Essential Europe
Essential Europe
Essential Europe
9 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: Rome, Florence, Venice, Bellinzona, Lucerne, Paris, Europe
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HF-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Essential Europe" tour, a captivating journey through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Experience guided sightseeing in Rome, including the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum, and marvel at Michelangelo’s David in Florence. Enjoy a private boat ride in Venice, with stops at St. Mark’s Square and the Bridge of Sighs, followed by a scenic drive through the Swiss Alps to Lucerne. Savor local specialties and Merlot wine in Bellinzona, and explore Lucerne’s Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge. Conclude your adventure in Paris with a Seine River cruise and a farewell dinner. This tour offers a blend of cultural highlights, historical landmarks, and unique local experiences.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Rome,Italy
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Rome
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: Radisson Blu Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
ROME Guided sightseeing includes the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Colosseum. Free afternoon.
Day 3: Rome,Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
Meals Included: Breakfast
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
Day 4: Florence,Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Plaza Mestre
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 [LF] dinner at a local restaurant followed by a private water-taxi ride through the Grand Canal. 174 mi / 280 km
Day 5: Venice,Bellinzona,Switzerland,Lucerne
Location: Bellinzona
Accommodation Name: Astoria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
BELLINZONA [LF] 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
Day 6: Lucerne
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation Name: Astoria
Meals Included: Breakfast
LUCERNE Walking tour includes the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge. Free time this afternoon and evening.
Day 7: Lucerne,Basel,Paris,France
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: Les Jardins du Marais
Meals Included: Breakfast
BASEL Board the high-speed TGV train to Paris. Free time this afternoon and evening. 404 mi / 650 km
Day 8: Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation Name: Les Jardins du Marais
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
PARIS Free time this morning. Guided sightseeing this afternoon includes orientation drive and Seine River cruise. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9: Paris
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation in Rome at Radisson Blu Rome, in Florence at Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, in Venice at Plaza Mestre and Leonardo Royal, in Lucerne at Astoria, and in Paris at Les Jardins du Marais.
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Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 light lunch; 3 three-course dinners.
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Guided Sightseeing
Guided sightseeing in Rome includes the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, and the Colosseum. In Florence, guided sightseeing includes Michelangelo’s David, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s Gates of Paradise, and Signoria Square. In Venice, a private boat ride and orientation walk including St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and a glassblowing demonstration. In Lucerne, a walking tour includes the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge. In Paris, guided sightseeing includes an orientation drive and Seine River cruise.
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Transportation
High-speed TGV train from Basel to Paris.
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Special Experiences
Private water-taxi ride through the Grand Canal in Venice and a light lunch with local specialties and Merlot wine in Bellinzona.
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Small Group Discoveries
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona, Historic Centre of Florence, Historic Centre of Rome, Vatican City, Paris Banks of the Seine, and Venice and its Lagoon.
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, laundry, and tips 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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Visas and Entry Fees
Visas and entry fees to the countries visited are not included.
Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 light lunch; 3 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 Europe 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 European tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona|Historic Centre of Florence|Historic Centre of Rome - various properties Vatican City|Paris Banks of the Seine|Vatican City|Venice and its Lagoon
Accommodation
Stay in luxurious accommodations including Radisson Blu Rome, Grand Hotel Mediterraneo in Florence, Plaza Mestre and Leonardo Royal in Venice, Astoria in Lucerne, and Les Jardins du Marais in Paris.
Mode of Transport
Travel includes a private boat ride in Venice, a scenic drive through the Swiss Alps, and a high-speed TGV train from Basel to Paris.
Notes
The Vatican Museums are wheelchair accessible, but the entrance and route differ from those of the included guided visit.For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.For operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes a private boat ride in Venice, a scenic drive through the Swiss Alps, and a high-speed TGV train from Basel to Paris.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes a full buffet breakfast daily, one light lunch, and three three-course dinners.
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What special experiences are included in the tour?
Special experiences include a private water-taxi ride through the Grand Canal in Venice and a light lunch with local specialties and Merlot wine in Bellinzona.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
Accommodation includes stays at Radisson Blu Rome in Rome, Grand Hotel Mediterraneo in Florence, Plaza Mestre and Leonardo Royal in Venice, Astoria in Lucerne, and Les Jardins du Marais in Paris.
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Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona, the Historic Centre of Florence, the Historic Centre of Rome, Vatican City, Paris Banks of the Seine, and Venice and its Lagoon.
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Is there any free time during the tour?
Yes, there is free time in Rome on Day 2, in Florence on Day 3, in Venice on Day 4, in Lucerne on Day 6, and in Paris on Day 7 and the morning of Day 8.
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What is the group size for this tour?
The tour offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
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Are flights included in the tour package?
No, international and domestic flights are not included in the tour package.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
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What personal expenses are not included in the tour package?
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and tips are not included in the tour package.
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Are visas and entry fees included in the tour package?
No, visas and entry fees to the countries visited are not included in the tour package.
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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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