GLOBUS 2009: ESSENTIAL EUROPE (HF)

2009: Globus Europe Vacations

12 days incl. air, or 11 days from Rome to London

This is one of our most popular Europe trips. This wonderful European vacation starts with two nights in Rome, where you enjoy a special welcome dinner with wine at a lively Roman restaurant. You also stop in major cities like Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris. All major cities include a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, so you can see and experience the "must-see" features, such as St. Peter's, the Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum in Rome; Michelangelo's David in Florence; St. Mark's Square in Venice; the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris; and St. Paul's Cathedral in London. From Italy, cross the border into subtropical Lugano in Switzerland, then drive straight through the Alps via the ten-mile St. Gotthard Tunnel and William Tell country to picture-book Lucerne. In Lucerne, enjoy a relaxing two-night stay including a walking tour and plenty of time to shop, climb a mountain by cable car, take a cruise on the fjord-like lake, or just rest before traveling to Paris. In Paris, the traditional climax of every European vacation, admire the most famous sights on your guided sightseeing tour. See Champs-Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, and ride up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower for spectacular views of Paris. Finally, after two nights in Paris, board the Eurostar train for a smooth ride to London. Your European vacation ends with two nights in London and a guided sightseeing tour of London's famous landmarks. This is a wonderful vacation any time you want to see the most popular cities of Europe.

HOTELS
Rome Starhotels Michelangelo (SF), Florence Starhotels Tuscany (F), Venice Plaza (F) at Mestre, Lucerne Astoria (F), Paris Holiday Inn (F), London Hilton London Metropole (SF)

Call (559) 686-1631 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7481625

Tour Operator

Globus

Duration

12 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Board your overnight transatlantic flight	Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2	Rome	Time to rest or start exploring the "Eternal City." At 6 pm, 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	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. (B)
Day 4	Rome-Florence	An easy morning drive north to Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance." Enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo's celebrated David and the magnificent CATHEDRAL. Admire Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise," and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Later, take a moment to check out the enticing shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry. (B,D)
Day 5	Florence-Venice	Drive across the Apennine Hills and through the plains of the mighty River Po to Venice. Enter the city in style by PRIVATE BOAT to ST. MARK'S SQUARE. Admire the byzantine basilica, the Clock Tower, lavish Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects, then time to explore or to join an optional gondola ride. (B,D)
Day 6	Venice-Lugano, Switzerland-Lucerne	Through the Lombardian plains, past Milan and Lake Como to the Swiss Alps. Stop in the subtropical town of Lugano, then, admire the towering majesty of the Swiss Alps and St. Gotthard on the way to picture-book Lucerne. Why not sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of Alpine merrymaking? (B)
Day 7	Lucerne	Admire Thorwaldsen's LION MONUMENT and the ornate patrician houses lining the cobbled streets of the Old Town, then, cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Afterwards, shop for Swiss watches and choose from our optional activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a cruise on the fjord-like lake. (B,D)
Day 8	LUCERNE-PARIS, FRANCE	Cross the border into France and enjoy a fast ride on the modern highway skirting the vineyards of Burgundy and Fontainebleau Forest. Tonight, you are in Paris, the traditional climax of every European tour. (B)
Day 9	Paris	Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opera, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, 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. (B)
Day 10	PARIS-LONDON, ENGLAND	Board the EUROSTAR TRAIN for a smooth ride to London arriving in the late afternoon. Why not take in a West End show tonight? (B)
Day 11	London	Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister's Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure. You may wish to sign up for an optional excursion to the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels or an evening cruise on the River Thames. (B)
Day 12	Your homebound flight arrives the same day	Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

US$ Price Details

Single room supplement:
$646, $724 (0329-1025)

Triple room reduction per person:
$71

Extra nights per person in Rome:
Jan.-Apr.: in single room $245, in twin room $180, in triple room $146
May-Apr.'10: in single room $267, in twin room $195, in triple room $160

Extra nights per person in London:
Jan.-Apr.: in single room $153, in twin room $92, in triple room $80
May-Oct.: in single room $230, in twin room $163, in triple room $147
Nov.-Apr.'10: in single room $157, in twin room $94, in triple room $84

2010 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in Oct. 2009.

Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.

Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.

Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.

Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature.

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