals in Venice, jetfoil ride to Capri, and funicular ride from the harbor to Capri village.
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Special Experiences
Taste a traditional gelato in Florence, glassblowing demonstration in Venice, and open-taxi ride to Anacapri.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Assisi, Florence, Rome, Vatican City, Pisa, Montecatini, and Venice.
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Small Group Discoveries
Option for Small-Group Discoveries with an average of just 24 guests per departure.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and processing are not included.
Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily, 5 three-course dinners
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. 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 escorted 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 trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds. ...more ...less
UNESCO Sites
Archeological Site of Pompeii|Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco)|Historic Centre of Florence|Historic Centre of Rome - various properties Vatican City|Piazza del Duomo Pisa|The great Spa Towns of Europe - Montecatini|Vatican City|Venice and its Lagoon
Accommodation
Rome:Degli Aranci
Rome:NYX Roma
Rome:Radisson Blu Rome
Montecatini:Croce Di Malta
Venice Island:Carlton on the Grand Canal
Assisi:Grand Hotel Assisi
Assisi:Cenacolo
Capri:Weber Ambassador
Rome:Villa Pamphili
Rome:Albani
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Mode of Transport
Transportation includes a mix of private boat rides, jetfoil rides, and scenic drives through various Italian cities and landmarks.
Notes
Rome - the 2025 Jubilee Year events may necessitate changes in the sequence of activities or the omission of certain events/places. Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, but it may be subject to change.
This tour requires walking on uneven terrain, especially at archaeological sites, which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
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Check out our Q&As
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes a full buffet breakfast daily and 5 three-course dinners.
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What is the group size for this tour?
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
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What are some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited on this tour?
The tour visits several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco), the Historic Centre of Florence, the Historic Centre of Rome, Vatican City, Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, the great Spa Towns of Europe in Montecatini, and Venice and its Lagoon.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes various forms of transportation such as private boat rides on the canals in Venice and a jetfoil ride to the island of Capri.
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What kind of activities are included in Venice?
In Venice, the tour includes a private boat ride on the canals, a guided walking tour of St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs, followed by a glassblowing demonstration.
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What can I expect during the visit to Florence?
In 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. You will also get to taste a traditional gelato and have free time in the afternoon.
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What is included in the visit to Capri?
In Capri, the tour includes a funicular ride from the harbor to Capri village, an open-taxi ride to Anacapri to visit the famous Villa San Michele, and a scenic cruise around the island (weather permitting).
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes stays at various hotels such as Degli Aranci in Rome, Croce Di Malta in Montecatini, Carlton on the Grand Canal in Venice Island, Grand Hotel Assisi in Assisi, San Michele and Weber Ambassador in Capri, and Albani in Rome.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
The Best of Italy
11 Days Starting and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Rome, Orvieto, Montecatini, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Assisi, Pompeii, Naples, Capri, Sorrento, Europe ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LB-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
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