Compare Italian Vista by Globus vs Italian Discovery by Eskapas
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,459 | $ 2,500 |
| Price Per Day | $ 307 | $ 250 |
| Highlights |
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- Most comprehensive itinerary of Northern and Southern Italy |
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
9 breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners (please inform us at the moment of the booking, in case of any food allergy or alimentary restriction) |
| Description | Explore hidden cobblestone streets, watch the world go by from a sidewalk cafe, sail across beautiful blue waters and delight at the local specialties on this incomparable Italian vacation. If you’ve envisioned it, you’ll see it, hear it, experience it, and taste it on this scenic and scintillating tour of Italy—from the historic Colosseum of Rome to the song-filled canals of Venice, the quiet back alleys of Assisi to the bold storefronts of Milan, and the sweet views of Lake Como to the bittersweet Aperol liqueur of Padua. Warm locals welcome you in each ancient city, medieval village, and indulgent resort, sharing with youth stories behind the architecture, the tales behind the sculptures, the meaning behind the brushstrokes, and if you’re lucky, the secret ingredients on your plate! | The ten-day fully escorted “Italian Discovery” tour starts from and ends in Rome. All the iconic Italian cities – from the splendors of the Renaissance in Florence to the ruins of ancient Rome, to the sunny Amalfi coastline – are yours to discover during an epic 10 days in Italy. Get ready to discover the true essence of Italy on this outstanding travel experience with Eskapas. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY
Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (Dinner)
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Day 2: ROME
When in Rome ROME Guided Sightseeing includes the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. Visit St. Peter’s Square and Basilica to see Michelangelo’s Pietà and visit the Colosseum. Free time this late afternoon and evening. * (Breakfast)
* For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDARY 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 3: ROME–ORVIETO–ASSISI
Historic Halls ORVIETO Spend free time in Piazza del Duomo.ASSISI Visit the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast) 137 mi / 220 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTICONIC 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.
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Day 4: ASSISI–FLORENCE–PADUA
Legendary Landmarks FLORENCE Guided walking tour includes sights of the cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the massive bronze doors of the Baptistry’s “Gates of Paradise,” and the sculptures of Signoria Square.PADUA Take an orientation drive, followed by an [LF] Italian aperitivo (pre-dinner cocktail) at Café Pedrocchi. (Breakfast) 249 mi / 400 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES They say aperitivo is life. Indulge in the Italian specialties served at Café Pedrocchi with a traditional cocktail before dinner. From the Latin word for ‘open,’ aperitivi cocktails or wine are served between 6 and 9pm as an opener to the evening meal. Alla salute!
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Day 5: PADUA. EXCURSION TO VENICE
Benvenuti a Venezia VENICE A private boat ride and guided walking tour, to see St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and a glassblower demonstration. (Breakfast) 50 mi / 80 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC 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.
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Day 6: PADUA–VERONA–MILAN
Ladies & Gentlemen of Verona VERONA Walk to Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Bra to admire the Arena.MILAN Orientation walk includes stops at La Scala Opera House, the Galleria, and the Duomo. Free time for dinner. (Breakfast) 174 mi / 280 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURE & TRADITION Stroll through the grand piazzas of Verona, where the tradition of La Passeggiata (leisurely stroll) is alive and well near the site of the ancient forum. Where fruits, vegetables, and spices once filled the market squares, now eateries and shops share the space with the ancient arts of sumptuous fountains, monuments, architecture, and people-watching.
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Day 7: MILAN. EXCURSION TO LAKE COMO
Life on the Lake LAKE COMO Take a [LF] private boat ride to Bellagio.MILAN Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 106 mi /170 km
LOCAL FAVORITE EPIC RIDE Glide on the gorgeous waters of lago di Como on your private cruise to beautiful Bellagio - Lake Como’s most loved village with narrow streets and stunning views. A magical experience to take in Italy’s most famous lake.
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Day 8: MILAN
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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Day 1
Rome Arrival
Benvenuti a Roma!
Arrival to Rome , meet and greet with our private driver at the airport. Transfer to your hotel.
Tread in the footsteps of emperors and slaves your first encounter with intoxicating Italy is the ‘Eternal City’ and its glorious past which you will have an opportunity to explore on your own before joining our Rome by Night Guided Walk starting at At 8:30 pm – reach the meeting point (on the corner of Via del Traforo (near street no. 148) and Largo del Tritone, on the wide sidewalk opposite the wedding-dress shop) to be ready for the departure of the Rome by night tour.
Our local expert guide will lead you to discover the wonders of the Eternal City, charming by day – absolutely romantic by night. You enjoy the whole center of this magic city in the moonlight during this panoramic mix of bus and walking tour. The tour ends in Colosseum area. Enjoy on your own the rest of the night. Return to the hotel on your own and overnight stay.
Overnight: Rome Meals: Not Available
Day 2
Rome > Assisi > Siena > Florence (B, D)
Departing at 7:15 am from your hotel by a deluxe coach, you will arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure, this tiny town surrounded by walls, built in the Middle Ages. Take your time to visit the basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue and, then, have free time for lunch (not included). Board on the bus to reach Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, you will continue on to Florence, where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner and a well-earned night of rest.
Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Day 3
Florence (B,L)
After breakfast, you will spend the day venturing around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance”, where, with the help of Michelangelo, Italian art reached its pinnacle. Based on Etruscan-Roman origins, the city flourished in the Middle Ages as a free “Comune” and was further refined during the Renaissance. You will be fascinated by the uncountable monuments, churches and buildings as Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo. On your visit, you will be amazed by its magnificent dome built by Filippo Brunelleschi.
Cross a small piazza to see the “Campanile” tower (partly designed by Giotto) and the Baptistery, with its bronze doors where Michelangelo imagined the “Gates of Paradise.” In the heart of the city, you will see Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), and the Basilica of Santa Croce.
Lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence on your own or take a short trip to Pisa (optional), one of the four main historical Marine Republics of Italy. There, you will tour the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, Pisa’s symbol “the Leaning Tower” and the Baptistery.
Overnight: Florence. Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
Day 4
Florence > Bologna > Padua > Venice (B, D)
After breakfast in Florence, departure to Bologna. There, you will discover the elegant city center with its “porticos”, it’s shopping streets and so on. From Piazza Malpighi you will walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore (Neptune square and Major square) in the heart of the city, then King Renzo’s Palace; Palazzo Podestà and the basilica of San Petronio, one of the biggest in the world. Bologna it’s a real gourmet’s heaven…don’t miss a tasty meal at your own leisure! In the afternoon, continue toward Padova, with Sant’Antonio Basilica: one of the most visited churches by pilgrims of the catholic world. Later in the afternoon, arrival in Venice (Mestre). Check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight: Venice Mestre Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Day 5
Venice (B)
After breakfast, enjoy your transfer to Piazza San Marco, with “Skip the Line” tickets to visit the splendid St. Mark’s Basilica and, after this, check out the most iconic places of the “Floating City”: the Palazzo dei Dogi, symbol of Venice’s glorious past, the legendary “Bridge of Sighs”. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight.
Overnight: Venice Mestre Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Venice > Tuscany Wine Region (Montepulciano) > Rome (B, L)
After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches and castles and its delicious wines. You will proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Nobile” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual Jazz and Wine Festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included!!! After lunch, quick stop to spend some free time. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome to check in into your hotel.
Overniht: Rome Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7
Rome (B)
Between 7:45/8:00 am, after breakfast, departure from the hotel for the included tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s square with our exclusive “Skip the Line” access! No stress to reach the area: upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums where you’ll visit one of the most important art collections of the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries and Geographical Maps before admiring Raphael’s Rooms and, then, the amazing Sistine Chapel. The tour couldn’t be complete without St. Peter’s Square, the open space which lies before the basilica, redesigned by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and being itself an architectural masterpiece of the Baroque age.
Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Rome > Naples > Pompeii > Sorrento (B, L, D)
After breakfast, pick up at your hotel at 7:00 am approximately. Departure by coach heading south crossing the regions of Lazio and Campania. Arrival in Naples and short panoramic tour climbing up to Vomero hill to enjoy beautiful views over the Gulf of Naples with the Vesuvius, Capri, Ischia and Procida and the city below; time to take some nice pictures. Descending towards the port of Mergellina, you will leave the city and travel south towards Mount Vesuvius and, once you reach the town of Pompeii, you will have lunch with the real Neapolitan pizza! After lunch, you will enter into one of the most important archaeological sites in the world: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Pompeii, with Skip the Line entrance and a guided tour.
Visit the haunting ruins of Pompeii, traveling back in time to the tragic days in 79 AD when the silent Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, covering the prosperous Roman city in deadly volcanic ashes and poisonous gases, leaving this prosperous city crystallized until our days. You’ll learn how people lived at that time, visiting houses and “bars” of the time, admiring frescoes and mosaics to imagine how rich and prosperous was the city before the dreadful day. After the visit, you will drive along the Sorrentine Coast, arriving in Sorrento for dinner (dress code: jacket for men) and an overnight in your new hotel.
Overnight: Sorrento Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9
Sorrento > Capri > Rome (B, L)
After breakfast, get ready for an exciting excursion to the island of Capri: one of the most exclusive summer destinations of the Mediterranean! Depending on weather and sea conditions, you will admire the dreamy Blue Grotto on a small rowboat. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then roam the island at your own pace. Once back on the mainland, return to Rome in the evening for your last overnight.
Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10
Rome Departure
After your breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport for your onward flight. End of our services
Overnight: Not Available Meals: Breakfast
